Southern Italy- Mediterranean flavors of Puglia: Olive groves, Baroque cathedrals and iconic trulli
Start from the UNESCO town of Matera through another Unesco village Alberobello and Italy’s heel to Lecce, the pink city
#A visit to Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
#Taste olive oil from 600-year-old trees at a working olive mill Frantolio
#Cycling along Italy’s most stunning coastal road to the Otranto, Baia di Enea
#Start form the stunning Unesco town of Matera- town of culture for 2019
#Wine tour in Salento at the acclaimed Liveli winery
#Matera: carved dwellings, The Sassi & Ostuni: The White Town citta bianca
#Lecce: A baroque town, Florence of the South
Firstly: in the deep south of Italy, nestled between the Adriatic and Ionian seas, lie the captivating regions of Puglia and Basilicata. We propose this itinerary that explores the very best selection of all the cultural and natural treasures found here. This corner of Italy boot shaped is an exotic area due to Greek, Norman and Arab influences
Above all: Matera unique Sassi houses & Alberobello charming Trulli houses, squat houses of whitewashed stone unique conical roofs, an amazing scene for your journey. We bike coastal roads through Adriatic fishing ports, then venture inland past olive groves, vineyards and grazing sheep.
After passing through idyllic countryside and the stunning white city of Ostuni, the route veers towards famous Salento Peninsula, we immerse ourselves in the charming laid-back Italian way of living and explore a stunning landscape made of olive orchards, limestone cliffs, crystal waters and Baroque towns.
In addiction, Not-to-be-missed the regional cuisine: abundant seafood, fresh vegetables, homemade pasta and outstanding bred pane.
October 25-31
Meet at Bari station at 12.00 and Transfer to Matera
Arrival in Matera. For millennia, inhabitants of this region have carved dwellings directly into ravines and gullies made of tuff (or tufa), a characteristic honey-colored soft stone. These houses are called “Sassi” and are today World Heritage site.
Check into your rooms at our hotel in the histroial center. Meet your guides during a bike-fitting session.
Welcome dinner in town
From Matera pedal through groves of olive trees to follow rolling country roads lines with ancient stone walls through the fertile Valle d’Itria. Our goal is Alberobello, a world heritage site and known for nearly conical shaped white 1,000 Trulli dating back to the 13th century, this particular houses are painted with strange symbols on their roofs and framed by rich green farmland. Once at Alberobello an historic local guide will welcome us introducing the trulli world – after you will be free to wander in this magic town.
Distance 70 km/44 miles
Today you will visi Ostuni – the ride from Alberobello is amazing: you reach the coastal panoramic road and you will skirt the seaside until the last uphill to Ostuni. On the coast pass Torre egnazia, Savelletri, Torre Canne
Ostuni is a charming hamlet whose whitewashed arches and houses are neatly piled like sugar cubes with beautiful examples of Baroque and renaissance architecture. back to the charming Alberobello
loop ride to Martina Franca, all baroque
Highlight today is Martina Franca and olive oil tasting in Cisternino.
Start the ride on little road to Ceglie Messapica, this lovely town on a hill is protected by a 5 km perimeters of walls the town acropolis one dominated the surrounding area, on to Martina Franca – a must-see town for its marvelously intact historic center, beautiful Baroque architecture, and stunning palazzo. Back in the saddle and after 10 km we arrive at frantoio d’amico where we have the olive oil tasting and lunch. There is also a museum where you may learn about the region most abundant product.
Distance 62 km/38,5 miles
Cellino san Marco Special event : wine tasting
We could not let you spend a week with us in Puglia without sampling one of its most sensational and up-and-coming products – wine! Our destination is Lecce, the capital of the Salento Province for an tour of the incomparable baroque architecture.
Cycling to Cellino San Marco at our favourite winery, the cycling is easy, all flat, all secondary road. Cappuccino Espresso stop could be in Carovigno. Continue to Mesagne and enter in Salento area with all vineyards around – Liveli is one of Puglia’s most renowned wineries. After a fascinating tour with the vineyard’s expert oenologist, we will be treated to a private lunch and wine tasting in a dining room overlooking the ageing barrels of wine. After lunch transfer to Lecce, the pink city, the Florence of the Baroque, the gleaming gem of Apulia.
distance 60km/37,5 miles
Cycle skirting coast and ride passing Otranto: the old town center is the first compulsory stop to discover beautiful spots and views striking for the southern aspect of the houses, painted in bright colors and enclosed in the wall fortifications overlooking the south bank of the harbor. We pass Santa Cesarea hot spring and Grotta Zinzalusa it is a fantastic grotta on the seaside where is possible have a great view overlooking the panorama. You will love the tiny roads that sometimes seem like bike paths.
Farewell dinner at Osteria Contemporanea, authentic local food.
Distance 65 km/40 miles
After a farewell breakfast all together and sightsee in Lecce.
Cost: € 3200 per person in double occupancy
single room supplement euro 850
Six nights in superior hotels and breakfast
Four dinners, two lunches & one wine tastings
Snacks and drinks along the way
All maps, trip notes and detailed route directions
All Shuttles and technical assistance
Support Van, all transfer baggage
Services of 2 experienced bilingual guides
Cicloposse water bottle
Airfare to Italy, 4 lunches, 1 dinner, beverages, gratuities, travel insurance, laundry expenses and items of a personal nature.
Bike Rental for entire tour
Hybrid bike euro 180
Road bike, E-bike, Gravel euro 250
Hotel Palazzo Viceconte, an early 17th century historic Palazzo in the heart of the ancient city of Matera, Italy. Recently renovated and with the best panoramic views over Sassi and its surroundings, sleeping in Hotel Palazzo Viceconte means splendid hospitality in the captivating charm of a historic Palazzo.
Sleeping in the trullo: the suites of Le Alcove will bring you back to timeless stories, as characters of a fairy tale. Beautiful as precious stones encrusted, the roofs are white here, the cone-shaped ceiling and its stones embrace one another like a wizard’s hat, luxury is sober in the centuries-old walls.
Despite its exotic Moorish interiors, Spa Luciagiovanni is a state-of-the art medical spa, offering both relaxing wellness rituals inspired by the Orient and hi-tech beauty procedures, including Botox and laser therapy. Want to maintain your fitness regime whilst on holiday? The resort has a gym, squash and beach tennis courts and a pool for counter current swimming.
Explore south Italy Trulli & Lecce
Torgiano & Montefalco Sagrantino
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Tour Reviews
Ciao Giuliana. I wanted to tell you that we really enjoyed our bicycle tour of the Puglia region. The bikes where very good, the scenery was pretty, the hotels where superb and the weather (except for one day with rain) was great. we would gladly recommend this tour to others, especially for the good service from you and your team. Thanks again, Arrivederci
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