Puglia Classic Bike Tour
Matera to Adriatic Coast
Why classic? the meaning is borrowed from wine world – an area historic for tourism: the gleaming villages and towns that made those regions so famous – yes , plural, because the tour starts in Matera- Basilicata region and cross the Puglia till seaside.
Wow Moments
- Hop between Unesco sites: Sassi di Matera to Trulli di Alberobello
- Sleep in a restored trullo at a hip new boutique hotel
- Artisanal olive oils, fresh seafood, orecchiette pasta, mozzarella di bufala cheese, hand-crafted breads are some of the food specialty
- Great regional red wine Primitivo and Negroamaro and the funky Susumaniello
sassi di Matera unesco site
since 1993, it is considered the most outstanding, intact example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean region, perfectly adapted to its terrain and ecosystem, the first inhabited zone dates from the Palaeolithic, while later settlements illustrate a number of significant stages in human history AND MORE recently was the location of the last James Bond movie No Time to Die. From our experience we think need to stay 2 nights to enter in the atmosphere and feel the history and we arranged the loop options
Valle d’itria
After this gorgeous beginning you leave and visit what we consider the must-to-see villages in Puglia Valle D’Itria: Alberobello, Ostuni and Polignano a Mare
Next stage is the other famous Unesco site Alberobello across the broad, gently rolling plains of the western Murge. We arrange you sleep in one trullo, conical roof house. That is part of the experience, this village is unique and quintessential of Puglia.
Ostuni the so called white town –a maze of small white streets to get lost. Explore the chic Cisternino, the amazing Locorotondo and the Baroque Martina Franca.
For the last ride you will ride the coast road to Polignano a mare, a real Gem, built on the edge of a craggy ravine pockmarked with caves. Be sure to wander in the logge –balconies –to admire the crashing waves, visit the caves and got to one cornetteria -shops specializing in Italian croissants, cornetto. Pass fisherman villages and roman ruins – strongly suggested to stop on the way to savour sea food- in this region there is an ancient tradition of raw fish.
DAY 1
Arrival in Matera by bus or by private transfer.
Meet and Greet. After your arrival in Matera and get settled in at your hotel.
Briefing, orientation and bike fitting.
Humans inhabited the canyon’s caves 9,000 years ago in what UNESCO calls the most outstanding example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean. Immerge yourself in the otherworldly feel of this ancient town, with its intriguing history and sublime views! On request we arrange a guided walking visit of the Sassi , the ancient Matera districts, and the Park of Rupestrian Churches. Enjoy a dinner in a typical restaurant carved out in the Rock that we will suggest.
DAY 2
short option: A loop around Matera to reach the plateaux with a great view over the Sassi district. The Murgia is also known as the Park of Rock Churches. Not far from the visitor centre you will find the ruins of a Neolithic village.
On the way back to Matera, stop and visit the “Cava della Palomba”, an old stone quarry from 3 centuries ago converted into a contemporary art exhibition area.
long option: Cycling to Altamura a city is famous for its magnificent Cathedral and its bread, a certified Dop pane.
Do not miss a ride in the alleys of the historical center, under the bell tower of the Cathedral, and taste the delicious Altamura focaccia, freshly baked by an old wood-burning oven.
Back to Matera crossing gorgeous pastures and landscapes.
Short loop 36 km or Longer option 58 km
DAY 3
Bike ride from Matera to Alberobello – You will pass through the small villages of Gioia del Colle and Noci
your destination is the capital town of Trulli, UNESCO’s world heritage site. Their origin remains a mystery, though we know one thing for sure: trulli, those small, idiosyncratic, conical buildings, provide Puglia with one of its most recognizable features. Distinctive, small, dry-stone buildings with a conical roof. There are about 1500 trulli scattered in Monti and Aia Piccola districts
Accommodation in a Trullo house cozy hotel
Level: Moderate to easy Hilly route on stretches that are almost flat with brief climbs
Distance Km 69/ 43 miles
DAY 4
Crossing the Itria Valley, with stops in the characteristic Locorotondo and Cisternino, you will reach Ostuni, which is reputed an architectural jewel, and is commonly referred to as “the White Town” for its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture. It spreads across three hills, amidst its tangle of whitewashed streets you could be in Greece. Ostuni’s winding alleys are covered in bougainvillea and other lush hanging plants and flowers that perfectly accent the brightly coloured doors and windows. The town’s much-photographed Piazza della Libertà boasts a cathedral that was built in the 15th century in the late Gothic/early Renaissance style. The town is also known for its clay figurines, called fischietti, which are actually functioning whistles!
Difficult: easy to moderate. Distance 45 km / 28 miles
DAY 5
Leaving Ostuni you will cross rural hamlets and reach the ciclovia made over the old Pugliese aqueduct. Light climb to reach Martina Franca, rich and noble city full of Baroque facades and nice squares. Taste the local ham called “capocollo” with a glass of red wine, a Primitivo, genetic match with Zinfandel, is often the vino della casa at trattorie and osterie. if you prefer a white wine try the local Verdeca.
Distance 55 km
DAY 6
at last cycle along the coast crossing the widest olive groves of Puglia an riding the Adriatic coast.
From Ostuni start with pleasant downhill to the seaside, then you will skirt the cost: Torre a Canne, Savelletri and Torre egnazia ruins, where you can see ancient wagon wheel tracks that along part of the old roman road via traiana. Reach Monopoli, a coastal town with a beautiful aragonese castle. Final destination is Polignano a Mare: get to explore this spectacular postcard perfect whitewashed village overlooking the Adriatic: be sure to explore the old town’s narrow winding streets and marvel at the incredible views of the bright blue sea. This town perhaps best known for its natural caves Grotte which are bored into the calcareous coastline by the constant scouring of wind and waves.
All this will leave you a nice memory of this short break and you’ll want to come back!
Distance 50 km easy cycling.
DAY 7
Tour ends after breakfast – enjoy the beach & this coastal town rich of life and Apulian atmosphere
INFO TOUR
best period : from March to end of October
DIFFICULTY : moderate
TOUR REVIEWS
Price & Inclusions
Price
Cost: € 1590 per person in double occupancy
Single room supplement euro 690
Inclusions
six nights in four star superior and luxury hotels
Six breakfasts
All Baggage transfers
RideWithGPS App: tracks, route notes, off-line navigation
Trip notes: Sightseeing & meals suggestions
Maps with elevation gain
Delivery bike in Matera & bike fitting
Pick-up of bikes and gear in Polignano
Keepsake Cicloposse water bottle
Sales taxes
Not Included
Bike Rental for entire tour
Hybrid bike euro 130
Gravel, E-bike, Road bike euro 220
City Tax each village charges a tax per each day between euro 1 to 3,00.
Optional
Bari Airport pick & drop off
Offers unique rooms carved in the rock or in a 18th-century building. This family-run property offers panoramic views of the city.
Caveoso cave churches are few minutes’ walk from the property.
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.
Casa d’Autore is a restored 18th-century building located in Ostuni’s city center, with a beautiful quiet garden and very nice classic-style rooms with antique furnishings & amazing private garden.
Set in Polignano A Mare, 100 m from the Adriatic Sea, it features a wellness center and elegant charming, air-conditioned rooms. The spa is complete with a salt room, Turkish bath, a shower and hot tub both with chromo therapy.
The Palazzo, after its ancient and noble scenario, has been renewed and has opened its doors to the town as well as to travellers. Keeping up its lustre in its new life, turned Palazzo Gattini into a historic place of value, giving it new life, sophistication and refinement.
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Tour Reviews
We returned from Italy last night and I find myself wide awake this morning and unable to sleep because of jetlag (and the craving for a good cappuccino!)
With time on my hands I want to send you a note of thanks for all of your assistance with putting together the trip. It was really wonderful. We all had a great time celebrating my wife’s birthday with our dear friends, and we simply couldn’t have asked for better weather.
Our compliments to your and your staff for taking such good care of us, and our compliments on many of the excellent hotels you booked on our behalf. The Le Conche in Matera and the Trulli Holiday were most definitely the highlights of our stay.
We will definitely book another tour with you in the future, when we decide to return to Italy. Thanks again!
– Dave (Mona, Molly, and Joe)
Overall trip was spectacular. Thanks once again for providing a great tour.
Some feedback
bikes: very happy to have fenders (very important on wet days), appreciated the lights on the bikes (felt safer and more visible)
provided helmets: appreciated as it saved us from bringing our own
hotels: all excellent and very happy with them all
Roads, scenery: great, enjoyed the variation from day to day of farms, olive trees, seaside
Food and wine: great of course, it’s Italy!!!
We booked again after we had a great experience last year doing the Umbria tour. We also like how the hotels are in the central area of the towns so it’s easy to explore the towns at the end of the day without having to walk into town from a far away hotel.
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