Short Escape Puglia 4 nights
Cycling Break in Puglia – 4 nights bike tour
Luxury Short escape bike tour Puglia Matera to Polignano a Mare
Here we are with another short escape in south Italy in deluxe accommodations.
4 nights cycling vacation, independent, a first taste how is beautiful pedalling in this region- Puglia now is one the main destination for cycling in Italy.
Southern Italy short escape Highlights
#Hop between Unesco sites: Sassi di Matera to Trulli di Alberobello
#Sleep in a restored trullo at a hip new boutique hotel
#Taste: Artisanal olive oils, fresh seafood, orecchiette pasta, mozzarella di bufala cheese, hand-crafted breads
#Drink: red wine Primitivo, Negroamaro and local Susumaniello
Puglia is the heel to Italy’s boot, a picturesque region on the country’s southeastern coast. Framed on either side by the Adriatic and Ionian seas, tours of Puglia benefit from its aquatic assets: swimming-friendly coastlines, thermal waters, and ancient fishing villages. Moorish architecture seems to reflect the sun off bright white cliffs, and unique hive-like dwellings called trulli are rendered in uncemented stone.
starting in Matera
Basilicata region – near border with Puglia, the town is unesco site for Sassi since 1993 as is 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.
Read more about why you should plan to visit… Last year Matera was European Capital of Culture
After this gorgeous beginning you go on to what we consider the must-to-see villages in Puglia – the tour is rated easy to moderate – 3 full days of cycling to get to the coast.
First stage is the other famous Unesco site Alberobello across the broad, gently rolling plains of the western Murge. Once you turn off the main road out of Matera the soft hues of tilled soil and wheat crops mark the long stretch to Gioa del colle and Noci. Overnight in one trullo conical roof is part of the experience, this village is unique and quintessential of Puglia. The second bike ride you reach Ostuni the so-called white town –it is on a hill 7 km from the beach… the day after is so amazing: go downhill and reach the coats and skirt this riche seaside.
Pass fisherman villages and roman ruins – strongly suggested to stop on the way to savor sea food- in this region there is an ancient tradition of raw fish.
Ending at 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 specialising in Italian croissants, cornetto.
DAY 1
Arrival in Matera by bus or train
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
Bike ride from Matera to Alberobello – You will pass through the small villages of Gioia del Colle and Noci and on to Alberobello, 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. Distictive, small, dry-stone buildings with a conical roof. There are about 1500 trulli scattered in Monti and Aia Piccola districts
Difficulty: hilly route on stretches that are almost flat with brief climbs
Distance Km 69/ 43 miles
DAY 3
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!
Difficulty: easy to moderate.
Distance 45 km / 28 miles
DAY 4
Today cycling is 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!
Difficulty: easy cycling
Distance 50 km
DAY 5
Tour ends after breakfast – enjoy the beach & this coastal town rich of life and Apulian atmosphere
INFO TOUR
best period : end of March, April, May, June, September, October
DIFFICULTY : Moderate
TOTAL DISTANCE : 175 km/110 miles in 3 stages
TOUR REVIEWS
Price
Cost: Euro 1250 per person in double occupancy
Single room supplement euro 690
Inclusions
Four nights in four star superior and luxury hotels
Four 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 120
Road Bike, E-Bike, Gravel euro 150
City Tax each village charges a tax per each day between euro 1 to 4,00.
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
My husband and I chose a self-guided bike tour in Puglia for part of our honeymoon and it was the highlight of our trip. The route was great – through olive groves on tiny roads and then along the coast. We never experienced confusion around the route while using the app and had no trouble at the hotels or with luggage. The hotels they booked were all incredible! Very hospitable and great breakfasts. Can’t recommend this adventure enough!
September 2022
Thoroughly enjoyed the biking. Everything went well except I maybe should have been on a cyclecross as some of the roads were pretty rough. But otherwise really enjoyed it. Would definitely use your company again
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