Across Puglia

Introduction
Puglia Italy

Discover Southeastern Italy - a Self guided cycling tour
OLIVE GROVES AND CRYSTAL SEAS
Gargano or Puglia is a region in southeastern Italy that includes the heel part of Italy’s boot. It is bordered by the sea on two sides - the Adriatic Sea in the east and the Ionian Sea to the southeast. The region is characterized by endless olive groves, long fields of grain and vineyards - with endless steep cliffs overlooking the sea. The charm of this tour is that it leads you into a region of scenic beauty, which is, by today’s standards, still unspoiled by the unattractive aspects of tourism and still retains testimony of its great and ancient culture.

Accomodation
Accommodation will be in hotels across the region, such as the following or similar:

Palace Hotel di Matera (Day 1)
Situated in the center of the city, the hotel offers high quality services in a modern building.  The hotel has a restaurant and  rooms have air conditioning, TV, and a mini bar.  

Trullidea Resort (Day 2)
A unique, historical resort.  Each room is private and different from the next.

Hotel Incanto (Day 3)
Sitting on top of a hill, this hotel offers magnificent views of the valley below, and out to the sea.  Hotel has a restaurant, pool, tennis courts and mini bus service to the sea and nearby.  Rooms have en suite bathrooms, air conditioning, TV, hair dryer and mini bar.  

Joli Park Hotel (Day 4)
Located in the center of Gallipoli, the hotel offers private bathrooms, Satellite TV, air conditioning, and mini bar.  The restaurant offers both local and international cuisine.  There are many activities at the hotel, or in the nearby area, including tennis, mini golf, windsurfing, water skiing, boating, and more!

Grand Hotel L'Approdo (Day 5)
The hotel is a typical Mediterranean style and is endowed with every comfort.  Located in a scenic area where the Adriatic sea meets the Jonio.  Amenities include air conditioning, balconies with sea view (some rooms), pool and poolside bar and restaurant.  Hotel offers diving, fishing and other activities.  

Albania Hotel (Day 6)
Completely renovated in 2002, this hotel is just a few meters from both the beach and the historical center of the city.  Hotel has restaurant and organizes many boating and other water excursions.  

Eos Hotel - Vestas Hotels and Resorts (Day 7)
Situated in the gateway to the Old Town, the hotel boasts 15 types of rooms brought together with a unique architecture and design.  Rooms are spacious and functional, with well designed private bathrooms.  The hotel has a fitness center, coffee and wine bar, wireless internet, laundry service, multilingual staff, and more.  

Riding

Itinerary

       

Day 1:  Matera
Arrival. 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.

Day 2:  Matera–Alberobello (70km).
We cycle to the famous trulli of Alberobello and Locorotondo. Trulli were generally constructed as dwellings or storehouses. Alberobello is situated upon two hills, once sepa-rated by a riverbed. On the eastern hill is the new town, with modern architectural features. On the western hill, the trulli are lined up in an urban conglomeration, subdivided into two districts: Monti and Aia Piccola, both National Monuments from 1930, and today World Heritage sites.

Day 3:  Alberobello–Ostuni (40 km).
We cycle through th countryside to 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.

Day 4:  Ostuni–Lecce–Gallipoli (70 km transfer + 60 km).
A train transfer brings you to Lecce. After a few kilometres through this amazing baroque town you go deep into "salentinian countryside", before approaching the Ionian coast and your daily destination, Gallipoli.

Day 5:  Gallipoli–Santa Maria di Leuca (50 km)
Cycling further along the coast you will reach Santa Maria di Leuca. The name Santa Maria di Leuca was given by the ancient Greek sailors who came from the East. They saw this place lightened by the sun and therefore called it “leukos”, meaning white. Santa Maria di Leuca is a famous seaside resort and a fishing area.

Day 6:  Santa Maria di Leuca–Otranto (55 km).
Today you will cycle northwards along the Adriatic coast to Otranto, the most eastern point of Italy where you can visit the beautiful Cathedral and the great Aragonese Castle.

Day7:  Otranto–Lecce (50 km).
Riding along the Alimini Lakes and their unique Mediterranean bush you’ll enter into Lecce. Thanks to its Baroque style, it has deserved the nickname of Florence of the South. You’ll come to appreciate the rich sculpted motives done in the 17th-century with the tender stone from Lecce. The old town enclosed by what is left of the ancient walls, bears the impression of that exuberant period.

Day 8:  Lecce.
Departure. Lecce is well connected by train with the air-ports of Bari and Brindisi.

Tour Level:
Mostly in the lowlands, sometimes hilly, the itinerary is almost always on asphalt roads. Traffic is almost non existent in Apulia except during the high holiday season. The route includes very beautiful stretches on the coast. The van transfer from Ostuni to Avetrana is included in the tour price.

Rates and Dates for Across Puglia

Dates Note: Every Saturday from February 28th to June 20th and from September 5th to November 14th, 2009. Special departure dates can be organised for at least 6 persons!

Other Info
Meeting: Matera
Airport: Bari
Transfer: from Bari by train (not included)

Climate: