Apulia Cycling Tour

Introduction
Puglia Italy
Choose between a point to point or center based adventure to discover the Apulia region.

On this bicycle-tour, you will not only experience the unique countryside between the Adriatic and the Ionic Sea, but also the friendliness and hospitality of the southern Italians. The countryside is rich in culture as the Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Habsburger and Bourbons have all left their marks in the region.

The starting point of the journey is Alberobello, home of the „Trulli“, ancient stone houses built without mortar and with a conical roof. They are so unique that they were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1996.
For fish lovers, this region with its 800 km of coastline on two seas offers something for everyone : raw, marinated, delicious fish soups and more!

This route is pretty easy, apart from a few slight ascents and descents along the route. Most of this tour is along flat, tarred roads. As you are travelling out of the main season, most of the roads are mainly free of traffic.

Accomodation

Accommodations
During the point to point program, nights are spent in different locations.
During the hotel based program, all nights are spent at the same location.

Description
All accommodations offer private bedrooms with ensuite facilities.

During the point to point program you sleep in 3*** and 4**** hotels or Agriturismo farms.
During the hotel based program, you are accommodated in a Masseria, a large farm complex typical of the Puglia region, now transformed in comfortable hotel with a swimming pool and lovely garden.

Local tax
Some cities charge a tourist tax. These taxes are not included in the sale price of the tour and must be paid directly by you at check-in or check-out at the hotels.
This fee varies depending on the hotel category, the season and the number of days of stay. It is usually between 1 and 5 € per person per night.


Meals
During the point to point program, all breakfasts are included.
During the hotel based program, all breakfasts and dinners are included.

Meals included in the program are eaten at the accommodations.

Riding

Point to point program: approx. 305-315km total
Hotel based program: approx. 240-285km total

Rental bikes:
21 gear UNISEX bicycle
TOP bike (unisex model - male model on request)
E-bike (UNISEX bike, 500 W battery, range up to 100 km)

Itinerary

Sample Itinerary: point to point program - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival at Alberobello
Individual arrival at the hotel in Alberobello. This small town in the province of Bari is famous for Trulli stone constructions. The Trulli of Alberobello are part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites list since 1996.
Meals included: none
Overnight in Alberobello

Day 2: Alberobello – Ostuni
Enjoy a tour through the Valle d‘Itria, one of the prettiest cultural landscapes of the south, with a stop at the famous wineries in Locorotondo to taste some local wine. The next stop is Ostuni, the “white town” offering breathtaking views of the sea.
Biking approx. 35km (longer option via Martina Franca approx. 45 km)
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Ostuni

Day 3: Ostuni – Manduria / Avetrana
From Ostuni you continue through olive groves, vineyards and fruit crops to Avetrana, a historic small town on the Via Appia. This ancient Roman road led once from Rome via Taranto and Oria to Brindisi. Today only some parts of the ancient cobbled paths still exist and are called the “Via Appia Antica”.
Biking approx. 60km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Avetrana or Manduria

Day 4: Manduria / Avetrana – Gallipoli
You leave Avetrana to reach the sea in the shortest possible time. After a short ride to “Torre Colimena” you continue along the coastal highway with its numerous defence towers to Porto Cesareo. Along the Ionic coast you carry on to Gallipoli. This originally greek „Kale Polis“ (beautiful town) awaits you! The old town is situated at the end of what seems to be an impregnable rocky island that stretches far out into the sea. There is a fantastic view both from the north and the south. The town itself has many churches and interesting museums.
Biking approx. 60km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Gallipoli

Day 5: Gallipoli – Santa Maria di Leuca
Today you reach the southernmost point of Salento and at the same time the watershed at Santa Maria di Leuca. The place is especially known for its pilgrimage church. At the turn of the century, many splendid villas were created, which are an absolute architectural highlight due to their imaginative and absurd forms. Here eccentric end-of-the-world lovers settled down to enjoy the tranquility and the sea in the remoteness of the place.
Biking approx. 50km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Santa Maria di Leuca

Day 6: Santa Maria di Leuca - Otranto
Along the southern coast of the Adriatic Sea you will reach the Messapian city of Otranto. It is considered an art historical gem in the midst of a charming landscape. The old town is surrounded by a mighty city wall and impresses with the amazing Habsburg Castle. On the way to Otranto, you will have the opportunity to visit the famous Zinzulusa Cave, the only coastal grotto open to the public. Santa Cesarea Terme, known for its hydrotherapeutic treatments and radioactive mud therapies, also deserves a stopover.
Biking approx. 50km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Otranto

Day 7: Otranto – Lecce
First on the Adriatic coast, then it continues through countless olive groves towards Lecce. If you want to take a break on the way, do it best on the high limestone cliffs limited bay of Torre dell‘Orso. Lecce, the capital of Salento, is a city of great charm, which is particularly inspired by the undoubted beauty of its buildings and churches. In addition to Naples, Lecce is the baroque metropolis of the South, not without reason they speak of the „Lecce Baroque“. Here, around 30 churches and countless palaces await your visit. Do not forget to pay a visit to the amphitheater and the Roman theater, both probably built by Emperor Augustus.
Biking approx. 50km
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight in Lecce

Day 8: Departure
Indivdiual departure or possibility to extend your stay.
Meals included: Breakfast

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Sample Itinerary: hotel based program - subject to changes

Day 1: Arrival at Alberobello
Individual arrival at the hotel in Alberobello. This small town in the province of Bari is famous for Trulli stone constructions. The Trulli of Alberobello are part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites list since 1996.
Meals included: Dinner
Overnight in Alberobello

Day 2: Noci
Starting from the famous town of Trullis, you will explore the surrounding area by bike. Through wide olive groves, vineyards, fruit and almond trees you cycle to Noci, a small town with a historic centre. Return to Alberobello.
Biking approx. 50km
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Alberobello

Day 3: Grotte di Castellana
Today takes you on a beautiful circuit to the spectacular caves of Castellana. The stalactite cave with a labyrinth of caves is the largest underground tourist attraction in Italy and can be visited with a guided tour. The wide halls offer wondrous rock formations, stalagmites and stalactites can be seen everywhere, the creation of which took nature thousands of years. On the way back you can enjoy the view of the Adriatic Sea.
Biking approx. 45km
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Alberobello

Day 4: Itria valley
You start from Alberobello and cycle through the Valle d‘Itria valley to Locorotondo. The fertile valley is one of the most beautiful cultural landscapes in the south. Curved walls of raised field stones tame nature. The name Locorotondo literally means round place. The town is also known as „La Città del Vino Bianco“ (white wine town). Further you cycle to Cisternino and Ostuni. The light-coloured wreath of houses that adorns the tops of the three hills of the „Città Bianca“ can already be seen from afar. Enjoy the magnificent view of the nearby sea. In the afternoon, there will be a transfer by shuttle bus to Alberobello.
Biking approx. 35km
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Alberobello

Day 5: Rest day or cycling tour to Martina Franca
As an alternative to the rest day, a bicycle tour to the baroque town of Martina Franca is available. The town is located right in the middle between the Ionian and Adriatic Seas in the southeast of the Murgia. Worth seeing are the Palazzo Ducale and the Basilica di San Martino.
Biking approx. 45km
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Alberobello

Day 6: Monopoli & Polignano a Mare
From Alberobello you cycle to Monopoli, the most important port between Bari and Brindisi. Continue to Polignano a Mare. The pearl on the southern Costa di Bari is captivating because of its extraordinary location: it clings picturesquely to the edges of a steep coast and offers fantastic views of the emerald green sea. Stroll through the narrow streets of the old town or enjoy a day‘s bath before taking the shuttle bus back to Alberobello.
Biking approx. 45km
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Alberobello

Day 7: Matera
Transfer in the morning to Matera in the Basilicata region, also known as the „City of the Sassi“. The old town consists partly of cave settlements and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. The impressive collections of cave dwellings form independent quarters are unique in Europe.
Biking approx. 65km
Meals included: Breakfast & Dinner
Overnight in Alberobello

Day 8: Departure
Individual departure or extension of your stay.
Meals included: Breakfast

Rates and Dates for Apulia Cycling Tour

Dates Note: Custom dates possible for groups of 5+ pax

Other Info
Meeting: Alberobello
Airport: Bari or Birindisi
Transfer: /

Climate:
                                                Matera area