Itinerary - Guided Tour: From Sassi of Matera To Salento
Guided bike tour - 9 Days/ 8 Nights
3 May - ARRIVAL IN MATERA
- Arrival in Matera: Famous for its Sassi and stunning landscapes, Matera, located on the border of Basilicata and Puglia, is not only breathtaking, but fascinating: Its history goes back more than 30,000 years. There are several rupestrian churches open to the public, a reproduction of a typical cave house that you can visit, and refurbished caves made into hotels and restaurants. The sassi districts are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Meet with the cycling tour guide
- Welcome dinner in Matera
- Overnight stay in Matera
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4 May - Matera - Alberobello - 78 KM / +650M
Bike delivery and fitting. Today you will cycle through the southern part of the Murgia to reach one of the most peculiar city in Italy, ALBEROBELLO, universally-known as the capital of the Trulli, distictive, small, dry-stone buildings with a conical roof. There are about 1500 trulli scattered in Monti and Aia Piccola districts, both listed as World Heritage by UNESCO in 1996.
Overnight stay in Alberobello.
Overnight stay in Alberobello.
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5 may - alberobello - ostuni 52 KM / +600M
Today you will ride over the hills dominating the Itria Valley. Nature lovers will not be disappointed: With its still expanses of olive trees as far as the eye can see, the Itria Valley is red soil, green groves and vineyards, and white trullo houses under a serene blue sky – essentially, a marvelous chromatic effect that repeats itself several times over. Before reaching your final destination, we suggest you to stop first in Locorotondo for a typical Italian aperitif tasting the white wine produced in this region, second in Martina Franca, for a short visit to its marvellously intact historic centre, its beautiful square, and stunning Palazzi, and last but not least in Cisternino for a lunch break, maybe in one of its typical butcher shops, where you can choose the meat you want to eat and they cook it for you. Finally you'll cycle to OSTUNI, the White City, whose whitewashed arches and houses shine like a pearly white tiara, extending across three hills with the magnificent gem of a cathedral as its sparkling centrepiece.
Overnight stay in Ostuni.
Overnight stay in Ostuni.
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6 may - OSTUNI - MANDURIA 70 km / +260m
Leaving Ostuni and cycling through its beautiful countryside, you will come cross small towns such as San Vito dei Normanni, Mesagne, and Oria where you will be enchanted by their marvellous Frederick's castles. Then the tour will take you to your final destination of the day: MANDURIA
Overnight stay in Manduria
- Primitivo DOC wine tasting and visit to the Museum of the Civilization of Primitivo Wine: The tour starts with a visit to the Museum of the Primitivo Wine Civilization, where guests explore exhibits that showcase the history, culture, and traditional methods of winemaking in the region. After the museum visit, guests are led to the tasting room where they sample various Primitivo wines. An expert sommelier provides detailed explanations of each wine's characteristics, including its aroma, flavor profile, and production techniques. The tasting is often accompanied by local delicacies, enhancing the overall experience and offering a deeper appreciation of the rich winemaking heritage of Manduria.
Overnight stay in Manduria
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7 may - MANDURIA - GALLIPOLI 70 KM / +350M
This stage is dedicated to the west coast of Salento, where you'll cycle towards Campo Marino, Porto Cesareo, up to GALLIPOLI. The island heart of Gallipoli is home to numerous impressive Baroque churches and aristocratic palazzi, testament to the town's former wealth as a trading port. A labyrinthine weave of narrow streets all eventually lead to the broader sea-front promenade with its wonderful views.
Overnight stay in Gallipoli
Overnight stay in Gallipoli
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8 may - GALLIPOLI / SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA 52 km / +230m
Leaving behind Gallipoli you'll cycle along the Jonian Coast headed to Torre San Giovanni. Here the crystal clear sea will tempt you…but it’s time to get back on your bike! Then you will continue your ride for another 35 km reaching SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA, where the Ionian and the Adriatic Sea meet; this is the southernmost point in Salento, striking the visitor’s eye for its colours and unreal silence.
Overnight stay in Santa Maria di Leuca
Overnight stay in Santa Maria di Leuca
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9 may - SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA - OTRANTO 63 KM / +650M
Today, you'll start riding northward along the beautiful coastline of the Adriatic Sea. Crossing the marinas of Tricase Porto and Castro Marina, you'll eventually reach one of the most stunning cities in Salento: OTRANTO. Here, you can enjoy a delicious seafood dinner, stroll through the historic center, and perhaps pick up some souvenirs from the local shops.
Before reaching Otranto a detour will take you to Uggiano La Chiesa, where you’ll experience an olive oil tasting session, sampling local EVO oils in a unique and authentic setting.
Overnight stay in Otranto
Before reaching Otranto a detour will take you to Uggiano La Chiesa, where you’ll experience an olive oil tasting session, sampling local EVO oils in a unique and authentic setting.
- Guided Tour of the 16th-Century “Mulino a Vento” Hypogeum Mill and EVO Oil Tasting
Overnight stay in Otranto
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10 may - OTRANTO - LECCE 56 KM / +285M
In the morning, if you want, there's time to visit the city. Otranto is best appreciated in its amazing cathedral, where the bones of 813 martyrs are displayed in a glass case behind the altar. Less macabre is the cathedral’s other jaw-dropper, its medieval mosaic floor, which rivals the famous early Christian mosaics of Ravenna in its richness and historical significance. Cycling along the Alimini Lakes, you’ll finally reach the seaside village of Torre dell'Orso: don't miss the opportunity to swim in the suggestive Grotta della Poesia. Before arriving in LECCE you will meet Acaya, a perfect stop for an authentic Italian espresso or for a drink at sunset in front of the castle. Overnight stay in Lecce.
- Farewell Dinner
- Overnight stay in Lecce
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11 may - Departure day
- Breakfast, end of services and goodbye Puglia !
But before leaving, stock up on pasticciotti, the typical shortcrust pastry dessert from Lecce!
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Photo Gallery - From Sassi of Matera to Salento
Price details
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what is included:
not included:
supplements:
BIKE RENTAL Trekking bike: 70 € Gravel bike: 70 € E-bike: 240 € per bike Bike rental includes:
*Reduce Waste! Bring Your Helmet and Refill Your Water Bottle! For a more responsible tourism experience, we encourage you to bring your own helmet and refillable water bottle. If needed, we are happy to provide these items for you. Please inform us in advance if you require them. |
Bike details
Specifications:
FRAME: Aluminium
FORK: Suspension fork
BRAKES: Disc brakes
SPEED: 3 x 7-10 speed
WHEELS: 28”
PEDALS: flat (SPD, SPD-SL, LOOK on request)
ACCESSORIES: rear rack
FRAME: Aluminium
FORK: Suspension fork
BRAKES: Disc brakes
SPEED: 3 x 7-10 speed
WHEELS: 28”
PEDALS: flat (SPD, SPD-SL, LOOK on request)
ACCESSORIES: rear rack
Specifications:
FRAME: Aluminium
FORK: Suspension fork
BRAKES: Disc brakes
SPEED: 1 x 8-11 speed
BATTERY: 418-500 W
WHEELS: 27,5” / 28” / 29”
PEDALS: flat (SPD, SPD-SL, LOOK on request)
ACCESSORIES: rear rack, battery charger
FRAME: Aluminium
FORK: Suspension fork
BRAKES: Disc brakes
SPEED: 1 x 8-11 speed
BATTERY: 418-500 W
WHEELS: 27,5” / 28” / 29”
PEDALS: flat (SPD, SPD-SL, LOOK on request)
ACCESSORIES: rear rack, battery charger
Specifications:
FRAME: Aluminium
FORK: Carbon fork
BRAKES: Disc brakes
SPEED: 1x11 / 2x9 speed
WHEELS: 28”
PEDALS: NO (flat, SPD, SPD-SL, LOOK on request)
ACCESSORIES: rear rack
FRAME: Aluminium
FORK: Carbon fork
BRAKES: Disc brakes
SPEED: 1x11 / 2x9 speed
WHEELS: 28”
PEDALS: NO (flat, SPD, SPD-SL, LOOK on request)
ACCESSORIES: rear rack
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Apulia Bike Tours
Bike & Hike Srl Via Annibale De Leo, 19 San Vito dei Normanni (BR) 72019 P. Iva: IT 02475020745 Licenza Regionale 06.11.2006 no. 873 Fondo di Garanzia IL SALVAGENTE Pol. n 2022/1-0571 - Garanzia Assicurativa R.C. Unipol Sai Pol. 1/72076/319/189831229 |
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