From Sassi of Matera to Salento - guided tour
Self-guided bike tour - 9 Days/ 8 Nights
The itinerary offers a fantastic journey through some of the highlights of Apulia and Basilicata. The tour will give you the opportunity to visit two Unesco Sites, the Sassi of Matera and the trulli of Alberobello. In Alberobello wander through the narrow streets lined with trulli and immerse yourself in the town's enchanting atmosphere: a true exploration of the Itria Valley and its small towns like Locorotondo, a place of circular beauty, Martina Franca the elegant city with its bulging balconies and Cisternino famous for its steak house where they serve the typical "bombette". Your cycling route then takes you to Ostuni, called "White City" due to its whitewashed buildings. The old town is perched on a hill and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Explore the charming streets, visit the stunning Ostuni Cathedral, and enjoy the local cuisine. After the White City, the tour continues in the homeland of Primitivo DOC wine, where you will pedal among the rows of these precious grapes. Don't miss a visit to the Primitive Wine Civilization Museum. Continue your holiday among the gems of Salento: the city of Gallipoli, located on a small island connected to the mainland by a bridge, Gallipoli boasts beautiful sandy beaches, a historic old town, and a picturesque harbor. Cycle further east to Otranto, a coastal gem known for its turquoise waters and medieval charm. Visit Otranto Cathedral, which houses impressive mosaic flooring, and take a stroll along the town's scenic promenade. Finally, make your way to Lecce, often called the "Florence of the South" due to its stunning Baroque architecture. Admire the intricate details of the Basilica di Santa Croce and the Piazza del Duomo.
Itinerary
Day 1. 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. Meeting with the cycle tour guide. Overnight stay in Matera.
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Day 2. 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.
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Day 3. 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.
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Day 4. OSTUNI - MANDURIA 70 km / +250m
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. Don't miss the possibility to taste the red wine produced in this area: Primitivo. Overnight stay in Manduria.
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Day 5. 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.
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Day 6. GALLIPOLI - SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA 75 km / +520m
(See profile).
We also offer a shorter option: 52 km / +230m (See profile). Leaving behind Gallipoli you'll cycle along the Ionian coast headed to Torre San Giovanni. Here the crystal clear sea will tempt you…but it’s time to get back on your bike! A short detour will take you inland to see the small towns of Ugento and Specchia, one of the most beautiful 'BORGHI' of Italy. 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 colors and unreal silence. Overnight stay in Santa Maria di Leuca.
We also offer a shorter option: 52 km / +230m (See profile). Leaving behind Gallipoli you'll cycle along the Ionian coast headed to Torre San Giovanni. Here the crystal clear sea will tempt you…but it’s time to get back on your bike! A short detour will take you inland to see the small towns of Ugento and Specchia, one of the most beautiful 'BORGHI' of Italy. 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 colors and unreal silence. Overnight stay in Santa Maria di Leuca.
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day 7. 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 finally get to one of the most amazing city of Salento: OTRANTO. If you want you can have a delicious seafood dinner and take a walk throughout the historic centre and maybe buy some souvenirs from the local little shops. Overnight stay in Otranto.
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DAY 8. 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.
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Day 9. 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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Price details
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what is included:
not included:
supplements:
SINGLE ROOM: +30 % on the base quote AUGUST SUPPLEMENT: From: 05th Aug To: 20th Aug Category Economy: € +240 per pax Category Deluxe: € +475 per pax E-BIKE RENTAL: +170 € per bike ROAD BIKE RENTAL: +80 € per bike |
LOW SEASON
From: 08th Jan To: 31st May
From: 23rd Sept To: 22th Dec
From: 23rd Sept To: 22th Dec
MID SEASON
From: 01st June To: 14th July
From: 24th Aug To: 22nd Sept
From: 24th Aug To: 22nd Sept
HIGH SEASON
From: 23th March To: 1st April
From: 15th July To: 23rd Aug
From: 23rd Dec To: 7th Jan
From: 15th July To: 23rd Aug
From: 23rd Dec To: 7th Jan
Bikes available
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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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