Itinerary - From Sassi of Matera to Salento - Guided Tour
Guided bike tour - 9 Days/ 8 Nights
DAY 1 - 19 october - ARRIVAL IN MATERA & dinner
- 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 cycling tour guide
- Welcome dinner in Matera
- Overnight in Matera 4* Hotel
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DAY 2 - 20 OCTOBER - DISCOVERING ALBEROBELLO & ITS TRULLI
- Taxi transfer from the hotel in Matera to Gioia del Colle
- Bike fitting in Gioia del Colle
- Apulian aperitif in Gioia del Colle
- Stage : GIOIA DEL COLLE - ALBEROBELLO 35km / +289 m (See_Profile)
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 in an authentic trullo house in Alberobello
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DAY 3 - 21 october - OSTUNI & THE WHITES CITIES
- Stage ALBEROBELLO - OSTUNI 37 km / +340m (See_profile)
Today you will ride over the hills dominating the Itria Valley and the White Cities of Puglia. 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, you will stop first in Locorotondo and 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. - EVO Oil tasting and a visit to an underground oil mill in an authentic Apulian farmhouse (Masseria): The olive oil tasting at a traditional Masseria typically begins with a tour of a hypogeum olive mill (frantoio ipogeo), an ancient underground facility where olives were traditionally pressed. This visit offers insight into the historical methods of oil production. Guests enjoy a leisurely walk among the estate's millennia-old olive trees, learning about the cultivation and care of these ancient plants. The experience culminates in a guided tasting session where different varieties of olive oil are sampled. An expert explains the distinctive flavors, aromas, and characteristics of each oil, often paired with local bread and other regional specialties to enhance the tasting experience. This immersive experience provides a deep appreciation for the rich heritage and quality of Puglian olive oil.
- Overnight stay in Ostuni in Hotel 4*
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DAY 4 - 22 october - MANDURIA & DOC WINE TRADITION
- Stage: OSTUNI - MANDURIA 70 km / +260m (See profile)
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 - 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 in luxury B&B
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DAY 5 - 23 october - GALLIPOLI & COAST
- Stage: MANDURIA - GALLIPOLI 70km / +360m (See profile)
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 in Hotel 4*
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DAY 6 - 24 OCTOBER - SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA: THE SOUTHERNMOST POINT OF PUGLIA
- Stage: GALLIPOLI / SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA 52 km / +230m (See profile).
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 colors and unreal silence. - Overnight stay in Santa Maria di Leuca in Hotel 4* with pool
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DAY 7 - 25 OCTOBER - OTRANTO & THE COAST
- Stage: SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA - OTRANTO 63km / +650m (See profile)
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 in Hotel 4* with pool & SPA
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DAY 8 - 26 OCTOBER - lecce: the baroque town
- Stage: OTRANTO - LECCE 56km / +285M (See profile)
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. - Pizza Night in Lecce
- Overnight stay in Lecce in Hotel 4*
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DAY 9 - 27 october - end of the tour
- 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
Bikes 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
Available size: S, S/M, M/L
FRAME RIDE LITE
FORK Road Carbon Comp
DERAILLEUR FRONT Shimano Claris D
DERAILLEUR REAR Shimano Sora GS
SHIFTERS Shimano Claris
BRAKE LEVER attached
BRAKES Road Dual Pivot
CHAINWHEEL FSA Tempo 50-34
BBSET Cartridge Bearing
CHAIN KMC 8s
HUBS OV alloy/ OV cassette
RIM Merida comp 20 pair
FREEWHEEL Sunrise CS-8S 11-32
TIRES Kenda K1018 700 25
HANDLEBAR STEM Merida Comp OS-6
HANDLEBAR Merida Anatomic Road OS
HEADSET Big Conoid semi neck pro
SEAT POST Merida Road Comp SB12 27.2
SADDLE Merida Race 5
PEDAL Lock, SPD, SPD- LS
FRAME RIDE LITE
FORK Road Carbon Comp
DERAILLEUR FRONT Shimano Claris D
DERAILLEUR REAR Shimano Sora GS
SHIFTERS Shimano Claris
BRAKE LEVER attached
BRAKES Road Dual Pivot
CHAINWHEEL FSA Tempo 50-34
BBSET Cartridge Bearing
CHAIN KMC 8s
HUBS OV alloy/ OV cassette
RIM Merida comp 20 pair
FREEWHEEL Sunrise CS-8S 11-32
TIRES Kenda K1018 700 25
HANDLEBAR STEM Merida Comp OS-6
HANDLEBAR Merida Anatomic Road OS
HEADSET Big Conoid semi neck pro
SEAT POST Merida Road Comp SB12 27.2
SADDLE Merida Race 5
PEDAL Lock, SPD, SPD- LS
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
Price details
*Price per person in double room
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what is included:
*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. not included:
supplements:
SINGLE ROOM: +30 % on the base quote E-BIKE RENTAL: +170 € per bike ROAD BIKE RENTAL: +80 € per bike |
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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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