From Sassi of Matera to Salento
Self-guided bike tour - 8 Days/ 7 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. 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.
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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. If you arrive late at night, we suggest you an extra stay in this wonderful and unique city. Overnight stay in Matera.
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.
Day 4. TRAIN TRANSFER FROM OSTUNI TO LECCE.
Today you will travel by train from Ostuni to LECCE (55 minutes, n0 changes, ticket € 5.50 not included).
You can carry your bike for FREE on regional rails (train timetables). You can spend the day visiting this wonderful city, walking around its streets and alleys. Bequeathed with a generous stash of baroque buildings by its 17th-century architects, the city has a completeness and homogeneity that other southern Italian metropolises lack. Don't forget to visit Piazza Duomo and Piazza Sant'Oronzo with its amphitheatre, and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Overnight stay in Lecce.
You can carry your bike for FREE on regional rails (train timetables). You can spend the day visiting this wonderful city, walking around its streets and alleys. Bequeathed with a generous stash of baroque buildings by its 17th-century architects, the city has a completeness and homogeneity that other southern Italian metropolises lack. Don't forget to visit Piazza Duomo and Piazza Sant'Oronzo with its amphitheatre, and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Overnight stay in Lecce.
Day 5. LECCE - GALLIPOLI 62 km / +220m
Today you will cycle along the beautiful countryside of Salento. Your first destination will be Galatina. Take time to visit the Mother-Church and the Basilica of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria with its 15th-century frescoes. After lunch break, maybe with a typical Rustico Leccese, you will ride towards GALLIPOLI. Don't miss the chance to spend your evening strolling around the beautiful streets of the old town. Overnight stay in Gallipoli.
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Day 6. GALLIPOLI - OTRANTO 68 km / +390m
Today your tour will lead you from the Ionian to the Adriatic coast . In the heart of the Grecia Salentina you will cross the small towns of Corigliano d'Otranto, where ancient "Griko" is still spoken by elderly people, and Melpignano, crowded with more than one hundred thousand visitors during the Night of the Taranta, which takes place in August. From here you will cycle to your destination: 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 7. 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.
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: +150 € per bike ROAD BIKE RENTAL: +70 € 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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Contact us:
e-mail: booking@bikeandhikeitalia.com tel: +39 0831 172 1226 mob: +39 39 111 677 13 |
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