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Cycling Puglia & Matera
Duration
8 days
Site savings
$49
From
$2,400 USD
Cycle from the UNESCO town of Matera through Italy's heel to Lecce. In the deep south of Italy, nestled between the Adriatic and Ionian seas, lie the captivating regions of Puglia and Basilicata. This extensive itinerary explores the very best selection of all the cultural and natural treasures found here. Matera’s fascinating ‘Sassi’ houses and the UNESCO 'Trulli’ houses of Alberobello set the scene for the journey to come.
- CategoryCultural & Historical
- TypeFully Guided
- Duration8 days
- Culture LevelFamiliar
- Skill Level2 - Novice
- Activity Level3 - Active
- Elevation2 - Moderate
- TerrainCoastal
- Distance221.2 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance36.7 miles
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Quick Stats
- Duration8 days
- Main DestinationSouthern Italy
- Distance221.2 miles
- Avg. Daily Distance36.7 miles
- Elevation2 - Moderate
- TerrainCoastal
Route Map (click to view larger image)
Itinerary Details
- Day 1Arrival
The trip starts in the town of Matera, a real jewel of Southern Italy. The hotel is located within walking distance to the historic centre. There is usually time in the afternoon to wander through the narrow alleys of the town’s famous UNESCO cave-dwelling district and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this enchanting city.
- Hotel Belvedere/ Residence Casalnuovo
- Day 2Ride past the historic 'Sassi' houses of Matera before heading to Alberobello
On leaving Matera you will pedal through the area that makes this town so special. For millennia, inhabitants of this region have carved dwellings directly into ravines and gullies made of tuff (or tufa), a characteristic honey-colored soft stone. These houses are called 'Sassi' and are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Matera is the only place in the world where people can boast to be still living in the same houses of their ancestors of 9,000 years ago. Today's ride is mostly hilly with gentle ascents to be expected throughout, as you cycle on quiet rural roads amongst the picturesque Apulian countryside towards Alberobello. En route you will pass the lovely towns of Noci and Gioia del Colle as well as some famous fairy-tale trulli houses that have also made the historic centre of Alberobello a recognised UNESCO world heritage site.
- 43.5 miles
- 36.1 ft
2,162.1 ft
2,126 ft - Trulli e Puglia, Alberobello
- Breakfast
- Day 3Cycle through the lush Valle d'Itria, past the picturesque fairytale trulli houses to the hilltop-town of Ostuni
Today you will cycle through the lush Valle d'Itria, one of the prettiest cultural and natural landscapes of Southern Italy, on to the picturesque hilltop village of Ostuni. The route is undulating throughout, but much shorter than yesterday's thus allowing to enjoy the views at a more leisurely pace with plenty of opportunities for rest stops. Along the way, you will pass the famous wine town of Locorotondo and Cisternino, both boasting charming historic centres filled with whitewashed houses, narrow quaint streets, churches and elegant piazzas. In the afternoon you will reach the city of Ostuni, known as the 'white city' for the the dazzling effect of its white buildings. Overnight in Ostuni.
- 28 miles
- 675.9 ft
1,118.8 ft
1,794.6 ft - Relais Sant'Eligio or Masseria Tutuosa
- Breakfast
- Day 4Ride through quaint villages and country lanes to a typical Masseria - a renovated farmhouse - where you will spend the night
You will continue pedalling through tranquil country lanes to the charming town of Francavilla Fontana and on to Oria, a popular destination among Apulians, famous for its 13th Century's Castle and delightful historic centre characterised by cobbled streets, whitewashed walls and beautiful architecture. You will continue through the idyllic countryside to a Masseria, a typical Apulian converted farmhouse and our accommodation for the night. The masseria is still a working farm and most of the produce grown here, from vegetables to olives and wheat, is used daily for the preparation of local dishes. Before dinner, you will have the opportunity to taste some organic olive oil produced by the family who runs the farm and accommodation. Overnight in Avetrana.
- 34.8 miles
- 472.4 ft
557.7 ft
1,030.2 ft - Masseria Bosco
- Breakfast
- Day 5Cycle to the coast and swim in the crystal clear sea before continuing towards Gallipoli with its old town situated on a rocky island
From the Masseria, you will cycle towards the Ionian coast and the beautiful town of Gallipoli, known as the 'Ionian Pearl' with its old town situated on a rocky island and offering fantastic views both from the north and the south. The town itself has many churches, narrow alleys and was the largest exporter of lamp oil made from olives in the 17th and 18th Centuries. Weather permitting, today there are plenty of opportunities for swimming in the crystal-clear Ionian sea near the popular seaside resort of Porto Cesareo. Overnight in Gallipoli.
- 40.4 miles
- 187 ft
698.8 ft
885.8 ft - Hotel 33 Baroni, Gallipoli
- Breakfast
- Day 6Follow stunning stretch of coastline leading to the ancient town of Otranto
The route continues along the south of the peninsula and the impressive stretch of coastline leading to the ancient Messapian town of Otranto, the easternmost point in Italy. Before dinner, there will be time at leisure to explore the town’s mediaeval centre and its interesting architecture, views, sea-front restaurants and white sandy beaches which make it one of Puglia's most picturesque towns. Overnight in Otranto.
- 43.5 miles
- 36.1 ft
1,660.1 ft
1,624 ft - Hotel Albania
- Breakfast
- Day 7Continue along the shoreline to the beautiful Baroque city of Lecce
Today you will follow the shoreline through innumerable olive groves to Lecce, the Baroque masterpiece of southern Italy located in the heart of Puglia. Sometimes described as the 'Florence of the South', the city is a real architectonic gem boasting sumptuous palazzi and churches. Today's ride is relatively short and easy thus giving you time to stop en route for a last swim (seasonal) in Torre dell'Orso, a lovely bay surrounded by limestone cliffs with many ancient caves to discover, a real treat to end the week of cycling. In Lecce there will be some free time to explore the charming historic centre before an optional farewell dinner. Overnight in Lecce.
- 31.1 miles
- 150.9 ft
767.7 ft
616.8 ft - Hotel Eos
- Breakfast
- Day 8End Lecce