Cycling Puglia & Matera
Cycling Puglia & Matera
Cycling Puglia & Matera
8 Days Starting in Matera and ending in Lecce
Visiting: Italy
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MWV
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
6 - 16
Age range:
16-99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Activities:
Tour Overview
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. After passing through idyllic countryside and the 'white city' of Ostuni, the route veers towards Gallipoli and the dramatic Ionian coastline. While riding across the famous Salento Peninsula, we immerse ourselves in the charming laid-back Italian way of living and explore a landscape made of olive orchards, limestone cliffs, crystal waters and Baroque towns.
Highlights
Itinerary
Fly to Bari and transfer to the town of Matera, a real jewel of southern
Italy. The hotel is located within walking distance of 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 atmosphere of
this enchanting city.
Day 2
On leaving Matera we pedal through the area that makes this town so special.
For millenia, inhabitants of this region have carved dwelling 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 we cycle on quiet rural roads amongst the picturesque Apulian countryside
towards Alberobello. En route we 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.
Overnight in Alberobello. Cycle approx. 70km (ascent +659m; descent -648m).
Day 3
Today we cycle through the lush Valle d'Itria, one of the prettiest cultural
and natural landscapes of southern Italy, to the hilltop village of Ostuni.
The route is undulating throughout but much shorter than yesterday's ride.
This allows us to enjoy the views at a more leisurely pace with plenty of
opportunities for rest stops. Along the way we pass the famous wine town of
Locorotondo and Cisternino, both known for their historic centres filled with
whitewashed houses, narrow streets, churches and elegant piazzas. In the
afternoon we reach the city of Ostuni, known as the 'white city' thanks to
the dazzling effect of its white buildings.
Overnight in Ostuni.Â
Day 4
We continue pedalling through tranquil country lanes to the town of
Francavilla Fontana and on to Oria. A popular destination among Apulians,
Oria is famous for its 13th century castle and delightful historic centre of
cobbled streets, whitewashed walls and beautiful architecture. We continue
through the 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 we will have
the opportunity to taste some organic olive oil produced by the family that
runs the farm and accommodation.
Overnight in Avetrana.Â
Day 5
From the masseria we 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 offering fantastic views both to the north and the south. The town
itself has many churches and 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 Ionian sea near
the popular seaside resort of Porto Cesareo.
Overnight in Gallipoli.Â
Day 6
Our 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. Here the interesting architecture,
views, sea-front restaurants and white sandy beaches make it one of Puglia's
most picturesque towns.
Overnight in Otranto.Â
Day 7
Today we follow the shoreline through innumerable olive groves to Lecce, the
Baroque masterpiece of southern Italy, in the heart of Puglia. Sometimes
described as the 'Florence of the South', the city is an architectural gem,
boasting sumptuous palazzi and churches. Today's ride is relatively short and
easy, giving us 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. In Lecce there will be some free time to explore the
historic centre before an optional farewell dinner.
Overnight in Lecce.
Day 8
Transfer to Bari; fly to London.
What's Included
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Local bike hire
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Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
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All breakfasts
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All accommodationÂ
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All transport and listed activities
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Tour leader throughout
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 0 dinners.
What's Not Included
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Local city taxes (approx. €10)
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request)
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Visas or vaccinations
Food
7 breakfasts are included and usually consist of a continental-style
buffet. A typical hotel breakfast consists of: toast/bread with jam, cereal,
cheese and ham (occasionally), served with coffee, tea, milk, orange juice,
fruit, cake and yoghurt. Lunches are normally arranged as picnics or taken in
small cafes' along the route. Â Vegetarians and people with special dietary
requirements can be catered for but please inform us of your requests prior
travel.
In Puglia you will find genuine regional cooking that has strong links to the
land and the sea. Some of the types of food on offer in Puglia: bread from
the Murge, durum wheat pasta, olives, the pasta delicacy Orecchiette served
with a sauce of turnip-tops or fresh tomato and sheep's ricotta-cheese,
Cavatelli with pulses, aubergine and parmesan bake, grilled fish and seafood,
burrata (soft mozzarella and cream cheese), plus excellent wines. This region
is a paradise for food lovers!
Accommodation
Throughout this town-to-town cycling trip, we use three- and four-star hotels and renovated traditional buildings, which have been selected for their location, comfort and character. Â
Below are the hotels we typically use.Â
Matera: Hotel Belvedere, Residence Casalnuovo, Matera in Vacanza, or Hotel San Domenico al Piano (night 1)Â
Alberobello: Traditional trulli houses, Grand Hotel Olimpo or Colle del Sole (night 2)Â
Ostuni: Relais Sant’Eligio (night 3)Â
Avetrana: Masseria Bosco (night 4)Â
Gallipoli: Hotel 33 Baroni (night 5)Â
Otranto: Hotel Albà nia or Vittoria Resort (night 6)Â
Lecce: Hotel Eos or Hotel delle Palme (night 7)Â
For many, our standout stay is Masseria Bosco (above), a bucolic farm estate with original stone buildings. Our groups often head straight for the swimming pool (perhaps picking up a wine or beer en route), where there’s an inviting set of sun loungers. Alternatively, you may want to wander around the working farm, enjoying a peaceful moment among the olive groves. Dinner is held where the animals were once kept. It’s a celebration of Pulian produce with much of the ingredients grown on the farm – make sure to sample their delicious range of olive oils and homemade wines.Â
Worth knowingÂ
Due to the limited capacity of hotels in Matera we are not able to confirm the definite start hotel for each departure far in advance, and the group may occasionally be split across different accommodations of similar standards.Â
You can contact your sales representative two weeks before departure if you wish to receive the up-to-date hotels list for your trip.Â
Check out our Q&As
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no specific health risks.
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
Minimum 16 years old people can go on this tour
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Are flights included in this tour?
International flights are not included with this tour.
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
We are happy to assist with pre and post tour accommodation. Please enquire for detailed information.
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
No visa required for British passport holders.
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What is the maximum group size?
16
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes.
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Who is Exodus Travels?
At Exodus Travels, we've been exploring the world for nearly 50 years. From Walking and Trekking, Cultural and Cycling, Responsible Wildlife, to Polar and our new Premium Adventures, we are proud to offer award-winning small group and self-guided tours to 100+ countries worldwide.
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Is there a supplement for solo travellers?
If you would like to be paired with a tour member of the same gender, there is no additional charge. A single supplement can be requested if you would like your own room.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.