Cycling Puglia in Comfort Short Break

Cycling Puglia in Comfort Short Break

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6 Days From

$1047

Cycling Puglia in Comfort Short Break

6 Days Starting and ending in Lecce

Visiting: Lecce, Gallipoli, Santa Maria di Leuca, Otranto

Tour operator:

The Natural Adventure

Tour code:

518

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

Fit

Age range:

18-90

Special diets catered:

Please advise requests

Activities:

Cycling

From: $1047

NB: Prices correct on 05-Nov-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

The Apulia region of south-eastern Italy has quite a story to tell, having been in the rule the ancient Greeks, the Romans, the Ottomans, the Spaniards and others, each of whom have contributed to the region’s dialects, flavourful cuisine, and distinctive architecture. This is Italy’s best kept secret for outstanding cycling and cultural exploration

Highlights

  • Lecce, the stunning Baroque city of southern Italy

  • Charming and deluxe accommodation throughout the trip

  • Wonderful landscapes of ancient olive groves, vineyards and jagged coastlines

  • Authentic country towns and villages of Gallipoli and Otranto

  • Friendly people and great traditional Puglian culinary specialities

  • Beautiful sandy beaches and turquoise sea

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive In Lecce

Location: Lecce

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Delle Palme or similar

Arrive in the Baroque masterpiece of southern Italy: Lecce has a lovely historical centre (centro storico) where you can easily spend a day exploring its picturesque little lanes and discovering its treasures: the architecture and the Baroque churches. This lovely town will charm you with its attractive countryside, seashore and small towns close to it.

Day 2 : Lecce To Gallipoli

Location: Lecce, Gallipoli

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel 33 Baroni or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you will pedal across the flat countryside, surrounded by olive trees, pine forests and dunes. The natural morphing of the scenery is spectacular, and the area is very sparsely inhabited, so you will be able to enjoy a beautiful quiet section. Pass ancient seaside watch towers as you approach the medieval fishing town of Gallipoli, bursting with life.

Cycling for the day: 50km, approx 5h, ↑200m ↓140m

Day 3 : Gallipoli To Santa Maria Di Leuca

Location: Gallipoli, Santa Maria di Leuca

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel La Terra or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

A coastal road takes you to the southernmost point of Puglia, which divides the Ionian and Adriatic Seas. But first, take a swim in the turquoise waters of paradise at the Torre del Pizzo beach and lie upon the fine white sands. Then continue south to Santa Maria di Leuca, a magnificent village of fantastic beaches and wacky, wild, colourful mansions.



Cycling for the day: 50km, approx 5h, ↑200m ↓170m

Day 4 : Santa Maria Di Leuca To Otranto

Location: Santa Maria di Leuca, Otranto

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel San Giuseppe or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Revel in the sea breezes as you ride along the high coastal route, winding your way along the gentle, undulating ridges of the cliffs. Stop for a glimpse of the spectacular cave, the Grotta Zinzulusa, and then continue to Otranto, a Greek-then-Roman port town, often frequented by merchants and thrill seekers in the past.



Cycling for the day: 52km, approx 5h, ↑520m ↓530m

Day 5 : Otranto To Lecce

Location: Otranto, Lecce

Accommodation: Hotel

Accommodation Name: Hotel Delle Palme or similar

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today you visit the Alimini Lakes, which run parallel to the sea. Cycle your way through the Greek Salento countryside, where traces of the former colonies are still present in the dialect, cuisine and bright style of architecture. The white cliffs shine against the turquoise blue of the sea. Returning to Lecce, you will have the rest of the day to enjoy the charming city and reflect on your cycling adventure.



Cycling for the day: 53km, approx 5h, ↑120m ↓90m

Day 6 : Departure

Location: Lecce

Meals Included: Breakfast

The trip and our services end after breakfast, unless you have booked extra nights in Lecce or a transfer to the airport.

What's Included

  • 5 nights in 4-star hotels

  • 5 breakfasts

  • Luggage transfer on all cycling days (1 piece per person)

  • A detailed digital information pack, route notes and maps with tracks.

    Please note that the info pack is emailed to you prior to departure, and no printed documents are mailed or provided locally

  • 24/7 phone support by our local office/representative

What's Not Included

  • Airfare and connecting land transfers

  • Lunches and dinners, drinks and snacks

  • Bike rental

  • Local tourist tax and entry fees (payable on the spot)

  • Personal expenses

  • Any items not specifically mentioned as ‘Included’ in the programme

  • Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)

Check out our Q&As

  • Is there a supplement for solo travellers?

    This holiday is not available for Solo Travellers, however, a supplement applies to members of a group travelling together who require a single room / single use of a double room

  • Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?

    Yes we can, in Lecce, please enquire for details

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    No they are not included, but we can provide these for an additional cost. Please ask for details.

  • Are flights included in this tour?

    No, international flights are not included

  • Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?

    This will be provided on all documentation

  • Difficulty and terrain

    The rides go mostly on well-asphalted country lanes and secondary roads with little traffic, however, note that sometimes you will have to cycle on more highly-trafficked roads when approaching and riding in the larger towns. Average daily distances of 50km, with daily elevation gain ranging from 120m to 550m. The trip is suitable for regular cyclists who have an active lifestyle. Once you arrive at your first hotel you will receive a detailed information package, including a destination manual, route notes, and maps. Prior to the start date, you will also be sent GPS tracks, which you can load on any Garmin device or smartphone application that you are used to working with.

  • What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?

    The Natural Adventure was founded by people who love hiking and cycling in wild and wonderful places. Places that we want to keep that way. Responsible tourism has, therefore, been at the heart of what we do since the get go.

  • Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?

    In April 2020 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, we launched the Support Local Communities Initiative. We have enabled an option when booking a tour for customers to make a donation to support our local partners. 100% of the donations go directly to our local suppliers.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    Whether you’re travelling on your own, as a couple, a group of friends, or a family, our self-guided holidays allow you the freedom to choose your own holiday companions.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Our self guided walking and cycling holidays typically include: Accommodation, Breakfasts, Luggage transfers, Detailed holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps, 24/7 phone assistance by our local representative and/or our central office

  • What policies are in place for Covid-19?

    We are part of the 'Safe Travels' initiative.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    Yes, as long as you can reach the next location.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Accommodations in double or twin rooms (solo travellers are usually accommodated in single rooms at an extra cost; we never mix and match)

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If possible, and entirely at the discretion of the Tour Operator, a change of the dates may be possible without charging an amendment fee, provided that it is requested at least 30 days before the departure date. In some cases, we will still have to pass to you any non-refundable charges imposed by our suppliers. In all other cases, change of dates will normally be treated as a cancellation.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    All places have been carefully checked by us and their quality is regularly monitored. We have selected accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    The Natural Adventure was founded in the UK in 2009, by Peter Duncan, former UK Chief Scout and BBC Blue Peter presenter, and Alex Pazderski, an avid hiker and acclaimed expedition kayaker. Both natural adventurers and keen explorers of wild places and trails, remote communities and responsible tourism partners, Peter and Alex founded our company inspired by the responsible travel values t

Reviews of this operator

Kicki Neely  

Walking Fishermens trail in western…

19-Sep-2022

Walking Fishermens trail in western Portugal will be a memory for life. We loved every minute of our week. All arrangements worked perfectly, from accommodation to luggage transport to questions we had before setting off. Our local agent met with us before we started the walk and we felt very reassured by his local knowledge and support. All accommodation was different, local, clean, friendly and easy to find. Very good value for money. I can really recommend Natural Adventure company and we will be back for more adventures. Many thanks Kicki Neely and friends

Marian Wilkins (Google Reviewer)  

A friend and I did...

25-Jan-2024

A friend and I did the Alps to the Riviera walk in France at the end of 2021 and it was the best holiday experience either of us has ever had. It’s an amazing way of immersing oneself in the countryside and getting the full flavour of the country away from the tourist attractions. The Natural Adventure Company made perfect arrangements for us, gave us clear directions and was just a call away, to sort out any issues. The walk gave us incredible memories that will enrich us for a lifetime. I am in the process of booking my next wonderful adventure and I can’t wait to get started!

Cathy O'Connor (Google Reviewer)  

I recently hiked, with a...

26-Jul-2024

I recently hiked, with a friend in the Italian Alps (the Val D'Aosta) and can highly recommend the region, and the Natural Adventure company. We were very pleased with the accommodation and the food was excellent most of the time- generous portions of excellent local dishes. The resources we were sent were excellent and very thorough. It was very easy to follow the routes as we were given so much detail- which we printed out and took each day's instructions with us, and the App helped to keep us on track. Sadly, we couldn't stay at the last location because there was a storm one night and the village we were due to stay in was flooded and cut off. The Natural Adventure did all they could to support us immediately, and help us find an alternative and we ended up staying where we were, as we were so pleased with that hotel and knew we could continue our hikes from there. We were very pleased with the holiday, the walks, the info and all our dealings with them. I would highly recommend them

Amanda Daly (Google Reviewer)  

We booked our self-guided Kumano...

15-Jul-2024

We booked our self-guided Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trip in Japan with The Natural Adventure (known locally as Oku Japan). The experience was top notch from beginning to end. The information packet was thorough and helpful, and details regarding trains and local buses (timetables, pricing, etc) were consistently accurate. Each and every accommodation was unique, charming, and welcoming. When there was an issue checking into our final hotel, the local office was quick to respond and the problem was solved within the hour (it was also a Sunday, so extra points). We weren’t expecting this to be a gourmet food tour of the region, but it was that as well! On top of it all, we found the price very reasonable for everything that is included. We had a wonderful experience thanks to The Natural Adventure, and would certainly travel with them again.

Cynthia Shinn (Google Reviewer)  

I have been working with...

26-Feb-2024

I have been working with The Natural Adventure for a few years now and it's been a flawless experience. I have now booked 4 different trips (4th to happen in April 2023). Accomodations have been great and local operators (bikes, hiking guides and boats) have all been great. The rates are very fair and trip selections are great. Hoping to see some boat bike options in Greece and Turkey!

Ellen Taylor-Powell  

Great communications, customized trip

20-Aug-2022

This is our first time using Natural Adventure to plan a hiking trip in Europe. I wanted an 8-day hike to start on a certain date to explore a northern region of Portugal. They were so accommodating - customized our trip to meet our needs with responsive communications and full itinerary; everything has been taken care of. We look forward to the trip!!

Linda Giovine (Google Reviewer)  

We hiked the Kerry Way...

02-Jun-2022

We hiked the Kerry Way with Natural Adventure and it was terrific. Outstanding views and good Irish weather. Some days were longer than expected due to placement of Bed and Breakfasts. Hosts were warm and helpful even dried our gear and shared local secrets. Irish hospitality in high gear.

Tim Fuhs (Google Reviewer)  

My wife and I booked...

14-Sep-2023

My wife and I booked the Lechweg short break hike with the natural adventure company this Fall and we’re very happy with our experience. I noticed one of the reviews questioning what they (natural adventure co) provide. That’s a fair question and from my perspective as a USA citizen, they provided a very important liaison/conduit role into the EU that would be prohibitive or downright impossible for a non EU citizen hiking/biking in Europe. In addition, I have found that in dealing directly with a few European companies directly, information does not always flow as smoothly as we like. The natural adventure company’s communication style fit our liking perfectly in that we receive a fast and thorough response with every question. They are prompt and helpful. They did subcontract with another company for boots on the ground support but the hotel reservations and itinerary were in house. We would definitely use the natural adventure company again no question.

Beverley Young  

Highly Recommended

03-Aug-2022

All the way through from booking, correspondence afterwards and now a wonderful holiday. The Natural Adventure have been helpful and have provided a brilliant holiday. The hikes each day are cracking, maps & routes are detailed and easy to follow. The hotels are great too. Completely love our holiday! Would definitely use The Natural Adventure again and recommend.

Jeanna Janssen (Google Reviewer)  

Really poor experience with my...

30-Jul-2024

Really poor experience with my recent Tour Du Mont Blanc trip. Our company contact Pierre was so unprofessional and did not care about the safety of travelers. On the second day he left to do a hike and we didn’t hear back until multiple days later. I experienced multiple travel delays which meant the loss of the prepaid travel arrangements and their solution was a 250 euro taxi to the hotel. Do not recommend.

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Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    The Natural Adventure requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 42 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of the natural adventure charges.

    Up to 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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