Álvares Machado This trip takes you cycling along Italy’s most stunning coastal road to the Otranto, Baia di Enea
Italy Experiences
Mediterranean Flavours of Puglia
Mediterranean Flavours of Puglia Bike tour ~ an Authentic Journey
Itinerary
Our Mediterranean Flavours of Puglia Bike tour is a journey that reflects all that is authentic, culturally rich, sustainable and superlative in the world of travel today.
Alberobello ~ Ostuni~ Lecce
7 Day/ 6 Night, Guided Tour
From Euro 2950.00 per person sharing.
This southern corner of Italy’s ‘heel’ is an exotic and unique region due to its historic interaction with Greek, Norman and Arab cultures . These blended influences can still be seen today, most notably in the surviving vernacular architecture – with its Romanesque churches Baroque towns and charming Trulli, squat houses of whitewashed stone and unusual conical roofs. This culturally rich and authentic heritage has led in part to Puglia being named one of National Geographic’s Best of the World travel experiences. This trip takes you along coastal roads through Adriatic fishing ports then inland past olive groves, vineyards and grazing sheep. It also offers you the chance to enjoy the region’s exceptional cuisine with its abundant seafood, fresh vegetables, homemade pasta and outstanding bread.
Day 1: Welcome to Puglia!
We meet at Bari station at 12.00 and Transfer to Matera. 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 today a World Heritage site. Check into your rooms at our hotel in the historical center. This afternoon you meet your guides and have a bike-fitting session followed by a welcome dinner.
Day 2: Alberobello & Trulli &
From Matera pedal through groves of olive trees to follow rolling country roads lines with ancient stone walls through the fertile Valle d’Itria. Our goal is to reach Alberobello, a world heritage site and known for nearly conical shaped white 1,000 Trulli dating back to the 13th century. This vernacular houses are painted with symbols on their roofs and are framed by rich, green farmland. Once at Alberobello an historic local guide will welcome us, introducing the trulli world – after you will be free to wander in this magical town.
Distance 70 km/44 miles
Day 3: Ostuni
Today you will cycle to Ostuni. This mornings bike ride from Alberobello is amazing: you reach the coastal panoramic road and you will skirt the seaside until the last uphill to Ostuni. On the coast road we pass by Torre egnazia, Savelletri and Torre Canne. We arrive at Ostuni, a charming hamlet whose whitewashed arches and houses are neatly piled like sugar cubes with beautiful examples of Baroque and renaissance architecture.
Distance 50 km/36 miles
Day 4: Martina Franca & olive oil tasting
Your highlight today is a loop bike ride to the picturesque Martina Franca. This historic walled hill town is reached following a ride along roads dotted with olive groves, vineyards, maquis shrub and ancient oak trees to Carovigno and Ceglie Messapica, and is a must-see town for its marvelously intact historic center, Baroque architecture, and stunning palazzo. This region is famous for the quality of its olive oil, which you will get to sample following a ride to Frantoio d’amico, for a tasting and lunch. Return to Ostuni for dinner at Taverna della gelosia.
Distance 62 km /38 miles.
Day 5: Winery Liveli & Lecce
We could not let you spend a week with us in Puglia without sampling one of its most sensational and up-and-coming products – wine! Our destination is Lecce, the capital of the Salento Province for an tour of the incomparable baroque architecture.
Bike ride from the Ostuni to Cellino San Marco at our favourite winery, the cycling is easy, all flat, all secondary road. Cappuccino Espresso stop could be in Carovigno. Continue to Mesagneand enter in Salento area with all wineyards around – Liveli is one of Puglia’s most renowned wineries. After a fascinating tour with the vineyard’s expert oenologist, we will be treated to a private lunch and wine tasting in a dining room overlooking the ageing barrels of wine. After lunch transfer to Lecce, the pink city, the Florence of the Baroque, the gleaming gem of Apulia.
Distance 60 km/ 38 miles
Day 6: Santa Cesarea & Zinzalusa
Todat we cycle alongside the striking coaslinet to arrive in Otranto: the old town center. This is the our first stop, to explore and discover the beautiful town highlights and views, especially the southern aspect of the houses, painted in bright colors and enclosed within the wall fortifications overlooking the south bank of the harbor. We pass Santa Cesarea hot spring and Grotta Zinzalusa, a fantastic grotto on the seaside, with its panoramic views. You will love the tiny roads that sometimes seem like bike paths. Farewell dinner at Osteria degli Spiriti, celebrating with authentic local food.
Distance 65 km / 40 miles
Day 7: Arrivederci ancora!
After a farewell breakfast, enjoy sightseeing in the beautiful baroque town of Lecce.
2023s departures:
May 19-25
september 15-21
October 13-19
CONTACT US FOR PRIVATE TOURS.
Please contact us at tours@cyclewest.com to book this tour.
What’s Included?
Six nights in superior hotels and breakfast
four dinners, two lunches & one wine tastings
Snacks and drinks along the way
Bikes (race or hybrid) and all gear
All maps, trip notes and detailed route directions
All Shuttles and technical assistance
Support Van, all transfer baggage
Services of 2 experienced bilingual guides
Water bottles
What’s not included?
Airfare to Italy, 4 lunches, 1 dinner, alcoholic/non-alcoholic beverages, gratuities, travel insurance, laundry expenses and items of a personal nature.
Bike Rental is extra:
Bike Rental for entire tour
Hybrid bike euro 180
Road bike euro 210
E-Bike euro 210
Dates and Pricing
Price Per Person: From Euro €2,950.00 (double accommodation).
Single suppl. €550 per person
Dates Available in 2023
May 19-25
september 15-21
October 13-19
Helpful Notes
2019 departure: October 20th – 26th
Tour Accommodation:
Six nights in superior hotels and breakfast:
Palazzo Viceconte – Matera
Hotel Palazzo Viceconte is an early 17th century historic Palazzo in the heart of the ancient city of Matera, Italy. Recently renovated and with the best panoramic views over Sassi and its surroundings, sleeping in Hotel Palazzo Viceconte means splendid hospitality in the captivating charm of a historic Palazzo. See https://palazzoviceconte.it/en/ for more details.
Ostuni Palace
The Ostuni Palace Hotel is a 4 stars luxury hotel in the centre of Ostuni, is a stylish places, ancient atmospheres and a suggestive elegance: the most modern comforts with an excellent service will make your visit to this wonderful land special indeed. Please see: https://www.ostunipalace.com/ for more details.
Masseria LuciaGiovanni – Lecce
Despite its exotic Moorish interiors, Spa Luciagiovanni is a state-of-the art medical spa, offering both relaxing wellness rituals inspired by the Orient and hi-tech beauty procedures, including Botox and laser therapy. Want to maintain your fitness regime whilst on holiday? The resort has a gym, squash and beach tennis courts and a pool for counter current swimming. Please see; https://www.masserialuciagiovanni.it/en for more details.
