Italy Apulia bike tour
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Apulia bike tour: The heel of Italy
As you look at the map of Italy, with its resemblance to a boot, the south-eastern extreme, known as Apulia (Puglia in Italian) takes form the heel. This peninsular, closed in by the Adriatic and Ionic seas, is a region abundant in vineyards, olive groves, and extensive wheat fields, as well as offering beautiful countryside, and untouched by mass-tourism, is ideal for this cycle tour which allows you to experience to the full the charm of a fascinating and ancient culture
ROUTE PROFILE: • Total distance covered: 320 km/200 miles • Total ascent: 1,450 m/4394 ft • Surface conditions: 99% asphalt, 1% unpaved • Train transfer between the overnight stays: no • On option to shorten the itinerary is offered by taking the train on day 3 Our route passes mainly through the lowlands, with some hilly terrain. Only during the height of the holiday season would you encounter traffic along these roads, which are otherwise virtually deserted. Traffic is almost non-existent in the region except during the high tourist season. The route incorporates some delightful stretches along the beautiful Apulian coast.
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Bike itinerary self-guided cycle route
Day 1: Matera
Individual arrival. The inhabitants of this region have made their homes in dwellings carved out of the soft yellowish earth of the valleys for over one thousand years. Known as Sassi this group of dwellings has been classified as a World Heritage Site.
Day 2: Matera-Alberobello – 70 km/43 miles
Situated on two hills once divided by a riverbed, Alberobello is famous for its trulli: circular dwellings built originally as storehouses. These are found on the western hill in closely-knit communities, while the eastern hill bears all the marks of a modern town with contemporary architecture: the two districts are known as Monti and Aia Piccola, both of which have been designated national monuments since 1930, and are know classified as World Heritage Sites. Our cycling route brings us to Alberobello and Locorotondo.
Day 3: Alberobello-Ostuni – 55 km/33 miles
Today´s cycling route takes us through countryside to Ostuni, well known as an architectural gem, commonly referred to as the White Town for the colour of its walls and houses.
Day 4: Ostuni-Lecce-Gallipoli – 70 km by train + 50 km/31 miles by bike
Today a train journey brings us to Lecce. A few miles onwards from this fascinating Baroque town, we enter into the heart of the salentinian country, before reaching the Ionian coast and our day´s destination, Gallipoli.
Day 5: Gallipoli-Santa Maria di Leuca – 50 km/31 miles
As we proceed by bike along the coast we reach Santa Maria di Leuca, a town acquiring its name from sailors from ancient Greece. They saw this place so well endowed sunlight and therefore called it leukos, which means white. The town is now a famous seaside resort and a fishing area.
Day 6: Santa Maria di Leuca-Otranto – 50 km/31 miles
Today´s cycling route heads northwards along the Adriatic coast to Otranto, the most eastern point of Italy. Here visits to the beautiful cathedral and a fine Aragonese Castle are essentials.
Day 7: Otranto-Lecce – 55 km/33 miles
Cycling by the Alimini Lakes and their unique Mediterranean bushes we enter the city of Lecce. Thanks to a heavy baroque influence in the city’s architecture, it has earned the nickname of “Florence of the South”. Do take note of the rich sculpted 17th century motifs carved out of Lecce’s soft stone. Remains of the ancient walls enclosing the old town bear witness old town enclosed by what is left of the ancient walls bear witness to the exuberant periods in years gone by.
Day 8: Lecce
Departure after breakfast.
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WHAT´S INCLUDED IN THE SELF-GUIDED TRIP:
Duration - 8 days / 7 nights
Prices - 590€ in double room per person Category: 3/4* Hotels (in Alberobello trulli, B&B or residence)
- 200€ single room supplement
- 100€ season 2 supplement
- 160€ season 3 supplement
- 80€ Bike rental
- 190€ electric bike
- 15€ Helmet
Departures 2019
- SA 23 March – 15 June and 24 August – 19 October
- FR 10 May – 7 June and 6 – 27 September
- Other departure dates admitted for at least 5 participants!
Season - Season 1: 23 March and 19 October
- Season 2: 24 March – 28 April and 29 September -18 October
- Season 3: 29 April-15 June and 24 August – 28 September
Included in the tour price - 7 nights hotel accommodation 3/4 star hotels
- Breakfast buffet
- Welcome briefing in English
- Luggage transportation
- Route descriptions & maps
- Train transfer Ostuni–Lecce on day 4
- 7-day Hotline service
Not included in the tour price - Local taxes 10-15€
Reductions - 100€ 3rd/4th person in room
Extra nights - 75/105€ in double/single room with breakfast in Matera
- 60/90€ in double/single room with breakfast in Lecce
Cancellation fees - withdrawal until 30 days preceding the departure date: 20% of the total amount
- withdrawal from 29 until 22 days preceding the departure date: 25% of the total amount
- withdrawal from 21 until 15 days preceding the departure date: 50% of the total amount
- withdrawal from 14 until 8 days preceding the departure date: 70% of the total amount
- withdrawal from 7 until 1 day preceding the departure date: 95% of the total amount
- on departure day and and no-show: 100%.
Transfers - Bari–Matera 45€ per person (min. 2 persons)
- Brindisi–Matera on request
- Lecce–Bari on request
- Lecce–Brindisi on request
- Transfers to be confirmed when booking the tour
How to reach Matera - Matera is well connected (90 min.) to Bari airport (BRI).
- Lecce is well connected by train with the airports of Bari and Brindisi.
Payment - 50% per person upon reservation, final payment 6 weeks before tour departure. CC payments Visa or Mastercard do have an additional increase of 2%. All reservations will have a cost of 25€ per tour.
Difficulty: 
- Price: from 590 €/person
- Type of trip: self-guided bike route
- Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
- Starting point: Matera
- Final destination: Lecce
- Total distance: 330 km / 205 miles
- Bike type: See under “Additional Info”
