Self-guided cycling
10 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
Flights
available
16.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Optional
e-bike hire
This self-guided, ten-night cycling holiday explores Italy's beautiful, sun-drenched Puglia region with its vibrant fishing villages, sandy beaches and beautiful, rolling hills, all above the mesmerising blue of the Adriatic Sea.
Puglia offers a wonderful contrast of landscapes, from the fertile farming hamlets, vineyards and orchards of its interior to its dramatic, rocky coastline. Your holiday starts in Conversano and heads inland where you'll be blown away by a rich landscape of vineyards, olive groves, fruit orchards and fields of tomatoes and peppers alive with colour. Marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello with its unique trulli houses - emblematic of the region - and the glistening, whitewashed village of Ostuni. After a transfer to San Cataldo you'll discover the delights of the stunning Salento coast, taking in Puglia's easternmost and southernmost point - an amazing sight - and the Baroque masterpiece that is Lecce, renowned for its stunning 18th century architecture and known as the 'Florence of the South'.
You'll stay in an excellent variety of accommodation on this holiday, including four star or five star hotels! In Conversano your elegant boutique hotel is just a short walk from the medieval streets and Romanesque cathedral of this historic town; and an authentic trullo house in Alberobello. While in Lecce you stay in the heart of the beautiful old town in sumptuous five star hotel, close to the Roman amphitheatre and Baroque palazzi, with the hotel's roof garden offering one of the best views there is over the city.
Routes are gently undulating, with the latter stages from Monopoli to Lecce being predominately flat. 95% of the routes are on tarmac. The routes generally keep to quieter, secondary roads although you should expect more traffic in the towns.
Arrive at your hotel for a welcome briefing. There's time to discover the historic town of Conversano befroe choosing one of the many restaurants for dinner (payable locally).
You stay at Relais Corte Altavilla.
Market
Bank
Cash machine
Mastercard
Hairdryer
WiFi
Tea/coffee
The 4-star hotel Corte Altavilla Relais & Charme is located right in the historic centre of Conversano, just off one of the main squares - Piazza Conciliazione. The hotel is in an old medieval building with inner courtyard that once served as an old medieval courthouse for the town.
Following major renovation works in 2002 the hotel opened as an elegant four-star boutique hotel with 32 elegant rooms and appartments, each with its own personality and charm, with white stone walls, wrought iron furnishings, wooden-beams and vaulted ceilings.
All rooms are equipped with modern amenities including: air-conditioning, satellite-TV, direct-dial telephone, safe, Internet and mini-bar/fridge.
Local tourist tax not included (pay hotel locally)
Today's pedalling takes you through the rolling hills of the Valle d'Itria where the air is perfumed with wild mint and herbs. Stop off in the little towns of Putignano and Noci, and view their characteristic whitewashed houses and narrow alleyways. It's then off to unique Alberobello and its plethora of trulli houses, the architectural symbol of the region. On arrival you'll be met by one of the staff, who will show you to your own private trullo house.
You stay at Trullidea.
A unique and authentic experience staying in a trulli, a traditional 15th century Apulian stone building with conical roof.
Each trulli house is made up of a double bedroom, small bathroom with shower and living area with sofa and small kitchenette.
The trullis are located in the centre of historic Alberobello, a UNESCO world heritage site, within walking distance of cafes, restaurants and shops.
Explore the narrow streets and kitsch souvenir shops, or visit the Museo del Territorio. Alternatively, cycle into the Itria Valley to visit stunning Locorotondo, with its panoramic views across the valley. Continue on to Martina Franca, with its beautiful Baroque architechture and stunning palazzi.
You stay at Trullidea.
A unique and authentic experience staying in a trulli, a traditional 15th century Apulian stone building with conical roof.
Each trulli house is made up of a double bedroom, small bathroom with shower and living area with sofa and small kitchenette.
The trullis are located in the centre of historic Alberobello, a UNESCO world heritage site, within walking distance of cafes, restaurants and shops.
You'll spend this morning cycling along beautiful undulating country lanes lined with weathered stone walls, before enjoying a long downhill run with panoramic views of the Adriatic coastline and the lower fertile plains. This incredible descent will bring you down towards Capitolo and finishes through a patchwork of almond orchards, olive groves, vineyards and gloriously coloured fields of fresh tomatoes and peppers.
You stay at Masseria San Martino.
Mastercard
Visa
PoolHairdryerWiFi
TV
Aircon
Masseria San Martino is a restored manor dating back to the 17th Century. It is surrounded by olive groves. The rooms have a rustic traditional style and are equipped with all comforts. These rooms were once the living spaces of the Masseria where farmers used to live. Rooms have been remodeled and refurnished in perfect Mediterranean style, maintaining the original features.
Relax by the hotel's pool, or cycle to the nearby beach. For the more energetic, ride to charming Ostuni whose whitewashed houses are neatly piled on hills rich in olive groves and vineyards.
You stay at Masseria San Martino.
MastercardVisaPoolHairdryerWiFiTVAircon
Masseria San Martino is a restored manor dating back to the 17th Century. It is surrounded by olive groves. The rooms have a rustic traditional style and are equipped with all comforts. These rooms were once the living spaces of the Masseria where farmers used to live. Rooms have been remodeled and refurnished in perfect Mediterranean style, maintaining the original features.
This morning you leave the masseria and head back to the Adriatic coast on a gentle flat route. You will cycle past the colourful fishing village of Savelletri, a perfect stop for an authentic Italian espresso or to indulge in a delicious seafood lunch. Your ride will continue past the archaeological site of Egnazia, once the location of a Greco-Roman town, dating as far back as 4BC. You then return to the picturesque coastal town of Monopoli and the 4-star Albergo Diffuso in time for a stroll before choosing your evening restaurant from one of the many eateries in the heart of the old town.
You stay at Albergo Diffuso Monopoli.
ShopsMastercard
AmExHairdryerWiFiTVAircon
SafeTea/coffee
This property is 3 minutes walk from the beach. Set in various locations around the historical centre, just a stroll from Monopoli's seafront and its beautiful beaches, Albergo Diffuso Monopoli offers elegant, air-conditioned rooms.
Accommodation has exposed Tuffo-stone walls and quality furniture. There is free WiFi, flat screen TV, air conditioning and a private bathroom with bath or shower.
Breakfast in the hotel's central cafe and dinner will be in a good local restaurant.
Local tourist tax not included (pay hotel locally)
Today's route takes you along the stunning coastline all the way to the beautiful Polignano a Mare. Take the time to explore this vibrant fishing village before continuing to the picturesque village of San Vito with its multi-coloured boats. Head back to Monopoli and enjoy an aperitivo in the old town's square watching the world walk past.
You stay at Albergo Diffuso Monopoli.
ShopsMastercardAmExHairdryerWiFiTVAirconSafeTea/coffee
This property is 3 minutes walk from the beach. Set in various locations around the historical centre, just a stroll from Monopoli's seafront and its beautiful beaches, Albergo Diffuso Monopoli offers elegant, air-conditioned rooms.
Accommodation has exposed Tuffo-stone walls and quality furniture. There is free WiFi, flat screen TV, air conditioning and a private bathroom with bath or shower.
Breakfast in the hotel's central cafe and dinner will be in a good local restaurant.
Local tourist tax not included (pay hotel locally)
We transfer you and your bike to Acaya, from where you'll cycle along the stunning Salento coast to Otranto, taking in ancient olive groves and fishing villages en route.
You stay at Hotel San Giuseppe.
MastercardVisaHairdryerWiFiTV
MinibarAirconSafe
Hotel San Giuseppe is set in a 16th-century farmhouse typical of the Puglia region, only 350 yards from the sea in Otranto's historic centre. It offers air-conditioned rooms and which have been restored in a modern style that preserves the flavour of the old farm.They feature high ceilings and tiled floors, and are equipped with a minibar and satellite TV featuring free Sky channels including sports, cinema and entertainment.
A free day in Otranto today, or an optional challenging day's cycling which takes you up and down along the coast south and west of Otranto, where you'll see the easternmost and southernmost point of Puglia - a spectacular sight! You can also visit the Castel di Salve winery on your way to Santa Maria di Leuca, which is known as De Finibus Terrae, 'the end of the earth', before taking a shuttle back to the hotel.
You stay at Hotel San Giuseppe.
MastercardVisaHairdryerWiFiTVMinibarAirconSafe
Hotel San Giuseppe is set in a 16th-century farmhouse typical of the Puglia region, only 350 yards from the sea in Otranto's historic centre. It offers air-conditioned rooms and which have been restored in a modern style that preserves the flavour of the old farm.They feature high ceilings and tiled floors, and are equipped with a minibar and satellite TV featuring free Sky channels including sports, cinema and entertainment.
Today you head to Lecce on mostly flat terrain amidst endless olive orchards and menhirs. Tonight you'll stay at the stylish Risorgimento Resort (5 star) , just a few steps from some of Lecce's Baroque masterpieces.
You stay at Resort Hotel Risorgimento.
ShopsMastercardAmExHairdryerWiFiTVMinibarAirconSafe
Featuring a roof-top restaurant with panoramic views, the Risorgimento Resort is located in Lecce's Baroque historic centre. It offers free WiFi throughout, large modern rooms, and a relaxing spa.
Rooms are air conditioned and come with a minibar and satellite TV. Each has a marble bathroom with bathrobes and slippers. The attentive staff provide a continental buffet breakfast. The 3 restaurants offer both Salento flavours and classic Italian cooking. Alternatively there are plenty of good restaurants nearby. Drinks and snacks are available all day at the Janet Ross Bar.
The health club offers a Turkish bath and multisensory shower. Massage and beauty treatments are also available.The hotel doesn't have a pool but there's everything else! Its even got it's own golf course (3km away)!
Piazza Sant'Oronzo is just 100 yards from Risorgimento Resort . The Cathedral is a 5-minute walk away.
Room upgrades: Deluxe Double, Executive, Junior Suite or Garden Suite.
Please note: This tour has been given a 1 Bike + rating based on ascents/descents and distance; the cycling may feel harder over the hotter months.
These tour prices are based on two people sharing. Single supplement from £373.
We can book your flights, protected by ATOL and ABTA. Please ask at time of enquiry.
Airport transfers are subject to at least 2 people (in total) booked on each departure.
If you choose a flight inclusive package with us, you will fly into Bari airport. We can provide transfers from the airport, please contact us for details and prices.
We hold an ATOL License and are fully ABTA bonded, so you can book your flights with us in confidence. We can book most airlines and will advise you of your most convenient airport and flight options.
Flight prices vary massively and change quickly. At Headwater we will sell you your flights at the same price you can buy them yourself. We simply add £35 per person to cover your flight protection, to learn more please click here.
Subject to availability and dependent on service provider, please ask at time of enquiry and book early to avoid disappointment.
Self-guided cycling
10 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
Flights
available
16.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Optional
e-bike hire
