Self-guided cycling
14 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
Flights
available
15.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Optional
e-bike hire
Optional
tandem hire
This fourteen night, self-guided cycling holiday takes in some of the highlights of Basilicata and Puglia in Southern Italy. Starting in the UNESCO-listed Matera, known for its rock churches and Sassi houses, you'll have a free day here to explore before setting off on your bike to head to the neighbouring region of Puglia. Firmly tucked away 'on the heel of Italy's boot', Puglia offers extraordinary variety and beauty with a dramatically rugged coast, providing a total contrast to the lush green interior.
You'll ride to Gravina, one of the most important Roman cities along the Appian Way and continue on through the Alta Murgia National Park (the largest natural park in Italy) with a stop at Castel del Monte with its iconic castle. Your cycle route then heads to Trani on the Adriatic coast, one of the oldest and liveliest cities along this stretch of coastline. Follow the coastline to Bari where you spend 2 nights before heading inland.
You'll be intoxicated by the rich colours of the landscape, olive groves, fruit orchards, vineyards and ruby-red fields, all intensified by the wonderful limpid light of the Adriatic. Highlights include staying in unique Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and visiting the postcard-pretty white village of Ostuni as you wind your way back towards the sea.
Arrive in Matera, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, with an overnight stay at Palazzo Viceconte.
You stay at Palazzo Viceconte.
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Palazzo Viceconte is a historical building set in the Matera Sassi UNESCO site area. It offers free WiFi throughout.
The Viceconte's rooms feature antique furnishings, free wired internet access, digital TV, and air conditioning. Most rooms boast panoramic views, while some overlook the Palazzo's quiet internal 17th-century courtyard.
The Palace features beautiful frescoed halls that come with original furniture, and a collection of paintings ranging from the 17th to the 20th century.
Room upgrades and extra nights: Contact us for details.
Enjoy the stone city of Matera, named the European Capital of Culture in 2019. Situated in the Basilicata Region, stroll through its beautiful Palaeolithic cave dwellings, intricate cathedrals and museums.
You stay at Il Borgo Relais.
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B&B 'Il Borgo' is situated in a sixteenth-century palace, in the very heart of the old town centre of Gravina in Puglia. Completely restored it maintains the classic style of its time but with modern and contemporary details. The rooms overlook the historical and characteristic Piazza Plebiscito square and all have free Wi-Fi access, air conditioning, underfloor heating, satellite TV, safe and minibar.
Leave Matera and cycle a few kilometres to enter the beautiful region of Puglia. Ride on gentle slopes towards Gravina, one of the most important Roman cities along the Appian Way, and Altamura, located on the hills of the Murge plateau.
You stay at Agriturismo Ai Pilieri di Bagnoli.
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Ai Pilieri di Bagnoli is an elegantly restored structure which dates from the 17th century, and which preserves the architectural features typical of the bourgeois farms of the Alta Murgia. It offers pleasant and comfortable independent rooms, all of which are characterized by pitched roofs with wooden beams and white stones walls. The rooms, which are all named for flowers typical of the National Park of the Alta Murgia, overlook a grove of ancient oaks. A restaurant has been created in the nineteenth-century wine cellar.
Today, our route winds across the largest natural park in Italy - the Alta Murgia National Park. Our final destination is Castel del Monte with its iconic castle, commissioned by Frederick II, and its unique octagonal structure making it worthy of the UNESCO World Heritage list.
You stay at Palazzo Filisio.
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Set in an ancient 18th century palace, the Palazzo Filisio is located in the historic centre of Trani, near the peaceful pedestrian area and just a short walk from famous monuments. The elegantly decorated rooms overlook the Duomo, the centre, the harbour or the Adriatic Sea. The hotel has a nice restaurant, just 50m from the sea or take a stroll and choose one of the many eateries available in this bustling town.
Today's ride continues though the Alta Murgia National Park, with a pleasant descent towards the Adriatic Sea and Trani, one of the oldest and liveliest cities on the Apulian coast. Known as the 'Pearl of Pugila', the city is characterised by its breath-taking cathedral that sits right on the water's edge. Afterwards, wander around its Jewish quarter, hidden between its glossy limestone streets.
You stay at Hotel Excelsior.
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The Hotel Excelsior has large and bright rooms. There is also a bar and restaurant offering Mediterranean dishes.
Explore the historic town centres of Bisceglie, Molfetta and Giovinazzo, admiring their Romanesque style architecture. Arrive in Bari, a bustling, coral-fringed port town, and ride along one of the longest promenades in the Mediterranean to the old city.
You stay at Relais Corte Altavilla.
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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)
Room upgrades: Junior Suite .
The Junior Suite has charming furniture with a living room and panoramic view.
Spend the day exploring the capital of the Puglia region, walking the narrow lanes of the Vecchia Bari (Old town), admiring the 11th century Romanesque Basilica di San Nicola (also known as Santa Claus) which was built especially to house his remains. Or head to the old port for a stroll along the seafront, where in the mornings you can see fishermen landing in small wooden boats with their catch - and then selling it directly on the waterfront.
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.
Leave Bari pedalling for several kilometres on the southern side of the sea and up to Baia San Giorgio, where San Nicola (Santa Claus) landed in Europe. Then follow the coast and up to Torre a mare and continue inland to Rutigliano, a beautiful town known for the manufacture of terracotta.,From here cross peaceful countryside covered with grape vines and cherries all the way to Conversano.
You stay at Masseria San Martino.
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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.
Today's cycling takes you through the rolling hills of the Itria Valley where the air is perfumed with wild mint and herbs. Stop in the little towns of Putignano and Noci, and 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 the staff, will show you to your own private trullo house.
You stay at Albergo Diffuso Monopoli.
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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)
Room upgrades: Please contact us for details.
Spend today roaming around the historic centre, navigating your way through narrow streets, kitsch souvenir shops and tasting local delicacies. Or maybe visit the Museum of the Territory to discover the history of this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. Alternatively, a circular cycle route (45km / 29mi - route directions provided) takes you deep into the Itria Valley to visit stunning Locorotondo, with wonderful panoramic views across the valley. Continue on to Martina Franca, a must-see town given its marvellously intact historic centre, beautiful Baroque architecture, and stunning palaces.
Enjoy 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, olives groves, vineyards and gloriously coloured fields of fresh tomatoes and peppers.
Today you could just relax by the hotel pool, or cycle to the nearby beach. For the more energetic, a circular cycle ride takes you to charming Ostuni where the whitewashed arches and houses are neatly piled like sugar cubes on hills rich in olive groves and vineyards!
This morning you leave the Masseria and head 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 indulge in a delicious seafood lunch. Your ride will continue past the archaeological site of Egnazia, once the location of a Greek-Roman town, dating as far back as 4 B.C. You then return to the picturesque coastal town of Monopoli and your 4 star hotel in time for a stroll before choosing your evening restaurant from one of the many eateries in the heart of the old town.
On your last day you're spoilt for choice: explore Monopoli and its beautiful cathedral, stroll along its narrow streets flowing around its delightful port and enoy a relaxed lunch in one of the many outstanding seafood restaurants. Or you can explore a stretch of the Adriatic coast, perhaps the most beautiful of all by cycling to the north of Monopoli, coming out of the port and after a few coves and a beautiful medieval tower overlooking the cliff, arriving at Polignano a Mare. Its hamlet, which can be reached by bike through a spectacular bike path, in some places almost suspended over the sea, is positioned on the edge of a high cliff (from here the daring athletes who participate in the world diving championship also plunge from great heights). Polignano is then the city of ice cream and the country that gave birth to Domenico Modugno (mister 'Volare'). A few kilometres further along the coast we come to the village, the marina and the abbey of San Vito: an imposing and spectacular medieval building overlooking the sea. From here you go back, pedalling inland, through vegetable gardens and olive trees.
Leave Monopoli
We do not currently have departure dates and prices available on-line. The season may have ended for this tour, or we are still in the process of adding these details to our website.
Please contact our sales team on 01606 720199 to for further details or to discuss alternavie trip options.
Subject to availability and dependent on service provider, please ask at time of enquiry and book early to avoid disappointment.
Self-guided cycling
14 nights,
hotel-to-hotel
Level: 1+
Leisurely plus
Flights
available
15.0Kg CO2e
Headwater
Navigation App
Optional
e-bike hire
Optional
tandem hire
