Neil Beattie says...
we had a great time. i have done a lot of solo bike touring with no travel agency so it was a nice change to have everything taken care of.
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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.
Stay overnight at Palazzo Viceconte
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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Stay overnight at Palazzo Viceconte
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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Il Borgo Relais
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.
Meals included: Breakfast and dinner
Overnight at Agriturismo ai Pilieri di Bagnoli
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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Palazzo Filisio
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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel Excelsior
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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Hotel Excelsior
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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Relais Corte Altavilla
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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Trullidea
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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Trullidea
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.
Meals included: Breakfast and evening meal
Overnight at Masseria San Martino
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!
Meals included: Breakfast and evening meal
Overnight at Masseria San Martino
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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Albergo Diffuso
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.
Meals included: Breakfast
Overnight at Albergo Diffuso
Leave Monopoli
During your holiday you stay at the following hotels. If you'd like to extend your time at any of these or, if you'd like to enhance your stay with an upgraded room, just let us know at the time of booking.
To find out more call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199, use our live webchat or email sales@headwater.com
Find out more on the hotel website.
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NEARBY:
Room upgrades and extra nights: Contact us for details.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
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.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Room upgrades: Junior Suite .
The Junior Suite has charming furniture with a living room and panoramic view.
Find out more on the hotel website.
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A unique and authentic experience staying in a trulli, a traditional 15th century Apulian stone building with conical roof.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
Find out more on the hotel website.
Read customer reviews on Tripadvisor.
NEARBY:
Room upgrades and extra nights: Contact us for details.
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Bari Airport at 11:15 and back to Bari Airport at 09:10
Call now to speak to our specialist team at 0044 1606 720199 or email us at sales@headwater.com for enquiries or to book your trip.
Everyone who goes on a Headwater holiday will be emailed a link to our post-holiday questionnaire where they can give us an honest assessment of all aspects of their holiday - everything from how quickly we answer the phone to how clean the hotels were - plus an overall rating and comments about their holiday.
Any feedback collected is posted to our website, so that people can make an informed decision based on past experiences before heading off on holiday. We don’t edit the reviews, the only thing we do is proofread them and alter any typos, where necessary, to ensure they are easy to read for everyone. All reviews will be published (except in certain extreme circumstances), and a member of the Headwater team will respond to any constructive criticisms/comments under the reviews, at their discretion. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of our holidays, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.
we had a great time. i have done a lot of solo bike touring with no travel agency so it was a nice change to have everything taken care of.
You can be confident that our pricing includes all the standard requirements of your holiday and many additional extras. Always ensure that you are comparing like for like when booking your holiday.
This 14 night self-guided cycling holiday includes:
Hotel-to-hotel accommodation in a mix of , , and hotels
All breakfasts and 3 evening meals
Bike fitting and briefing at the start of your holiday
Headwater navigation app for your smartphone
Bike hire
Luggage transfers between hotels
How to book:
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' or 'check availability' button below.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'check availability' button below.
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 us for further details.
Minimum group sizes
No minimum group size, however transfers are subject to at least 2 people (in total) booked on each departure.
Solo travellers
Please call for details and prices
Children
This holiday is unsuitable for children.
Holiday type
Self-guided cycling Managed by Headwater rep.
Departures
Meals
All breakfasts and 3 evening meals
Electric bikes
It is possible to hire electric bikes for this holiday at a supplement of £364 per person. As these are available on a first come first served basis, we recommend early booking to avoid disappointment.
Tandems
It is possible to hire tandem bikes for this holiday at a supplement of £438 per bike. As these are available on a first come first served basis, we recommend early booking to avoid disappointment.
Other details
Airport transfers are subject to at least 2 people (in total) booked on each departure.
Tour only
Transfers can be arranged at a supplement from Bari Airport at 11:15 and back to Bari Airport at 09:10
To book this holidays speak to our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'book now' button above.
If you need further information before you book simply complete our Holiday Enquiry Form and a member of our sales team will get back to you.
To book this holiday call our sales team on 0044 1606 720199 or click on the appropriate 'Book now' or 'Check availability' button below.
