Apulia and Matera
GUIDED BIKE TOUR
Starting by the sea, the tour goes inland towards Matera,
crossing the countryside, full of olive groves, almond trees, trulli and charming white towns.
The quiet Apulian countryside, the Sassi of Matera, the unique Trulli
The tour starts off by the sea, develops in the inland, in the Apulian countryside with olive and almond trees, gardens and typical houses, and finishes by the sea again. We first bike to Trani with its cathedral facing the sea, and ride toward the castle Castel del Monte – UNESCO World Heritage Site. We reach Murgia, a karst plateau that lays between Apulia and Basilicata, and then Matera: the city of the “Sassi”, ancient houses dug in the chalky stone. We visit the park of the ancient rupestrian churches, built into the stones. After Matera we cycle in the countryside among the Trulli (typical and bizarre stone-made houses with a conical roof). They are sometimes grouped in village, as in the unique Alberobello: here we stay in a real trullo for the night. We ride on small countryside roads up to the village of Ostuni, “the white city” over the sea, then we cross charming towns such as Cisternino and Locorotondo. We head again towards the sea, crossing hundred-year old olive groves through the Parco Naturale delle Dune Costiere, and finally we flank the coast, that alternates low cliffs and narrow sand bays.
Itinerary
Individual arrival to Trani. Meeting with the agency at the hotel: briefing and bike delivery.
Overnight in Trani:
60 km / +550m
We cycle on slightly undulating roads towards Murgia, a karst plateau that crosses Puglia and Basilicata. We visit Castel del Monte, overlooking the flatlands from the top of a hill, and then we get to Ruvo di Puglia, that features a tiny cathedral built with white stone.
Overnight in Ruvo di Puglia
68 km / +500m
We cycle through the vast and isolated countryside until Altamura, the village famous for its bread and cathedral. Final destination of the day is Matera, where we overnight for two nights.
Overnights in Matera
Free day in Matera, visit to the city and the Park of Rupestrian Churches.
Overnights in Matera
70 km / +200m
Leaving Matera behind, we ride among the trulli in Itria Valley. We may find many trulli on our way, some are abandoned, others are still inhabited. In Alberobello, a village composed of trulli, we overnight in one of them.
Overnights in Alberobello
50 km / +150m
We cross many white and lively villages, such as Cisternino, Locorotondo, Noci and many more, that will amaze us with their beautiful buildings. Then we head to the coast following small country roads and we reach Ostuni, the white city, built on a panoramic hill.
Overnights in Ostuni
45 km / Flat and downhill
We ride down from Ostuni to the large hundred-year olive groves, passing through the Park of the Coastal Dunes, and finally we get to the sea, flanking a beautiful coast that alternates low cliffs and small sand beaches. We finish our tour in Bari, visiting the old city. After a long break on the beach, we move to Bari with a minibus transfer. There we visit the old city and we spend the last night together.
Overnight in Bari
Breakfast in the hotel, free day and individual trip back.
- INCLUDED
- 7 overnights with breakfast in DBL room in Hotels***/**** or Albergo Diffuso
- 7 city taxes
- 6 dinners with typical dishes
- 5 pic-nics with bread, cold cuts, cheese, fruit, dessert and ½ l water
- 1 tour leader by bike
- 1 tour leader on the support vehicle
- Luggage transportation and assistance
- Various guided visits of museums and archaeological sites
- Hybrid bike rental with lock, helmet and one pannier
Feeling like having some support?
Don't worry, our van will be with the group, to help the group, to move the luggage from Hotel to Hotel and to prepare pic nics with fresh ingredients in panoramic spots.
Following the gpx is too much of an headache?
Don't worry, the tour leader is always with you, adapting the speed to the group's pace and making sure nobody get lost.
Hybrid bike or e-bike?
Choose your way!