Active Journeys Italy SelfSelf----GuidedGuided Bike tour
Italy
Tour descriptions Apulia, land of crystal beaches Day 1 Our one-week cycling adventure rolls through the south eastern region of Italy Arrive Matera known as Apulia (Puglia), the Sicilian countryside. It’s bordered by the Adriatic Sea Day 2 70 kms To Alberobello on the east and the Ionian Sea to the southeast. The area is characterized by end- less olive groves, long fields of grain and vineyards. Day 3 43 kms To Ostuni The tour begins in Matera, a town known for its tuff dwellings built directly into Train + Day 4 th To Gallipoli 50 km ravines and gullies. The following days pass through 16 century villages, such as Day 5 50 kms Taranto, Gallipoli, and Santa Maria di Leuca. The coastal routes ride by tiny lakes, To Santa Maria di Leuca lush trees, and along cobblestone pathways. There are plenty of churches, ancient Day 6 56 kms walls, and architectural delights to marvel at along the way. To Otranto Day 7 51 kms Biking is generally in the lowlands along paved roads with minimal traffic. There To Lecce are some slight hilly areas that aren’t too steep. We offer departures except for Day 8 the hot summer months of July and August. Apulia is an area unspoiled by mod- Tour ends ern tourism and still maintaining its ancient culture!
Tour Details Saturdays from March 25 to June 17 and August 26 to October 21 Fridays added in May, June and September
Cost: $1495 per person Fast Facts Length: 8 days / 7 nights EEE-E---BikeBike InfoInfo: Single Supplement: $395 • Lovely accommodations with buffet Bike/Equipment: $ 195 breakfasts For those who need a little boost, we have a small inventory of E-Bikes for • Transfer from Ostuni to Lecce your trip. Grade: Moderate • Luggage transport and route notes Starts: Matera and maps • E-bike rental: $350 • Limited supplies available, so reserva- Ends: Lecce • Welcome briefing in English tions recommended
Active Journeys Contact: 11----800800800----597597597----55945594 or 416416----236236236----50115011 Email: [email protected]
Puglia, or Apulia as it is called in English, is the most south-eastern re- gion of Italy. It’s the part of the country that is the least densely popu- lated as well as one of the flattest. Tourism is becoming more and more important, but the landscape remains unspoiled with inhabitants living mainly in towns and owning the lands around them. This is also where one can find some of the best beaches of Italy, as the region acts as a link between the eastern and western Mediterranean.
The overlapping of cultures and languages can be seen not only in the towns and cities, but also in the countryside. There are influences of Greek, Albanian, Latin and also Spanish in the many different dialects spoken in the region. Apulia produces one-tenth of the wine consumed in Europe. Olive oil, fruit (citrus trees, grapes) productions and fishing are its other main activities .
Day 1: Matera For millennia, inhabitants of this region have carved dwellings directly into hills and gullies made of tufa, a characteristic honey-colored soft stone. These houses are called “Sassi” and today Matera is a World Her- itage site.
Day 2: Matera–Alberobello (70 km) We cycle to the famous Trulli of Alberobello and Locorotondo. On the eastern hill is the new section of the town, with modern architectural features. On the western hill, the Trulli are lined up in an urban subdivi- sion, basically into two districts: Monti and Aia Piccola, both National Monuments from 1930, and today World Heritage sites.
Day 3: Alberobello–Ostuni (40 km) We cycle through the countryside to Ostuni, which is reputed to be an architectural jewel, and is commonly referred to as “the White Town” for its typically white-painted architecture.
Day 4: Ostuni–Lecce–Gallipoli (70 km train + 50 km bike) A train transfer in the morning to Lecce. After a few kilometres in this amazing Baroque town you go deep into “salentinian countryside” be- fore on to Gallipoli, which is located along the Ionian coast.
Day 5: Gallipoli–Santa Maria di Leuca (50 km) Cycling further along the coast you will reach Santa Maria di Leuca. Greek sailors saw this place whitewashed by the sun and therefore called it “leukos”, meaning white. Santa Maria di Leuca is a famous sea- side resort and a fishing area.
Day 6: Santa Maria di Leuca–Otranto (56 km) Today you will cycle northwards along the Adriatic coast to Otranto, the most eastern point of Italy where you can visit the beautiful Cathedral and the great Aragonese Castle.
Day 7: Otranto–Lecce (51 km) Riding along the Alimini Lakes and their unique Mediterranean bush you’ll enter into Lecce. Thanks to its Baroque style, it has deserved the nickname of Florence of the South.
Day 8: Lecce. Departure. Lecce is well connected by train with the airports of Bari and Brindisi.
What to Expect Getting There What will the weather be like? The day me temperature will be around 22 to mid-30’s degrees C ( 70’s to 90’s F), with The best way to access Matera is very li le rainfall. It is the ho est in July and August, while other months have a nice from Bari Airport breeze along the sea. We do not offer this trip during this me. (www.aeroportodibari.com ) there are
hourly bus departures between 5 am How many hours of cycling a day? to 11 pm. Be prepared to ride between 4 to 6 hours daily. This is not a supported tour, so you must ride the route once you set out. The AMTAB n° 16 buses leave form the airport to the city centre Piazza What are the bikes like? Moro (railway central station) in Bari. 27 speed hybrid ( or mtn bike style) Rapid Fire Deore Shimano gears with Gel saddles, alu- It takes about 35 min. and tickets can minum frame, puncture resistant 28” res, side saddle bags, bike computer, lock, repair kit be purchased on the bus for € 1.00 and handlebar bag. You can bring your own pedals to a ach. each way. From Bari to Matera, there are several trains that run from 7 am How fit do I need to be? to 9 pm. The fi er the be er, so you will enjoy the rides each day. There are some hills and some www.trenitalia.com , www.fal-srl.it . level terrain. A private transfer from Matera can be What is the food like? arranged for 40 € per person (min 2 We have included a buffet breakfast each day. Most of the hotels offer some cheeses, people). fruits, meats and yogurts. For lunch, you can stop in a local restaurant for a full meal or mid -day snack. For dinner, our notes will offer some sugges ons close by. Low cost airlines include Ryanair and What are the hotels like? Easyjet They are chosen for their charm and loca on. Proper es are charming B&B’s, well- located in the towns. All the rooms have private facili es.
How to book your holiday
• Contact our office to make sure there is space available. One of our travel planners will walk you through the entire pro- cess.
Extra Services • Download the reservation form from our site and send in completed form by fax or email. Once this is done, your space Train transfer from Ostuni to Lecce not included in is confirmed and a pre-departure packet will be sent. trip price (approx. 1 hr/ 9 € + bike) • A deposit is required immediately, and final payment is due Local hotel taxes approx. 10-15€ 60 days prior to the trip departure. Terms & conditions are outlined in our Reservation Form. Private transfers can be arranged in advance from: Bari or Brindisi to Matera • Plan your air travel as soon as possible. Lecce to Bari or Brindisi • We encourage you to purchase travel insurance, either Extra nights in Matera $250 per room through us or a travel insurance provider directly. Extra night in Lecce $235 per room
• Ensure you are in proper health for the trip chosen. Contact We also have a small selec on of fine hotels in us, for more information on vaccinations, inoculations, and Florence and Venice. fitness requirements.