Puglia and Basilicata – Best of Southern Italy
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Self-Guided Bicycle Tours in Italy: Puglia and Basilicata – Best of Southern Italy Self-Guided Bicycle Tours in Italy: Puglia and Basilicata – Best of Southern Italy Tour Fact Sheet The regions of Puglia and Basilicata occupy the "heel" of Italy's boot, surrounded by the Adriatic and Ionian seas. Here, ancient Greek and Italian culture mingle in hillside vineyards, olive groves, and whitewashed villages nestled against the blue of the Mediterranean. Pedal through a magical landscape filled with unique conical shaped dwellings known as trulli and the ancient sassi dwellings dug out of hillside rock; enjoy meals prepared with Italian, Greek, and Middle Eastern influence; and discover the warmth and hospitality of Southern Italy's friendliest people. You will also explore the UNESCO world heritage sites of Alberobello and the lovely Alta Murgia countryside. This self-guided cycling tour begins in the quaint port town of Trani, using secondary paved roads with little traffic, over rolling hills and valleys, ending in the stunning whitewashed town of Ostuni. Highlights Beautiful countryside cycling on remote backroads; UNESCO World Heritage Sites; Trani’s old town; the Alta Murgia natural region; ancient castles; stunning views of Mediterranean; Gravina di Puglia underground city; Matera’s Sassi rock dwellings; Crypt of Original Sin, the trulli town of Alberobello; Ostuni “the white” Price Comfort hotels: starting from €1130 Single Supplement: €235 Deluxe hotels: starting from €1620 Single Supplement: €280 August supplement: €150 per person Visit our website for tour dates, price and full Includes 7 nights lodging in 3-4 star hotels or equivalent, all breakfasts; use of a high quality 24-27 speed itinerary description at www.cycleeurope.com. racing or hybrid bicycle; bike delivery and Do you need more information? Read our Self- collection; bike fitting and briefing in English; Guided Tour FAQ Sheet here. use of GPS with preloaded tracks; detailed routes description; luggage transfers every day; map; dinner suggestions Countries Italy Begin/End Trani / Ostuni Arrive/Depart Bari airport (BRI) Total Distance 300 km (187 miles) with additional mileage options available Daily Distance 32 to 69 km per day (20 to 43 miles) No mileage on rest days by choice What to Easy to moderate cycling over mostly hilly Expect terrain (gentle rolling hills and some steeper climbs), with low to moderate daily mileage; scenic routes; genuine experiences of Southern Italian life and culture. Rating 2 – View Tour Rating Descriptions Terms Terms & Conditions © 2021 Cycle Europe +39 0546 29 600 www.cycleeurope.com Property of Cycle Europe Do not reproduce without permission. Self-Guided Bicycle Tours in Italy: Puglia and Basilicata – Best of Southern Italy Tour dates Between January 25 and December 4 tour can start any day from Monday to Saturday. Sunday available upon request. Not recommended in August. Self-guided tours Collections Program: This tour is part of our Self-Guided Collections program Great cycling experiences abound throughout Europe! Since we cannot directly operate self-guided tours everywhere, we have used our vast experience and network in the continent to curate and offer self-guided tours on our website that are operated by select partners that we know and trust. These tours are similar in quality to those we operate directly in many ways – for example, the tour begins with an in-person briefing (in English); bicycles are provided in optimal condition, and each customer goes through a personal bike fitting at the tour start; the roadbook and step-by-step navigation instructions, as well as lodging/accommodations are of similar quality. If you have any question regarding this type of tours, please feel free to ask us! Your itinerary Day 1: Arrive in Trani. Fit bicycles Highlights: Old town of Trani; Romanesque cathedral by the sea; Swabian Accommodation: Castle Comfort- Hotel S. Paolo After arriving in Trani and settling into your hotel, you will be met by our al Convento English-speaking local staff for a welcome briefing and bike fitting. We Deluxe- Marè Resort recommend any free time for visiting this historic and quaint fishing port town on the Adriatic coast. Trani is a peaceful town, great for walking and taking in the many wonderful views of the charming harbor. You will also want to visit the cathedral, Cattedrale di San Nicola Pellegrino, set on a dominant position on the edge of the water; the Swabian Castle (Castello Svevo) dating back to 1249, built by the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II; and the 12th century Chiesa di Ognissanti church, built by the Templar Knights. © 2021 Cycle Europe +39 0546 29 600 www.cycleeurope.com Property of Cycle Europe Do not reproduce without permission. Self-Guided Bicycle Tours in Italy: Puglia and Basilicata – Best of Southern Italy Day 2: Ride to Castel del Monte Mileage: 46 km (29 Highlights: The Alta Murgia countryside; olive groves and vineyards; Castle miles) of Frederick II; night in a Masseria farm-stay Accommodation: Your cycling tour begins crossing the gentle hills of the Alta Murgia countryside, Comfort- Masseria Torre a region that has been inhabited and sculpted by various Mediterranean di Nebbia (or similar) civilizations. You’ll pedal past olive groves and vineyards, until arriving at the Deluxe- Lama di Luna Castle of Frederick II. The Holy Roman Emperor left his imprint throughout Biomasseria Southern Italy, and this may be his most amazing architectural accomplishment; the unique and stunning building is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tonight’s lodging is at a nearby masseria – a charming countryside farm stay. Day 3: Cycling backroads to Gravina di Puglia Mileage: 42 km (26 Highlights: Cycling through rocky landscapes; underground city tunnel miles) network; crypts of San Michele delle Grotte and the Madonna della Stella Accommodation: Cycling over rolling hills, with occasional short climbs and very little vehicle Comfort- Il Borgo B&B traffic, today’s route seems to take you back in time. The town of Gravina di Deluxe- Principe Relais Puglia will be one of the highlights of your tour - also full of charm and mystery, this walled town dates to the 8th century BC. Its location made it an important settlement since Roman times, with previous influence from other cultures, and it’s famous for its many grava buildings, cut into the rock, as well as the unique network of underground tunnels, cellars, churches and more, all hidden underneath the old town center. © 2021 Cycle Europe +39 0546 29 600 www.cycleeurope.com Property of Cycle Europe Do not reproduce without permission. Self-Guided Bicycle Tours in Italy: Puglia and Basilicata – Best of Southern Italy Day 4: Altamura and Matera UNESCO World Heritage Site Mileage: 45 km (28 Highlights: Altamura’s old town and famous pane di Altamura bread; miles) Matera’s sassi dwellings and UNESCO world-heritage site Accommodation: You will enjoy gentle cycling through valleys to the town of Altamura, famous Comfort - Locanda S. for the cathedral and old town, as well as the local pane de Altamura and Martino (or similar) focaccia breads made in wood ovens (great for a lunch stop). From there, Deluxe - Palazzo Gattini (or beautiful countryside cycling takes you to Matera, the capital of the Basilicata similar) region and home to the famous sassi rock dwellings, inhabited since prehistoric times. As with many other southern Italian cities, Matera has been influenced by the presence of various Mediterranean cultures and kingdoms. The ancient and primeval aspect of the old town has also made it a fabulous spot for films, like The Passion of the Christ by Mel Gibson. We recommend hiring a local guide for a visit of the town’s important sights and rich history. You will sleep the next two nights in a sassi hotel with a magnificent view of the old town. © 2021 Cycle Europe +39 0546 29 600 www.cycleeurope.com Property of Cycle Europe Do not reproduce without permission. Self-Guided Bicycle Tours in Italy: Puglia and Basilicata – Best of Southern Italy Day 5: Enjoy a rest day or explore on a loop ride Optional Mileage: 32 km Highlights: Matera old town and surroundings (20 miles) As Matera has so much to experience, you can use the entire day to explore the Accommodation: town at your leisure, or start your day with a loop-ride and continue your visit Comfort- Locanda S. of Matera in the evening. Martino (or similar) Deluxe - Palazzo Gattini (or Optional loop-ride: this ride will take you the Murgia Timone, which lies across similar) the Sassi district gorge, up to an amazing panoramic view of the old town of Matera and its sassi. A small park atop protects an amazing collection of Neolithic cave dwellings and small churches carved out of rock. The visitor’s center provides interpretation and good spot for a picnic lunch. More loops rides around Matera available upon request. Day 6: Ride to Alberobello Mileage: 69 km (43 Highlights: towns of Gioia del Colle and Noci; the trulli of Alberobello, miles) More easy riding with some gentle rolling hills and short climbs takes us closer to the “heel of the boot”. On the way, you’ll ride through two beautiful and Accommodation: easygoing towns, Gioia del Colle and Noci, where you can stop for lunch or Comfort- Tipico Resort in coffee, stroll the town centers or simply watch local life and people. Today’s Trulli destination of Alberobello is another trip highlight – its amazing trulli dwellings Deluxe- La Corte are also protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. dell’Astore (or similar) © 2021 Cycle Europe +39 0546 29 600 www.cycleeurope.com Property of Cycle Europe Do not reproduce without permission. Self-Guided Bicycle Tours in Italy: Puglia and Basilicata – Best of Southern Italy Day 7: Cycle to Ostuni Mileage: 44 km (28 Highlights: Ostuni “the white” miles) Cycling over gentle backroads, rolling hills and some short climbs, you will Accommodation: reach Ostuni.