Grande Puglia Cycling Holiday

Day 1: Trani
Independent arrival in Trani and check in at your hotel. Trani is an old town facing the Adriatic Sea. There is a lovely historical centre, the Romanesque Cathedral, the castle, gardens and an old port. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

Day 2: Trani – Castel del Monte (45 km)
The route passes through olive groves and stops in Castel del Monte, UNESCO Site and example of medieval architecture as built by the emperor Frederick II. After visiting the castle, from where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Alta Murgia, you get settled in at a nice hotel in the country. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

Day 3: Castel del Monte – Gravina di Puglia (57 km)
Leave the marvelous grasslands of the Alta Murgia Natural Park and cycle through the valley until you come to the town of Gravina in Puglia, through semi-deserted roads where time seems to stand still. The town, which dates back to the 8th century B.C., unfolds over the centuries with amazing evidence of the various civilizations. Don’t miss a visit to the underground town and historical Centre. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

Day 4: Gravina di Puglia – Altamura – Matera (46 km)
First stop is Altamura, famous for its splendid cathedral and local bread. Don’t miss a ride through the streets of the historical centre, beneath the cathedral bell-tower and taste some fresh focaccia baked in an old wood-burning oven. Set off again for the countryside towards the town of Matera. Arrival in the old part of the town called “Sassi” and accommodation in a hotel in the historical centre. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

Day 5: Matera
Enjoy a relaxing day visiting the city of Matera, or choose one of the two following routes that will give you the chance to explore the surrounding area by bike.

Loop 1: San Giuliano Lake, the Matera hills and the Crypt of Original Sin (40 km)
Follow the beautiful, quiet road surrounding San Giuliano Lake, a peaceful wildlife Reserve for migratory bird species from Africa. Stop and watch the herons, cormorants, storks and ospreys. A stop-off at the lake is recommended for a picnic. Don’t miss a visit to the Crypt of Original Sin. This fascinating rock oratory represents one of the oldest examples of rock art in the South of Italy, with its extraordinary cycle of frescoes painted five hundred years before Giotto.

Loop 2: Matera, the Bradano Valley and Montescaglioso (40 km)
Cycle along the valley of the Rock Church Park, stopping off for a picnic break and a dip in the pool of a tourist farm along the way (subject to booking). If you still have enough energy, a 5 km climb will take you to the city centre of Montescaglioso, which is dominated by the impressive 11th century Benedictine Abbey. Ride back to Matera and overnight stay.

Day 6: Matera – Alberobello (69 km)
Breakfast and departure for Alberobello cycling through the towns of Gioia del Colle and Noci. Accommodation in a Trulli complex dating back to 1600, in the historical Centre of Alberobello, which is included among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites. Visit the old quarters. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

Day 7: Alberobello – Ostuni (45 km)
Cycling through the Selva (meaning forest) near Fasano, you follow the Adriatic Coast and reach Ostuni, an architectural jewel with its typically white washed houses enclosed in medieval walls. Arrival at the hotel, dinner on your own and overnight stay.

Day 8: Castles and Agritourisms (55 km)
Cycling south through the quiet country lanes to the charming town of Francavilla Fontana and on to Oria, famous for its 13th Century’s Castle and delightful historic city centre. Cycling through the countryside you will reach the Masseria, a typical Apulian farm converted into a hotel, where you will spend the night.

Day 9: Gallipoli and the Ionian Coast (60 km)
Today your cycling route will pass through Porto Selvaggio and following the Ionian Coast will reach Gallipoli. The name come from the Greek word kalépolis meaning “beautiful city.” Arrival at the hotel near the seaside, dinner on your own and overnight stay.

Day 10: Gallipoli – Leuca (45 km)
Reach the Heel of the Boot cycling near sandy beaches facing the Ionian Sea. Santa Maria di Leuca was called in Latin Finibus Terrae, the end of the land.

Day 11: Leuca – Otranto (45 km)
Cycling to Otranto, the route will take you to the wildest and eastern rocky coast of Southern Italy. The sun and the atmosphere is unique in a place where Turkish and Greeks landed centuries ago. Otranto has a wonderful city centre with ancient walls and a castle. A local masterpiece are the mysterious mosaics hosted in the Romanesque Cathedral. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

Day 12: Otranto – Lecce (45 km)
This last cycling stage will take you to Lecce, Baroque town with wonderful façades of buildings and churches. Try a Puccia (local bread filled with any kind of local products) or a Pasticciotto (delicious pastry filled with custard) and enjoy some shopping and strolling in the city centre. Arrival at your hotel, dinner on your own and overnight stay.

Day 13: Lecce
End of services after breakfast.