Landscapes of Matera and Puglia Cycling
Landscapes of Matera and Puglia Cycling
Landscapes of Matera and Puglia Cycling
15 Days Starting in Matera and ending in Monopoli
Visiting: Province of Matera, Matera, Gravina in Puglia, Castel del Monte, Trani, Bari, Conversano, Alberobello, Pezze di Greco, Monopoli
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C14PM
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Physical rating:
Medium, Low, Leisurely / Moderate
Age range:
12 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishActivities:
Tour Overview
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 the Adriatic coast, to Trani, 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.Here, 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.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Matera
Location: Province of Matera
Meals Included: No Meals
Arrive in Matera, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world.
Day 2 : At Matera
Location: Matera
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 3 : Matera To Gravina
Location: Province of Matera, Gravina in Puglia
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 4 : Gravina To Castel Del Monte
Location: Gravina in Puglia, Castel del Monte
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today, our route winds across the largest natural park in Italy - the Alta Murgia National Park. Our final destination is an iconic castle in the southern region, commissioned by Frederick II, with its unique octagonal structure making it worthy of the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Day 5 : Castel Del Monte To Trani
Location: Castel del Monte, Trani
Meals Included: Breakfast
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 it's glossy limestone streets.
Day 6 : Trani To Bari
Location: Trani, Bari
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 7 : At Bari
Location: Bari
Meals Included: Breakfast
Spend the day exploring the capital of the region Puglia, walking the narrow lanes of the Vecchia Bari (Old town), admiring the 11th century Romanesque Basilica di San Nicola (also know as Santa Claus) which was specially built 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.
Day 8 : Bari To Conversano
Location: Bari, Conversano
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leave Bari pedalling for several kilometres on the southern side of the sea, up to Baia San Giorgio, where San Nicola (Santa Claus) landed in Europe, the black Saint bridge between Eastern and Western Christianity. Then follow the coast and up to Torre a mare and then go a few kilometres inland, to Rutigliano, a beautiful town known for the manufacture of terracotta artefacts, and from there you cross peaceful countryside planted with grapes and cherries to Conversano.
Day 9 : Conversano To Alberobello
Location: Conversano, Alberobello
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 10 : At Alberobello
Location: Alberobello
Meals Included: Breakfast
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.
Day 11 : Alberobello - Pezze Di Greco
Location: Alberobello, Pezze di Greco
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
You'll spend a long downhill run with panoramic views of the Adriatic coastline and the lower fertile plains. This incredible descent will bring you down towards. Chapter and finishes through a patchwork of almond orchards, olives groves, vineyards and gloriously coloured fields of fresh tomatoes and peppers.
Day 12 : At Pezze Di Greco
Location: Pezze di Greco
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Today you could just relax by the hotel pool, or cycle to the nearby beach. For the more energetic, a circular cycle ride (48km / 30mi route directions provided) - taking notes to charming Ostuni whose whitewashed arches and houses are neatly piled like sugar cubes on hills rich in olive groves and vineyards!
Day 13 : Pezze Di Greco - Monopoli
Location: Pezze di Greco, Monopoli
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning you leave the farm 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. Arrive in the picturesque coastal town of Monopoli in time for a stroll before choosing your evening restaurant from one of the many eateries in the heart of the old town.
Day 14 : At Monopoli
Location: Monopoli
Meals Included: Breakfast
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. 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.
Day 15 : Leave Monopoli
Location: Monopoli
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leave Monopoli
What's Included
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14 nights accommodation
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All breakfasts and 3 evening meals
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Local bike hire
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GPS route directions and maps
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Luggage transfers between hotels
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Meals
14 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 3 dinners.
What's Not Included
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Electric bikes available at a supplement
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Tandem bikes available at a supplement
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Single supplement
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Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
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Travel insurance
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Visas and vaccinations
Food
All continental breakfasts and 3 dinners included.In Puglia you will find genuine regional cooking that has strong links to the land and the sea. To give you just a small list of the types of food on offer in Puglia: Bread from the Murge, durum wheat pasta, olives, the pasta delicacy Orecchiette served with a sauce of turnip-tops or fresh tomato and sheep's ricotta-cheese, Cavatelli with pulses, aubergine and parmesan bake, grilled fish and seafood, burrata (soft mozzarella and cream cheese), plus excellent wines. This region is a food lovers paradise and the abundance of delicious vegetables makes it a perfect destination for vegetarians! On this trip there will be many opportunities to taste the best local specialities.
Accommodation
Your accommodation is as varied as the landscape, with each place specially chosen for its unique charm and character. In Matera you will stay in a historical building set in the Matera Sassi UNESCO site area. In Trani stays are in an 18th century palace.
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Only Luggage transfers between hotels
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.