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Bicycle Tours — Italy

Self-guided Bike Tour in Puglia - Best of Southern Italy

On the Adriatic Coast, Puglia occupies the "heel" of Italy's boot. 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 landscape filled with unique conical shaped dwellings known as trulli, and enjoy meals prepared with Italian, Greek, and Middle Eastern influences. Discover the warmth and hospitality of Southern Italy's friendliest people.

For more information download the Tour Factsheet

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  • Day 1

    Arrive in Monopoli and test ride to ruins of Egnazia

    Highlights: Byzantine and Norman towns; Castle of Charles V; Egnazia Roman ruins

    Arrive in Monopoli this afternoon at our Masseria, a typical Apulian farm with lodging just outside town. Your host meets you to fit your bikes and to discuss your tour. They'll suggest an orientation ride along the Adriatic coast to Egnazia, with some of the best Roman ruins in the region. Enjoy Monopoli with its charming mix of Norman, Venetian-Byzantine and Arabic architecture. Dinner is included tonight. Daily mileage: optional 35 km (22 miles).

  • Day 2

    Cycle to Conversano

    Highlights: Highlights: Charming coastal town of Polignano, including dry gorges and beaches (the Lama, Grotta Palazzese and Rondinelle); the town of Conversano

    Before you leave Monopoli be sure to visit the main food market with its fresh fish, fruit and vegetables. You bike north-west following the coast towards Polignano this morning, a small and vibrant fishing village surrounded by clear blue waters. This is a good stop for lunch or for ice cream. The small little hamlet of San Vito is another great stop along the sea with plenty of great picture opportunities. Your destination tonight is inland in the small town of Conversano, where you'll enjoy your resort hotel. We'll provide a list of several restaurants in town. Daily mileage: 29 km (18 miles)

  • Day 3

    Ride to Alberobello the city of trulli

    Highlights: Small villages, beautiful riding, and a final view on the trulli (limestone conical house)

    This morning you bicycle to beautiful Alberobello and its unique trulli. Trulli are cone-shaped dwellings made of dry limestone, traditionally stacked without mortar. Trulli are the most widely recognized symbol of Puglia and are unique to a small area around Alberobello. This ride is one of the most spectacular of the trip. You pedal through small villages, past fairy-tale landscapes with finely trimmed vineyards and conical trulli. Stop anywhere in this enchanting landscape for a picnic. Your destination is Alberobello, the heart of the trulli region! Daily mileage: 38 km (24 miles)

  • Day 4

    Loop ride around Alberobello to Locorotondo

    Highlights: Locorotondo (wine town), Trulli landscape, Medieval town of Martina Franca

    Sleep in today or get up early for a long ride as you'll be back in your same lodging tonight. Our routes follow winding roads among almond and olive trees. Your first stop is the village of Locorotondo perched as if a natural balcony overlooking the Itria Valley with its trulli and carefully kept vineyards. Locorotondo is like a typical town in the Greek Islands with its whitewashed houses, cul-de-sacs and small squares. Your next stop is the rich, 16th century baroque town of Martina Franca, also overlooking the Itria Valley. We suggest lunch in Martina Franca. You are back in Alberobello tonight. Daily mileage: 49 km (31 miles)

  • Day 5

    From Alberobello to Pezze di Greco

    Highlights: Stone lined country roads, olive oil tasting and olive grove stroll, eat and sleep in a traditional farmhouse

    Country lanes lined by weathered stone walls take you off the Murgia plateau you've been on for three days. Coast downhill while enjoying the breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside. This incredible descent will bring you down to Capitolo and south along an ancient farming road, finishing through a patchwork of almond orchards, olive groves, vineyards and gloriously colored fields of fresh tomatoes and peppers. Your destination is a Masseria which still harvests olives and produces its own olive oil. Enjoy a walk through centuries old olive groves. Dinner is included tonight. Daily mileage: 43 km (27 miles)

  • Day 6

    Final loop ride to Ostuni

    Highlights: Cisternino and Ostuni the "white town"

    If it's not too early or late in the season relax and enjoy the pool this day if you are not up for a loop ride! Today's ride takes you back to the Murgia on a slow ascent before taking you into the village of Cisternino. This is a good lunch spot as you can stroll along the promenade with superb views of the valley and glimpses of the Adriatic coast. Your route from here continues along a beautiful ridge road to Ostuni, an impressive "white city" spanning three hilltops. Take a stroll in the center to admire the cobblestone streets and picture-perfect whitewashed houses before heading back to your hotel. Daily mileage: 65 km (40 miles).

  • Day 7

    Tour ends in Pezze di Greco

    Highlights: Continue traveling or return home

    Your bike tour of Puglia finishes today; you can take atrain to Bari or Lecce to continue your exploring. If you can't get enough of the biking, see our longer version of this tour, which spends another night in Ostuni and then heads south to finish in Lecce.

Includes 7 days, 6 nights in 3-4 star hotels, all breakfasts; 2 dinners; use of a quality 24-27 speed racing or hybrid bicycle; bike delivery and collection; bike fitting and briefing; roadbook and map; GPS tracks; luggage transfers
Countries Italy
Begin/End Monopoli / Ostuni
Arrive/Depart Bari Airport (BRI) or Brindisi Airport (BDS)
Total Distance 224 - 357 km (139- 222 miles)
Daily Distance 30 - 65 km (19 - 40 miles)
Rating 201
Notes Optional activities include: guided walk of Alberobello. Optional Shuttles to/from Bari or Brindisi Airport(s).
You can make this a 5 days tour. Ask for details.
Tour Factsheet
Terms Terms & Conditions
Dates Prices Single Supplement
Dates Tour begins any day except Sundays in March, April, May, June, September, October and November.
City taxes not included.
Prices €1150 Single Supplement €350
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  • Overall, we were amazed at the detailed instructions and were able to navigate fine. The hotels were awesome. We enjoyed all of them. The staff, rooms, food etc was fantastic. The countryside was beautiful, the architecture fabulous, people friendly and helpful, and excellent food and wine. My personal highlights was stopping in Capitolo and swimming in the Adriatic Sea.

    Victoria M.K.
    USA
    October 2016

  • Thanks for this wonderful experience! Hotels were excellent

    German L.
    Chile
    November 2016

  • Only one unfortunate experience with a dog barking and having a room below the restaurant. Your response to that was very much appreciated. Apart from the one hotel above - everything else was above our expectations. Would certainly do another tour with your company.

    Dean F.
    Australia
    June 2015

  • We loved every single day - the biking was fantastic - just the right amount of miles - the change in scenery from town to town exciting, lovely food, you made it all easy and relaxed. Your attention to detail was incredible! We felt very cared for and loved your spontaneously arranging a cooking class for our group.

    Kathy D.
    USA
    June 2013