Puglia, the heart of the mediterranean

IT - Apulia
  • From 698 €
  • Holiday type Bicycle holiday

Tour information

Discover the southeast end of Italy. On this bicycle-tour you will not only experience the unique countryside between the Adriatic and the Ionic Sea, but also the friendliness and hospitality of the southern Italians.The countryside is rich in culture. The Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Normans, Habsburger and the Bourbons have all left their marks in the region.

Easy touring, apart from a few slight ascents and descents along the route, most of this tour is along flat, tarred roads. As you are travelling out of the main season, most of the roads are mainly free of traffic.

Included and Not Included Services

Accommodation in hotels 3*** and 4**** category or “Agritourist farm” in a room with bath/shower and WC

Breakfast buffet or full breakfast

Videobriefing

Luggage transfer from place to place

Well planned routes

Detailed documents (maps, route description, places to visit, important telephone numbers)

Navigation APP

Telephone service hotline for the entire tour

Arrival at the starting point of the tour

Departure at the end of the tour

Drinks, tourist tax and all extras

Lunch, Dinner

Not mentioned entries

Rental bikes and travel insurance

All not expressly mentioned under the item „Included services“

Route highlights

Alberobello
The two districts are under the protection of UNESCO.
Ostuni
Cathedral with a late Gothic façade; on the outer band of the rose window the twelve apostles form a circle, 24 columns form the spokes of a wheel with Christ in the centre.
Gallipoli
Historic pharmacy from the 18th century on the ground floor of Palazzo Pirelli in the old town.
Otranto
The cathedral is located in the centre of the old town and is a prime example of Romanesque-Apulian architecture. Here you can find relics of the 800 martyrs of Otranto and the unique Floor mosaic of the Pantaleon.

Itinerary

Day 1: Alberobello

Individual arrival at the hotel in Alberobello. This small town in the province of Bari is famous for Trulli stone constructions. The Trulli of Alberobello are part of the UNESCO World Heritage sites list since 1996.

Day 2: Alberobello – Ostuni

(approx. 35 km, longer option via Martina Franca approx. 45 km)

Enjoy a tour through the Valle d‘Itria, one of the prettiest cultural landscapes of the south, with a stop at the famous wineries in Locorotondo to taste some local wine. The next stop is Ostuni, the “white town” offering breathtaking views of the sea.

Day 3: Ostuni – Manduria/Avetrana

(approx. 60 km)

From Ostuni you continue through olive groves, vineyards and fruit crops to Avetrana, a historic small town on the Via Appia. This ancient Roman road led once from Rome via Taranto and Oria to Brindisi. Today only some parts of the ancient cobbled paths still exist and are called the “Via Appia Antica”.

Day 4: Manduria/Avetrana – Gallipoli

(approx. 60 km)

You leave Avetrana to reach the sea in the shortest possible time. After a short ride to “Torre Colimena” you continue along the coastal highway with its numerous defence towers to Porto Cesareo. Along the Ionic coast you carry on to Gallipoli. This originally greek „Kale Polis“ (beautiful town) awaits you! The old town is situated at the end of what seems to be an impregnable rocky island that stretches far out into the sea. There is a fantastic view both from the north and the south. The town itself has many churches and interesting museums.

Day 5: Gallipoli - Santa Maria di Leuca

(approx.50 km)

Today you reach the southernmost point of Salento and at the same time the watershed at Santa Maria di Leuca. The place is especially known for its pilgrimage church. At the turn of the century, many splendid villas were created, which are an absolute architectural highlight due to their imaginative and absurd forms. Here eccentric end-of-the-world lovers settled down to enjoy the tranquility and the sea in the remoteness of the place.

Day 6: Santa Maria di Leuca/surroundings - Otranto

(approx. 50 km)

Along the southern coast of the Adriatic Sea you will reach the Messapian city of Otranto. It is considered an art historical gem in the midst of a charming landscape. The old town is surrounded by a mighty city wall and impresses with the amazing Habsburg Castle. On the way to Otranto, you will have the opportunity to visit the famous Zinzulusa Cave, the only coastal grotto open to the public. Santa Cesarea Terme, known for its hydrotherapeutic treatments and radioactive mud therapies, also deserves a stopover.

Day 7: Otranto – Lecce

(approx. 50 km)

First on the Adriatic coast, then it continues through countless olive groves towards Lecce. If you want to take a break on the way, do it best on the high limestone cliffs limited bay of Torre dell‘Orso. Lecce, the capital of Salento, is a city of great charm, which is particularly inspired by the undoubted beauty of its buildings and churches. In addition to Naples, Lecce is the baroque metropolis of the South, not without reason they speak of the „Lecce Baroque“. Here, around 30 churches and countless palaces await your visit. Do not forget to pay a visit to the amphitheater and the Roman theater, both probably built by Emperor Augustus.

Day 8: Lecce

Individual departure from Lecce or possibility to extend your stay.

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Prices and dates

Standard
Package view calendar

It is recommended to purchase an optional travel cancellation policy. Prices valid subject to changes in the offer, omissions, printing errors or arithmetic.

Price per night in double room with breakfast Alberobello 89 €
Single room supplement per night Alberobello 29 €
Price per night in double room with breakfast Lecce 84 €
Single room supplement per night Lecce 29 €

It is recommended to purchase an optional travel cancellation policy. Prices valid subject to changes in the offer, omissions, printing errors or arithmetic.

rental bike TOP (men) 169 €
rental bike 21-gear (women) 99 €
rental bike 21-gear (men) 99 €
electric bike rental 249 €
TOP bike (unisex) 169 €

It is recommended to purchase an optional travel cancellation policy. Prices valid subject to changes in the offer, omissions, printing errors or arithmetic.

Price schedule

Available - arrival possible
Not Available
Available for groups from 6 persons and on request
It's recommended to obtain a travel cancellation insurance. The indicated price is subject to changes, print and calculation errors.

General information

By plane: airport Bari or Brindisi
By train: By train (train station Lecce, Monopoli/Fasano or Alberobello – see on: www.trenitalia.com).
By car: directly to Alberobello

Hotels 3*** and 4**** category or “Agritourist farm” in a room with bath/shower and WC.
Attention: Tourist tax – if requested – has to be paid on the spot!

Parking at the starting hotel in Alberobello; cannot be booked at the moment of reservation of the tour; to be paid directly on the spot.

Transfer by shuttle bus on request (bicycle included – reservation and payment upon booking)
Transfer Monopoli/Fasano train station – Alberobello: € 30.00 per person, daily, minimum 2 pax
Transfer Bari/Brindisi airport/train station – Alberobello: € 50.00 per person, minimum 2 pax
Transfer Lecce – Bari airport: € 135.00 per person (minimum 2 pax)
Transfer Lecce – Brindisi airport: € 40.00 per person, minimum 2 pax
Transfer Lecce – Alberobello: € 65.00 per person + € 39.00 for each own bike, minimum 2 pax.

• 21 gear bicycle (woman and man model)
• Rental bike TOP (unisex model - man model on request)
• E-bike (UNISEX bike, 500 W battery, range up to 100 km)

We suggest travel insurance.

FAQ

You can book the respective transfer directly with your booking. We will pick you up with our shuttle bus on arrival.

You can book the respective transfer directly with your booking.
Also there is a good train connection, information on www.trenitalia.it.

Tour information

  • Duration 8 days
  • Minimum age 14 years and older
  • Difficulty Level Easy
  • Distance 305 - 315 km