Rolling Hills
The Calanchi trail and the “lands” of Carlo Levi
A tour through the hills of Matera with round trips starting from the Sassi of Matera up to Montescaglioso, with its Benedictine Abbey dating back to the 12th century, San Giuliano Lake, a peaceful nature reserve and the destination of migratory species from Africa, and the Park of Rupestrian Churches that extends to Altamura, with its splendid Cathedral. Head south until you reach Metaponto and the sea. Last days in the lunar landscape of the Calanchi, a crumbling land, typical of arid climatic areas. A stay in Tursi, in the mysterious Rabatana quarter will enable you to cycle through the orchards of the Sinni River until you come to Aliano, the place of exile of Carlo Levi, who wrote the beautiful book “Cristo si è fermato ad Eboli” (Christ stopped in Eboli).
Duration: 7 nights
Grade: easy
DAY 1
Independent arrival in Matera and transfer to hotel; lunch on your own in one of the typical restaurants in the Sassi. In the afternoon, a guided tour of the Sassi, the UNESCO world heritage site, and the historical centre. Aperitif with a presentation of the tour and distribution of the information. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.
DAY 2
bread and focaccia: the Park of Rupestrian Churches and Altamura
A gastronomical tour with a visit to the two towns’ bakeries. After a visit to the wood-burning bakery in Matera you come to the Park of Rupestrian Churches in just a few minutes, with its beautiful view over the Sassi. Over roads inland surrounded by cereal fields, you come to Altamura, the town renowned for its bread. A visit to the beautiful Cathedral and the little streets in the historical centre and another visit to a bakery to taste the bread and focaccia again. Return to Matera. Overnight stay.
Course approximately 62 Km.
Grade: easy
DAY 3
Montescaglioso and the Bradano Valley.
Breakfast and departure for Montescaglioso following the road that skirts the Park of Rupestrian Churches. The beautiful Benedictine Abbey dating back to medieval times is well worth a visit. Pedalling through the Bradano valley you come to a typical Farm, which has been turned into an agritourism. Relax in the swimming pool surrounded by orchards and olive groves. Dinner and overnight stay.
Course approximately 45 Km. with a 4% gradient.
Grade: easy/moderate
DAY 4
Relax in the Magna Graecia
Today you deserve a relaxing day on the farm. You can pedal to the sea to visit the Archaeological Park of Metaponto, an important site of the Magna Graecia, and then spend the rest of the day at the seaside having lunching with superb grilled fish, sitting comfortably under a beach umbrella.
Free route with minimum distance 25 km.
Grade: easy
DAY 5
The land of the “Calanchi”
Breakfast and departure for Metaponto Borgo. Take the train to Policoro and continue by bike towards the beach. After a swim in the waters of the Ionian Sea carry on following the course of the Sinni River that takes you to Tursi past the orchards of the Ionian coast and the lunar landscape of the Calanchi. Arrival in Tursi and a visit to the ancient "Rabatana" village. Accommodation in a hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Course approximately 55 Km.
Grade: easy/moderate
DAY 6
Aliano and the “lands” of Carlo Levi
The course is quite long, but it takes you to the town of the “Calanchi”. Aliano was the place where Carlo Levi, a doctor and anti-fascist, was exiled in 1935. He was extremely struck by the south and his experience led him to write his most famous novel: “Cristo si è fermato ad Eboli” (Christ stopped in Eboli). In the town you can visit his house in exile and the museum of the peasant civilization. There is a unique view over the Calanchi. Return to Tursi, dinner and overnight stay.
Course approximately 60 Km.
Grade: moderate
DAY 7
The Sinni orchards
After going past the Sinni River enter a maze of small country roads, which cross the orchards below the village of Rotondella. There are peaches and apricots everywhere, and these can be tasted at one of the farms along the way. Return to Tursi, dinner and overnight stay.
Course approximately 55 Km.
Grade: easy
DAY 8
Breakfast and transfer to station. End of services.
GENERAL INFORMATION
| Individual tours (minimum 2 participants) |
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| Fee per person: € 675.00
The fee includes · 7 nights in double room · 5 dinners · luggage transfer · technical assistance and aid · road book and information |
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| Characteristics: 6 days by bike on easy terrain mainly flat and hilly ; total length: km. 310.00; courses from 25 to 60 km to be covered in 3 – 6 hours throughout the whole day. |
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| Hotel: 5 nights in 4* hotel, 2 nights in an agritourism |
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| Meals included: breakfast every day, 5 dinners |
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| Climate: pleasant in spring and autumn, hot summer |
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| Date 2008: any day |
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| Supplements: o half-board: € 50.00 (2 dinners, excluding drinks) o single: € 175.00
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| Bike hire hybrid with 24 or 27 gears and basic equipment: € 70.00 (6 days) |
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| Excluding:
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