Leaving Trani, with the enchanting medieval cathedral, you will reach Castel del Monte with the mysterious octagonal-shaped medieval castle built by Frederick II of Swabia.
Two days in Venosa, an ancient Roman city, to discover this area called Vulture, rich of Castles and vineyards of Aglianico wine.
Last days you will cycle southwards, among golden hills, until you reach Matera with its Sassi.
Every day you will discover local art treasures and taste the cuisine and products of these lands. You will often feel like you are traveling back in time.
Highlights
The Trani Cathedral
Castel del Monte castle
Roman ruins in Venosa and the “Incompiuta” (unfinished Church)
Melfi castle with its museum
Hills and vineyards around Venosa
The variety of wines (Castel del Monte, Aglianico, Primitivo)
The Sassi of Matera
Itinerary
Day 1 – Trani
Arrival and get settled in at your hotel in Trani, an old town facing the Adriatic Sea. There is a lovely historical centre, Romanesque Cathedral, castle, gardens and old port where we suggest you to have lunch, choosing from the fish menu at one of the small restaurants. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.
Day 2 – Castel del Monte
The route passes through the olive fields on the A- 170 with a stop-off in Castel del Monte, a UNESCO site and example of medieval architecture as built by the emperor Frederick II. After visiting the castle, which offers 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.
Duration: Approx. 45 km
Grade: Easy
Day 3 – Venosa
From Puglia you will cycle on to Basilicata in Venosa, the town of Horatio, the Latin poet of Carpe Diem. To be visited: the Trinity church with its tombs of Norman kings and valuable frescoes. Dinner on your own and overnight stay at a holiday farm or historic home.
Duration: Approx. 55 km
Grade: Easy with short slopes
Day 4 – Rest Day or…
…cycle into the Vulture area and the Castles of Frederick II. This is the land of Aglianico wine (known since the Roman Empire) and of top-rate olive oil. In Melfi you can visit the big Norman Castle with its seven towers and museum. A ride through a chestnut wood will bring you to a local wine store where you can stop off for tasting. Back to Venosa across the hills and the wine cellars located around Barile and Ginestra. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.
Duration: 45 km
Grade: Moderate to Challenge (we also offer a light loop of 30 km)
Day 5 – The Bradano Valley
A gentle ride through the Bradano river valley, surrounded by vineyards and small villages with a typical Southern Italian atmosphere: Palazzo S. Gervasio, Banzi, Genzano di Lucania. At times it will feel like you are back in the last century. Once in Genzano you will take a long downhill that will take you to the foot of Grassano. The colours of the landscape, its silence and the warm welcome from the local people are still able to enchant any visitor. Dinner on your own and overnight stay in Grassano, Tricarico or Gravina (we can offer 3 solutions)
Duration: 73 km
Grade: Moderate
Day 6 – San Giuliano Lake and the Matera Hills
A ride along the wonderful, deserted road around San Giuliano Lake, a peaceful natural oasis, the destination of many migratory birds from Africa. We suggest you take some time to enjoy bird watching, spotting grey herons, cormorants, storks and fish hawks. Continue to Matera and overnight stay in one of the hotels in the Sassi district. Dinner on your own.
Duration: Around 45 km with a short final climb
Grade: Easy
Day 7 – The Rock Churches Park
Cycle along the valley of the Chiese Rupestri (rock churches) Park, stopping off for a picnic (or swimming in the pool) at the Orto di Lucania, on the way. After an optional further 5km uphill, you will reach the hill-top town of Montescaglioso, dominated by its enchanting 11th-century Benedictine abbey before returning to Matera.
Duration: Around 40 km with a short final climb
Grade: Easy
Day 8 – End of tour
Breakfast and end of tour
details and prices
8 Days/7 Nights
Moderate
10 km with stages from 38 to 60 km to be done in 3 – 6 hours within the day
4* and 3* hotel, 2 nights in farm holidays
It is possibile to extend this tour with 2 extra nights to visit Alberobello and Valle d’Itria set among trulloes and olive fields.
Self-Guided Tour: from € 890 per person in double room
departure dates
Self Guided Tours
Any day
Guided Tours
Any Saturday in May, June, September and October with a min. of 6 participants
self guided tour prices
Casual tour: € 890,00 *
Single room supplement: € 250.00
Prices per person based on double room occupancy
Included
7 nights in double rooms with breakfast, luggage transfer, technical and emergency assistance, gpx tracks and trip notes.
Not Included
Medical/Luggage insurance, drinks, lunches and dinners, entrance fees, city taxes, tips, personal extras, everything else which does not come under the heading “the fee includes”.
self guided tour additional charges
9 Pre Tour Extra night in Trani: € 65,00 (pp in double room)
Post Tour Extra night in Matera: € 65,00 (pp in double room)
Pre Tour Extra night in Trani: € 95,00 (pp in single room)
Post Tour Extra night in Matera: € 95,00 (pp in single room)
Transfer from Bari APT to Trani: € 45.00 (per person with 2 participants min)
Transfer from Matera to Bari APT: € 50.00 (per person with 2 participants min)
Transfer from Brindisi APT to Trani: € 120.00 (per person with 2 participants min)
Transfer from Matera to Brindisi APT: € 120.00 (per person with 2 participants min)
guided tour prices
4 days Casual + 3 days Comfort Rooms: € 1.130,00
Single room supplement: € 250.00
Prices per person based on double room occupancy
Included
7 nights in double rooms, transfers from/to the Bari airport, cycling guide, luggage transfer, guided tour in the Sassi of Matera, technical and emergency assistance, road book.
Not Included
Medical/Luggage insurance, minivan assistance, city taxes, lunches, drinks, entrance fees, tips, personal extras, everything else which does not come under the heading “Included”.
guided tour additional charges
Minivan assistance : € 150,00
Single room: € 220.00
Extra night in Trani: € 60,00 (pp in double room)
Extra night in Matera: € 70,00 (pp in double room)
3 wine tasting package in the cellar: € 75
rent a bike
E-Bikes and Road bikes: € 240,00 (7 days)
Full Carbon Road Bike: € 240,00 (7 days)
Helmet hire: € 10,00 (included in the comfort tour)
Water bottle: € 5 (included in the comfort tour)
Add one of our authentic experiences
Castel del Monte, UNESCO site
1 hour
from 25 € per person – 4 PARTICIPANTS MIN.
Escorted tour of Castel del Monte XIII, a masterpiece of medieval military architecture, a successful blend of elements from the Islamic Orient and north European Cistercian Gothic. UNESCO Heritage Site since 1996.
Venosa & wine tasting
3 hours
from 60 € per person – 4 PARTICIPANTS MIN.
The small Venosa is a hamlet rich of history and sourronded by hectares of vineyards where the old Aglianico del Vulture wine is produced. Visit of the Archaeological Park, the “Abbazia della Trinità”. Visit of a cellar with tasting of red wine, olive oil and the typical sheep cheese of the area.
Wine tasting in Venosa
1,30 hours
from 25 € per person – 4 PARTICIPANTS MIN.
The north of Basilicata is characterized by the presence of hectares of vineyards expanding on the slopes of an old volcano. Here the famous Aglianico del Vulture wine is produced. Visit of a cellar in Venosa with tasting of red wine, olive oil and the typical sheep cheese of the area.
Matera, escorted tour of the “Sassi”
2 hours
from 25 € per person – 4 PARTICIPANTS MIN.
A tour of the Sassi districts along beautiful paths, discovering the typical courtyards surrounded by cave-houses.
all our cycling tours

Sassi and Trulli
8 days cycling tour • From € 770,00
A week cycling around the two wonderful UNESCO sites of Alberobello and Matera.

Castles and Wines
8 days cycling tour • From € 890,00
Everyday you will discover local art treasures and tasting food.

Basilicata Coast To Coast
5 days cycling tour • From € 645,00
From the Ionian to the Tyrrhenian Sea

Grande Puglia
13 days cycling tour • From € 1695,00
A cycling tour starting from the hills of the Alta Murgia and ending in Otranto.

Puglia Cycling Tour
8 days cycling tour • From € 632,00
An easy tour through the Heel of the Boot of Italy by bike.

unesco sites
8 days cycling tour • From € 1030,00
Cycling among the UNESCO world heritage sites of Apulia and Basilicata.

Southern Italy Coast to Coast
8 days cycling tour • From € 955,00
A challenge Road Bike Tour into the silence, light and history of Puglia and Basilicata.

Heart of puglia
5 days cycling tour • From € 680,00
A short break crossing the heart of Puglia from Matera to Monopoli.

Basilicata: Woods and Calanques by Bike
7 days cycling tour • From € 620,00
A bike tour in the heart of Basilicata, crossing different types of landscapes