Grande Puglia 13 Days Cycling Tour

You will slowly learn the history, cross the wild nature and taste the great food, feeling in love with this region of the “boot” nice to discover day by day.

Highlights

Trani and its Romanesque Cathedral
Castel del Monte
Gravina di Puglia
The Sassi of Matera
Altamura and its bread
Trulloes of Alberobello
Ostuni “The White”
Leuca, the Heel of the Boot
Lecce, the Baroque Gem

Itinerary

Day 1 – Trani

Independent arrival in Trani and get settled in at your hotel. Trani is an old town facing the Adriatic Sea. There is a lovely historical Centre, the Romanesque Cathedral, the castle, gardens and an old port. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.

Day 2 – Castel del Monte

The route passes through olive groves and stops 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.
Distance: Approx. 45 km
Grade: Easy

Day 3 – Gravina di Puglia

Leave the marvelous grasslands in the park and cycle through the valley until you come to the town of Gravina in Puglia, through semi-deserted roads where time seems to stand still. The town, which dates back to the 8th century B.C., unfolds over the centuries with amazing evidence of the various civilizations. Don’t miss a visit to the underground town and historical Centre. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.
Distance: about 57 km
Grade: Easy hilly route with short climbs

Day 4 – Altamura and Matera

Today first stop is Altamura, which is famous for its splendid cathedral and bread. Don’t miss a ride through the streets in the historical Centre, beneath the cathedral bell-tower and taste some fresh focaccia baked in an old wood-burning oven. Set off again for the countryside towards the built-up town of Matera.
Arrival in the old part of the town called the “Sassi” and accommodation in a hotel in the historical Centre. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.
Distance: 46 km
Grade: Easy hilly route with short climbs

Day 5 – Day of rest

Enjoy a relaxing day visiting the city of Matera.
A guided walk will enable you to visit museums, caves, rock churches. (book your private tour at www.ferulaviaggi.it).
You also have the choice of two routes that give you the chance to explore the surrounding area by bike.

Day 5 – Loop 1 – San Giuliano Lake, the Matera hills and the Crypt of Original Sin

Follow the beautiful, quite road around the San Giuliano Lake, a peaceful wildlife reserve for migratory species from Africa. Stop and watch the herons, cormorants, storks and ospreys. A stop-off at the lake is recommended for a picnic. Don’t miss a visit to the Crypt of Original Sin. This fascinating rock oratory represents one of the oldest examples of rock art in the South of Italy, with Its extraordinary cycle of frescoes painted five hundred years before Giotto.
Book your visit at www.ferulaviaggi.it. Back to the hill of Matera and overnight stay.
Distance: about 40 km
Grade: moderate with a climb at the end.

Day 5 – Loop 2 – Matera, the Bradano Valley and Montescaglioso

Cycle along the valley of the Rock Church Park, stopping off for a picnic break and a dip in the pool of a tourist farm along the way (subject to booking). If you still have enough power, a 5 km climb will take you to the Centre of Montescaglioso, which is dominated by the impressive 11th century Benedictine Abbey. Back to Matera and overnight stay.
Distance: about 40 km with a short climb at the end.
Grade: moderate with good climbs to reach Matera and Montescaglioso.

Day 6 – From Matera to Alberobello

Breakfast and departure for Alberobello cycling through the towns of Gioia del Colle and Noci. Accommodation in a Trulli complex dating back to 1600, in the historical Centre of Alberobello, which is included among UNESCO’s world heritage sites. Visit the old quarters. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.
Distance: about Km. 69
Grade: Easy, mainly rolling hills with short climbs

Day 7 – Ostuni “The White “

Cycling through the Selva (forest) near Fasano, you follow the Adriatic coast and reach Ostuni, which is reputed an architectural jewel, and is commonly referred to as “the White Town” for its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture. Get situated at your Hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.
Distance: about 45 km
Grade: easy, rolling hills

Day 8 – Castles and Farmhouses

Cycling south through the quiet country lanes to the charming town of Francavilla Fontana and on to Oria, famous for its 13th Century’s Castle and delightful historic Centre. You continue through the countryside to a Masseria, a typical Apulian converted farmhouse and you accommodation for the night.
Distance: about 55 km
Grade: easy

Day 9 – Gallipoli and the Ionian Coast

Today your route will pass through Porto Selvaggio and skirt the Ionian coast to reach Gallipoli, name deriving from the Greek word kalépolis meaning “beautiful city.” Get situated at your Hotel near the seaside. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.
Distance: about 60 km
Grade: easy

Day 10 – Leuca: the Heel of the Boot

Reach the Heel of the Boot cycling near sandy beaches facing the Ionian Sea. Santa Maria di Leuca was called in Latin the “Finibus Terrae”, the end of the land.
Distance: about 45 km
Grade: easy

Day 11 – Far East

Cycling to Otranto, the route will take you to the wildest and eastern rocky coast of Southern Italy. The sun and the atmosphere is unique in a place where Turkish and Greeks landed centuries ago. Otranto has a wonderful Centre with walls and a castle. A masterpiece is the mysterious mosaic, in the Romanesque Cathedral. Dinner on your own. Back to your hotel and overnight stay.
Distance: about 45 km
Grade: easy with some climbs at the end of the day

Day 12 – Lecce, the Baroque Gem

Last stage will take you to Lecce, the Baroque town with wonderful façade of buildings and churches. Taste a puccia (local bread filled with salami or vegetables) or a pasticciotto (delicious pastry), and enjoy shopping and strolling in the city Centre. Get situated at your Hotel. Dinner on your own and overnight stay.
Distance: about 45 km
Grade: easy

Day 13- End of tour

Breakfast and end of services.