“Enjoy a special cycling holiday in Italy”
9 Day Self-Guided Cycling Tour from Sassi of Matera to Salento in Italy
Matera, Matera Province, Basilicata, Italy
Cycling Tour Italy
The itinerary offers an incredible journey through some of the highlights of Apulia and Basilicata.
Key information
- Trip type: Self-guided
- Lodging: Point to Point
- Starts in: Matera
- Ends in: Lecce
- Total Distance: 289 Miles / 464 Kilometers
- Type of bike: Touring or gravel bike (included), or e-bike or road bike (excluded)
- E-bike: 170 EUR per bike
Highlights
- 7 days of riding
- Cycle through the southern part of the Murgia
- Visit Ostuni, the White City, whitewashed arches and houses shine like a pearly white tiara
- Cycle towards Campo Marino, Porto Cesareo, and up to Gallipoli
- 8 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Bike rental and luggage transfers
- Access to the mobile navigation app system with preloaded tracks
7 days with instruction in English
The organizer also speaks: French
Group size: Maximum of 15 participants
Accommodation
You will be accommodated in B&B or three-star hotels or four and five-star hotels depending on the package you choose.
Program
This tour provides the opportunity to visit two UNESCO Sites: the Sassi of Matera and the Trulli of Alberobello. In Alberobello, wander through narrow streets lined with trulli and immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of the town. It is a genuine exploration of the Itria Valley and its small towns, such as Locorotondo, a place of circular beauty, Martina Franca, an elegant city adorned with bulging balconies, and Cisternino, renowned for its steak houses serving typical "bombette." Your cycling route then leads you to Ostuni, known as the "White City" for its whitewashed buildings.
The old town sits atop a hill, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. Explore the charming streets, visit the stunning Ostuni Cathedral, and savor the local cuisine. Moving from the White City, the tour continues in the birthplace of Primitivo DOC wine: Manduria. Here, you will pedal among rows of these precious grapes. Do not miss a visit to the Primitive Wine Civilization Museum.
Continue your holiday exploring the gems of Salento: Gallipoli, a city on a small island connected to the mainland by a bridge. Gallipoli boasts beautiful sandy beaches, a historic old town, and a picturesque harbor. You will pedal to Capo di Leuca, where you can admire the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Finibus Terrae in Santa Maria di Leuca: right where the two seas meet. You will have arrived at the southernmost point of Apulia.
Cycle further east to Otranto, a coastal treasure known for its turquoise waters and medieval charm. Visit Otranto Cathedral, housing impressive mosaic flooring, and take a stroll along the town's scenic promenade. Finally, make your way to Lecce, often called the "Florence of the South" due to its stunning Baroque architecture. Admire the intricate details of the Basilica di Santa Croce and the Piazza del Duomo.
Daily itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Matera
Famous for its Sassi and stunning landscapes, Matera, located on the border of Basilicata and Puglia, is not only breathtaking but fascinating: Its history goes back more than 30,000 years. There are several rupestrian churches open to the public, a reproduction of a typical cave house that you can visit, and refurbished caves made into hotels and restaurants. The Sassi districts are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. If you arrive late at night, Apulia Bike Tours suggests an extra stay in this wonderful and unique city. Overnight stay in Matera.
Day 2: Matera - Alberobello
Bike delivery and fitting. Today, you will cycle through the southern part of the Murgia to reach one of the most peculiar cities in Italy, Alberobello, universally known as the capital of the Trulli, with distinctive, small, dry-stone buildings with a conical roof. There are about 1500 trulli scattered in Monti and Aia Piccola districts, both listed as World Heritage by UNESCO in 1996. Overnight stay in Alberobello.
- Distance: 78 kilometers / 49 miles
- Elevation: 650 meters / 2133 feet
Day 3: Alberobello - Ostuni
Today, you will ride over the hills dominating the Itria Valley. Nature lovers will not be disappointed: With its still expanses of olive trees as far as the eye can see, the Itria Valley is red soil, green groves and vineyards, and white Trullo houses under a serene blue sky - essentially, a marvelous chromatic effect that repeats itself several times over.
Before reaching your final destination, they suggest you stop first in Locorotondo for a typical Italian aperitif tasting the white wine produced in this region, second in Martina Franca, for a short visit to its marvelously intact historic center, its beautiful square, and stunning Palazzi, and last but not least in Cisternino for a lunch break, maybe in one of its typical butcher shops, where you can choose the meat you want to eat and they cook it for you.
Finally, you will cycle to Ostuni, the White City, whose whitewashed arches and houses shine like a pearly white tiara, extending across three hills with the magnificent gem of a cathedral as its sparkling centerpiece. Overnight stay in Ostuni.
- Distance: 52 kilometers / 33 miles
- Elevation: 600 meters / 1969 feet
Day 4: Ostuni - Manduria
Leaving Ostuni and cycling through its beautiful countryside, you will come across small towns such as San Vito dei Normanni, Mesagne, and Oria where you will be enchanted by their marvelous Frederick's castles. Then the tour will take you to your final destination of the day: Manduria . Do not miss the possibility to taste the red wine produced in this area: Primitivo. Overnight stay in Manduria.
- Distance: 70 kilometers / 44 miles
- Elevation: 250 meters / 821 feet
Day 5: Manduria - Gallipoli
This stage is dedicated to the west coast of Salento, where you will cycle towards Campo Marino, Porto Cesareo, and up to Gallipoli. The island heart of Gallipoli is home to numerous impressive Baroque churches and aristocratic palazzi, a testament to the town's former wealth as a trading port. A labyrinthine weave of narrow streets eventually leads to the broader sea-front promenade with its wonderful views. Overnight stay in Gallipoli.
- Distance: 70 kilometers / 44 miles
- Elevation: 350 meters / 1149 feet
Day 6: Gallipoli - Santa Maria Di Leuca
They also offer a shorter option: 52 kilometers / 33 miles and 230 meters / 755 feet. Leaving behind Gallipoli, you will cycle along the Ionian coast headed to Torre San Giovanni. Here, the crystal clear sea will tempt you but it is time to get back on your bike! A short detour will take you inland to see the small towns of Ugento and Specchia, one of the most beautiful 'BORGHI' of Italy.
Then you will continue your ride for another 35 kilometers / 22 miles reaching Santa Maria Di Leuca, where the Ionian and the Adriatic Sea meet; this is the southernmost point in Salento, striking the visitor’s eye for its colors and unreal silence. Overnight stay in Santa Maria di Leuca.
- Distance: 75 kilometers / 47 miles
- Elevation: 520 meters / 1706 feet
Day 7: Santa Maria Di Leuca - Otranto
Today, you will start riding northward along the beautiful coastline of the Adriatic Sea. Crossing the marinas of Tricase Porto and Castro Marina, you will finally get to one of the most amazing cities of Salento: Otranto. If you want, you can have a delicious seafood dinner and take a walk throughout the historic center and maybe buy some souvenirs from the local little shops. Overnight stay in Otranto.
- Distance: 63 kilometers / 40 miles
- Elevation: +650 meters / 2133 feet
Day 8: Otranto - Lecce
In the morning, if you want, there is time to visit the city. Otranto is best appreciated in its amazing cathedral, where the bones of 813 martyrs are displayed in a glass case behind the altar. Less macabre is the cathedral’s other jaw-dropper, its medieval mosaic floor, which rivals the famous early Christian mosaics of Ravenna in its richness and historical significance.
Cycling along the Alimini Lakes, you will finally reach the seaside village of Torre dell'Orso: do not miss the opportunity to swim in the suggestive Grotta della Poesia. Before arriving in Lecce, you will meet Acaya, a perfect stop for an authentic Italian espresso or a drink at sunset in front of the castle. Overnight stay in Lecce.
- Distance: 56 kilometers / 35 miles
- Elevation: 285 meters / 935 feet
Day 9: Departure day
Breakfast. End of services and goodbye Puglia! But before leaving, stock up on pasticcio, the typical shortcrust pastry dessert from Lecce.
Bikes
1. Trekking bikes
Specifications:
- Frame: Aluminium
- Fork: Suspension fork
- Brakes: Disc brakes
- Speed: 3 x 7-10 speed
- Wheels: 28 inches
- Pedals: flat (SPD, SPD-SL, LOOK on request)
- Accessories: rear rack
2. E-bikes
Specifications:
- Frame: Aluminium
- Fork: Suspension fork
- Brakes: Disc brakes
- Speed: 1 x 8-11 speed
- Battery: 418-500 W
- Wheels: 27.5, 28, or 29 inches
- Pedals: flat (SPD, SPD-SL, LOOK on request)
- Accessories: rear rack, battery charger
3. Road bikes
- Available size: S, S/M, M/L
- Frame: Ride lite
- Fork: Road carbon comp
- Front derailleur: Shimano Claris D
- Rear derailleur: Shimano Sora GS
- Shifters: Shimano Claris
- Brake lever: Attached
- Brakes: Road dual pivot
- Chainwheel: FSA Tempo 50-34
- BBset: Cartridge bearing
- Chain: KMC 8s
- Hubs: OV alloy or OV cassette
- Rim: Merida comp 20 pair
- Freewheel: Sunrise CS-8S 11-32
- Tires: Kenda K1018 700 25
- Handlebar stem: Merida Comp OS-6
- Handlebar: Merida Anatomic Road OS
- Headset: Big conoid semi-neck pro
- Seat post: Merida Road Comp SB12 27.2
- Saddle: Merida Race 5
- Pedal: Lock, SPD, SPD- LS
4. Gravel bikes
Specifications:
- Frame: Aluminium
- Fork: Carbon fork
- Brakes: Disc brakes
- Speed: 1x11 or 2x9 speed
- Wheels: 28 inches
- Pedals: no (flat, SPD, SPD-SL, LOOK on request)
- Accessories: rear rack
Location
This cycling tour will start in Matera and end in Lecce, Italy.
Food
You will be served daily breakfast included in the price.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
What's included
- Cycling tour
- 8 nights accommodation
- Daily breakfast
- Touring or gravel bike rental
- Bike equipment (helmet, lock, pannier, and water bottle)
- Repair kit (spare tube, pump, and tire lever)
- Luggage transfers
- Access to Apulia Bike Tours' mobile navigation app system with preloaded tracks, including the roadbook and the practical and tourist information
- Luggage or health insurance
- Telephone assistance
What's not included
- Airfare
- Lunches
- Dinners
- Transfers from and to the airport
- Minivan assistance
- Tourist taxes
- E-bike rental (170 EUR per bike)
- Road bike rental (80 EUR per bike)
- Everything not mentioned in "What is included"
How to get there
Recommended Airports
BRI
Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport
54 km
Transfer not provided
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.
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