Cycling Tour in Italy: Puglia and Salento Tour

Day 1

Arrival in Bari Apt and private transfer to Matera, the town of the stones. This town is unique in the world because of it was dug into a canyon. Its caves were inhabited up until the late 1950s. This city has been used as the set of many movies including Mel Gibson’s ‘The passion of the Christ’. Matera is also a lively city, and is also awarded the title of European Capital of Culture 2019. You will be welcomed in the hotel, with a welcome drink and here you will have a first briefing with your private bike guide, and you will be introduced to the bicycle you previously choose for your tour . Overnight stay. 

Day 2

From Matera to Bari, cycling and tasting the Mozzarella cheese… . (km.74 gap.150m). Cycling across the countryside between Basilicata and Puglia, today our destination is Alberobello. The Unesco site of Alberobello, is undoubtedly the Capital of the Trulli: its historic center is integrally constituted by these rather particular white, pyramidal structures that make it so famous and identifiable. The best way to experience Alberobello is getting lost in the cluster of white, dry stone huts, unique in the world. We will visit an organic cheese-factory, set in the middle of a stunning landscape among grazing cows, olive groves, and almond trees. The cheese tasting will include mozzarella, provolone and other local specialties, so we will have here an informal light lunch. For dinner, we will enjoy a typical grill restaurant. Overnight stay in Alberobello. 

Day 3

Bike and “capocollo” in valle d’Itria… (km.70 gap. 150m). Today we will have a round trip from Alberobello, crossing the Itria Valley (a sub-region between Brindisi, Taranto and Bari, also known as the Trulli Valley), in a bright landscape of vineyards, olive groves and vast gentle slopes. Before come back to the accommodation, today we plan a taste of the famous “Capocollo”, a typical cold cut of Apulia region and Slow Food Presidium, with an informal light lunch with the producer. Overnight stay in Alberobello. 

Day 4

Alberobello – Manduria (transfer shuttle from Manduria to Gallipoli). (km.65 gap. -230m). From Alberobello, crossing Ceglie Messapica, we will cycle up to Manduria. Founded by the Messapians, it still bears vestiges of its ancient past: the megalithic walls, the remains of the moat and the necropolis. Here we will stop to one of the oldest cooperative Winery of Puglia, for a tasting of the “Primitivo di Manduria" wine and other typical products. We will visit the museum of Primitivo wine and discovering the old works-machines. After a little transfer, you will reach the nice town of Gallipoli. Overnight stay in Gallipoli. 

Day 5

From Gallipoli... ride up to the extreme heel of Italy. (km. 53 gap. -156m). Our destination for today is Leuca, the southernmost tip of Puglia. The stage starts from Gallipoli the "beautiful city" in Greek, a very charming and lively holiday destination. We can’t miss the visit of the old town, with its ramparts and defensive one-kilometer and a half walls, to defend the city against attacks from the sea. Along our journey, we will stop for informal pic-nic, before the arrival in Leuca. Here you can admire "the meeting" between the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea… the lighthouse and the sanctuary welcome you at the end of the day. Overnight stay in Leuca 

Day 6

It's time to say goodbye... or maybe not… anyway, after the last breakfast in the heart of the Chianti Road, you will be transferred to the airport or, if we will have time, we will visit together a cellars with a tasting of typical ad local products… See you soon! 

• Accommodation in double room with breakfast 
• Lunch or light lunch or tasting and dinner as described in the itinerary 
• Luggage transfer 
• Local expert bike escort throughout the tour 
• Van shuttles to support. 
• One of our travel consultant will meet you at your arrival in Venice and will always be available online/phone 24/7.