Heel of Italy
Italy Bike Tours
Bike Italy in breathtaking Apulia!
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length6–8 days
- Prices from€565 Rates
Overview
This bike tour in Apulia is the best way to see this land full of history and tradition with natural and architectural wonders, friendly hospitality, a magical atmosphere complete with a warm sun, blue sky, clear blue seas and a dreamlike coast. The region is also characterized by endless olive groves, long fields of grain, and vineyards.
You start cycling in Matera, UNESCO world heritage site with its "sassi" and European capital of culture 2019, and arrive in Lecce, also known as "Florence of the South" because of its magnificent baroque architecture. This region still retains testimony of its great and ancient culture.
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Matera
Day 2: Matera – Alberobello, 44 mi. (70 km)
Day 3: Alberobello – Ostuni, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 4: Ostuni – transfer to Lecce - Gallipoli, 31 mi. (50 km) (+ 44mi./70km train transfer)
Day 5: Gallipoli - Santa Maria di Leuca, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Santa Maria di Leuca - Otranto, 35 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Otranto – Lecce, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 8: Departure from Lecce.DAY 1: Arrival in Matera.
Arrival in Matera. Visiting Matera is a unique experience. For millennia, inhabitants of this region have carved dwellings directly into ravines and gullies made of tuff (or tufa), a characteristic honey-colored soft stone. Most of the houses are excavated on two ravines and are called "Sassi", which is a World Heritage Site. The rock-hewn churches are very ancient, often Byzantine.DAY 2: Matera – Alberobello, 44 mi. (70 km)
We cycle to the famous trulli of Alberobello and Locorotondo. Trulli were generally constructed as dwellings or storehouses. Alberobello is situated upon two hills, once separated by a riverbed. On the eastern hill is the new town, with modern architectural features. On the western hill, the trulli are lined up in an urban conglomeration, subdivided into two districts: Monti and Aia Piccola, both National Monuments from 1930, and today World Heritage Sites.DAY 3: Alberobello – Ostuni, 35 mi. (55 km)
We cycle through the countryside to Ostuni, which is a reputed architectural gem, and is commonly referred to as the “White City” due to its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture. Today’s stretch is through hilly terrain.DAY 4: Ostuni – transfer to Lecce - Gallipoli, 31 mi. (50 km) (+ 44mi./70km train transfer)
A train transfer (not included) will bring you to Lecce. The ride is about 1 hour, costing approximately €10 per person. After a few kilometers through this amazing baroque town, you go deep into "Salentinian countryside" before approaching the Ionian coast and your destination, Gallipoli.DAY 5: Gallipoli - Santa Maria di Leuca, 31 mi. (50 km)
Cycling Apulia further along the Ionian coast, you will reach Santa Maria di Leuca. The name Santa Maria di Leuca was given by the ancient Greek sailors who came from the East. They saw this place lightened by the sun and therefore called it "leukos", meaning white. The small town is a famous seaside resort and fishing area located on a part of the coast alternated by cliffs and small sandy coves.DAY 6: Santa Maria di Leuca – Otranto, 35 mi. (50 km)
Today you will cycle northwards along the Adriatic coast to Otranto, the most eastern point of Italy where you can visit the beautiful Cathedral and the great Aragonese Castle.DAY 7: Otranto – Lecce, 34 mi. (55 km)
Today you will cover the coastal region of the Adriatic, riding along the Alimini Lakes and their unique Mediterranean bush. At the end of the day, you'll enter into Lecce. Thanks to its Baroque style, it has deserved the nickname of Florence of the South. You'll come to appreciate the rich sculpted motives done in the 17th-century with the tender stone from Lecce. The old town enclosed by what is left of the ancient walls bears the impression of that exuberant period. In Lecce, the presence of several religious orders gave rise to a procession of churches of which the façades are magnificent, like open-air altars, real windows into the society of that period.DAY 8: Departure from Lecce.
Your Puglia bike tour will end following breakfast. Lecce is well connected by train with the airports in Bari and Brindisi.Shorter 6 day version possible, round tour from Lecce.
Day 1: Arrival in Lecce
Day 2: Lecce - Gallipoli, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 3: Gallipoli - Santa Maria di Leuca, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 4: Santa Maria di Leuca - Otranto, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 5: Otranto - Lecce, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 6: Departure from LecceLooking for more? View all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news or look at our full list of bike tours in Europe.
Accommodation
Great 3 star to 4 star hotels, B&B’s, and in a typical trullo or residence in Alberobello, mostly within city centers. Very comfortable rooms with private facilities, and mostly in city centers. In the trullo accommodations there is no air conditioning.
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 5 or 7 nights
- Breakfast buffets
- Luggage transfer
- Welcome briefing in English
- Route descriptions & maps (one set per booked room)
- 27-speed hybrid bicycle
- 7 day service hotline
What’s Not Included
- Local hotel taxes, approximately €10 - €15 per person (for the entire tour)
- Remaining meals
- Train transfer Ostuni - Lecce, ± €10/person
- Bicycle protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2019
8 Day Tour
Saturdays, August 24 to October 19, 2019
Fridays, September 6 to September 27, 2019
Season 1: March 23 and October 19, 2019
Season 2: September 29 to October 18, 2019
Season 3: August 24 to September 28, 2019
*Special departure dates can be arranged for groups of at least 5
6 Day Tour
Monday, October 21, 2019
Season 1: October 21, 2019
Season 2: October 1 to October 20, 2019
Season 3: August 26 to September 30, 2019
*Special departure dates can be arranged for groups of at least 52020
Note: this specific itinerary is not being offered in 2020. We are excited to offer this alternative: Puglia - Heel of Italy Check it out!
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2019 Prices
8 day tour
Season 1: $ 1142 £ 602 $ 1,041 € 690 kr 105782 ₪ 2836 ¥ 119194 Mex$ 12703 NZ$ 1247 NOK 8166 zł 2999 S$ 1029 kr 8190 $ 765 Season 2: $ 1308 £ 690 $ 1,192 € 790 kr 121113 ₪ 3247 ¥ 136469 Mex$ 14544 NZ$ 1428 NOK 9349 zł 3433 S$ 1178 kr 9377 $ 876 Season 3: $ 1407 £ 742 $ 1,283 € 850 kr 130311 ₪ 3493 ¥ 146833 Mex$ 15649 NZ$ 1536 NOK 10059 zł 3694 S$ 1268 kr 10089 $ 943 Single supplement: $ 331 £ 175 $ 302 € 200 kr 30662 ₪ 822 ¥ 34549 Mex$ 3682 NZ$ 362 NOK 2367 zł 869 S$ 298 kr 2374 $ 222 6 Day Tour
Season 1: $ 935 £ 493 $ 853 € 565 kr 86619 ₪ 2322 ¥ 97601 Mex$ 10402 NZ$ 1021 NOK 6686 zł 2456 S$ 843 kr 6706 $ 627 Season 2: $ 1068 £ 563 $ 973 € 645 kr 98883 ₪ 2651 ¥ 111420 Mex$ 11875 NZ$ 1166 NOK 7633 zł 2803 S$ 962 kr 7656 $ 715 Season 3: $ 1150 £ 607 $ 1,049 € 695 kr 106549 ₪ 2856 ¥ 120058 Mex$ 12795 NZ$ 1256 NOK 8225 zł 3020 S$ 1037 kr 8249 $ 771 Single supplement: $ 248 £ 131 $ 226 € 150 kr 22996 ₪ 616 ¥ 25912 Mex$ 2762 NZ$ 271 NOK 1775 zł 652 S$ 224 kr 1780 $ 1668 Day Tour
Season 1: March 23 and October 19, 2019
Season 2: March 24 to April 28 and September 29 to October 18, 2019
Season 3: April 29 and June 15 and August 24 to September 28, 2019
6 Day Tour
Season 1: March 25 and October 21, 2019
Season 2: March 26 to April 29 and October 1 to October 20, 2019
Season 3: April 30 and June 17 and August 26 to September 30, 2019Extra Options
2019:
Bike helmet: $ 25 £ 13 $ 23 € 15 kr 2300 ₪ 62 ¥ 2591 Mex$ 276 NZ$ 27 NOK 178 zł 65 S$ 22 kr 178 $ 17 Electric bike 8-Day Tour: $ 185 £ 98 $ 169 € 112 kr 17170 ₪ 460 ¥ 19347 Mex$ 2062 NZ$ 202 NOK 1325 zł 487 S$ 167 kr 1329 $ 124 Electric bike 6-Day Tour: $ 157 £ 83 $ 143 € 95 kr 14564 ₪ 390 ¥ 16411 Mex$ 1749 NZ$ 172 NOK 1124 zł 413 S$ 142 kr 1128 $ 105 Discounts
3rd person in triple room (8 day tour): $ 166 £ 87 $ 151 € 100 kr 15331 ₪ 411 ¥ 17274 Mex$ 1841 NZ$ 181 NOK 1183 zł 435 S$ 149 kr 1187 $ 111 3rd person in triple room (6 day tour): $ 116 £ 61 $ 106 € 70 kr 10732 ₪ 288 ¥ 12092 Mex$ 1289 NZ$ 127 NOK 828 zł 304 S$ 104 kr 831 $ 78 Extra Nights
Matera (per person/night): $ 124 £ 65 $ 113 € 75 kr 11498 ₪ 308 ¥ 12956 Mex$ 1381 NZ$ 136 NOK 888 zł 326 S$ 112 kr 890 $ 83 Single room: $ 174 £ 92 $ 158 € 105 kr 16097 ₪ 432 ¥ 18138 Mex$ 1933 NZ$ 190 NOK 1243 zł 456 S$ 157 kr 1246 $ 116 Lecce (per person/night): $ 99 £ 52 $ 91 € 60 kr 9198 ₪ 247 ¥ 10365 Mex$ 1105 NZ$ 108 NOK 710 zł 261 S$ 89 kr 712 $ 67 Single room: $ 149 £ 79 $ 136 € 90 kr 13798 ₪ 370 ¥ 15547 Mex$ 1657 NZ$ 163 NOK 1065 zł 391 S$ 134 kr 1068 $ 100 Transfers (minimum of 2 people required):
Bari to Matera (min. 2 persons): $ 74 £ 39 $ 68 € 45 kr 6899 ₪ 185 ¥ 7774 Mex$ 828 NZ$ 81 NOK 533 zł 196 S$ 67 kr 534 $ 50 Brindisi to Matera, Lecce to Bari, Lecce to Brindisi: on requestExtra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This Puglia bike tour in Italy is considered easy to moderate. Cycling is mostly on flat terrain in the lowlands, but sometimes the path is hilly. The itinerary is almost always on asphalt roads and bike paths. Traffic is almost non-existent in Apulia except during the high holiday season. The route includes very beautiful stretches along the coast, and a train transfer from Ostuni to Lecce. Total vertical distance is 450 m.
Airport Info
Fly to Bari, and train to Matera takes about 1½ hr. Train travel in Italy is very economical.
Local Travel
A short taxi ride from the Matera train station to your hotel.
Climate
The average high/low temperatures in °F for the area are: March, 58º/44º; April, 63º/48º; May,71º/58º; June, 78º/62º; July, 83º/67º; August, 82º/66º; September, 77º/61º ; and October, 70º/55º
Extra Stay
Extra nights in Matera and Lecce available by request.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Girolibero.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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