Matera to Monopoli Cycling

Matera to Monopoli Cycling

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Matera to Monopoli Cycling

8 Days Starting in Matera and ending in Monopoli

Visiting: Matera, Gravina in Puglia, Alta Murgia National Park, Trani, Bari, Monopoli, PUGLIA

Tour operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels

Tour code:

C07PM

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Physical rating:

Leisurely / Moderate

Age range:

12 to 99

Special diets catered:

Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements

Tour operated in:

English

Trip Styles:

Active

Activities:

Cycling, Sightseeing

Tour Overview

This seven night, self-guided cycling holiday takes in some of the highlights of Basilicata and Puglia in Southern Italy. Starting in the UNESCO-listed Matera, known for its rock churches and Sassi houses, you'll have a free day here to explore before setting off on your bike to head to the neighbouring region of Puglia. You'll ride to Gravina, one of the most important Roman cities along the Appian Way and continue on through the Alta Murgia National Park (the largest natural park in Italy) with a stop at Castel del Montewith its iconic castle. Your cycle route then heads to the Adriatic coast, to Trani, one of the oldest and liveliest cities along this stretch of coastline. Follow the coastline for the last two days stopping in Bari and Monopoli.

Highlights

  • Two nights in the UNESCO town of Matera

  • Cycling through the Alta Murgia National Park, the largest natural park in Italy

  • Charming hotels, all full of character

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive in Matera

Location: Matera

Arrive in Matera, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, with an overnight stay at Palazzo Viceconte.

Day 2 : Free day exploring

Location: Matera

Meals Included: breakfast

Enjoy the stone city of Matera, named the European Capital of Culture in 2019. Situated in the Basilicata Region, stroll through its beautiful Palaeolithic cave dwellings, intricate cathedrals and museums.

Day 3 : Matera to Gravina

Location: Gravina in Puglia

Meals Included: breakfast

Leave Matera and cycle a few kilometres to enter the beautiful region of Puglia. Ride on gentle slopes towards Gravina, one of the most important Roman cities along the Appian Way, and Altamura, located on the hills of the Murge plateau.

Day 4 : Gravina to Castel del Monte

Location: Alta Murgia National Park

Meals Included: breakfast, dinner

Today, our route winds across the largest natural park in Italy - the Alta Murgia National Park. Our final destination is an iconic castle in the southern region, commissioned by Frederick II, with its unique octagonal structure making it worthy of the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Day 5 : Castel del Monte to Trani

Location: Trani

Meals Included: breakfast

Today's ride continues though the Alta Murgia National Park, with a pleasant descent towards the adriatic Sea and Trani, one of the oldest and liveliest cities on the Apulian coast. Known as the 'Pearl of Pugila', the city is characterised by its breath-taking cathedral that sits right on the water's edge. Afterwards, wander around its Jewish quarter, hidden between it's glossy limestone streets.

Day 6 : Trani to Bari

Location: Bari

Meals Included: breakfast

Explore the historic town centres of Bisceglie, Molfetta and Giovinazzo, admiring their Romanesque style architecture. Arrive in Bari, a bustling, coral-fringed port town, and ride along one of the longest promenades in the Mediterranean to the old city.

Day 7 : Bari to Monopoli

Location: Monopoli

Meals Included: breakfast

Ride towards the metropolitan city of Mola and continue on a narrow path between its towering fortified castle and the Adriatic Sea. Reaching the turquoise shores of Polignano a Mare, you move on through the historical centre towards Monopoli's picturesque harbour.

Day 8 : Leave Monopoli

Location: Monopoli

Meals Included: breakfast

The tour ends after breakfast in Monopoli.

What's Included

  • All breakfasts and 1 evening meal

  • Luggage transfers between hotels

  • High Quality Bikes

show more

What's Not Included

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)

  • Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)

  • Visas or vaccinations

  • Arrival & departure transfers

  • Hotel Upgrades

Food

All continental breakfasts and 1 dinner is included. In Puglia you will find genuine regional cooking that has strong links to the land and the sea. To give you just a small list of the types of food on offer in Puglia: Bread from the Murge, durum wheat pasta, olives, the pasta delicacy Orecchiette served with a sauce of turnip-tops or fresh tomato and sheep's ricotta-cheese, Cavatelli with pulses, aubergine and parmesan bake, grilled fish and seafood, burrata (soft mozzarella and cream cheese), plus excellent wines. This region is a food lovers paradise and the abundance of delicious vegetables makes it a perfect destination for vegetarians! On this trip there will be many opportunities to taste the best local specialities.

Accommodation

Your accommodation is as varied as the landscape, with each place specially chosen for its unique charm and character. In Matera you will stay in a historical building set in the Matera Sassi UNESCO site area. In Trani stays are in an 18th century palace.

Check out our Q&As

  • What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?

    If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.

  • How long has the tour company been trading?

    Exodus has been trading since 1974

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.

  • Can I join the tour once it has departed?

    You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.

Reviews of this operator

Jane Holdaway (Google Reviewer)  

Had an exceptional holiday with...

24-Mar-2025

Had an exceptional holiday with Exodus during which we travelled extensively around Sri Lanka and got a real taste of the country and the people who live there. The itinerary was packed with interesting trips and activities and all of the hotels were very comfortable. We had an excellent local guide who looked after our group brilliantly and became a friend by the end of the tour. This was not the cheapest tour we looked at but we don't regret a penny spent on it because of the quality and attention to detail. Would thoroughly recommend Exodus!

Gergana Racheva  

Very helpful and prompt service

06-Jan-2023

Very helpful and prompt service. I called to check for an already booked trip and once we sorted this, the agent was ready to help me with another booking as well. He actually waited for me to book my flight tickets, answered all my questions, informed me of all my options. Exodus is a tour company I am using regularly due to the quality of their trips, ease of booking and helpfulness of their customer service team

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Tim Hardy  

Stunning walking. Walking the Amalfi Coast

04-Nov-2021

This trip takes you through the most beautiful parts of the Mediterranean walking with a guide and also discovering the wonders of Pompeii and Vesuvius. The hotel had a nice feel as family run, spotless and comfortable rooms, we were well looked after for breakfasts and dinner each day, and the barmen fixed some mean cocktails for us.!

paul green (Google Reviewer)  

Went on a tour of...

14-Jan-2022

Went on a tour of morocco in October and loved it ,mohamed the tour guide was excellent, probably go with exodus to India next year

Paul Green  

It's amazing what you can do in a week! Cycling the Dalmatian Coast.

08-Oct-2021

This holiday was extremely enjoyable. The itinerary is well planned and the route takes you to a variety of destinations. Not having been to Croatia before I didn't know there were so many beautiful small islands and I loved the ferry and catarmaran rides. The coastal route we took was dramatic and the World Heritage sites in Split and Dubrovnik very interesting and worth visiting. The Adriatic Sea was warm, blue and inviting, good for swimming even in October. The hotels we stayed in varied in size from medium to large. I particularly liked the one just outside Dubrovnik as I had a sea view. Tourists were plentiful in Split and Dubrovnik but in the other places we stayed there was an end of season feel and it was quiet on the roads and in the resorts. The food was good and our guide was always able to recommend a nice restaurant for our evening meal. The weather in October was good for cycling - not hot, partly cloudy most days and one day it rained!

Roger Wells (Google Reviewer)  

We have just returned from...

12-Feb-2025

We have just returned from a 2 week Exodus trip to Egypt, Alexandria to Aswan. We had a great time, enjoyable company, with an excellent guide, Sayed. All worked out as described. The 3 day Red Sea extension was relaxing. Even the train journey, Cairo to Aswan, was a great part of the experience

Sian Anstey (Google Reviewer)  

I have just returned from...

31-Mar-2025

I have just returned from the most fabulous cycling holiday to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. It was without doubt the best holiday you could ever wish for. Excellent in every possible way. Thank you Exodus. I just can’t decide which holiday to do next.

Damian Cannon (Google Reviewer)  

We've been on several group...

21-Mar-2025

We've been on several group trips with Exodus to destinations such as India and Jordan where we'd rather let some one else do the organising. In all cases these trips have been excellent with wonderful guides and well designed itineraries. We have always returned with happy memories. In cases where things have gone wrong Exodus have never disappointed us with their service. During one case our plane was diverted at the start and we joined the tour 3 days late. But despite this Exodus organised everything, including a driver, required to let us catch up. Equally during the pandemic our trip was cancelled twice and in the end we decided to take a full refund which Exodus handled properly. Having just returned from our latest trip we're already considering where we can go next. It's possible that we wouldn't bother to use Exodus in Europe because we can organise everything ourselves but further afield we'll definitely be travelling with Exodus again.

Mrs Y Morrison  

Fabulous company and trip

06-Jan-2023

We went overland from Cape Town to Zimbabwe through Botswana and Namibia. What a fantastic trip. Our first time with Exodus although we have travelled extensively around the world. We would highly recommend this company for such a brilliant trip - we got everything and more all at a good price. Thanks to everyone involved. We are looking at our next trip!

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Alison Payton (Google Reviewer)  

I've done 8 trips in...

17-May-2023

I've done 8 trips in the last 14 years with Exodus, and have been rewarded with a 10% discount on all future bookings. I feel very confident that I'll receive pleasant, efficient service, and have the unusual holiday experience that I'm looking for each time. I've trekked to the top of snow-capped peaks, wild-camped in the desert, seen amazing spectacles of nature, visited 4 capital cities in a week, and learned about local culture and experienced local hospitality in a way that I simply wouldn't on a conventional holiday. The quality of the accommodation and guides can vary, but this is mainly down to cultural differences and things that Exodus can't control. I've only ever complained once, my complaint was taken seriously, and I was sent a discount voucher - you can't say fairer than that. I remain a loyal customer.

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit for future tours

    Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 90 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 120 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.

    Up to 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 89 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 51 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.

    At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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