Puglia - Cycling the Heel of Italy
Puglia - Cycling the Heel of Italy
Puglia - Cycling the Heel of Italy
8 Days Starting in Matera and ending in Lecce
Visiting: Matera, Province of Matera, Valle d'Itria, Province of Lecce, Salento, Otranto, Lecce
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C07PG
Group Type:
Independent
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Physical rating:
Medium, Low, Leisurely / Moderate
Age range:
14 to 99
Special diets catered:
Please inform Exodus of specific dietary requirements
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
IIn the heart of the Mediterranean lies Puglia, a unique landscape sandwiched between the Adriatic and Ionian seas. We explore the very best of this captivating region and begin by cycling through two towns that both possess UNESCO world heritage sites. The region is mainly flat, which lends itself perfectly to the self-guided cycle ahead; filled with spectacular views; beautiful coastline and mouth-watering cuisine.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Start Matera. Make Your Own Way From Bari Or Brindisi To Matera By Train Or Bus
Location: Matera
Meals Included: No Meals
Make your own way from Bari or Brindisi airport to Matera by train (see
joining info below).
Day 2 : Ride Through The Historic ‘Sassi’ Houses Of Matera Before Heading To The Town Of Alberobello
Location: Province of Matera
Meals Included: Breakfast
On leaving Matera you will pass through what makes this town so special. For
millennia, inhabitants of this region have carved dwelling directly into
ravines and gullies made of tuff (or tufa), a characteristic honey-colored
soft stone. These houses are called 'Sassi' and are as today a UNESCO World
Heritage Site. Matera is the only place in the world where people can boast
to be still living in the same houses of their ancestors of 9,000 years ago.
From one famous world heritage site to another, heading towards Alberobello,
you will pass the famous fairy-tale trulli houses that have also made
Alberobello a recognised world heritage site.
Day 3 : Cycle Through The Lush Valle D'itria, Past The Picturesque Fairy-Tale Trulli Houses To Hilltop-Town Of Ostuni
Location: Valle d'Itria
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cycle through the lush Valle d'Itria and one of the prettiest cultural
landscapes of the south past more trulli houses to Ostuni - offering
breathtaking coastal views. Along the way we pass the famous wine town of
Locorotondo, regarded as one of Italy's most beautiful villages. After
sampling some of the local sparkling white wine, the route heads to the white
city of Ostuni - famous for the dazzling effect of its whitewashed houses.
Day 4 : Train To Lecce; Cycle Through The Countryside To Gallipoli On The Ionian Coast With Its Old Town Situated On A Rocky Island
Location: Province of Lecce
Meals Included: Breakfast
In the morning you will take a train transfer with your bike to the the
fascinating baroque town of Lecce. From here we cycle deep into the
Salentinian countryside before approaching the Ionian coast. Here you will
reach beautiful Gallipolli, known as the 'Ionian Pearl' with its old town
situated on a rocky island and offering fantastic views both from the north
and the south. The town itself has many churches, narrow alleys and was the
largest exporter of lamp oil made from olives in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Day 5 : Reach The Most Southerly Point Of Salento At Santa Maria Di Leuca
Location: Salento
Meals Included: Breakfast
Today you cycle to the most southerly point of Salento at Santa Maria di
Leuca, where the crystal waters of the Ionian and Adriatic seas merge. This
village is home to one of the most important lighthouses in Italy and the
architectural delights of numerous villas built at the turn of the century.
Inhabitants of this area were quite eccentric people who loved the peace and
quiet and wanted to enjoy the sea and the town.
Day 6 : Follow The South Coast Of The Adriatic Sea To The Ancient Town Of Otranto
Location: Otranto
Meals Included: Breakfast
Our route continues along the south coast of the Adriatic sea through
charming landscape to the ancient Messapian town of Otranto. The old town is
surrounded by a mighty wall containing the impressive Hapsburger Castle. En
route to Otranto there is the opportunity to visit the famous Grotta
Zinzulusa, the only coastal grotto that is open to the public, and also the
thermal baths of Santa Cesarea Terme.
Day 7 : Continue Along The Shoreline Through Innumerable Olive Groves To The Baroque City Of Lecce
Location: Lecce
Meals Included: Breakfast
We follow the shoreline through innumerable olive groves to the Baroque
metropolis of Lecce. A relaxing way to end the week is at the beach of Torre
dell'Orso surrounded by limestone cliffs and with many ancient caves to
discover. The final destination is Lecce, the capital of Salento, and as well
as being home to over 30 churches and countless palaces, there is an
amphitheatre and Roman theatre dating back to Emperor Augustus.
Day 8 : End Lecce
Location: Lecce
Meals Included: Breakfast
Finish your trip in Lecce and make your own way back to the airport for your
flight home.
What's Included
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Local bike hire
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Maps and route notes
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All breakfasts
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All accommodation (see accommodation section)
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Train ticket from Ostuni to Lecce
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Luggage transfers
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/RideWithGPS/ navigation app
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Meals
7 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 0 dinners.
What's Not Included
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Visas or vaccinations
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Hotel Upgrades
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation - (compulsory)
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Arrival & departure transfers
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Any Solo traveller supplements (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
Food
7 breakfasts are included and consist of a continental-style buffet. However, please note that the typical Italian breakfast are generally light; usually a cup of coffee and a cream-filled or jam-filled croissant.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.Suggestions of what to do for lunch and dinner are given in the cycling route notes.
Accommodation
Check out our Q&As
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Do you require a visa for this holiday?
No visa required for British passport holders. Please note in Italy it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times.
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
There are no specific health risks.
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What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?
7 nights in comfortable en suite hotels
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
No
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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.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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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.
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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.
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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
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
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Low Deposit
Exodus requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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