Puglia - Cycling the Heel of Italy

Puglia - Cycling the Heel of Italy

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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:

Exodus

Tour code:

C07PG

Group Type:

Independent

Recommended For:

Singles

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:
English
Trip Styles:

Active, Adventure Tours

Interests:

History, Photography

Activities:

Cycling, Sightseeing

This tour is no longer available

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

  • Enjoy fine seafood and wine

  • Ride along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas

  • Cycle through UNESCO historic towns, olive groves and past white-coned trulli.

Itinerary

Expand All
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

  • Local bike hire

  • Maps and route notes

  • All breakfasts

  • All accommodation (see accommodation section)

  • Train ticket from Ostuni to Lecce

  • Luggage transfers

  • /RideWithGPS/ navigation app

  • Meals

    7 breakfasts, 0 lunches, 0 dinners.

What's Not Included

  • Visas or vaccinations

  • Hotel Upgrades

  • Travel insurance

  • Single accommodation - (compulsory)

  • Arrival & departure transfers

  • 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

  • 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.

  • Are vaccinations required for this tour?

    There are no specific health risks.

  • What is the standard of the hotels on this tour?

    7 nights in comfortable en suite hotels

  • Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?

    Yes

  • Are airport transfers included in this tour?

    No

  • 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

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

Trustpilot
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  

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!

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!

Trustpilot
John Edwards (Google Reviewer)  

I went cycling in Albania...

19-Aug-2023

I went cycling in Albania with exodus as my first holiday with them. Such a well organised and wonderful experience where I met multiple fellow travellers who have been advocates of them for many years. You can't argue with happy repeat customers and I'm planning my next adventure with them soon

Rob Burridge (Google Reviewer)  

I'v just come back from...

17-Jul-2022

I'v just come back from an amazing Wildlife & Wilderness trip in Botswana and I highly recommend Exodus Travels. Our guide Brian, was extremely knowledgeable on both the wildlife and history of Botswana and neighbouring countries. The other three staff, Abbis, Chief & Mr T, who accompanied us through out our 2 week trip, put in the hard work and made sure our camp was always prepared and that we we're well fed and looked after. The tour took us to some beautiful places and we saw some amazing wildlife, and on several occasions this was due to Brian's knowledge of the area and wildlife behaviour. Exodus have been very quick to respond to any queries I had, and the whole experience ran smoothly. I was also pleased to hear that during lockdown they provided staff with food packages 👍. I'd normally go on self organised trips, however, with this trip, the tour and guide Brian took us to places not possible otherwise and showed us things that we would'v missed out on. All of which were the highlights of the tour.

Daphne Partridge (Google Reviewer)  

After 14 roup adventure holidays...

26-Nov-2023

After 14 roup adventure holidays with Exofus we would not hesitate to recommend them as an excitingholiday company. They take you off the beaten track but offer great support and expertise :)

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.

Jacquelyn Moore (Google Reviewer)  

Food came quickly. Staff very...

07-Mar-2024

Food came quickly. Staff very friendly and polite . However the chef or person preparing the food did not seem to read the menu! If it says a meal should come with vegetables, you should not have to ask for them. They served shepherds pie with garlic bread! The munchies ice cream sundae said it should come in a glass with a flake but came in a little bowl with just a few munchies! When asking the staff were happy to replace and correct but customer should get what they order and what menu says first time round!!

johanna leonor (Google Reviewer)  

If you like to be...

07-Sep-2023

If you like to be mistreated Exodus is perfect for you. If you enjoy terrible choices for hotels and pseudo restaurants Exodus is perfect for you. Careless about their clients and loveless about their propositions. Exodus has been a dissatisfaction and disappointment about every dealing i and my group have had with him. Especially a man called Simone who just cares about the money he can get from you couldn’t care less about service.

Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    Exodus allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus, 43 days before departure.

  • 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.

  • 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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