Compare Cycle Puglia by UTracks vs Discover Puglia and Basilicata by Viandando Luxury Travel

Day 1 Arrive Alberobello

Alberobello is known for its trulli, which were generally constructed as dwellings or storehouses. It is situated upon two hills which were once separated by a riverbed. On the eastern hill is the new town, with modern architectural features, and on the western hill, the trulli are lined up in an urban conglomeration subdivided into two districts: Monti and Aia Piccola. Both districts are World Heritage sites. On arrival please make your way to your accommodation. Please note we cannot guarantee you will stay in a Trullo this evening (it's subject to availability). The alternative is a comfortable hotel in walking distance of the main centre.

Day 2 Cycle through the countryside to Ostuni (45km/28mi)

A fabulous cycle through winding country lanes, past trulli, vineyards and olive groves to Ostuni, an architectural jewel. Crossing the last part of Murge, you will pass through the towns of Martina Franca, Locorotondo and Cisternino before arriving at the white city of Ostuni. The most challenging part is between Locorotondo and Cisternino. Elevation +460m/1509ft

meals : B

Day 3 Cycle to the Manduria area (60km/37mi)

The cycle route takes you away from Ostuni and the Murge hills and on to the Salento plain, characterized by green and red colours, given by its olive trees and its red soil. Along the way you will have the chance to visit Oria, with its beautiful historical centre and the castle built by emperor Federico II. Today’s destination is the Manduria area, the capital of the Primitivo grapes. Elevation +270m/889ft

meals : B

Day 4 Cycle to the Ionian coast and Gallipoli (70km/43.5mi)

From now on you will head towards the seaside, which will accompany your bike tour between ancient coastal towers and fine sand. You will now reach Porto Cesareo, where we highly recommend a good fish-based lunch. Rolling south, our destination will be the Greek Kale Polis, today’s Gallipoli, with one of the most beautiful historic centres of Salento. Enjoy a stroll in its streets and the views of the sea that surrounds it. Gallipoli is an ancient Greek city, a fishing town divided into two parts: the new town and the old town, connected by a 17th century bridge to the mainland. Elevation +70m/230ft

meals : B

Day 5 Continue along the coast to Santa Maria di Leuca (50km/31mi)

Today you'll continue cycling along the coast to Santa Maria di Leuca. It is the easiest day of the tour, completely on paved roads and mostly flat with some short ups and downs at the end of the stage. Santa Maria di Leuca was named by ancient Greek sailors: they said it was enlightened by the sun and therefore called it "Leukos", meaning white. Today it is a famous seaside resort and fishing area. There is ample opportunity to swim and relax at the beach in the afternoon. Elevation +50m/164ft

meals : B

Day 6 Cycle along the Adriatic coast to Otranto (50km/31mi)

Another superb day of cycling as you follow the Adriatic coast northwards. The most challenging stretches are a short climb to leave town and a continuous but regular slope after Santa Cesaria Terme. Following the coast road, you'll pass by small towns, impressive grottoes, inlets for swimming and small cafes and soon arrive at Otranto, the most eastern point of Italy. Here you can visit the beautiful Cathedral and the great Aragonese Castle. Elevation +460m/1509ft

meals : B

Day 7 Cycle to Lecce along the Alimini Lakes (55km/34mi)

Today is an easy stage. Leave lovely Otranto to discover the Alimini Lakes nature reserve, the old hunting ground of the Swabians and the Aragonese. With their unique Mediterranean scrub the area is an important habitat for migratory species such as white storks, flamingoes and cranes. Continue to Lecce which, thanks to its Baroque style, has earned the nickname "Florence of the South". You can appreciate the rich sculpted motifs from the 17th century made with the local stone while exploring its old town, enclosed by what is left of ancient walls. Elevation +100m/328ft

meals : B

Day 8 Trip concludes

The trip concludes after breakfast. Lecce is well connected by train with the airports of Bari and Brindisi, or we can assist with booking extra nights' accommodation if you'd like to linger.

meals : B

Day 1: Arrival at Rome Airport and Private Transfer to your Accommodation in Matera

Arrival at Bari International airport and private transfer to your accommodation in Matera, the third oldest city in the world. Rest of the day at your leisure for resting and relaxing.

Day 2: Private Guided Tour of Matera and the Murgia Materana Park

This morning enjoy a guided visit of the beautiful town of Matera. Largely carved out of and built with tuff, the town has an incredible history and a deep sense of spirituality, purity and authenticity. The sassi, ancient cave dwellings that were inhabited until the middle of the 20th century, and the rupestrian churches are the most remarkable aspect of the town, but not the only reasons for visiting this beautiful and unique part of the world: Matera also boasts a superb artistic and cultural heritage, delicious cuisine and a warm sense of hospitality. After lunch enjoy a guided tour of Murgia Timone enjoying a stunning panorama of the whole Sassi area which is on the other side of the canyon. On Murgia Timone, along the tracks beaten since the Neolithic, when the first form of prehistoric human settlements took place, we will visit the remains of a primitive burial, and some traces of ancient Neolithic village. Continuing along the path you will come across some typical rock-hewn churches like Madonna delle tre porte(of three doors), which is still decorated with interesting frescoes of Byzantine culture. Throughout the visit will be deepened also many aspects of the natural world, observing the plant species, typical of the Matera’s Murgia.

Day 3: Discovering the Dolomiti Lucane

Following breakfast your driver will take you to the Dolomiti Lucane where you will visit Campomaggiore Vecchia, one of Basilicata’s two ghost towns, abandoned since an avalanche in 1885, and Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa., two of the most beautiful Italian towns You will wander around these authentic villages, meet the locals and enjoy the most stunning views. Lunch in a lovely mountain town restaurant. After lunch return to Matera.

Day 4: Wine Tasting in the Monte Volture Area and Transfer to Trani

Following breakfast and check out your driver will take you to one of the most interesting wineries of Basilicata located on the slopes of Mount Vulture. Discovery the vineyards and the cellars and taste some of the best wines from their assortment, paired with local products of the region. Next continue to the lovely seaside town of Trani. Check into your accommodation and overnight stay.

Day 5: Discover Trani and Castel Del Monte

This morning your driver wil take you to Castel del Monte where you will enjoy a guided visit of Federico IIs Apulian masterpiece. Thanks to its formal perfection and its harmonious blending of cultural elements from northern Europe, the Muslim world, and classical antiquity, Castel del Monte became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. Lunch in a local trattoria. After lunch return to Trani and rest of the afternoon at your leisure for discovering its old town centre, a charming mediaeval network of streets with plenty of fine architecture, its picturesque fishing port and its cathedral, a fabulous example of Romanesque architecture with a stunning location beside the deep blue of the Adriatic Sea. Overnight in Trani.

Day 6: Cooking Class in a Masseria and Leisure Time in Martina Franca and Locorotondo.

Following breakfast your driver will take you to a lovely masseria where you will enjoy a fun cooking class in a local and learn all the secrets to prepare delicious dishes of the local tradition. At the end of your class enjoy the fruits of your labour accompanied by good local wines. In the afternoon time at your leisure to discover the lovely towns of Locorotondo, one of Puglia’s prettiest towns and Martina Franca, which boasts elegant palaces and more than fifteen notable churches. Return to your accommodation in Monopoli and overnight stay.

Day 7: Private Guided Tour of Alberobello and Visit of a Cheese Farm

Following breakfast your driver will take you to Alberobello famous for its conical-roofed houses, the trulli. It’s not just a pretty picture, but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, protected thanks to its “outstanding universal value… an exceptional example of a form of building construction deriving from prehistoric construction techniques that have survived intact and functioning into the modern world. Meet your guide and enjoy a guided tour of the magical trulli of Alberobello learning about the ingenious techniques used in the construction of trulli. Next visit a local cheese farm. Taste some of the farm’s delicious produce: mozzarella, fresh ricotta, aged cheeses, capocollodi Martina Franca, bread, wine and desserts. Return to your accommodation in Monopoli and overnight stay.

Day 8: Leisure Time in Ostuni and Visit of a Winery of the Area

Today visit the amazing Ostuni. The most distinguishing characteristic of Ostuni, and the reason for its taking the epithet La Città Bianca, is its uniformly white buildings. Originally the practice of lime-washing the town’s served as a means of lightening up the dark, labyrinthine mediaeval streets but in the 17th century it became a matter of life and death and was used to limit the depredations of the plague.Wandering through the streets today, visitors are charmed by Ostuni’s mediaeval layout. The narrow back streets, little passages and flights of steps make it delightfully easy to lose one’s bearings! Suitably, however, the climax of any visit arrives when you reach the highest part of town, home to the imposing Archbishop’s palace and the 15th century Concattedrale with its curvaceous, symmetrical façade and rose window.The views from Ostuni are, by themselves, reason enough to make a trip there. Wonderful vistas abound from all angles, the best of which offer 360-degree panoramas of the surrounding countryside and the Adriatic Sea. In the afternoon enjoy a visit to a local winery followed by wine tasting. Return to Monopoli and overnight stay.

Day 9: Transfer to Lecce and Guided Visit of this Splendid Barique Town

Following breakfast and check out your private driver will take you to Lecce. Check into your accommodation. After lunch enjoy a private guided tour of this splendid baroque city to discover its best and most fascinating parts as well as its locals hidden secrets. During your walking tour of the historical centre you will admire palazzi and baroque churches such as Santa Croce and the ex-monastery of Celestini, St. Oronzo Square and the ruins of the Roman Amphitheatre, Piazza Duomo and its magnificent sumptuous Cathedral. Ovwernight in Lecce

Day 10: Discover Otranto and Enjoy a Boat Tour along The Coast

Following breakfast your private driver will take you to Otranto where you will embark for a fantastic private boat tour along the coast between Otranto and the cave named “Grotta Zinzulusa”. Return to Otranto around 02.00 pm and afternoon at your leisure for discovering Italy’s easternmost town with its great mix of history, architecture, views, sea-front restaurants and white sandy beaches.

Day 11: Fly Back Home

Following breakfast and check out private transfer to Bari or Brindisi International airport to take your flight back home.