Compare Puglia and Matera Magnifica Tour by Tourissimo vs Walking in Puglia by UTracks
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 7 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 4,695 | $ 1,530 |
| Price Per Day | $ 671 | $ 191 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Group tour | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Luxury | Basic |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Ground transport included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included |
6 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches and 6 Dinners |
N/A |
| Description |
Our Magnifica Tour line-up would not be complete without Puglia. And Matera (though in the bordering region of Basilicata) is luckily within riding distance. We could not leave Matera out, and we didn't. Puglia is bordered on two sides by the Ionian and Adriatic seas, and is a long sliver of land that stretches along the heel of Italy. In between you'll find some of the best riding in all of Italy, along peaceful backroads. |
Discover the historic heel of Italy on this walk from Lecce to Matera |
Day 1: Matera
Accommodation: Sextantio Le Grotte della Civiltà
Your guide will meet you at the Bari airport at 12pm for a transfer to the first hotel (approximately 1 hr 15 minutes). We will gather at unique hotel Sextantio for introductions, some lunch, and bike prep. UNESCO lists Matera as one of its Official World Heritage sites for its Sassi cave dwellings. In the rock churches, the mystic past is palpable, especially in the crypts of San Nicola and Santa Margherita, and today you will discover even more of Matera’s secrets on a guided visit. You will have some spare time for shopping before dinner at I Baccanti with typical Lucanian delicacies (Lucania was the ancient name of Basilicata).
Day 2: Matera
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Sextantio Le Grotte della Civiltà
Terrain: Rolling
Ride: 28 mi or 45 km (longer option available)
Today’s ride takes us to the countryside in the fertile Metaponto Valley. We reach San Giuliano lake, which is a WWF natural reserve, and have our first stop there. The lake was formed by a dam over the Bradano river, and it was meant for irrigation. The project was part of a larger plan to reclaim land in the Metaponto valley and it was financed through the Marshall plan for European recovery after WWII. In Basilicata, agriculture employs more people than factories (unique case in modern Italy). At lunch, we will have some local organic products at a farmhouse. In the afternoon, you can opt to climb back or to take advantage of our van for the ride back to Matera. This evening we will have a wine tasting at 19ma Buca, a unique wine bar housed in one of Matera’s Caves just under the main square.
Day 3: Martina Franca
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Villa San Martino
Terrain: Rolling
Ride: 51 mi or 81 km (shorter option available)
Today we say goodbye to Matera and pedal South-East. We spin along the Murgia plain through a bucolic terrain of rolling fields of grano duro (the wheat used for pasta) and shady oak groves. We enter Puglia, and soon after we stop for lunch in Mottola, a charming Pugliese town, where we’ll have a picnic of fresh local products such as mozzarella and burrata. Mottola is located on a hill above the sea and has a view of the Gulf of Taranto and the green mountains of the high Sila; for this reason the town is also called “the Balcony of Southern Apulia.” Near Martina Franca, we find our way to Villa San Martino, which is a beautiful villa converted into a charming 5 star hotel. You will have the chance to join the locals for a stroll in Martina Franca, which palaces boast a gorgeous example of Baroque architecture. Dinner is in the quaint hotel dining room and will be paired with fine Pugliese wines.
Day 4: Selva di Fasano
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Tenuta Monacelle
Terrain: Hilly
Ride: 35 mi or 56 km (shorter and longer options available)
Today we ride through a fantasy land of conical-shaped houses called trulli. We will have a first stop in Cisternino where we will enjoy a cappuccino overlooking the valley. Valle d’Itria is a fertile, triangle shaped valley between Cisternino, Locorotondo, and Martina Franca. It's a true gem. Via tiny roads, roll through Valle d’Itria to arrive in Locorotondo, where we will have a wine tasting (Locorotondo is also the name of well know white wine). We will then continue on to Alberobello, which takes its name from the forests that once covered the area. Nowadays, this is where more than 1,000 trulli can be found (UNESCO World Heritage Site). This is a must-see, one of the most emblematic sights of Puglia. You will get to appreciate its historical side thanks to a guided walking tour. Lunch is in Alberobello. In the afternoon we visit the award-winning Frantoio Intini, an olive oil press which has embraced the Slow Food movement under the multi-generational management of Pietro Intini. From Alberobello, you will be shuttled to the hotel, unless you don't want to call it the day yet, and prefer to ride the additional 13 miles with 800ft of elevation to conquer. Dinner is at the hotel and it will be followed by a folk music and dance event. Have your cameras ready!
Day 5: Savelletri
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: Masseria San Domenico
Terrain: Rolling
Ride: 38 mi or 61 km (shorter and longer options available)
We will ride through Ostuni, an area that has been inhabited since the Stone Age. Bike to one of the loveliest towns along the Mediterranean where white houses, piled like sugar cubes against an azure sky, remind you of the Greek Islands. The brightness of its whitewashed houses, set against a sea of stately olive trees, provides a spectacular perspective of this rich seaside farmland. We ride along centuries-old olive trees that are like amazing natural sculptures. Lunch is a seafood lover’s delight right by the water. The hotel is just a few hundred meters from our lunch spot, and you will be back for a free afternoon when you can take advantage of the swimming pool and the spa facility, or head to the private beach. Masseria San Domenico is one of the finest hotels of all of Italy. Its 5Luxury-star standards do not affect the authenticity of its historical location, a fortified farm house with watch tower once used by the Knights of Malta. For dinner we will have a fun and instructive cooking class of typical Pugliese dishes at a nearby masseria (dialect for fortified farm house).
Day 6: Savelletri
Accommodation: Masseria San Domenico
Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Terrain: Flat
Ride: 30 mi or 48 km (longer option available)
On this last ride we pass through ancient olive groves and pedal along the coast to the Greek ruins of Egnazia, the ancient Messapian town of prehistoric origins. Today, you have the option to make it back to hotel for some leisure time along pool side, to enjoy a Spa and Thalassotherapy treatment, or to play a round of golf at San Domenico mediterannean golf course rated among the best in Italy (PGA European Challenge Tour Grand Final). The course is right by the crystalline Adriatic Sea. Of course, you can opt to pedal some more with your guides and to take in as much riding as you wish on a final loop. We will have our last dinner together at the fine hotel restaurant housed in a suggestive dining room with arched volts dating back to the 1700′s.
Day 7: Bari
Meals: Breakfast
Goodbye! After breakfast, we will arrange a transfer that will take you to the Bari Airport in time for your connecting flights.
Day 1 Arrival in Lecce for sightseeing in Salento's Baroque style regional capital
Make your own way to Lecce. From the train station you can walk to your accommodation (approx. 800m/0.5mi) or take a taxi (allow EUR15). A charming B&B located in the historical centre of the city will be your home for 2 nights. This afternoon you are free to discover the main monuments of the capital of the Salento region, which are Baroque style.
Day 2 Visit Otranto and hike along the Adriatic coastline, overnight in Lecce (4hrs)
The focus today is Otranto, a little seaside village facing the Adriatic sea. Take the bus or train this morning. Make sure you visit the Norman Cathedral to see the unique 'Tree of Life' mosaic floor. Hike along the coastline, discovering flowers and Mediterranean vegetation and the Saracen watchtowers. Bus or train back to Lecce to your B&B. Distance 11km/6.8mi, ascent +100m/328ft, descent -100m/328ft Note: there are no public transport connections between Lecce and Otranto on Sundays and public holidays so private transfers are required and the Saturday arrival supplement applies. Additionally, if you prefer not to take the train/bus on other days, optional return transfers are available - please ask for our rates.
meals : B
Day 3 Transfer to the charming whitewashed hilltop village of Ostuni, explore on foot (2hrs)
Private transfer to the station, then take a train to Ostuni. This striking hilltop village, a short distance from the seashore, is known as the "white city" due to its fortress of whitewashed buildings clustered together on the hillside. Private transfer from the station into town, with free time to discover the enchanting maze of Greek-style narrow streets and fine Mediterranean architecture. Dinner in a typical restaurant and overnight in hotel in Ostuni.
meals : B,D
Day 4 Explore the countryside of Ostuni, transfer to Alberobello, renowned for its 'trulli' (3hrs)
Hike to discover the unique countryside of Ostuni. Enjoy a nice walk through millenary olive groves on red clay-like soil with wonderful views of the Adriatic. At 4pm, a private transfer takes you to UNESCO World Heritage listed Alberobello, with its intriguing dry-stone dwellings known as trulli, in the beautifully exotic Itria valley. Your accommodation is in the historical centre. Wine and typical product tasting, overnight in Alberobello in a trullo (subject to availability). Distance 9km/5.6mi, ascent +100m/328ft, descent -100m/328ft
meals : B
Day 5 Discover the Itria Valley and Locorotondo (3.5hrs)
Today you discover the Itria Valley, walking along an old aqueduct to Locorotondo. Pass between olive trees, vineyards and trulli through this enchanting landscape. Return by train to Alberobello. Distance 13km/8mi, ascent +475m/1560ft, descent -410m/1345ft
meals : B
Day 6 Transfer to Matera, guided visit of the 'Sassi' area (2hrs)
After breakfast, transfer to World Heritage listed Matera. Its fascinating 'Sassi', ancient cave dwellings that have been inhabited since Paleolithic times, have been excavated in the rocks facing a deep canyon. Upon arrival, after you check into your accommodation, enjoy a guided visit of the 'Sassi' area (approx. 2 hours). Overnight in Matera.
meals : B
Day 7 Hike to discover the Murgia plateau and its 8th century rock churches (3hrs)
Enjoy a wonderful hike to discover the Murgia plateau facing Matera, with its rock churches painted with Byzantine frescoes. The landscape here is of pastures and stone farmhouses, and there is the chance to watch the flight of different types of falcons. Dinner in a typical trattoria to experience the flavour of the region and overnight in Matera. Distance 7km/4.3mi, ascent +150m/492ft, descent -150m/492ft
meals : B,D
Day 8 Trip concludes
The trip concludes after breakfast with your transfer to the bus or train station. We can arrange a private transfer from Matera to Bari, please ask for our rates.
meals : B
