Puglia, Italy Biking Adventure (3 Spaces Left)
Trip Itinerary
Day 1
Location: Conversano
Lodging: Corte Altavilla
Activities: We'll do an introductory ride to six small lakes in the Conversano countryside before heading back to eat dinner in the miedeval center of town.
Day 2
Location: Locorotondo
Lodging: Il Palmento
Activities: We depart today on our bikes for the heart of the Itria Valley. En route, we stop at the Grotte di Castellana, one of the largest and most impressive limestone caves in Italy.
Day 3
Location: Pezze di Greco
Lodging: Masseria San Martino
Activities: Today we visit another famous town, Locorotondo, known for its circular shape. The ancient streets wind with no apparent order and on the edge of town you'll have beautiful views over the valley.
Day 4
Location: Pezze di Greco
Lodging: Masseria San Martino
Activities: Today is some of the best riding of the week, as we cycle on the Via Traiana bike path. We then continue on to Ostuni, an architectural gem and known as the "white town" for its whitewashed walls.
Day 5
Location: Polignano a Mare
Lodging: Hotel Covo dei Saraceni
Activities: We head along the coastal road to the Roman ruins of the town of Egnazia, which has an impressive wall and an underground cellar among the widespread ruins.
Day 6
Location: Departure Day
Activities: On our final morning, we continue up the coast to the small village of San Vito, also with an old fortress.
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Dates: May 2, 2012 - May 7, 2012
Trip Length: 6 Days & 5 Nights
Activities: Biking
Trip Difficulty: All Ability Levels
Guides: Allan, Erika & Giovanni
Other Info: Bike Rental €25/day
Why You Can’t Miss Cycling in Puglia, Italy
Puglia (pronounced without the ‘g’, as in, the Italian ‘Apulia’) is the heel of the Italian boot. The breathtaking scenery, olive trees, white-washed cities, rock-lined fields and rural back roads make it a popular spot for Italians on holiday. Not surprisingly, it’s also a fantastic location for cycling.
If you’re the type of traveler that appreciates multi-hour siestas and gorgeous topography, you will thoroughly enjoy the laid back atmosphere of Southern Italy.
The cycling is moderate, with many long flat stretches. (Including a 20-kilometer bikeway, interspersed with rolling hills.) The area is a main agricultural region and, on our tour, we cycle past fields of tomatoes, eggplant, oranges, almonds, artichokes, and thousands of olive trees. In fact, there are reportedly up to 60 million in the region, many of them massive in stature. And, we must admit, their ancient essence makes for some spectacular roadside neighbors while cycling in Puglia.
Puglia is also a wine region, producing more wine than any other region in Italy. Grapes include the Negro Amaro, which produces the excellent Salice Salentino wine, and Primitivo, which is equivalent to Zinfandel. However, it is often the cheap and plentiful vino della casa, in white or red, that seems to go best with our mid-day or evening meal.
Another fantastic feature of the area was the proximity of unique and character-rich towns we encounter while cycling in Puglia. We visit impressive Conversano, with its ancient castle. Albarabello, with its thousands of “trulli,” circular-shaped Locorotondo, the white-washed villages of Cisternino and Ostuni, and the seaside towns of Monopoli and Polignano a Mare.
All of them are excellent places to wander old streets and do a little window shopping. During our cycle tour, we’ll take the time to stop at an olive oil mill, a winery, the ruins of a Roman town, ancient caves, and more.
If you have already traveled to Italy but have never been to Puglia, you’ll fall in love with the beautiful scenery and Italian culture – all over again.
Our Bicycles
Our Italian guide Giovanni Ramaccioni brings his fleet of bicycles down from Tuscany for the tour. Giovanni is a wonderful guide who leads our trips in Italy and Provence, and his fleet of 21-speed bikes always get rave reviews from our biking groups. Additionally, if you prefer to have your own equipment while cycling, you can bring your own seats and pedals.
Accommodations
We stay in four extremely nice accommodations during our tour in Puglia, all situated in decidedly different environments, making for excellent variety. Please note accommodations are subject to change.
- Hotel Corte Altavilla, Conversano: This four-star hotel located in an 11th century building in the center of Conversano is the perfect coupling of modern comfort and historic charm.
- Il Palmento, contrada (village) Cupa: You can’t visit the Alberobello area without seeing Trulli but we get the chance to do more, staying in this luxury four-star establishment that is made from 30 conical-shaped Trulli, most of which are the original hundreds-year-old structures. If that doesn’t do it for you, the two outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, or bocce set will.
- Masseria San Martino, Pezze di Greco: A “masseria” is an old farmhouse, usually built on an olive tree farm, and now often updated to serve as upscale lodging. Ours is no exception. Located in the flat plain only a few kilometers from the sea and perfect for biking, we spend two nights in this rural villa where you will forget all your worries from home.
- Hotel Covo dei Saraceni, Polignano a Mare: This four-star hotel is perched on the cliff of Polignano a Mare overlooking the sea and right in the heart of town. It is the perfect location to wander the ancient streets or walk down the steps to the sea below.
For More Information
Please see our Puglia Frequently Asked Questions page.