From Sassi of Matera to Salento 8 Days

Package Overview

Thanks to this self-guided bike tour you will discover not only two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Matera, the city of the Sassi, and Alberobello, the capital of Trulli, but also the small "white towns" that characterize the Itria Valley. Moreover you have the possibility to reach the southern part of Apulia, Salento, which will take you from prehistoric civilizations, through Medieval architecture and to the masterpieces of the Baroque architecture of the city of Lecce, via ancient traditions and the skills of master craftsmen. All of this is set against a background of blue crystall clear sea and golden sand beaches.

Tour type: Self-guided Tour
Duration: 8 days / 7 nights
Departures: any day in the week all year long.
Participants: Minimum of 2
Level of difficulty: easy / medium - 254 kilometers
Bikes: Hybrid Bike
Offered Service: Bed and Breakfast
Luggage Transportation: Your luggage will be delivered to your next accomodation every day.

Day wise Itinerary

• Day 1 :

  Individual arrival in MATERA. Famous for its Sassi and stunning landscapes, Matera, located on the border of Basilicata and Puglia, is not only breathtaking, but fascinating: Its history goes back more than 30,000 years. There are several rupestrian churches open to the public, a reproduction of a typical cave house that you can visit, and refurbished caves made into hotels and restaurants. The sassi districts are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (If you arrive late at night, we suggest you an extra stay in this wonderful and unique city). Overnight stay in Matera.
• Day 2 :

  Bike and road map delivery, route description. Today you will cycle through the southern part of the Murgia to reach one of the most peculiar city in Italy, ALBEROBELLO, universally-known as the capital of the Trulli, distictive, small, dry-stone buildings with a conical roof. There are about 1500 trulli scattered in Monti and Aia Piccola districts, both listed as World Heritage by UNESCO in 1996. Overnight stay in Alberobello.
• Day 3 :

  Today you will ride over the hills dominating the Itria Valley. Nature lovers will not be disappointed: With its still expanses of olive trees as far as the eye can see, the Itria Valley is red soil, green groves and vineyards, and white trullo houses under a serene blue sky – essentially, a marvelous chromatic effect that repeats itself several times over. Before reaching your final destination, we suggest you to stop first in LOCOROTONDO for a typical Italian aperitif tasting the white wine produced in this region, second in MARTINA FRANCA, for a short visit to its marvellously intact historic centre, its beautiful square, and stunning Palazzi, and last but not least in CISTERNINO for a lunch break, maybe in one of its typical butcher shops, where you can choose the meat you want to eat and they cook it for you. Finally you'll cycle to OSTUNI, the White City, whose whitewashed arches and houses shine like a pearly white tiara, extending across three hills with the magnificent gem of a cathedral as its sparkling centrepiece. Overnight stay in Ostuni.
• Day 4 :

  Today you will travel by train from Ostuni to LECCE (55 minutes, 0 changes, ticket Eur 5.50 not included); You can carry your bike for FREE on regional rails (train timetables). You can spend the day visiting this wonderful city, walking around its streets and alleys. Bequeathed with a generous stash of baroque buildings by its 17th-century architects, the city has a completeness and homogeneity that other southern Italian metropolises lack. Don't forget to visit Piazza Duomo and Piazza Sant'Oronzo with its amphitheatre, and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Overnight stay in Lecce.
• Day 5 :

  Leaving Lecce, after a short ride you'll reach ACAYA, a very small fortified town built by the emperor Charles V in order to protect the coast and the inland against the invasions of the Ottoman Empire. The rest of today's stage runs along the Adriatic coast: you will cycle to the seaside village of TORRE DELL’ORSO where you have the opportunity to swim in the suggestive Grotta della Poesia, to sunbathe, and relax. Cycling along the Alimini Lakes, you'll finally get to OTRANTO. If you want you can have a delicious seafood dinner and take a walk throughout the historic centre and maybe buy some souvenirs from the numerous little shops. Overnight stay in Otranto.
• Day 6 :

  Today your tour will lead you from the Adriatic to the Ionian coast. In the heart of the Grecia Salentina you will cross the small towns of MELPIGNANO, crowded with more than one hundred thousand visitors during the Night of the Taranta, which takes place in August, and of CORIGLIANO D'ORANTO, where ancient "Griko" is still spoken by elderly people. From here you will cycle to your destination: GALLIPOLI. Don't miss the chance to spend your evening evening strolling around the beautiful streets of the old town and to have a drink at sunset at one of the many bars overlooking the sea. Overnight stay in Gallipoli.
• Day 7 :

  Today's first stops are GALATONE, where you can visit the Sanctuary of the Crucifix, and GALATINA. Take time to visit the Mother-Church and the Basilica of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria with its 15th-century frescoes. Then you'll cycle back to LECCE. Use your time to wander among the numerous alleys of the historic centre where the Baroque art shows itself also in the decorated balconies and terraces of private homes. Ovenight stay in Lecce.
• Day 8 :

  End of Services and goodbye.

Inclusions

• Hotel
• Sightseeing

Terms & Conditions

This Tour is Offered by

• San Donato nr.43 72019 San Vito dei Normanni (BR), Apulia, Italy
• XXXXXX1226 View Contact
• XXXXXXXXXX@cicloturismoinpuglia.it View Mail ID

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