Visit Ginosa: the complete guide
Visiting Ginosa means discovering a hidden pearl of Puglia, located at the foot of the Murgia...
19.04.2024
Guided 
Cycling
Puglia and Matera flavors cycling holiday
Puglia & BasilicataDifficulty path:Easy - Moderate
Guided · CyclingDuration: 8 daysCode: bg024
from 1380 €GUARANTEED DEPARTURE
Highlights
A week by bike to ride together along the heel of Italy, from beautiful Matera all the way down.
We will enjoy the healthy and crisp air of southern Italy, the boundless industrious countryside of northern Puglia, the undulating and restful profiles of the Itria Valley, the picturesque coastal corners of the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea, the landscape areas and the splendid towns of the hinterland. We will taste typical products, visit cellars and ancient oil mills, take a boat trip in the Finibus Terrae, to conclude our bike trip in the sumptuous elegance of Lecce and its churches.
Together with an expert local guide who speaks English and Italian and new travel companions, we will discover a unique southern Italy.
We will enjoy the healthy and crisp air of southern Italy, the boundless industrious countryside of northern Puglia, the undulating and restful profiles of the Itria Valley, the picturesque coastal corners of the Ionian Sea and the Adriatic Sea, the landscape areas and the splendid towns of the hinterland. We will taste typical products, visit cellars and ancient oil mills, take a boat trip in the Finibus Terrae, to conclude our bike trip in the sumptuous elegance of Lecce and its churches.
Together with an expert local guide who speaks English and Italian and new travel companions, we will discover a unique southern Italy.
Join the GROUP TRIP
06/04 > 13/04/2025
19/10 > 26/10/2025
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International Travel Companions
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The white villages of the Itria Valley
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The Sassi of Matera and the Magic of the Trulli
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Surprising gastronomic experiences
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The most beautiful coasts of Puglia
Program
Day1
Welcome to Matera!
Arrive independently to discover a bit of the City of Sassi and the enchantment of its views over the ravine.
Visit Casa Noha to learn about the history of this incredible city, once the “shame of Italy”.
In the afternoon, meet the guide and have your first dinner together to get to know the group.
Day2
To Alberobello by bike - Wine tasting
35 km
After a tasty breakfast in Matera, a private transfer takes us to the pretty town of Gioia del Colle with its beautiful castle.
In the heart of the Alta Murgia hills, we begin to pedal accompanied by the suggestive landscapes typical of the area. We pass by the splendid Putignano, famous for the oldest Carnival in Europe.
At the end of the ride, some fun ups and downs take us to the entrance of the fairy-tale Alberobello: its trulli, white conical stone buildings, were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. In the afternoon, time for relaxation with a wine tasting inside a typical trullo.
Day3
Villages of the Itria Valley - Tastings of Mozzarella and EVO oil
45 km
On the second day by bike we cross two of the most beautiful villages in Italy: Locorotondo and Cisternino.
We pedal in the heart of the Itria Valley always immersed in vineyards and cultivated fields. Here gentle climbs lead us to Locorotondo, a jewel enclosed in the ancient city walls. The cummerse, the typical houses of the town, slowly give way to the ancient whitewashed buildings, indicating our arrival in Cisternino. Welcoming us, its intimate historic center adorned with vases of colorful flowers.
And to delight us, today we will have two gastronomic experiences: a visit to a local dairy with mozzarella tasting and another to an oil mill with EVO oil tasting.
Today's final destination is Ostuni, the city made white by lime since the distant Middle Ages, where we will spend the night.
Day4
From Manduria to Gallipoli - Wine tasting & visit
70 km
A short private transfer takes us to Manduria for a visit to the Cellar par excellence. Today we pedal accompanied by the blue of the Ionian Sea through one of the most interesting coastal natural areas of Puglia: Torre Colimena and the Saline. Pedaling south we come across the small port towns of Torre Lapillo and Porto Cesareo, besieged by seaside tourism in the summer.
We arrive in Gallipoli, the "beautiful city" for the ancient Greeks. Here once was produced the lamp oil that illuminated the major cities of Europe. Crossing the ancient bridge that runs alongside the castle we arrive in the elegant historic center surrounded by the sea.
Overnight in Gallipoli.
Day5
From Gallipoli to Leuca - Boat tour
50 km
Today we reach the extreme heel of Italy by bike, and a splendid day awaits us along stretches of beaches of fine white sand. We only have to choose where to take a little break and enjoy the beauty of this corner of paradise!
We arrive in Santa Maria di Leuca, which will surprise us with all its charm. Here we can visit the sanctuary of Santa Maria di Leuca de Finibus Terrae, the final port of the Via Francigena from which ancient pilgrims embarked for the Holy Land. The day ends with a boat trip to visit the spectacular caves that characterize the coast.
Overnight stay at Capo di Leuca.
Day6
From Leuca to Otranto
55 km
Today's itinerary will be exciting: the ups and downs "with a view" of the Adriatic coast will show us one of the most beautiful coastlines in Italy.
The Ciolo bridge, Castro, the port of Tricase, the marina of Andrano, Porto Badisco, Santa Cesarea Terme are among the wonderful places that we will pass through. Coves and caves characterize the rocky part of the coast and there are some that can be visited, such as the Zinzulusa Cave which takes its name from the zinzuli that hang from the ceiling as if they were suspended strings.
Once in Otranto, we can visit the beautiful Cathedral with its large 16-ray rose window built just after the tragic Turkish occupation of 1480, and the large floor mosaic that represents the human experience from original sin to salvation.
Overnight stay in the easternmost town of Italy.
Day7
From Otranto to Lecce - Guided visit
55 km
On the last leg of our cycling holiday we say goodbye to the coast to enter the heart of Salento.
Leaving beautiful Otranto, we pedal through the vegetation between the Alimini lakes and then look out to admire some authentic pearls: the Sant’Andrea stacks, the legendary Grotta della Poesia di Roca and the marshes of the Le Cesine coastal reserve. Deviating inland towards Lecce, halfway we find the suggestive fortified village of Acaya, named after the feudal lord who redesigned the town.
The bike trip ends with a guided tour of Lecce and a dinner together.
Day8
Arrivederci Lecce
After breakfast, end of services.
Spend a few more hours discovering Lecce among the elegant buildings and churches of the historic center. You will discover artisans' workshops and small shops, such as that of the Mastro Cartapestaio Di Donfrancesco.
Tour programme variations
Due to organizational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday.
What's included
Our offer includes
- 7 nights with breakfast in shared double room
- Dinner day 1 and 7
- English Speaking locale guide from day 2 to day 7, during daily excursions and included dinner
- Luggage transportation hotel to hotel
- Private transfer day 2 and 4
- Wine tasting in trullo house, day 2
- Mozzarella Tasting in a local dairy, day 3
- EVO tasting and ancient Masseria visit, day 3
- Wine tasting and winery visit day 4
- Boat Trip, day 5
- Lecce guided visit, day 7
Not included
- Transfer IN and Transfer OUT
- Bike rental
- Other meals and drinks
- Entrance fees and tips
- Hotel tourist taxes
- Insurance and what's listed as Included
Departures and prices
06/04/2025 => 13/04/2025
Standard1380 € /p
19/10/2025 => 26/10/2025
Standard1380 € /p
Supplements per person
6 days Trek bike rental with pannier
Standard110 € /p
6 days Gravel bike rental with pannier
Standard160 € /p
6 days E-bike rental with pannier
Standard240 € /p
6 days helmet rental
Standard15 € /p
Transfer Bari Apt-Matera (min 2 pax)
Standard75 € /p
Transfer Brindisi Apt-Matera (min 2 pax)
Standard150 € /p
Transfer Lecce-Brindisi Apt (min 2 pax)
Standard48 € /p
Transfer Lecce-Bari Apt (min 2 pax)
Standard110 € /p
Single Room
Standard380 € /p
Other Information
Grade
This bike tour in group in Puglia and Basilicata is suitable to anyone with a minimum of training to the bicycle. The daily mileage goes from 35 to 70 daily kilometers, and you can stop at your leisure, or according to our advice, for visits and refreshments.
The itinerary is also food and wine, focused on the discovery of good Apulian cuisine.
The bike will be a way to work off the good food and enjoy the many landscapes offered by this land.
Accommodations & Meals
Accommodation in optimally located accommodation.
All rooms are ensuite.
- 1 night in Matera
- 1 night in Alberobello
- 1 night in Ostuni
- 1 night in Gallipoli
- 1 night in Leuca
- 1 night in Otranto
- 1 night in Lecce
7 breakfasts, 2 dinners, 4 tastings included. All other meals are not included.
Support
You will be accompanied during the excursions and dinners by one of our expert tour leader, coordinator of the group and passionate about travel, nature and the territory visited. He/she will support you, becoming a travel companion and trying to meet the needs of the group, while being attentive to individual requests.
He/she will help make your vacation authentic, relaxing and fun.
Travel documents
A few days before departure you will receive by email the documentation containing the latest information relating to your holiday.
Arrival and Departure
Getting there
Matera is easily reachable by train, car and by air.
BY TRAIN. The train stations close to Matera are Bari, Gioia del Colle, Ferrandina and Metaponto, info on Trenitalia website.
From Bari you can reach Matera on board the trains or buses of the FAL-Ferrovie Appulo Lucane, while from Metaponto and Ferrandina you can go to Matera only by bus (check the times on the SITA sites and FAL). To know deletions or additions of stops, cancellations, delays, detours and many other useful information for those traveling by train with Trenitalia, see viaggiatreno. NB: on Sundays and public holidays there are no trains but only a few buses.
BY AIR. The nearest airports to Matera are those of Bari, Brindisi and Naples.
The Bari Palese airport is located at about 60km and is connected by shuttle services of various companies or, having reached the central station of Bari with the Ferrovie del Nord Barese, you can take the FAL train to central Matera (about 80min). NB: on Sundays and public holidays there are no trains but only a few buses.
Brindisi Casale airport is about 150km away, from here you can reach Matera by bus passing Bari Palese airport. Visit the Aeroporti di Puglia website for more detailed information.
Naples Capodichino airport is about 250km away and is connected to Matera by various bus companies.
BY BUS. Matera is also accessible by bus. Here are the major companies operating the service: Marinobus, Baltour & Flixbus, Marozzi, Busmiccolis, Petruzzi autolinee.
BY CAR. The nearest motorway exits are Bari Nord and Gioia del Colle for those taking the A14 or Adriatica highway; exit at Sicignano-Potenza for those coming from the A3 Salerno-Reggio Calabria.
Back from Lecce
From Lecce it is possible to reach Brindisi and other locations in Puglia using STP Brindisi buses or Trenitalia services.
→ If you prefer to travel in total comfort, you can book a private transfer on the days of arrival and departure.