Visit Brindisi : the complete guide
Visiting Brindisi is a tasty and fascinating journey between the different cultures that have...
19.04.2024
Guided 
Cycling
In group: Cycling among the flavors of Puglia and Basilicata
Puglia & BasilicataDifficulty path:Easy
Guided · CyclingDuration: 8 daysCode: bg024
from 1240 €GUARANTEED DEPARTURE!
Highlights
A week by bike to ride together from Basilicata to Puglia.
We will enjoy beautiful views in the healthy, crisp air of the heel of Italy: the undulating and restful profiles of the Itria Valley, picturesque corners of the coast near Monopoli, scenic areas and splendid towns. We will taste typical products, visit fairytale caves and gardens, and try making the renowned Ceglie Biscuits!
It will be a tour full of experiences and emotions that will remain etched in our memories and will make us experience a unique southern Italy.
We will enjoy beautiful views in the healthy, crisp air of the heel of Italy: the undulating and restful profiles of the Itria Valley, picturesque corners of the coast near Monopoli, scenic areas and splendid towns. We will taste typical products, visit fairytale caves and gardens, and try making the renowned Ceglie Biscuits!
It will be a tour full of experiences and emotions that will remain etched in our memories and will make us experience a unique southern Italy.
Join the GROUP TRIP
27/10 > 03/11/2024 SOLD OUT
-
The land of mozzarella
-
Evocative karstic caves
-
Cycling in the heart of the Itria Valley
-
Surprising gastronomic experiences
-
Discovering the Ancient Messapians
Program
Day1
Welcome to Matera
Matera welcomes you to its picturesque corners and uniqueness. It is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and is rich in history.
Arrive early and spend the day discovering the charm of its rock-cut districts, its many attractions and natural beauties.
Overnight stay and first dinner together in the 2019 European Capital of Culture and UNESCO heritage site.
Day2
From Matera: Gioia del Colle and Alberobello
about 40km
After breakfast, a short private transfer takes us to the pretty town of Gioia del Colle with its beautiful castle. The rurality of the area offers excellent products, and we will taste the local wine in one of the several wineries in the area.
The ride continues along quiet streets, until you reach Putignano, famous for the oldest Carnival in Europe. After a short break the climb that awaits us will be easier! A series of fun ups and downs will take us to the entrance to the fairytale Alberobello: its trulli, white conical stone buildings, were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Overnight stay in the delightful town of Alberobello.
Day3
From Alberobello: Castellana and Monopoli
about 58km
We take only the essentials with us and saddle up: we will find our luggage directly in Monopoli.
Today we follow a route through oak woods, vineyards and typical olive groves, to cycle to the largest karst caves in Italy. We will visit the magnificent caves of Castellana, which wind underground for over 3 km, in an evocative setting of stalagmites and stalactites with magical reflections.
After the visit, between up and down, crumbling masserias and luxurious historic villas, we will arrive in a gentle descent to the beautiful Monopoli, with its colorful marina overlooking crystal clear waters.
Overnight stay in the beautiful historic center of Monopoli.
Day4
From Monopoli: Locorotondo and Martina Franca
about 33km
After breakfast we "dive" into the lush countryside, mainly cultivated with vines and olive groves, which will take us to the heart of the Itria valley. The area is characterized by a wooded scrub with intense scents and aromatic mixtures, and we will reach the top of a hill to visit one of the most beautiful villages in Italy: Locorotondo.
Today a tasting of typical dairy products will delight our palate, and we will reach another hill to stop in the town of Martina Franca known for its striking baroque style. Overnight stay in this enchanting place of medieval origin, where we can taste the typical capocollo and succulent local specialities.
Day5
From Martina Franca: Cisternino, dolmen and Ostuni
about 32km
Crossing this timeless valley, surrounded by hills and oak forests, we will reach the Pomona Gardens to visit them. Here are exhibited collections of prized Ficus and tree species from all over the world among the most important in Europe, such as the Nagasaki Kaki, symbol of world peace. Biodiversity, conservation and research come together in this paradise.
We go for lunch in Cisternino, a small village with an oriental charm that is reflected in the alleys, arches and ancient courtyards. The scents of the kitchens in the alleys will invite us to another gastronomic experience: here the butcher becomes a cook, and will prepare delicious grilled meat for us! In the afternoon we arrive at the Dolmen of Montalbano, a megalithic monument dating back some 4000 years, linked to ancient meanings and rituals.
Today's final destination is Ostuni, the city made white by lime since the distant Middle Ages, where we will spend the night.
Day6
From Ostuni: Ceglie Messapica
about 11km
After a delicious breakfast we will set off again in style! Among the beautiful dry stone walls we will quickly arrive at the village of Ceglie, in the southern part of the Murgia plateau on the border between the Itria valley and the Salento plain.
In the afternoon a new original experience in this land rich in traditions, to turn ourselves into expert pastry chefs and prepare the famous Ceglie biscuit of the peasant tradition, "Pisquettale" in dialect. We will knead sugar, honey, lemon peel, almond paste and many other delicious ingredients, following a recipe that dates back to Messapian times.
Overnight stay in Ceglie Messapica, city of art and land of gastronomy.
Day7
From Ceglie Messapica to Grottaglie
about 35km
Last but no less exciting day.
In the surroundings of Ceglie Messapica we will find ancient paths and oak forests along gentle hills: we will arrive in Grottaglie, a village with an ancient soul built among suggestive canyons. We will visit the ceramics district, where history, traditions and colors come together. There are about 50 workshops all dug into the rock, still equipped with the ancient furnaces. The ceramics created are true works of art typical of the area, such as the "Bianchi di Grottaglie".
The ride continues towards the Ionian plain along a very suggestive route among the "Specchie Messapiche", megalithic monuments which reach up to 20 meters in height. Ceglie is surrounded by a crown of 18 elliptical-shaped specchie, which a lookout function, and some also sepulchral.
Return and overnight stay in Ceglie Messapica.
Day8
Arrivederci!
After breakfast end of services
If you haven't already done so, visit the medieval old town, dominated by the 15th-century Ducal Castle with its remarkable square crenellated tower.
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 room
- Local English speaking guide
- 2 Dinners (first and last night)
- Wine tasting on Day 2
- Visit to Castellana caves on Day 3
- Dairy visit and tasting on Day 4
- Visit to Giardini di Pomona
- Biscotto Cegliese experience
- Private Transfer on Day 2
- Luggage transportation hotel to hotel
Not included
- Transfer IN and Transfer OUT
- Other meals and drinks
- Entrance fees and tips
- Hotel tourist taxes
- Insurance and what's not listed as Included
Departures and prices
SOLD OUT27/10/2024 => 03/11/2024
Standard1240 € /p
Supplements per person
6 days Trek bike rental
Standard100 € /p
6 days Gravel bike rental
Standard160 € /p
6 days E-bike rental
Standard200 € /p
Single room
Standard310 € /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 11 to 60 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 -> Sassi Hotel
- 1 night in Alberobello -> Hotel Ramapendula
- 1 night in Monopoli -> Albergo Diffuso
- 1 night in Martina Franca -> Park Hotel San Michele
- 1 night in Ostuni -> Hotel La Terra
- 2 nights in Ceglie Messapica -> B&B Sant’Anna
In case of limited availability we choose an alternative position with similar characteristics. Alternative details will be noted in the updated service list.
7 breakfasts, 2 dinners, 2 tastings e 1 cooking experience 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 Ceglie
From Ceglie Messapica it is possible to reach Brindisi, Lecce 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.