This self-guided, ten-night cycling holiday explores Italy's beautiful, sun-drenched Puglia region with its vibrant fishing villages, sandy beaches and beautiful, rolling hills, all above the mesmerising blue of the Adriatic Sea.
Puglia offers a wonderful contrast of landscapes, from the fertile farming hamlets, vineyards and orchards of its interior to its dramatic, rocky coastline. Your holiday starts in Conversano and heads inland where you'll be blown away by a rich landscape of vineyards, olive groves, fruit orchards and fields of tomatoes and peppers alive with colour. Marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello with its unique trulli houses - emblematic of the region - and the glistening, whitewashed village of Ostuni. After a transfer to San Cataldo you'll discover the delights of the stunning Salento coast, taking in Puglia's easternmost and southernmost point - an amazing sight - and the Baroque masterpiece that is Lecce, renowned for its stunning 18th century architecture and known as the 'Florence of the South'.
Activity Areas
Cycling
Self-Guided Cycling
Region & Country & City
Europe: Italy, Puglia
Included in the Price
— All accommodation — All continental breakfasts and 2 evening meals — Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent — GPS route directions and maps — RideWithGPS navigation app — High quality bikes — Luggage transfers between hotels
Not Included In The Price
— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement) — Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date) — Visas or vaccinations — Arrival & departure transfers
Accommodation Information
— 10 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation — 9 days cycling (including 3 optional rides) — Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent — GPS route directions and maps — RideWithGPS navigation app — High quality bikes — Luggage transfers between hotels
Map
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive at Conversano
Arrive at your hotel for a welcome briefing. There's time to discover the historic town of Conversano befroe choosing one of the many restaurants for dinner (payable locally).
Day 2 Conversano to Alberobello
Today's pedalling takes you through the rolling hills of the Valle d'Itria where the air is perfumed with wild mint and herbs. Stop off in the little towns of Putignano and Noci, and view their characteristic whitewashed houses and narrow alleyways. It's then off to unique Alberobello and its plethora of trulli houses, the architectural symbol of the region. On arrival you'll be met by one of the staff, who will show you to your own private trullo house.
Day 3 At Alberobello (free day or optional ride)
Explore the narrow streets and kitsch souvenir shops, or visit the Museo del Territorio. Alternatively, cycle into the Itria Valley to visit stunning Locorotondo, with its panoramic views across the valley. Continue on to Martina Franca, with its beautiful Baroque architechture and stunning palazzi.
Day 4 Alberobello to Pezze di Greco
You'll spend this morning cycling along beautiful undulating country lanes lined with weathered stone walls, before enjoying a long downhill run with panoramic views of the Adriatic coastline and the lower fertile plains. This incredible descent will bring you down towards Capitolo and finishes through a patchwork of almond orchards, olive groves, vineyards and gloriously coloured fields of fresh tomatoes and peppers.
Day 5 At Pezze di Greco (free day or optional ride)
Relax by the hotel's pool, or cycle to the nearby beach. For the more energetic, ride to charming Ostuni whose whitewashed houses are neatly piled on hills rich in olive groves and vineyards.
Day 6 Pezze di Greco to Monopoli
This morning you leave the masseria and head back to the Adriatic coast on a gentle flat route. You will cycle past the colourful fishing village of Savelletri, a perfect stop for an authentic Italian espresso or to indulge in a delicious seafood lunch. Your ride will continue past the archaeological site of Egnazia, once the location of a Greco-Roman town, dating as far back as 4BC. You then return to the picturesque coastal town of Monopoli and the 4-star Albergo Diffuso in time for a stroll before choosing your evening restaurant from one of the many eateries in the heart of the old town.
Day 7 At Monopoli
Today's route takes you along the stunning coastline all the way to the beautiful Polignano a Mare. Take the time to explore this vibrant fishing village before continuing to the picturesque village of San Vito with its multi-coloured boats. Head back to Monopoli and enjoy an aperitivo in the old town's square watching the world walk past.
Day 8 Monopoli to Otranto
We transfer you and your bike to Acaya, from where you'll cycle along the stunning Salento coast to Otranto, taking in ancient olive groves and fishing villages en route.
Day 9 At Otranto (free day or optional ride)
A free day in Otranto today, or an optional challenging day's cycling (55km/34.5mi) which takes you up and down along the coast south and west of Otranto, where you'll see the easternmost and southernmost point of Puglia - a spectacular sight! You can also visit the Castel di Salve winery on your way to Santa Maria di Leuca, which is known as De Finibus Terrae, 'the end of the earth', before taking a shuttle back to the hotel.
Day 10 Otranto to Lecce
Today you head to Lecce on mostly flat terrain amidst endless olive orchards and menhirs. Tonight you'll stay at the stylish 5 star Risorgimento Resort, just a few steps from some of Lecce's Baroque masterpieces.
