Cycling Puglia & Matera

Duration
8 days
Site savings
$50
From
$2,413 USD

Cycle from the UNESCO town of Matera through Italy's heel to Lecce. In the deep south of Italy, nestled between the Adriatic and Ionian seas, lie the captivating regions of Puglia and Basilicata. This extensive itinerary explores the very best selection of all the cultural and natural treasures found here. Matera’s fascinating ‘Sassi’ houses and the UNESCO 'Trulli’ houses of Alberobello set the scene for the journey to come.

  • Category
    Cultural & Historical
  • Type
    Fully Guided
  • Duration
    8 days
  • Culture Level
    Familiar
  • Skill Level
    2 - Novice
  • Activity Level
    3 - Active
  • Elevation
    2 - Moderate
  • Terrain
    Coastal
  • Distance
    221.2 miles
  • Avg. Daily Distance
    36.7 miles
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Exodus Travels
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4.9
Awesome
from 38 reviews
Accommodation
4.9
Bikes
4.9
Communication
4.9
Meals
4.9
Route
4.9
Scenery
4.9
Service
4.9
Value
4.9
Overall Rating:

A terrific trip through Puglia

Beverly S
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

A fabulous, but not too difficult cycling trip through Puglia, stopping off in lovely hilltop towns and other places of interest. Sampling delicious local food. Varied accommodation. Great scenery.
Loved the sampling of fresh mozzarella, followed by delicious al fresco lunch at the farm. The food & wine was superb…

Overall Rating:

Fantastic trip

Nikki Groarke
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Thoroughly enjoyed my first cycling adventure, which exceeded expectations. The scenery was beautiful, a mixture of olive groves, coast lines, varied villages and country lanes. Matera as a starting point was stunning, but the dramatic weather as we set off was challenging, to say the least. Cycling 43 miles in…

Overall Rating:

Cycling in Puglia

Liz Kreibich
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Thank you for an excellent first cycling holiday. I loved every minute... even the ‘undulations’ !!! I had not cycled more than 15miles in one go ever, but felt I was so strong by the end of the 6 days. A great personal challenge! It was great being in a…

Overall Rating:

Wonderful holiday

Denis Kaye
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Perfect combination of good cycling, great company, excellent accommodation and fine food and drink. The negatives? Be prepared for even more potholes than in the uk and many of the roads are lined with garbage/rubbish which spoils the natural beauty. Antonio was brilliant with endless patience, great sense of humour…

Overall Rating:

Exceeded my expectations; and they were pretty high!

Mike Baker
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

This was my third cycling holiday with [the tour operator] and I can't wait to book the next one. Once again, I chose somewhere where I had no previous knowledge, thus making it a bit of an 'Adventure. Inevitably slightly apprehensive about how well I would fit in to a…

Overall Rating:

Puglia

ALBIE BARR
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Great trip all round.

Overall Rating:

Allora, Andiamo!

Margie McKenzie
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

This was my 2nd cycle trip (both with the tour operator). And it did not disappoint. Fabulous and challenging. This is a beautiful region in Italy. We enjoyed great food and wine and lovely accommodations. The weather was hot and sunny, although we did out-cycle a few potential storms! The…

Overall Rating:

An Interesting Area of Italy

Graham Swift
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

A great week of cycling staying in fascinating old towns with narrow picturesque streets. Whilst the countryside is no match for Tuscany there are some nice sections and some glorious coastlines. Another star of the holiday is the food of the region, certainly some great group meals enjoying excellent food…

Overall Rating:

Fantastic holiday experience

David Penny
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

From the very start my wife and I were warmly welcomed by our guide Emanuele and our other 12 cycling companions. We had done a couple of other cycling holidays but this was our first with [the tour operator] and with a leader who cycled with us along the way…

Overall Rating:

Total harmony

John Mitchell
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

There is a cast of ancient towns, beautiful countryside, fantastic food, tremendous wine and 16 highly sociable cyclists. Nevertheless, you need a guide like Michele. "Why?" you ask, as would Michele himself. The answer is because every orchestra needs a conductor and Michele is up there with the Italian greatest…

Overall Rating:

Amazing Trip!

Ted Cornell
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

The trip was really amazing. The itinerary was perfect, with long and short rides, a variety of interesting places to see and to stay. The group was very compatible, and we elected to eat all dinners together. As said at our final meal, we really became a team over the…

Overall Rating:

Cycling Puglia and Matera

S J
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

I have just returned from a fantastic week, exceptionally well organised and led by Michele our superb guide. Through his infectious laugh, confident and approachable manner he quickly developed an excellent group spirit. It was great to cycle through such a rich and varied landscape, visiting many UNSECO sites. He…

Overall Rating:

Cycling in Puglia

Suzanne Potts
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

A varied week of cycling terrains offering an insight into Puglia. The locals were the friendliest yet and their food spectacular and inexpensive.
Meeting other nationalities, discussing our differences, laughing about our shortfalls, learning from each other and growing in strength as a group as the week progresses.
I have…

Overall Rating:

MWV - Cycling Puglia and Matera

Carlo b
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

This was my 8th cycling trip and my first time in Puglia and it was a very enjoyable tour. The overnight towns were all very beautiful each with their own special charm. All the hotels were located in or within a 15-20 minute walk to the historic centre. Our group…

Overall Rating:

Judy Baulf
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Cycling in idyllic Puglia/Matera, ice cream, lechessi, vanilla pastries, swimming and sunshine everyday!
A thoroughly enjoyable cycling holiday in a beautiful part of Italy with amazing scenery, food and comfortable hotels. The group were a friendly and fun bunch of people and we all got on extremely well. The cycling…

Overall Rating:

Excellent tour in Heel of Italy (Matera to Lecce)- a photographers mecca

Alison MacDonald
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Emanuele was an excellent guide. He went above and beyond to create a truly memorable cycling trip for all the people on the tour. This trip is a photographers mecca, the towns we visited were so unique, beautiful scenery and visiting UNESCO world heritage sites. An excellent group of like…

Overall Rating:

Puglia and Matera cycling

Gunnar Joakimsson
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Excellent tour.
Marinella did an excellent job - she did the job of two
We had one morning of rain, be prepared for that.
Puglia is a great place to visit.

Overall Rating:

Cycling Puglis

Christine Nichol
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

The sun shone,the bikes were sturdy to cope with the bumpy roads and the food was outstanding. After a long and undulating first day I thought I'd never keep up. But my legs did get used to the speed of the others and the hills became just a small challenge…

Overall Rating:

Cycling in puglia and matera

Shaun Roper
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Beyond expectation in all ways, culture, food, architecture, and a guide that was simply perfect and a credit to the company
Seeing the wonderful cities and the pleasurable cycling combined with a guide second to none
It would not be possible to find a better guide. Marinella was attentive, had…

Overall Rating:

Cycling Puglia and Matera

Hilary Sayers
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Wonderful scenery, historic towns, lovely food and wine and a great tour leader.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Cycling along the Adriatic coast
Mariella was fantastic - very knowledgeable about the area, had a great sense of humour, and went out of her way to make…

Overall Rating:

Cycling Puglia and Matera

Brendan Watty
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

It was with some trepidation that my wife and I joined this guided tour. Not only was it the first time we have participated in an organised group tour, it also involved some serious cycling. We need not have worried. Our tour guide, Marinella, was superb in ensuring that everyone…

Overall Rating:

Cycling Puglia and Matera

Petrina Rance
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

This was a hugely enjoyable trip made by our delightful and knowledgeable guide, Marinella Bozzetti . The tour took us through beautiful countryside and fascinating historic towns and the distances and hills were reasonable for regular cyclists with a good level of fitness. I would rate the trip as excellent…

Overall Rating:

Cycling in Puglia

Helene Vinet
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

We had 6 fabulous days of cycling through amazing sceneries and villages . Always changing , never the same always exciting to get to a new place discovering different foods, wines , gelatto flavours!
I think of what stands out the most of this trip is how our tour guide…

Overall Rating:

Welcome to the heel of Italy

Gail Steers
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

This was a great, relaxing cycle holiday to the heel of Italy, with a good mix of people. We had quite a large group and exceptional weather of 35-40 degrees in September, which was a little higher than the expected temperature for that time of year. What a beautiful part…

Overall Rating:

A great Italian cycling experience

Kathryn Booth
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Whilst this trip was our first [tour operator] experience we were unsure of what to expect in terms of cycling difficulty, organisation, hotels and group dynamics. We need not have worried!! This guided trip was maybe very slightly more challenging than we expected due to hotter weather than normal in…

Overall Rating:

Published & Matera Cycling

Jereldine Wade
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Sara was an outstanding guide who enhanced our trip.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Cycling through the trellis.
What did you think of your group leader?
Sara was capable, caring, warm, funny, and she made the extra effort to tell us the history of various locations…

Overall Rating:

A heel of a trip!

Gail Hopper
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Lovely part of Italy, attractive towns and villages, relatively easy cycling and wonderful food and wine - what's not to like?
Would describe as highlights rather than inspirational:- Matera - quite stunning and well worth the additional day we added - good advice from [tour operator]. Alberobello - touristy but…

Overall Rating:

Get away from it all and enjoy the ride....

Anonymous
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Great trip. Great places to visit. Great group leader. A different taste of Italy.
We went a day early to see Matera properly. This is an extraordinary and attractive place that has been transformed from being Italy's national disgrace in the 1960s to be named as the European City of…

Overall Rating:

Cycling Puglia and Matera

Denise Robinson
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

As a novice to cycling the group could not have been more supportive and helpful in getting me to learn the joy of gears. Thank you one and all. Matera and the Puglia region are fabulous if you get the chance to visit SE Italy do. Matera and Leece are…

Overall Rating:

Fabulous Puglia.

Debbie Franks
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

A wonderful trip with a dedicated and passionate guide, Antonio, who was determined to ensure we experienced the best in the safest possible way. It was reassuring when he would direct the traffic at tricky intersections. Pierrot was his conscientious and polite offsider. The itinerary was carefully selected to showcase…

Overall Rating:

Foodies Paradise

Yvonne Renwick
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Have just returned from a brilliant 8 days with a great fun group of people. Its a beautiful part of Italy with plenty of pretty towns and villages that differ from one to the next and great mixture of peaceful countryside and coastal views. The bikes were very comfortable, with…

Overall Rating:

A fantastic cycling trip

Sue Duncombe
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

I’d highly recommend this cycling trip to those who are looking for a ‘moderate’ cycling holiday. The route is great – you visit some of the main tourist sites in Puglia, but also visit some of the little towns that have very few tourists. The scenery is beautiful – you…

Overall Rating:

Cycling the undulations of Puglia

Lesley Foote
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

A varied trip with great cycling opportunities, mostly off main roads, led by an experienced leader. Emanuele was our leader, a local man with knowledge and passion for local history and geography. There were opportunities each day to eat and drink local specialities, and a couple of special treats such…

Overall Rating:

All round excellent trip. Stunning towns. Good quality hotels. Great Tour Leader.

Barbara Knowles
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

A great trip with some beautiful scenery and stunning towns. Cycling on some of the days was quite tough given the weight of the bikes combined with the undulating terrain and Puglian heat (end May). Great tour guide Antonio and driver Piero could not have been better. Very good standard…

Overall Rating:

All round brilliant trip

Claire Holloway
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

We waited two years for this trip but it was worth the wait – beautiful scenery, relaxed riding, lovely food, excellent tour leader and a great fun group. Bikes were comfortable and very able to cope with the terrain.

It's difficult to pinpoint a single moment - the view from…

Overall Rating:

Amazing Trip!

Shane Shudra
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Beautiful countryside, just the right amount of challenging hills, and amazing food and drinks – what more could you ask for? This trip is so well planned to see the best that Puglia has to offer. Matera is a must see (we spent a couple extra nights there and HIGHLY…

Overall Rating:

Puglia cycling

Claire Brady
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

Wonderful! The guide and driver, the hotels and the routes were all excellent. A memorable trip with a great group.


Most Inspirational Moment - Staying in a Trulli house

Fantastic - [the tour leader] quickly got the measure of the group and worked our days around the weather and sights…

Overall Rating:

Scenic cycling in Puglia

Mike Speke
(Review obtained from Tour Operator)

A very scenic cycling tour of Matera and Puglia, though the cycling landscape is not as diverse or dramatic as some tours. The challenge was coping with the temperatures of around 30c rather than too many hills. The region though offers great food and drink, and as well as the…