Biking in Italy Tours - Apulia

Itinerary Details

1. Day 1Arrival

   The first day is fairly relaxed beginning with a transfer from the airport or train station to your accommodation. After which the staff will officially welcome you to the tour and will hold a presentation of the trip accompanied by welcome drinks and dinner.
   

   • Lodging in Monopoli
   • Dinner
2. Day 2Masseria Santa Teresa- Castellana- Conversano-Polignano-Monopoli

   Today you will be led to the historic centers of Castellana Grotte and Conversano with a finish at the wonderful town of Polignano a Mare.
   
   Along quiet back roads, you will cycle towards Castellana Grotte for about 17 km (11mi) to get to the small historical square of the town. Afterwards, head to Conversano, an old agricultural center that was built on high ground in the southeastern Murge. It is famous above all for the production of excellent cherries. A visit to Conversano’s historic center cannot be missed where you will find a castle of Norman origin, the Cathedral and the Monastero di San Benedetto.  The town’s beautiful square is perfect for a coffee break and that’s exactly what you will be doing.
   
   After getting properly caffeinated, get back on the saddle and after about 10kms (6mi) of rolling hills the scenery will change into views of the sea. This signals that your visit to the fascinating Polignano a Mare is nearing.
   
   Polignano a Mare is famous for cliff diving and is the venue of the “Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series”. It is a village built on cliffs and upon entering its old town you can explore the narrow streets that’s typical in the area, it normally leads to balconies with breathtaking sceneries of the sea.
   
   Continuing along the coast, you’ll arrive at Monopoli where you can visit the Garibaldi Square and then return to the accommodation for a well-deserved rest.
   
   

   • 46.6 miles
   • Lodging in Monopoli
   • Breakfast and Dinner

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     Locorotondo

     Said to be one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, you'll visit this stunning place on day 2

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     Alberobello old town

     Visit the trulli capital, a UNESCO world heritage site on day 2

3. Day 3Alberobello-Locorotondo-Martina Franca-Selva di Fasano

   This route, 60 kilometers (37 miles) long, is certainly one of the most important itineraries of the Valle d’Itria: you will ride in nature among olive trees, trulli and wonderful landscapes unique in the world.
   
   The first part of the day, characterized by a panorama of ancient olive trees, takes you to the town of Coreggia. Cycling along peaceful back roads you'll enjoy a wonderful view between the intense blue of the sea and an expanse of olive trees that grow from the coast to the hills of the Murgia. At the end of these roads you will arrive in the district of Monopoli, bounded by dry stone walls and trulli, and from there you'll head to Locorotondo.
   
   Locorotondo is a small town in the Valle d’Itria, between the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea. Characterized by breathtaking views, it is defined as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, it owes its name to the particular rounded morphology of its populated center.
   
   After, you will cycle to Martina Franca about 9 kilometers (6 miles) away. Standing on the Southern foothills of the Murge, it is known for its Baroque architecture and the Valle d'Itria music festival. After lunch continue cycling for about 35 kilometers (22 miles) through the Valle d’Itria and then return to your accommodation where you'll close the first day of this unforgettable bike tour.
   
   

   • 37.3 miles
   • Lodging in Monopoli
   • Breakfast and Dinner

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     Polignano a Mare

     Visit and stay in this beautiful clifftop village on day 3

4. Day 4Castellana Grotte-Putignano-Noci

   Another extraordinary cycling day is waiting for you to discover the traditions of Puglia. It will also be an ideal opportunity to taste the delicious local dairy products.
   
   After riding along the “Panoramica” of Monopoli you will go through a network of historical villages and from there, after 20 kilometers (4 miles), you'll arrive in Putignano. Putignano is well-known for its manufacturing companies and for its karstic caves.
   
   Along the typical narrow streets of Italy, you will stop for your daily routine of coffee or cappuccino. Afterwards, keep on riding for about 7 kilometers (4 miles), cross a historic stone bridge and get into the town of Noci which rises on the southern Murge hills. Don’t miss out on tasting some of Noci’s famous dairy products: burrata, mozzarella and ricotta.
   
   At the end of the visit and the break, you will return to your accommodation.
   
   

   • 38.5 miles
   • Lodging in Monopoli
   • Breakfast and Dinner
5. Day 5Ostuni

   This itinerary, about 100 kilometers (62 miles), will allow you to discover the typical colors and scents of Puglia with the Adriatic Sea in the background.
   
   Today you will be cycling for about 40 kilometers (25 miles) to arrive in Ostuni, also called "the white city". Along the way you will be able to see the typical landscape of rolling hills.
   
   Ostuni is a renowned tourist center which has continuously received the Blue flag and five sails of Legambiente from 1994 to 2018 for its clean beaches and seas and for the quality of the services offered. On an international scale Ostuni is more famous for the White Town and its historical center than its beaches
   
   Keep on cycling until you reach the sea and navigate the coastal roads for another 25 kilometers (16 miles) or until you reach Savelletri.
   
   Return to the accommodation again after all the cycling is done.
   
   

   • 62.1 miles
   • Lodging in Monopoli
   • Breakfast and Dinner

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     Noci town

     Arrive in Noci, on the southern Murge hills, on day 5

6. Day 6Matera

   After riding once again along the “Panoramica” of Monopoli and its typical countryside landscapes, you will once again reach Putignano where you can continue to delight in the beautifully conserved center that’s full of history and churches. Putignano is also well-known for its Carnival that features papier-mache floats created by artisans.
   
   Pass through the town of Gioia del Colle where you will take the old and characteristic route to arrive in Matera, known as "Città dei Sassi" (City of Stones) and "Città Sotterranea" (underground city).
   
   Matera is famous throughout the world for the historic Sassi districts, where there are ancient cave dwellings which have been used since the Paleolithic period and makes Matera one of the most ancient inhabited cities in the world. The Sassi was recognized as a World Heritage Site, together with the Rupestrian Churches in the area, by UNESCO in 1993, and this was the first site in southern Italy to receive such recognition.
   
   Here your bike tour finishes and you can start your walking tour.
   
   

   • 47.2 miles
   • Lodging in Monopoli
   • Breakfast and Dinner
7. Day 7Departure

   Enjoy breakfast before being transferred to the airport or train station.
   
   

   • Breakfast