Heel of Italy
Italy Bike & Hotel Tours
Bike Italy in breathtaking Apulia!
-
Tour Type
-
Skill Level
-
Length6–8 days
-
Prices from€565 Rates
-
Overview
This bike tour in Apulia is the best way to see this land full of history and tradition with natural and architectural wonders, friendly hospitality, a magical atmosphere complete with a warm sun, blue sky, clear blue seas and a dreamlike coast. The region is also characterized by endless olive groves, long fields of grain, and vineyards.
You start cycling in Matera, UNESCO world heritage site with its "sassi" and European capital of culture 2019, and arrive in Lecce, also known as "Florence of the South" because of its magnificent baroque architecture. This region still retains testimony of its great and ancient culture.
Check out all our bike tours in Italy.
-
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Matera
Day 2: Matera – Alberobello, 44 mi. (70 km)
Day 3: Alberobello – Ostuni, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 4: Ostuni – transfer to Lecce - Gallipoli, 31 mi. (50 km) (+ 44mi./70km train transfer)
Day 5: Gallipoli - Santa Maria di Leuca, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 6: Santa Maria di Leuca - Otranto, 35 mi. (50 km)
Day 7: Otranto – Lecce, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 8: Departure from Lecce.DAY 1: Arrival in Matera.
Arrival in Matera. Visiting Matera is a unique experience. For millennia, inhabitants of this region have carved dwellings directly into ravines and gullies made of tuff (or tufa), a characteristic honey-colored soft stone. Most of the houses are excavated on two ravines and are called "Sassi", which is a World Heritage Site. The rock-hewn churches are very ancient, often Byzantine.DAY 2: Matera – Alberobello, 44 mi. (70 km)
We cycle to the famous trulli of Alberobello and Locorotondo. Trulli were generally constructed as dwellings or storehouses. Alberobello is situated upon two hills, once separated by a riverbed. On the eastern hill is the new town, with modern architectural features. On the western hill, the trulli are lined up in an urban conglomeration, subdivided into two districts: Monti and Aia Piccola, both National Monuments from 1930, and today World Heritage Sites.DAY 3: Alberobello – Ostuni, 35 mi. (55 km)
We cycle through the countryside to Ostuni, which is a reputed architectural gem, and is commonly referred to as the “White City” due to its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture. Today’s stretch is through hilly terrain.DAY 4: Ostuni – transfer to Lecce - Gallipoli, 31 mi. (50 km) (+ 44mi./70km train transfer)
A train transfer (not included) will bring you to Lecce. The ride is about 1 hour, costing approximately €10 per person. After a few kilometers through this amazing baroque town, you go deep into "Salentinian countryside" before approaching the Ionian coast and your destination, Gallipoli.DAY 5: Gallipoli - Santa Maria di Leuca, 31 mi. (50 km)
Cycling Apulia further along the Ionian coast, you will reach Santa Maria di Leuca. The name Santa Maria di Leuca was given by the ancient Greek sailors who came from the East. They saw this place lightened by the sun and therefore called it "leukos", meaning white. The small town is a famous seaside resort and fishing area located on a part of the coast alternated by cliffs and small sandy coves.DAY 6: Santa Maria di Leuca – Otranto, 35 mi. (50 km)
Today you will cycle northwards along the Adriatic coast to Otranto, the most eastern point of Italy where you can visit the beautiful Cathedral and the great Aragonese Castle.DAY 7: Otranto – Lecce, 34 mi. (55 km)
Today you will cover the coastal region of the Adriatic, riding along the Alimini Lakes and their unique Mediterranean bush. At the end of the day, you'll enter into Lecce. Thanks to its Baroque style, it has deserved the nickname of Florence of the South. You'll come to appreciate the rich sculpted motives done in the 17th-century with the tender stone from Lecce. The old town enclosed by what is left of the ancient walls bears the impression of that exuberant period. In Lecce, the presence of several religious orders gave rise to a procession of churches of which the façades are magnificent, like open-air altars, real windows into the society of that period.DAY 8: Departure from Lecce.
Your Puglia bike tour will end following breakfast. Lecce is well connected by train with the airports in Bari and Brindisi.Shorter 6 day version possible, round tour from Lecce.
Day 1: Arrival in Lecce
Day 2: Lecce - Gallipoli, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 3: Gallipoli - Santa Maria di Leuca, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 4: Santa Maria di Leuca - Otranto, 31 mi. (50 km)
Day 5: Otranto - Lecce, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 6: Departure from LecceLooking for more? View all our featured bicycle tours, specials, and news or look at our full list of bike tours in Europe.
-
Accommodation
Great 3 star to 4 star hotels, B&B’s, and in a typical trullo or residence in Alberobello, mostly within city centers. Very comfortable rooms with private facilities, and mostly in city centers. In the trullo accommodations there is no air conditioning.
-
Inclusions
What’s Included
- Accommodations for 5 or 7 nights
- Breakfast buffets
- Luggage transfer
- Welcome briefing in English
- Route descriptions & maps (one set per booked room)
- 27-speed hybrid bicycle
- 7 day service hotline
What’s Not Included
- Local hotel taxes, approximately €10 - €15 per person (for the entire tour)
- Remaining meals
- Train transfer Ostuni - Lecce, ± €10/person
- Bicycle protection
- Travel Insurance
-
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2019
8 Day Tour
Saturdays, August 24 to October 19, 2019
Fridays, September 6 to September 27, 2019
Season 1: March 23 and October 19, 2019
Season 2: September 29 to October 18, 2019
Season 3: August 24 to September 28, 2019
*Special departure dates can be arranged for groups of at least 5
6 Day Tour
Monday, October 21, 2019
Season 1: October 21, 2019
Season 2: October 1 to October 20, 2019
Season 3: August 26 to September 30, 2019
*Special departure dates can be arranged for groups of at least 52020
Note: this specific itinerary is not being offered in 2020. We are excited to offer this alternative: Puglia - Heel of Italy Check it out!
Please Note
- Rates are per person, based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2019 Prices
8 day tour
Season 1: $ 1115 £ 589 $ 1,101 € 690 Ft 258119 kr 95980 ₪ 2370 ¥ 123760 Mex$ 14645 NZ$ 1379 kr 7314 zł 3096 S$ 1004 kr 7796 CHF 649 $ 784 Season 2: $ 1277 £ 674 $ 1,260 € 790 Ft 295528 kr 109890 ₪ 2713 ¥ 141696 Mex$ 16768 NZ$ 1579 kr 8374 zł 3545 S$ 1149 kr 8926 CHF 743 $ 897 Season 3: $ 1373 £ 725 $ 1,356 € 850 Ft 317973 kr 118236 ₪ 2919 ¥ 152458 Mex$ 18041 NZ$ 1699 kr 9010 zł 3814 S$ 1237 kr 9604 CHF 800 $ 965 Single supplement: $ 323 £ 171 $ 319 € 200 Ft 74817 kr 27820 ₪ 687 ¥ 35872 Mex$ 4245 NZ$ 400 kr 2120 zł 897 S$ 291 kr 2260 CHF 188 $ 227 6 Day Tour
Season 1: $ 913 £ 482 $ 901 € 565 Ft 211358 kr 78592 ₪ 1940 ¥ 101340 Mex$ 11992 NZ$ 1129 kr 5989 zł 2535 S$ 822 kr 6384 CHF 532 $ 642 Season 2: $ 1042 £ 550 $ 1,029 € 645 Ft 241285 kr 89720 ₪ 2215 ¥ 115688 Mex$ 13690 NZ$ 1289 kr 6837 zł 2894 S$ 938 kr 7288 CHF 607 $ 732 Season 3: $ 1123 £ 593 $ 1,109 € 695 Ft 259990 kr 96675 ₪ 2387 ¥ 124657 Mex$ 14751 NZ$ 1389 kr 7367 zł 3119 S$ 1011 kr 7852 CHF 654 $ 789 Single supplement: $ 242 £ 128 $ 239 € 150 Ft 56113 kr 20865 ₪ 515 ¥ 26904 Mex$ 3184 NZ$ 300 kr 1590 zł 673 S$ 218 kr 1695 CHF 141 $ 1708 Day Tour
Season 1: March 23 and October 19, 2019
Season 2: March 24 to April 28 and September 29 to October 18, 2019
Season 3: April 29 and June 15 and August 24 to September 28, 2019
6 Day Tour
Season 1: March 25 and October 21, 2019
Season 2: March 26 to April 29 and October 1 to October 20, 2019
Season 3: April 30 and June 17 and August 26 to September 30, 2019Extra Options
2019:
Bike helmet: $ 24 £ 13 $ 24 € 15 Ft 5611 kr 2087 ₪ 52 ¥ 2690 Mex$ 318 NZ$ 30 kr 159 zł 67 S$ 22 kr 169 CHF 14 $ 17 Electric bike 8-Day Tour: $ 181 £ 96 $ 179 € 112 Ft 41898 kr 15579 ₪ 385 ¥ 20089 Mex$ 2377 NZ$ 224 kr 1187 zł 503 S$ 163 kr 1265 CHF 105 $ 127 Electric bike 6-Day Tour: $ 154 £ 81 $ 152 € 95 Ft 35538 kr 13215 ₪ 326 ¥ 17039 Mex$ 2016 NZ$ 190 kr 1007 zł 426 S$ 138 kr 1073 CHF 89 $ 108 Discounts
3rd person in triple room (8 day tour): $ 162 £ 85 $ 160 € 100 Ft 37409 kr 13910 ₪ 343 ¥ 17936 Mex$ 2123 NZ$ 200 kr 1060 zł 449 S$ 145 kr 1130 CHF 94 $ 114 3rd person in triple room (6 day tour): $ 113 £ 60 $ 112 € 70 Ft 26186 kr 9737 ₪ 240 ¥ 12555 Mex$ 1486 NZ$ 140 kr 742 zł 314 S$ 102 kr 791 CHF 66 $ 79 Extra Nights
Matera (per person/night): $ 121 £ 64 $ 120 € 75 Ft 28056 kr 10433 ₪ 258 ¥ 13452 Mex$ 1592 NZ$ 150 kr 795 zł 337 S$ 109 kr 847 CHF 71 $ 85 Single room: $ 170 £ 90 $ 168 € 105 Ft 39279 kr 14606 ₪ 361 ¥ 18833 Mex$ 2229 NZ$ 210 kr 1113 zł 471 S$ 153 kr 1186 CHF 99 $ 119 Lecce (per person/night): $ 97 £ 51 $ 96 € 60 Ft 22445 kr 8346 ₪ 206 ¥ 10762 Mex$ 1274 NZ$ 120 kr 636 zł 269 S$ 87 kr 678 CHF 56 $ 68 Single room: $ 145 £ 77 $ 144 € 90 Ft 33668 kr 12519 ₪ 309 ¥ 16143 Mex$ 1910 NZ$ 180 kr 954 zł 404 S$ 131 kr 1017 CHF 85 $ 102 Transfers (minimum of 2 people required):
Bari to Matera (min. 2 persons): $ 73 £ 38 $ 72 € 45 Ft 16834 kr 6260 ₪ 155 ¥ 8071 Mex$ 955 NZ$ 90 kr 477 zł 202 S$ 65 kr 508 CHF 42 $ 51 Brindisi to Matera, Lecce to Bari, Lecce to Brindisi: on request -
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This Puglia bike tour in Italy is considered easy to moderate. Cycling is mostly on flat terrain in the lowlands, but sometimes the path is hilly. The itinerary is almost always on asphalt roads and bike paths. Traffic is almost non-existent in Apulia except during the high holiday season. The route includes very beautiful stretches along the coast, and a train transfer from Ostuni to Lecce. Total vertical distance is 450 m.
Airport Info
Fly to Bari, and train to Matera takes about 1½ hr. Train travel in Italy is very economical.
Local Travel
A short taxi ride from the Matera train station to your hotel.
Climate
The average high/low temperatures in °F for the area are: March, 58º/44º; April, 63º/48º; May,71º/58º; June, 78º/62º; July, 83º/67º; August, 82º/66º; September, 77º/61º ; and October, 70º/55º
Extra Stay
Extra nights in Matera and Lecce available by request.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Girolibero.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
-
Photos
![Enchanting Matera, a UNESCO Site, in region Basilicata, Italy. Flickr:Francesca Cappa]()
![Harbor in Santa Maria di Leuca, Puglia, Italy. Wikimedia Commons]()
![The famous <i>trulli</i> in Alberobello, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Guldem Ustun]()
![<i>Pane e Pomodori</i> in Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Caspar Diederik]()
![Inglesia in Ostuni, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:andresumida]()
![From bike to beach in Otranto, Italy. Flickr:Andrea D'Alba]()
![Shopping in Ostuni, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Gianfranco Vitolo]()
![Trulli shops in Alberobello, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Michele Vangelista]()
![Baroque architecture in Lecce, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:pululante]()
![Locals in Ostuni, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:David Talens]()
![Blue waters of Otranto, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Giuseppe Milo]()
![Gea cycling along the coast in Puglia, Italy.]()
![<i>Doppio Zero</i> in Lecce, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:karsalfrink]()
![Locorotondo exemplifies Puglia's characteristic white architecture. Flickr:Biggs]()
![More shopping in Ostuni, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Gianfranco Vitolo]()
![Gelato in Apulia or Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Pug Girl]()
![Hilltop white village of Ostuni, Brindisi, Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Michele Vangelista]()
![<i>Saltata di Cozze</i> in Puglia, Italy. Flickr:Caspar Diederik]()
![Trulli shops in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy. Flickr:Laurent]()
-
Reviews
Reviews
Dara W.
July 26, 2019Verified Reviewer
Ida A.
April 26, 2018Verified Reviewer
Shelia P.
October 30, 2017Verified Reviewer
Jan H.
October 23, 2017Verified Reviewer
Monika M.
June 27, 2017Verified Reviewer
Jacqueline A.
November 9, 2016Verified Reviewer
J Murphy
April 23, 2016Verified Reviewer
Ruyter Aquino
October 7, 2014Verified Reviewer
Caroline Thompson
June 15, 2011Verified Reviewer
Tripsite Customer Reviews
Dara W.
7 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Shelia P.
9 years ago
Verified Reviewer
Related Tours
Moderate–Difficult Bike & Hotel Tour in Italy
This self-guided bike tour in Italy offers the chance to discover a different side of the Bel Paese (beautiful country) - one that is quieter, more authentic, and almost mystical. As you pedal…
