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: $ 1145 £ 602 $ 1,130 € 690 Ft 253640 kr 100363 ₪ 2445 ¥ 131051 Mex$ 13968 NZ$ 1387 kr 7732 zł 3042 S$ 1033 kr 7781 CHF 656 $ 800 Season 2: $ 1311 £ 689 $ 1,294 € 790 Ft 290399 kr 114908 ₪ 2799 ¥ 150044 Mex$ 15992 NZ$ 1588 kr 8853 zł 3483 S$ 1183 kr 8909 CHF 751 $ 916 Season 3: $ 1411 £ 742 $ 1,392 € 850 Ft 312455 kr 123635 ₪ 3012 ¥ 161440 Mex$ 17207 NZ$ 1708 kr 9525 zł 3748 S$ 1273 kr 9586 CHF 808 $ 986 Single supplement: $ 332 £ 175 $ 328 € 200 Ft 73519 kr 29091 ₪ 709 ¥ 37986 Mex$ 4049 NZ$ 402 kr 2241 zł 882 S$ 300 kr 2255 CHF 190 $ 232 6 Day Tour
Season 1: $ 938 £ 493 $ 925 € 565 Ft 207691 kr 82181 ₪ 2002 ¥ 107310 Mex$ 11437 NZ$ 1136 kr 6331 zł 2491 S$ 846 kr 6372 CHF 537 $ 655 Season 2: $ 1071 £ 563 $ 1,057 € 645 Ft 237098 kr 93817 ₪ 2286 ¥ 122504 Mex$ 13057 NZ$ 1296 kr 7228 zł 2844 S$ 966 kr 7274 CHF 613 $ 748 Season 3: $ 1154 £ 606 $ 1,138 € 695 Ft 255478 kr 101090 ₪ 2463 ¥ 132001 Mex$ 14069 NZ$ 1397 kr 7788 zł 3064 S$ 1041 kr 7838 CHF 660 $ 806 Single supplement: $ 249 £ 131 $ 246 € 150 Ft 55139 kr 21818 ₪ 532 ¥ 28489 Mex$ 3036 NZ$ 301 kr 1681 zł 661 S$ 225 kr 1692 CHF 143 $ 1748 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: $ 25 £ 13 $ 25 € 15 Ft 5514 kr 2182 ₪ 53 ¥ 2849 Mex$ 304 NZ$ 30 kr 168 zł 66 S$ 22 kr 169 CHF 14 $ 17 Electric bike 8-Day Tour: $ 186 £ 98 $ 183 € 112 Ft 41171 kr 16291 ₪ 397 ¥ 21272 Mex$ 2267 NZ$ 225 kr 1255 zł 494 S$ 168 kr 1263 CHF 106 $ 130 Electric bike 6-Day Tour: $ 158 £ 83 $ 156 € 95 Ft 34921 kr 13818 ₪ 337 ¥ 18043 Mex$ 1923 NZ$ 191 kr 1065 zł 419 S$ 142 kr 1071 CHF 90 $ 110 Discounts
3rd person in triple room (8 day tour): $ 166 £ 87 $ 164 € 100 Ft 36759 kr 14545 ₪ 354 ¥ 18993 Mex$ 2024 NZ$ 201 kr 1121 zł 441 S$ 150 kr 1128 CHF 95 $ 116 3rd person in triple room (6 day tour): $ 116 £ 61 $ 115 € 70 Ft 25732 kr 10182 ₪ 248 ¥ 13295 Mex$ 1417 NZ$ 141 kr 784 zł 309 S$ 105 kr 789 CHF 67 $ 81 Extra Nights
Matera (per person/night): $ 124 £ 65 $ 123 € 75 Ft 27570 kr 10909 ₪ 266 ¥ 14245 Mex$ 1518 NZ$ 151 kr 840 zł 331 S$ 112 kr 846 CHF 71 $ 87 Single room: $ 174 £ 92 $ 172 € 105 Ft 38597 kr 15273 ₪ 372 ¥ 19943 Mex$ 2126 NZ$ 211 kr 1177 zł 463 S$ 157 kr 1184 CHF 100 $ 122 Lecce (per person/night): $ 100 £ 52 $ 98 € 60 Ft 22056 kr 8727 ₪ 213 ¥ 11396 Mex$ 1215 NZ$ 121 kr 672 zł 265 S$ 90 kr 677 CHF 57 $ 70 Single room: $ 149 £ 79 $ 147 € 90 Ft 33083 kr 13091 ₪ 319 ¥ 17094 Mex$ 1822 NZ$ 181 kr 1009 zł 397 S$ 135 kr 1015 CHF 86 $ 104 Transfers (minimum of 2 people required):
Bari to Matera (min. 2 persons): $ 75 £ 39 $ 74 € 45 Ft 16542 kr 6545 ₪ 159 ¥ 8547 Mex$ 911 NZ$ 90 kr 504 zł 198 S$ 67 kr 507 CHF 43 $ 52 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…
