Heel of Italy
Italy Bike & Hotel Tours
Bike Italy in breathtaking Apulia!
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Tour Type
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Skill Level
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Length6–8 days
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Prices from€565 Rates
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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: $ 1147 £ 609 $ 1,124 € 690 Ft 256364 kr 100940 ₪ 2455 ¥ 131490 Mex$ 14339 NZ$ 1396 kr 7663 zł 2988 S$ 1051 kr 7605 CHF 648 $ 825 Season 2: $ 1314 £ 698 $ 1,287 € 790 Ft 293518 kr 115569 ₪ 2811 ¥ 150547 Mex$ 16417 NZ$ 1598 kr 8773 zł 3421 S$ 1204 kr 8707 CHF 742 $ 945 Season 3: $ 1414 £ 751 $ 1,385 € 850 Ft 315810 kr 124346 ₪ 3024 ¥ 161981 Mex$ 17664 NZ$ 1719 kr 9440 zł 3681 S$ 1295 kr 9369 CHF 798 $ 1,016 Single supplement: $ 333 £ 177 $ 326 € 200 Ft 74308 kr 29258 ₪ 712 ¥ 38113 Mex$ 4156 NZ$ 405 kr 2221 zł 866 S$ 305 kr 2204 CHF 188 $ 239 6 Day Tour
Season 1: $ 940 £ 499 $ 920 € 565 Ft 209921 kr 82654 ₪ 2010 ¥ 107670 Mex$ 11742 NZ$ 1143 kr 6275 zł 2446 S$ 861 kr 6227 CHF 531 $ 676 Season 2: $ 1073 £ 570 $ 1,051 € 645 Ft 239644 kr 94357 ₪ 2295 ¥ 122915 Mex$ 13404 NZ$ 1305 kr 7163 zł 2793 S$ 983 kr 7109 CHF 606 $ 771 Season 3: $ 1156 £ 614 $ 1,132 € 695 Ft 258221 kr 101671 ₪ 2473 ¥ 132443 Mex$ 14443 NZ$ 1406 kr 7718 zł 3009 S$ 1059 kr 7660 CHF 653 $ 831 Single supplement: $ 249 £ 132 $ 244 € 150 Ft 55731 kr 21943 ₪ 534 ¥ 28585 Mex$ 3117 NZ$ 303 kr 1666 zł 650 S$ 229 kr 1653 CHF 141 $ 1798 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 $ 24 € 15 Ft 5573 kr 2194 ₪ 53 ¥ 2858 Mex$ 312 NZ$ 30 kr 167 zł 65 S$ 23 kr 165 CHF 14 $ 18 Electric bike 8-Day Tour: $ 186 £ 99 $ 182 € 112 Ft 41613 kr 16384 ₪ 399 ¥ 21343 Mex$ 2328 NZ$ 227 kr 1244 zł 485 S$ 171 kr 1234 CHF 105 $ 134 Electric bike 6-Day Tour: $ 158 £ 84 $ 155 € 95 Ft 35296 kr 13898 ₪ 338 ¥ 18104 Mex$ 1974 NZ$ 192 kr 1055 zł 411 S$ 145 kr 1047 CHF 89 $ 114 Discounts
3rd person in triple room (8 day tour): $ 166 £ 88 $ 163 € 100 Ft 37154 kr 14629 ₪ 356 ¥ 19057 Mex$ 2078 NZ$ 202 kr 1111 zł 433 S$ 152 kr 1102 CHF 94 $ 120 3rd person in triple room (6 day tour): $ 116 £ 62 $ 114 € 70 Ft 26008 kr 10240 ₪ 249 ¥ 13340 Mex$ 1455 NZ$ 142 kr 777 zł 303 S$ 107 kr 772 CHF 66 $ 84 Extra Nights
Matera (per person/night): $ 125 £ 66 $ 122 € 75 Ft 27866 kr 10972 ₪ 267 ¥ 14292 Mex$ 1559 NZ$ 152 kr 833 zł 325 S$ 114 kr 827 CHF 70 $ 90 Single room: $ 175 £ 93 $ 171 € 105 Ft 39012 kr 15360 ₪ 374 ¥ 20009 Mex$ 2182 NZ$ 212 kr 1166 zł 455 S$ 160 kr 1157 CHF 99 $ 126 Lecce (per person/night): $ 100 £ 53 $ 98 € 60 Ft 22292 kr 8777 ₪ 213 ¥ 11434 Mex$ 1247 NZ$ 121 kr 666 zł 260 S$ 91 kr 661 CHF 56 $ 72 Single room: $ 150 £ 79 $ 147 € 90 Ft 33439 kr 13166 ₪ 320 ¥ 17151 Mex$ 1870 NZ$ 182 kr 999 zł 390 S$ 137 kr 992 CHF 85 $ 108 Transfers (minimum of 2 people required):
Bari to Matera (min. 2 persons): $ 75 £ 40 $ 73 € 45 Ft 16719 kr 6583 ₪ 160 ¥ 8575 Mex$ 935 NZ$ 91 kr 500 zł 195 S$ 69 kr 496 CHF 42 $ 54 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?
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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]()
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Reviews
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July 26, 2019Verified Reviewer
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April 26, 2018Verified Reviewer
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October 30, 2017Verified Reviewer
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October 7, 2014Verified Reviewer
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June 15, 2011Verified Reviewer
Tripsite Customer Reviews
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