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: $ 1156 £ 607 $ 1,138 € 690 Ft 249428 kr 101209 ₪ 2414 ¥ 130463 Mex$ 14053 NZ$ 1397 kr 7733 zł 2991 S$ 1046 kr 7696 CHF 648 $ 815 Season 2: $ 1324 £ 695 $ 1,303 € 790 Ft 285576 kr 115877 ₪ 2764 ¥ 149371 Mex$ 16089 NZ$ 1599 kr 8854 zł 3424 S$ 1198 kr 8811 CHF 742 $ 933 Season 3: $ 1424 £ 748 $ 1,402 € 850 Ft 307266 kr 124678 ₪ 2974 ¥ 160715 Mex$ 17311 NZ$ 1721 kr 9526 zł 3684 S$ 1289 kr 9480 CHF 798 $ 1,004 Single supplement: $ 335 £ 176 $ 330 € 200 Ft 72298 kr 29336 ₪ 700 ¥ 37815 Mex$ 4073 NZ$ 405 kr 2242 zł 867 S$ 303 kr 2231 CHF 188 $ 236 6 Day Tour
Season 1: $ 947 £ 497 $ 932 € 565 Ft 204241 kr 82874 ₪ 1977 ¥ 106828 Mex$ 11507 NZ$ 1144 kr 6332 zł 2449 S$ 857 kr 6302 CHF 530 $ 667 Season 2: $ 1081 £ 568 $ 1,064 € 645 Ft 233161 kr 94609 ₪ 2257 ¥ 121955 Mex$ 13136 NZ$ 1306 kr 7229 zł 2795 S$ 978 kr 7194 CHF 606 $ 762 Season 3: $ 1164 £ 612 $ 1,147 € 695 Ft 251235 kr 101943 ₪ 2432 ¥ 131408 Mex$ 14155 NZ$ 1407 kr 7789 zł 3012 S$ 1054 kr 7752 CHF 652 $ 821 Single supplement: $ 251 £ 132 $ 247 € 150 Ft 54223 kr 22002 ₪ 525 ¥ 28362 Mex$ 3055 NZ$ 304 kr 1681 zł 650 S$ 227 kr 1673 CHF 141 $ 1778 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 5422 kr 2200 ₪ 52 ¥ 2836 Mex$ 305 NZ$ 30 kr 168 zł 65 S$ 23 kr 167 CHF 14 $ 18 Electric bike 8-Day Tour: $ 188 £ 99 $ 185 € 112 Ft 40487 kr 16428 ₪ 392 ¥ 21177 Mex$ 2281 NZ$ 227 kr 1255 zł 485 S$ 170 kr 1249 CHF 105 $ 132 Electric bike 6-Day Tour: $ 159 £ 84 $ 157 € 95 Ft 34341 kr 13935 ₪ 332 ¥ 17962 Mex$ 1935 NZ$ 192 kr 1065 zł 412 S$ 144 kr 1060 CHF 89 $ 112 Discounts
3rd person in triple room (8 day tour): $ 168 £ 88 $ 165 € 100 Ft 36149 kr 14668 ₪ 350 ¥ 18908 Mex$ 2037 NZ$ 202 kr 1121 zł 433 S$ 152 kr 1115 CHF 94 $ 118 3rd person in triple room (6 day tour): $ 117 £ 62 $ 115 € 70 Ft 25304 kr 10268 ₪ 245 ¥ 13235 Mex$ 1426 NZ$ 142 kr 785 zł 303 S$ 106 kr 781 CHF 66 $ 83 Extra Nights
Matera (per person/night): $ 126 £ 66 $ 124 € 75 Ft 27112 kr 11001 ₪ 262 ¥ 14181 Mex$ 1527 NZ$ 152 kr 841 zł 325 S$ 114 kr 836 CHF 70 $ 89 Single room: $ 176 £ 92 $ 173 € 105 Ft 37956 kr 15401 ₪ 367 ¥ 19853 Mex$ 2138 NZ$ 213 kr 1177 zł 455 S$ 159 kr 1171 CHF 99 $ 124 Lecce (per person/night): $ 101 £ 53 $ 99 € 60 Ft 21689 kr 8801 ₪ 210 ¥ 11345 Mex$ 1222 NZ$ 121 kr 672 zł 260 S$ 91 kr 669 CHF 56 $ 71 Single room: $ 151 £ 79 $ 148 € 90 Ft 32534 kr 13201 ₪ 315 ¥ 17017 Mex$ 1833 NZ$ 182 kr 1009 zł 390 S$ 136 kr 1004 CHF 84 $ 106 Transfers (minimum of 2 people required):
Bari to Matera (min. 2 persons): $ 75 £ 40 $ 74 € 45 Ft 16267 kr 6601 ₪ 157 ¥ 8508 Mex$ 916 NZ$ 91 kr 504 zł 195 S$ 68 kr 502 CHF 42 $ 53 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…
