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Cycle The Highlights of Puglia

9 Days & 8 Nights 4.4 Read 9 reviews
  • Easy going coastal cycling across Puglia, ‘The heel of Italy’
  • Explore Salento’s coastal towns of Gallipoli, Leuca and Otranto
  • Relax on the whites sands of Torre dell Orso
  • Visit the extraordinary karstic cave of Grotto Zinzulusa
  • Dine on freshly grilled swordfish and orecchiette pasta
Begin your cycling tour by spending 2 nights in Alberobello at a UNESCO protected trulli house. Pedal along sleepy backroads through olive and almond groves to the shimmering white Greco-Roman city of Ostuni. Cross into the sun-drenched region of Salento and discover the rich Spanish, Roman and ancient Greek history which has shaped the laid back towns of Salento. Visit the towns of Gallopoli, Leuca and Otranto as you cycle along the Ionian and then the Adriatic coastline, stopping to soak up the afternoon sun over a fresh seafood lunch. Lecce, known as the ‘Florence of the South, boasts a wealth of 16th baroque architecture and an equal number of inviting piazzas to kick back and reflect on your Puglia cycling adventure with an Aperol Spritz.

What To Expect

This cycling tour is graded moderate and explores the rolling countryside, hilltop towns and coast of Puglia. Daily rides are between 35-60 km and is well suited to cyclists that enjoy putting in the pedal power to discover the rich history, foods and hidden natural wonders of Puglia. Spend each night in comfortable, centrally located accommodation where you can enjoy discovering local pasta and cheese dishes.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveller this holiday would be suitable for is: 11 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

  • Foodie
  • Wine

Grade & Terrain

This cycling route is graded easy to moderate and follows a combination of quiet country roads and busier routes when approaching and departing towns and cities. 

Navigation

The tried and tested detailed routes notes and maps, along with GPX tracks, make the route easy to follow on our Macs Adventure Smartphone Navigation App.

Accommodation Information

During this trip you will stay in 4* and 3* hotels and a traditional, stylish trulli house. We regularly use the following properties but we will accommodate you in a hotel of equal standard should any of the following hotels be unavailable. Each stay at the listed accommodation is based on a standard room.

Meals

8 breakfasts are included. Breakfasts usually consists of fresh pastries, breads, fruits, yogurts, cheeses, meats and granola. Italian breakfasts also include freshly baked cakes. If you have special dietary requirements do let us know at the time of booking. Lunches and dinners are not included but you will find suggestions in your route notes of local places to dine.

Like the rest of Italy, Puglia’s cuisine, is fresh, simple and delicious! Signature dishes of the region include orecchiette pasta (pasta shapes resembling little pigs ears), burrata cheese (a creamy mozzarella) and crunchy, dry Frisella bread.

Single Rooms

If you're travelling with friends or family but prefer your own room, single rooms are subject to availability and a supplementary payment. This trip is also available to solo cyclists.

Included
  • 8 Nights in 3-4* hotels
  • 8 Breakfasts
  • Baggage transfer
  • Information pack
  • Access to maps, GPX tracks and route notes in the Macs Adventure smartphone navigation app
  • 24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office
Excluded
  • Travel to Alberobello / from Lecce
  • Bike hire (or upgrade to an e-bike)
  • Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
  • Personal equipment
  • Travel insurance (required)
Extras
  • Additional nights along the route
  • Bike hire (standard hybrid)
  • Upgrade to an e-bike
  • Arrival and departure transfers

When To Go

This trip is available to start on any day from March to Mid-July and September to November.

Peak Season Availability

We recommend making your booking as soon as possible if you are considering a departure during the peak season of May, June, and September, as the region can be busy, limiting accommodation availability. 

Time of Year

The springs months offer warm sunshine, fewer crowds, and pleasant cycling conditions. May is when most wildflowers are coming into bloom. The autumn months are also a favourable time of year, boasting cooler weather and a striking landscape made up of autumnal colours. It's worth noting that the later in the year you choose to travel the higher the likelihood of rain. Also come late October through November some local shops, and restaurants may have reduced opening times or have closed for the winter. July is a good month to go but can be very hot for cycling and therefore isn’t best suited for everyone. You will have to start early to miss the heat of the day and carry a lot of water (additional weight) with you. Although the towns and villages are buzzing at this time of year which is great to see.

Getting to the Start

Alberobello does not have an airport but is well connected with Bari. If you fly into Bari you can then take a bus from the airport to Bari Central Train Station. From here you can get on a train to Alberobello and the approximate journey time is 2H30. Please visit Trenitalia for train times, prices and tickets.

Private transfers from Bari or Brindisi Airports to Alberobello can be arranged at the time of booking.

Getting from the End

By Air:  Lecce does not have an airport but is well connected with Bari and Brindisi. Both cities have airports with international services across Europe.

By Rail: From Lecce Central Train Station change at Bari Central for services to the airport (total journey time approx 2H30). Please visit Trenitalia for train times, prices and tickets.

By Bus: A bus service connects Lecce directly with Brindisi airport. Journey time is just under an hour and services run throughout the day. Timetables and prices can be found at Puglia Air Bus

We can also arrange private transfers from Lecce. 

Baggage Transfer

Baggage transfers are included in the price of your trip. We ask you to keep your baggage to a maximum of 1 bag per person (maximum weight 20 kg). If you require excess baggage allowance do contact us prior to travel.

Equipment

Bike hire is an optional extra for this tour as you are welcome to bring your own bike. If you intend to bring your own bike, please do let us know at the time as extra transfer arrangements may be required for any large bike cases/boxes.

Rental bikes are 21 speed touring bikes equipped with a basic repair kit, pump and helmet (though we recommend using your own). Specific male and female frames are available. If you’d like to hire a bike, we will ask for your height and the frame size you currently ride so we can make sure your rental bike is the best fit. E-bikes are also available (subject to availability) if you would prefer a power-assisted ride.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.

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Itinerary

Day 1 Arrive Alberobello and overnight Day 2 Alberobello loop ride 22 miles / 35 km Day 3 Alberobello to Ostuni 24 miles / 38 km Day 4 Ostuni to Manduria 37 miles / 60 km Day 5 Manduria to Gallipoli 43 miles / 70 km Day 6 Gallipoli to Leuca 32 miles / 51 km Day 7 Leuca to Otranto 32 miles / 51 km Day 8 Otranto to Lecce 30 miles / 49 km Day 9 Onward travel

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