Cycle Puglia In Style

6 Days & 5 Nights 5 Read 1 reviews

A relaxed cycling trip staying in stylish hotels, including a UNESCO Trulli house
Dine on typical Puglian dishes such as fresh orecchiette pasta and burrata
The shimmering "white city" of Ostuni overlooking the Adriatic Sea
Sleepy medieval piazzas and castles, field upon field of olive groves
Explore rocky coves, golden sandy beaches and pictureque Alberobello

Relaxed cycling through iconic Puglian landscapes of olive groves, sleepy medieval hamlets and views of the sparkling Adriatic Sea. Stay in stylish accommodations throughout and relish 2 nights in a Trulli house in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello. Pedal along the coast from Monopoli to the "white city" of Ostuni which rises high over the olive-covered plateau. Originally Greco-Roman, discover its cobbled streets and defensive walls, as well as the Gothic cathedral. On your bike rides also discover other smaller places, which are just as stunning; the medieval castle in Conversano, the historic white-washed villages of Noci and Putignano and Locorotondo, classified as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. But what about the food? Fresh, delicious and so tasty. Sample the traditional pasta of the region, orecchiette and delicious creamy burrata cheese.

Read All

What To Expect

Travel restrictions and resources, to and from any destination

This cycling tour is graded easy to moderate and each relaxing day takes you along quiet country roads as you roll through charming coastal and hilltops towns. Spending two nights each in Monopoli and Alberobello leaves ample time to relax in the comfort of your chic accommodation and sample the traditional pasta and seafood dishes of Puglia. Perfect for leisure cyclists that prefer a cycling tour with a touch of style!

Tour Type:

In Style | After a day of exciting adventures and soaking up unbeatable scenery, retreat to stylish accommodations and unwind with fine food and wine. This trip type is for those who like sophisticated places to stay and are looking for active routes but still want the holiday to feel special.

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Foodie
Wine

Activity Level & Terrain

This cycling route follows a combination of quiet country roads and busier routes when approaching and departing towns and cities.

Navigation

This route is easy to follow with the assistance of the Macs Adventure Smartphone App, which we highly recommend using as you cannot get lost if you just follow the blue dot. We also provide detailed routes notes and maps in the app. More information on how to download the app to your smartphone is in your information pack.

Accommodations

During this trip you will stay charming, upscale hotels and a traditional, stylish Trulli house. If the properties listed are full on the dates you request we will accommodate you in a hotel of equal standard. Each stay at the listed accommodation is based on a standard room.

Meals

5 Breakfasts are included. Breakfasts usually consists of fresh pastries, breads, fruits, yogurts, cheeses, meats, granola and sweet 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 cheese) and crunchy, dry Frisella bread.

Included

Overnights in stylish accommodations, including a Trulli house
5 Breakfasts
Baggage transfers
Information pack
Access to route notes, detailed maps, and GPS tracks in the Macs Adventure Smartphone App
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office

Excluded

Travel to Monopoli / from Alberobello
Bike hire (and optional upgrade to e-bike hire)
Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
Entrance fees
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)

Extras

Additional nights along the route
Arrival or departure airport transfers
Bike hire
E-bike hire

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

Monopoli does not have an airport but can be easily reached from either Bari or Brindisi Airports. Both have extensive services across Europe. Bari Airport Train Station has regular services to Monopoli via Bari's Central Train Station (journey time approx 1H15). From Brindisi Airport take the airport shuttle to Brindisi centre and change here for train services to Monopoli (journey time approx 1H30).

Please visit www.trenitalia.com for train times, prices and tickets.

Getting from the End

The closest airport to Alberobello is Bari. From Alberobello you can take the train to Bari Central Train Station and then change for services to the airport (journey time approx 2H30). A bus service from Alberobello connects with Brindisi Airport, though takes around 3H. However this involves 2 buses and a train via Monopoli, so we advise if you are flying from Brindisi, to arrange a private transfer. Contact your Destination and Adventure Specialist should you require this transfer as far in advance of your trip as possible. Please visit www.trenitalia.com for train times, prices and tickets.

Luggage Transfer

Your bags will be transferred from your accommodation as per your itinerary and moved onto your next overnight stay. We ask you to limit your luggage to one bag of up to 20kg per person.

Equipment

Bike hire is an optional extra for this tour. We can rent a bike for you or 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 Bike that you have suitable Travel Insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.

How fit do I need to be?

How far in advance do I need to book?

Can I take my own bike?

When is the best time of year?