Cycle The Highlights of Puglia
- 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
Gallery
Itinerary
Day 1 Arrive Alberobello and overnightThe UNESCO protected trulli houses of Alberobello are easily accessible from the nearby city of Bari (approx 1hr 30min train journey). Stretching across the old town of Alberobello are 1500 whitewashed trulli houses. Begin your cycling tour with a 2 night stay in a traditional trulli house. These compact, conical dwellings date back to the 14th century and have been lovingly converted to provide cosy, unique experience.
Overnight in an authentic trullo house located in Alberobello's old town, some of which date back to the 14th century. These limestone houses with their iconic conical roofs are compact but cosy.
These charming and very welcoming trulli houses are ideally located in the town centre of Alberobello. They all boast privacy and tranquillity with the added bonus of a central location. Some of them have lovely colourful gardens and areas where you can relax in the warmth of the sun.
The Tipico Resort Trulli comprises a selection of lovely trulli houses and 14th-century homes spread throughout Alberobello's old quarter. Enjoy a unique stay in these traditional buildings.
Cycle the Val d’Itria and ride a circular route through the historic centres of Noci and Putignano. Break for lunch in one of the sleepy medieval piazzas before returning to Alberobello through a patchwork of olive groves. You may prefer to spend the day exploring the history of Alberolbello and its wealth of limestone dwellings. Later relax with a large glass of bianco wine and platter of breads and burrata cheese.
Overnight in an authentic trullo house located in Alberobello's old town, some of which date back to the 14th century. These limestone houses with their iconic conical roofs are compact but cosy.
These charming and very welcoming trulli houses are ideally located in the town centre of Alberobello. They all boast privacy and tranquillity with the added bonus of a central location. Some of them have lovely colourful gardens and areas where you can relax in the warmth of the sun.
The Tipico Resort Trulli comprises a selection of lovely trulli houses and 14th-century homes spread throughout Alberobello's old quarter. Enjoy a unique stay in these traditional buildings.
Begin with a ride southwards along the coast before peeling away and cycling inland to the ancient Greco-Roman town of Ostuni. Known as the ‘White City’, the shimmering whitewashed buildings are spread across several hilltops. Wander the maze of streets that eventually lead up to the 15th century cathedral where you can appreciate far reaching views across the Adriatic Sea.
Located just outside the fortified walls of Ostuni, this 16th century building is a former maritime post office. Set amongst peaceful gardens, guests can relax and soak up panoramic sea views.
Dating back to the 13th century this historic building has been converted into a comfortable hotel located in the heart of historic Ostuni and is located next to the Benedictine Monastery of St Peter. Rooms have a simple comfort, in keeping with the history of the building and include all modern comforts.
Ostuni town house has been brought back to life and transformed into a welcoming residence located in the nineteenth-century area of Ostuni, a short walk from the main square of the White City. Palazzo Stunis Charme B&B is characterized by the elegant classic Apulian style and the traditional design has been recently restored. Staying here offers a unique experience in a nineteenth-century house. Each room has a different charm.
Leave the Greco-Roman city of Ostuni and cycle through olive groves and sleepy villages as you cross into the sun baked region of Salento. Manduria is your final destination of the day where you will spend the evening in the heart of this honey coloured town.
Centrally located, the Corte Borromeo is a hotel with a modern twist within the walls of an old town building. Dine in the vaulted breakfast room or al fresco on the expansive terrace.
You are assured the warmest of welcomes at this splendid accommodation. The BHB hotel is the perfect combination of comfort, quality and elegance and provides all one would wish for a most restful and enjoyable stay.
Head south from Manduria until you reach the coastal town of Torre Colimena. From here, cycle south along the Ionian coastline, passing sandy beaches and inviting swimming spots. Arriving into Gallipoli, head for a wander around the picturesque old walled town, built on a small island which juts out into the sea.
A 17th century property located in the historic centre of Gallipoli and only a few minutes’ walk from the beach and cathedral. The hotel also has an excellent restaurant serving fresh local seafood pasta dishes.
B&B Salentus is located in the historic centre of Gallipoli and is only 3 minutes walk from the beach.
After a fortifying breakfast today cycle to Puglia’s most southerly coastal town of Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Ionian and Adriatic seas meet. A day of easy cycling leaves plenty of time to make an short diversion to the beach or explore one of the many of the charming villages and towns you will pass through before arriving in Santa Maria di Leuca. One very interesting place where you may wish to stop and check out is Torre Vado, the town named after its round tower. The fortifications lend a magical backdrop to the beach and boat marina.
Hotel Terminal has a private beach with a direct access reserved only to the hotel guests. The hotel has been refurbished mainly using local raw materials (the stones produced in the city of Alessano, the terracotta of the city of Lucugnano and the reeds of Gallipoli). It has wide terraces, a garden, a library and Wi-Fi service. Rooms equipped with private bathroom, shower, hair-dryer, telephone with programmable alarm-clock, TV with sky decoder, cable radio, air-conditioning, mini fridge, safe box.
With a choice of two routes today you can choose between pedalling the rise and fall of the Ionian coastline or an easier, rolling route through a patchwork of olive groves and small villages.
The rocky Ionian coastline reveals the most spectacular panoramic photo opportunities. Just over halfway you can visit one of the most impressive karstic cave networks, the ‘Grotto Zinzulusa’ (a 4km detour). Alternatively the gentle rolling route weaves its way through farmland and peaceful countryside to the chic city of Otranto.
Set between the beach and the ancient gateway into Otranto, the Hotel Albania has fresh, bright rooms and a rooftop terrace (on a clear day you can see across the water to Albania).
Set in Otranto, 200 yards from Castello di Otranto, La Terrazza Sul Mare features air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi throughout the property. Each room has a flat-screen TV. A terrace or balcony are featured in certain rooms. Rooms have a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hairdryer.
Set in Otranto, the Vittoria Hotel & Spa features elegantly furnished rooms with WiFi and TV. There is also an onsite spa which is the perfect place to unwind after your adventure! There is a restaurant and the resident chef will take you on a journey through the flavours of Apulian local cuisine.
The last day of cycling continues north towards the dunes, forests and flora of the Cesine Coastal Nature Reserve, rich in birdlife, flora and picturesque beaches. From here, pedal inland through the Greek communities of Salento as you ride to Lecce. ‘Florence of the South’, enjoy a dinner al fresco surrounded by the grandeur of the Lecce’s baroque architecture.
Grand Hotel Di Lecce as its name suggests, it is a grand building with typical Leccese Baroque architecture. The spacious rooms are stylishly decorated with period furniture.
A boutique B&B, Palazzo Bignami features a terrace and guestrooms. This bed and breakfast offers a shared lounge, rooftop terrace and easy access to all the sights.
18 years after its first opening, Hotel Aloisi has been totally restored, revealing a new look and an industrial, minimal chic style. The accommodation has 10 rooms along with an onsite restaurant offering lunch and dinner.
From Lecce onward travel to Bari or Brindisi is approximately 1hr 30 mins by train. Depending on your travel arrangements, you can always further extend your stay to explore Lecce, or relax at the hotel pool.Â
Other Information
Is it for me?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.
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!
Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling
Solo Travellers
As a guide, we would suggest that the minimum age of traveler this tour would be suitable for is: 11 Years
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.Â
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.
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.
- 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
- Travel to Alberobello / from Lecce
- Bike hire (or upgrade to an e-bike)
- Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
- Personal equipment
- Travel insurance (required)
- Additional nights along the route
- Bike hire (standard hybrid)
- Upgrade to an e-bike
- Arrival and departure transfers
This trip is available to start on any day from March to Mid-July and September to November. We suggest that you contact us as soon as possible if you are considering a departure during the peak season of May-June and September.
For general travel planning, we recommend the helpful site www.rome2rio.com.Â
By Air:  Alberobello does not have an airport but is well connected with Bari. From Alberobello change at Bari Central for services to the airport (journey time 2hr 30min). A bus service connects with Brindisi airport, though takes around 3 hours. Please visit www.trenitalia.com for train times, prices and tickets.
Private transfers from Bari or Brindisi Airports to Alberobello can be arranged at the time of booking.
By Air:Â Â 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 2hr 30min). Please visit www.trenitalia.com 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.Â
We can also arrange private transfers from Lecce.Â
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.
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.
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.
This trip is graded easy to moderate with daily distances between 30 km—60km. Once you have left the towns and cities much of the cycling is on quiet country or coastal roads. You will encounter some stretches of shallow hills throughout the tour. On day 4, the ride from Leuca to Otranto does have the option to cycle a more challenging coastal ride. We can arrange the rental of Ebikes if you would like a power assisted ride.
Its a good idea to get out on your bike for a couple of consecutive days in the lead up to your trip so you get used to riding back to back days. However, it’s not all cycling. Each day there are plenty opportunities to visit historic sights and sample locally produced food and wine.Â
We suggest you book as soon as your plans are finalised as this region is extremely popular especially May to June and September.
Of course! We understand the relationship between rider and bike and know many cyclists would never consider riding another steed. If you are unsure, we are happy to discuss bike hire options with you.
March, April and October into November are cooler months and are generally much quieter in the cities and towns. May and September you will find the days are beautifully long and warm. June into July, days are long and hot and therefore you may like to enjoy a long lunch or relax on the beach to avoid cycling in the midday heat.
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