Cycle Puglia

Our trip starts today in Altamura - a small town on the Murge plateau, renowned for its cartwheel size bread, Gothic Cathedral and the nearly intact skeleton of the Altamura Man which was found here dating back 400,000 years. Our tour leader plans to meet you in the hotel reception at 6pm for a welcome meeting and for those that wish, there is the chance to go out for dinner. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to arrive into Bari International Airport - Karol Wojtyla (BRI), which is around a 50-minute drive from the Altamura. Should you miss the welcome meeting, our tour leader will inform you of any essential information as soon as you catch up. If your flight arrives earlier in the day, you might like to explore the old town and maybe try the local PDO-protected bread - perfect for a bruschetta!

Before leaving Altamura this morning, we'll pay a visit to a bakery for a guided tour and to learn all about the local art of bread making. Of course, we'll also get to taste their produce! Afterwards, we'll head south into the wide-open countryside on remote roads, crossing grassy meadows and wheat fields as we ride to Matera. Along the way, we'll enjoy marvellous panoramas of endless fields and blue skies. The remote back roads lead us to a natural balcony with commanding views before this grand emptiness subsides and the first forms of civilization reappear as we approach Matera. The ancient town of the 'Sassi' (stone dwellings) originates from a prehistoric troglodyte settlement, thought to be one of the first human settlements in Italy. Roaming through its maze of narrow allies, up and down the stone stairs you'll find yourself transported to a distant past. Many of the houses you encounter are caves, and the streets in some parts of the 'Sassi' are often located on the rooftops of other houses. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 30 kilometres/18.6 miles and the route is graded as leisurely (total ascent 330 metres/1,083 feet and descent 450 metres/1,476 feet).

Today is free for you to explore the magnificent sites of Matera at your own leisure. Until the late 1980s, this was considered an area of poverty, since these houses were, and in most areas still are, mostly uninhabitable. The current local administration has become more tourism-orientated and has promoted regeneration with the aid of the European Union, the government, UNESCO and Hollywood with several films made here including Mel Gibson's Last Temptation of Christ. Sit down on the terrace of one of the bars for a cappuccino and soak up this magical atmosphere. Our tour leader will organise a guided optional ride in the morning for anyone interested and will discuss the two options. The shorter one is a loop ride to the Torre Spagnole Belvedere with a view over the Sassi district. The longer alternative ride heads out into the countryside surrounding Matera to the San Giuliano Lake. Our total optional cycling distance today is approximately 30-40 kilometres/18.6-24.9 miles and these routes are graded as moderate (total 300-600 metres/984-1,969 feet of ascent and descent).

This morning our tour leader can arrange a tour of the Sassi with a licensed guide for those interested. In the late morning, we'll drive to the Putignano Agriturismo where we'll visit a local 'caseificio' (cheese maker) for a demonstration. We'll learn about cheese in its various shapes and sizes such as mozzarella, ricotta, provolone and scamorza. Afterwards, we'll enjoy a light lunch and can eat some of the cheese. In the afternoon, we'll cycle to our next destination - Alberobello. On tiny hidden back roads bordered by stone walls, we'll cycle through the quiet countryside passing 'masserie' (fortified farmsteads), grain fields, and olive groves, and encounter many 'Trulli' as we near Alberobello. These curious dry-stone huts with their cone-shaped roofs scattered throughout the countryside seem to belong to the world of elves. In Alberobello, there are many fine examples of these picturesque dwellings. Our hotel is located at the edge of town and is the perfect place to unwind and explore the sites. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 35 kilometres/21.8 miles and the route is graded as leisurely (total ascent 300 metres/984 feet and 130 metres/427 feet descent).

This morning, we'll head out by bike once more along quiet back roads that wind through rolling hills dotted by endless olive groves. In the town of Cisternino, we'll take a break to visit the historic centre, before riding in the support vehicle or cycling an optional further 5 kilometres/3.1 miles (10 kilometres/6.2 miles return) to visit a traditional olive mill to taste some of their 'green gold'. Back on our bikes and nearing the town of Locorotondo, vineyards start to dominate the countryside as this is an area where sublime white wines (both still and sparkling) are produced. The name Locorotondo means 'round place' and this is exactly what the shape of the old town is like. It's listed as one of the most beautiful hamlets in Italy and its heritage includes several beautiful churches and a labyrinth of whitewashed alleys. It's a delight to explore on foot. Finally, we'll continue by bike into the countryside again, following quiet stone wall-lined roads past dozens of 'trulli' buildings scattered in the fields. We'll make one last stop to enjoy a wine tasting at a local Masseria (farmhouse), before returning the last 10 kilometres/6.2 miles to Alberobello by bus. Today's ride is accompanied by a support vehicle, so it's possible to opt out of any of the sections of the ride. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 44 kilometres/27.3 miles, and the route is graded as moderate (total ascent 590 metres/1,936 feet and descent 590 metres/1,936 feet).

There is free time this morning to explore Alberobello before we set off on our ride to the Adriatic coast. Our route leads us through beautiful scenery of ochre-coloured fields dotted with gnarly olive trees and trulli of all kinds and sizes. We'll cycle along a panoramic coastal road that is a natural balcony overlooking the beautiful blue waters of the Adriatic. We'll descend on winding roads, feeling the sea air to arrive at the town of Conversano. The coastal planes are cultivated with a variety of crops and dotted with elegant 'masserie' farmsteads. We'll cycle on to reach Monopoli - a bustling fishing town with splendid white-washed houses, narrow alleyways and our charming accommodation positioned in the heart of the old town. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 35 kilometres/21.8 miles and the route is graded as leisurely (total ascent 290 metres/951 feet and descent 705 metres/2,313 feet).

From Monopoli, we'll ride south along the rugged Adriatic coastline, rewarded with magnificent views of the intensely green vegetation lining the rocky beaches and the deep blue sea waters. It's an easy and pleasant ride to Savelletri and before the quaint little hamlet there is the option to visit the archaeological site of Egnazia, and its museum where finds from the Bronze Age are on display. You can choose to spend some time at the beach or continue this easy ride through the opulent farmland until the lighthouse at Torre Canne. Back at the hotel, we'll enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure before we celebrate the final night of our trip. Our total cycling distance today is approximately 45 kilometres/28 miles and the route is graded as leisurely (total ascent 50 metres/164 feet and descent 50 metres/164 feet).

The trip ends in Monopoli this morning after breakfast. There are no activities planned today, so you're free to depart at any time. If your flight is departing later in the day, luggage storage facilities are available at our hotel. If you'd like an airport transfer today, you'll need to depart from Bari International Airport - Karol Wojtyla (BRI), which is a one-hour drive from the hotel.