Italy Coast to Coast by E-bike: Puglia to Amalfi Coast

Experience Overview

Combining highlights from two of our most popular Italian cycling trips, this itinerary offers the challenge of riding right across southern Italy, with the added support of an e-bike. Starting from the coastal city of Monopoli, we take quiet routes through the mountainous Basilicata and Campania regions, finishing at Sorrento on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The trip includes time in Matera, home to ancient cave dwellings, plus lesser-known (but no less beautiful) attractions, including Castelmezzano, a postcard-ready mountainside village where we stay for a night. Our journey ends with a memorable ride along the scenic Amalfi Coast all the way to Sorrento. For those seeking a challenge, it is possible to join this trip with a road bike rather than an e-bike. Please see our 'Is this trip for you?' section under Essential Info for more information.
Profile
— Accommodation: 7 Classic nights (6 hotel, 1 farmhouse) — Six days cycling with partial vehicle support (limited seats) — 90 percent paved and 10 percent unpaved; some long rides and challenging climbs — E-bike hire included — Trip can be completed by road bike for experienced cyclists (Level 5 - Challenging) — Option to travel by train to your adventure
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 7 Classic nights (6 hotel, 1 farmhouse) — Six days cycling with partial vehicle support (limited seats) — 90 percent paved and 10 percent unpaved; some long rides and challenging climbs — E-bike hire included — Trip can be completed by road bike for experienced cyclists (Level 5 - Challenging) — Option to travel by train to your adventure
Trip For You
This trip is classified as Road and Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us. Average daily distance: 47mi (76km)Number of days cycling: Six This trip crosses the mountainous Basilicata and Campania regions; however, the use of e-bikes makes the climbs much easier to manage. There will be some sections with sustained climbing, particularly on days 3, 4 and 7, which are considered Activity Level 5 (Challenging) without e-bikes. The difficulty and distances of other rides (days 2, 5 and 6) are similar to those you would find on a standard Activity Level 3 (Moderate) cycling trip. The reward for the ascents will be stunning views and an amazing sense of achievement. Daily distances vary from 31mi to 60mi (50km to 97km). E-bikes provide battery-powered assistance that is triggered by pedalling. It is still necessary to push the pedals yourself, but less effort is required when setting off and climbing hills. If you are an experienced cyclist who uses a road bike regularly, you may request to join this trip with a road bike. The trip is graded Activity Level 5 (Challenging) when completing it with a road bike. Daily rides will start from our accommodation and the terrain and route will be mainly on quiet asphalt roads. The more remote roads are often not maintained as well as those nearer towns, so on these we may encounter a few potholes and less-than-perfect surfaces. The support vehicle will follow the group for the vast majority of the time (with seats for two or three people at a time). Day 7 (cycling the Amalfi Coast from Salerno to Sorrento) is a classic ride and a highlight for many customers. The spectacular road is narrow in many places and traffic can be heavy, but our leaders and support crew are experts at keeping the group safe and together to experience this highlight. The support vehicle will be available if two or three people in the group prefer not to cycle. We do not run this trip in the month of August when the roads are at their most congested. A good level of fitness is essential for this trip.
Group Description
The group will generally be between six and 16 people. There will be a local cycling leader and an assistant leader driving the support vehicle.
Eating Drinking
All breakfasts and four dinners are included. A typical hotel breakfast consists of toast/bread with jam or honey, cereal, cheese and ham, served with coffee, tea, milk, orange juice, fruit, cake and yoghurt. Lunches are normally arranged as picnics or taken in small cafes along the route. Four dinners are included on this trip and they normally consist of a three-course menu with a choice of regional specialities. Vegetarians and people with special dietary requirements can be catered for but please inform us prior to travel.
Transportation
Transfers to and from the airport will be by private vehicle (normally minibus). On Day 7, we take a train from Paestum to Salerno. While cycling, the vehicle will carry your baggage and be on hand with assistance or if you choose to sit out a section of the ride. A guide cycles with the group.
Joining Instructions
Key information Start hotel: Palazzo Indelli, Monopoli, Largo Giuseppe Garibaldi, 27, 70043 Monopoli BA, Italy Phone: +39 080 930 3050 Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing in the evening, but if you miss it the leader will update you separately Airport: Bari Airport (BRI) Getting to the start hotel The start hotel is approximately 40 minutes’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are: Take an Exodus transfer Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer. If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative. Catching your return flight There’s a group departure transfer to Naples Airport (NAP) for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
Southern Italy is characterised by a hot, dry climate in summer, with cooler but slightly damper spring and autumn periods, and mild, damp winters at coastal levels. Rainfall is more common in winter with an average of one day in three affected. Unseasonable cold spells are possible at any time of year, during which you need warm clothes. You cross mountainous regions on this trip, where temperatures are typically slightly cooler than by the coast. It is very important to be equipped for cold and wet weather in early and late season departures.
Spending Money
For lunches, you should budget €10-€15. Approximately €20-€30 should be enough for an evening meal including drinks. Local taxes: Many Italian cities have introduced a tourist tax for non-residents. The local administration oversees the tax, which will be collected by the accommodation provider at check-in or check-out. This fee varies depending on the hotel category, the season and number of days of stay. It is usually between €0.50 and €1.50 per person per night. For this trip, please allow between €5 and €10, depending on the season, for the week.
Tipping
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus; however, most of our clients wish to tip their guides in appreciation of their help and friendliness. This, of course, is not compulsory and depends on the service received. If you would like to leave a tip, as a guide we would suggest a total of approximately €30 per person (€20 for the leader and €10 shared between the other staff where appropriate).

Highlights