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Bike Across Italy II

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Bike Across Italy II

A Magical Exploration of Undiscovered Lands

(Formerly Southern Italy: Sea to Sea)

Highlights

  • Breathtaking rides along the cliffs of the Cilento Coast
  • Captivating clusters of conical Trulli structures
  • Guided visit of the sassi (caves) of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Overnight at the King’s Hotel, featuring one of the most beautiful private beaches in Italy
  • Sampling of organic pecorino and fresh peperoncini
  • Celebratory feast in Calabria

Description

The perfect encore to our most popular trip (Bike Across Italy) awaits! This Ciclismo exclusive journey through Southern Italy's less-traveled but breathtaking regions zigzags along an intriguing route through Puglia, Basilicata, Campania and Calabria. Expect a rewarding ride every day - along with the traveler's reward of intimate insights into southern Italian life. No wonder Outside Magazine named it "Best Western European Trip" in 2004!

  • Price

    Apr: $4,695
    May, Aug, Oct: $4,895
    Jun, Sep: $4,995

  • Single Supplement

    $850

  • Ability Level

    Expert

  • Terrain

    Hilly

  • Distance

    500 + miles 45 - 50 mi/day average

  • Departing

    Lamezia Terme

  • Arriving

    Polignano a Mare

  • Bike Rental

    Included!

  • View our Suggested Reading
  • Dates

    • April 14, 2012
    • May 22, 2012
    • June 22, 2012
    • July 7, 2012
    • August 25, 2012
    • September 8, 2012
    • October 13, 2012
Day 1: Polignano

Enjoy a warm-up spin along the coast before evening cocktails and a lovely walk through the town.

Day 2: Alberobello

Today, we ride through a fantasyland of conical-shaped houses called Trulli. As the roads meander through the various farming plots your mind can only wonder what it must have been like to have grown up in this curious countryside.

Day 3: Matera

Today is a smooth ride, on flat and fairly straight stretches of road. We'll see a change in landscape, with farms increasing in size and sparsely populated oak groves replacing grape vines.

Day 4: Montescaglioso

Take a break and explore the stone city of Matera, or hang on for a super-fun descent and roll through olive groves and typical southern Italy scenery. We'll then climb up to Montescaglioso, a hilltop town with an important ancient abbey and get a view of the hills to come in the next few days of the tour.

Day 5: Castelmezzano

A spectacular roller-coaster ride to a protected forest is rewarded with breathtaking views. We'll stop at a Roman outpost as we spin through rural countryside.

Day 6: Padula

Our route today presents a great challenge: Monte l'Amorso! We trace a remote route through the Tanagro valley of Campania.

   
Day 7–8: Palinuro

Enjoy a descent to the Cilento coast, followed by a scenic roll in the Vallo di Diano National Park. The road winds through dense forests of pine, beechwood, and the occasional eucalyptus grove. We'll start to see more grapes again, two types of which are considered D.O.C. wines. Day 8 we head south along the beautiful coast of Cilento, one of Europe's most picturesque countrysides.

Day 9: Maratea

Follow “the other Amalfi Coast” today—stretches of beach preferred by native Italians. We'll hug towering cliffs which drop into the crystal blue Mediterranean.

Day 10: Morano Calabro

Climb from the sea through Lauria, en route to the Pollino National Park.

Day 11: Cittadella

We'll start the day with a fun ride along the periphery of the Pollino National Park. Pass through small towns settled by Albanians when they fled the Turks 500 years ago, and take note of their traditional language and dress.

Day 12: Arrivederci!

Following breakfast at the hotel, we shuttle you to Lamezia Terme where you can make connections. We are happy to help you plan any further travel arrangements!

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All Levels

You’re potentially interested in any level of trip and don't want your site experience tailored to any specific level.

Easy

You’re new to biking, or you just want to take it easy with lots of stops to take pictures and explore and no one hurrying you along. Expect a leisurely pace over generally flat terrain.

Average distance per day: 18-35 miles.

Athletic Beginner

You’re not a fanatical rider, but you exercise regularly and enjoy a leisurely day’s spin on your bike. You might want to graduate to “intermediate” one day, or not. The pace is relaxed but the terrain gently rolling, more ups and downs, more vistas and valleys than Easy tours.

Average distance per day: 35-45 miles.

Intermediate

You’re active on your days off, and recreational biking is most likely your weekend sport of choice. You love to ride and it shows in your endurance and strength. A steady but active pace, with opportunities to push yourself and some challenging climbs, with great descents over rolling terrain. (These folks ARE cyclists, they are usually pretty serious cyclists but do not train at the expert level.)

Average distance per day: 40-50 miles.

Expert

You crave vigorous pacing, challenging climbs and thrilling descents. You crave longer mileage with lots of hills and descents, varying terrain, and a mountain pass or two only makes it better.

Average distance per day: 45+ miles.

Family

If you have kids under 16, we have great options for you! With fewer hotel changes, easier biking and wheels for all ages, we've got your ideal active family holiday.

Average distance per day: 20–30 miles.