La Bella Puglia
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La Bella Puglia
Upcoming Dates
- April 25, 2009
- May 9, 2009
- May 23, 2009
- September 5, 2009
- September 19, 2009
- October 10, 2009
Accommodations
Premier
Ability Level
Athletic beginner
Terrain
Flat to rolling
Distance
Total Mileage: 190 Daily average: 24
Arriving
Brindisi
Departing
Bari
Price
- 4,395-Apr09,May09
- $4,595-Sep09,Oct09
Single Supplement
$800
Bike Rental
Included!
Fairytale Dwellings, Hearty Cuisine and Welcoming People.
Highlights
- Walking tour of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Captivating clusters of conical Trulli structures
- A rolling terrain, tiny back roads and spectacular fields of enormous, ancient olive trees
- Hands-on cooking lesson featuring Pugliese pasta
- Savory cuisine of grilled vegetables, handmade pasta, dense bread and crisp, white wines
This gently rolling trip is an ideal introduction to cycling and to irresistible Basilicata and Puglia. We’ll spin by fantastic conical dwellings … pass fragrant herb gardens … visit fascinating cave churches … and savor a sumptuous cuisine, while warm hospitality and friendly conversation greet us at every turn.
Itinerary
Day 1—2 – Mesagne
Relax by the pool after a warm-up ride through the fertile land of Puglia. On day 2, spin through the Salento area admiring its blend of architectural styles. Later, enjoy a cooking demonstration of one of Italy’s finest cuisines.
Day 3 – Savelletri
Bike to one of the loveliest towns on the Mediterranean, where white houses will remind you of the Greek Islands. We’ll also visit an olive oil museum before our overnight at a 15th-c. agricultural estate.
Day 4 – Alberobello
Pedal through olive groves en route to the Greek ruins of Egnazia, then continue on the Castellana, where we tour the deepest grottos in Italy.
Day 5 – Locorotondo
Today we ride through a fantasyland of Trulli (whitewashed conical dwellings). Our destination is Locorotondo, known for its white wine. Here, we visit a farming cooperative for an unforgettable feast.
Day 6 – Mottola to Matera
We spin along the Murgia plain through a bucolic terrain of manicured farmlands and shady oak groves to Matera, the city of caves--a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Day 7 – Lago di San Giuliano
Enjoy a relaxing spin along the lakeside and a guided tour of the caves. You have the afternoon free, to roam around town.
Day 8 – Arrivederci!
Board an early morning shuttle to Bari, where you can make international connections.
Day 9 – San Basilio
Enjoy a charming mozzarella making demo, followed by an unforgettable night with local folk dancers group.