Southern Italy - Sea to Sea
Photo Gallery:
Southern Italy - Sea to Sea
Upcoming Dates
- April 24, 2009
- May 8, 2009
- May 22, 2009
- June 26, 2009
- August 28, 2009
- September 11, 2009
- September 25, 2009
- October 9, 2009
Accommodations
Premier
Ability Level
Expert
Terrain
Hilly
Distance
500 + miles 45 - 50 mi/day average
Arriving
Polignano a Mare
Departing
Lamezia Terme
Price
- 4,595 - Apr09, May09
- $4,695 - Jun09, Aug09
- $4,795 - Sep09, Oct09
Single Supplement
$850
Bike Rental
Included!
A Magical Exploration of Undiscovered Lands
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
*$500 offer good on new bookings only while spaces last and not combinable with any other offers
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!
Itinerary
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 – Metaponto
Hang on for a super-fun descent, then roll through olive groves. We'll then climb up to Montescaglioso, a hilltop town with an important ancient abbey.
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!