 |  |  |
|---|---|---|
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |  |  |
 |
Self-Guided
Puglia Bike Tour
Puglia is a holiday destination for Italians. The region is less explored by other tourists who tend to focus on Rome, Florence and Venice. This domestic tourism gives Puglia a more genuine, less touristy feel. The region produces full-bodied red wines, tangy olive oils, and creamy mozzarella cheeses. Sea food lovers will delight in the local specialties. On this tour you stay in charming accommodations in the historic centers of whitewashed villages, including a night in a trullo house in the center of Alberobello. You cycle along coastal roads with spectacular sea views. You set your own pace while we take care of the details. The proximity to the Bari and Brindisi airports makes getting to and from this tour relatively easy. If you want to experience the south of Italy by bike, this tour is for you.
​Highlights
-
Beautiful accommodations
-
Mozzarella farm tour
-
Overnight in trullo hotel
-
Delightful whitewashed coastal villages
-
Gorgeous coastal cycling
Price
March 1 - May 31
US$ 1,500 per person, double occupancy
+ US$ 300 for single room occupancy
June 1 - August 31
US$ 1,700 per person, double occupancy
+ US$ 400 for single room occupancy
September 1 - October 31
US$ 1,500 per person, double occupancy
+ US$ 300 for single room occupancy
Dates
Any date, Mar 1 to Dec 1
Length
5 Days, 4 Nights
Meet / Finish
Monopoli / Ostuni
Route Rating
Moderate: 17-28 miles (27-45 km) per day over hilly terrain. Extra miles available.
Bikes and Gear >
Terms and Conditions >
Daily Itinerary
Day 1: Monopoli
Check in at your hotel in Monopoli. Monopoli is an ancient sea port that has it all, a sandy beach, an old port, a castle, and piazzas bustling with outdoor restaurants and cafes. A warm-up ride takes you down a coastal road and past a sprawling archeological site of ancient Roman ruins. The ride has beautiful sand and sea views. Before dinner join the Italians for the late afternoon passegiata or stroll down pedestrian streets paved with shiny white limestone.
​
Day 2: Monopoli
A loop ride takes you through olive groves to a hill town with an 11th Century castle. After a cafe break, you descend to San Vito, an off-the-beaten path beach town. In San Vito you can have lunch al fresco, with the azure seas in front of you and a magnificent 10th century abbey at your back. Riding a few kilometers down the coast you will enter Polignano a Mare, a whitewashed village with a blue flag sandy beach. Blue flag is the gold standard for beaches. Bring your bathing suit if you want to test the waters.
​
Day 3: Alberobello
You cycle to a family-run mozzarella farm. You tour the farm and see how fresh cow’s milk is transformed into soft, silky cheese. You can dip your hands in fresh curds and have a go at making mozzarella. Lunch at the farm is included. While famous for its baroque masterpieces, Puglia is also known for simple stone farmhouses called trulli. These beehive shaped buildings have a cylindrical base with a conical limestone-tiled roof. After lunch you cycle to Alberobello, the ultimate trulli town. Tonight, you will be staying in an ancient trullo in the center of town.
Day 4: Ostuni
A rolling ride takes you to Locorotondo, a graceful, whitewashed town bursting with Baroque buildings, charming narrow streets and beautiful piazzas. Further down the road you enter Cisternino, a small town that has been designated as one of the Italy's Borghi Più Belli (most beautiful towns). From the town’s panoramic terrace, you have views over the sprawling d’Itria valley below. Continuing south you arrive in Ostuni, the “White City” par excellence with an exceptional location overlooking the sea. The city of Ostuni is a jumble of staircases, pedestrian streets, alleys, and arches. Exploring the town will be easy from your hotel in the historic center.
​
Day 5: Ostuni
Your bike tour will end at your hotel in the center of Ostuni. The Ostuni train station is 1.7 mi (2.9 km) from the hotel. The train trip from Ostuni to the Bari Airport is approximately 1 hr 30 min while the train trip from Ostuni to the Brindisi Airport is approximately 45 min. We will be happy to assist you with your travel planning.
Daily Distance
Lodging
Palazzo Indelli
Monopoli (2 nights)
The Palazzo Indelli is located just steps from the harbor of Monopoli and a 4-minute walk from a small sandy beach. The hotel has modern, air-conditioned rooms.
hotel website >
Trulli Suave
Alberobello (1 night)
At Trulli Suave you stay in your own stone trullo house. The houses are in the historic center of Alberbello and have all the comforts of a modern hotel room.
hotel website >
Casa D'Autore
Ostuni (1 night)
Casa d'Autore is a restored 18th-century building located in Ostuni’s city center. The elegant rooms have views over a lush garden.
What's Included
-
Four nights in charming centrally located accommodations
-
Luggage transfers
-
Bike rental is included. For ebikes add US$ 35 per day.
-
Helmet, water bottle, lock, spare tube, mini pump, and tire levers
-
All breakfasts
-
Mozzarella farm tour and tasting
-
Electronic route notes, read with a cell phone app
Departure from Ostuni, End of Tour
Your bike tour will end at your hotel in the center of Ostuni. The Ostuni train station is 1.7 mi (2.9 km) from the hotel. The train trip from Ostuni to the Bari Airport is approximately 1 hr 30 min while the train trip from Ostuni to the Brindisi Airport is approximately 45 min.
Siena Hotel Supplement During Palio
During the Palio (Siena's horse race) hotel prices triple. A surcharge of US$ 100 per person will apply for if you stay in Siena Jun 29-30, Jul 1-2, or Aug 13-16.
Siena Hotel Supplement During Palio
During the Palio (Siena's horse race) hotel prices triple. A surcharge of US$ 100 per person will apply for if you stay in Siena Jun 29-30, Jul 1-2, or Aug 13-16.
Siena Hotel Supplement During Palio
During the Palio (Siena's horse race) hotel prices triple. A surcharge of US$ 100 per person will apply for if you stay in Siena Jun 29-30, Jul 1-2, or Aug 13-16.
What if it Rains?
On self-guided tours there is no van support. But, we do move your luggage. If it rains you can catch a ride with us when we move your bags, just call to make arrangements.
Siena Hotel Supplement During Palio
During the Palio (Siena's horse race) hotel prices triple. A surcharge of US$ 100 per person will apply for if you stay in Siena Jun 29-30, Jul 1-2, or Aug 13-16.
What if it Rains?
On self-guided tours there is no van support. But, we do move your luggage. If it rains you can catch a ride with us when we move your bags, just call to make arrangements.
What if it Rains?
On self-guided tours there is no van support. But, we do move your luggage. If it rains you can catch a ride with us when we move your bags, just call to make arrangements.
What if it Rains?
On self-guided tours there is no van support. But, we do move your luggage. If it rains you can catch a ride with us when we move your bags, just call to make arrangements.
What if it Rains?
On self-guided tours there is no van support. But, we do move your luggage. If it rains you can catch a ride with us when we move your bags, just call to make arrangements.
Why Puglia?
This tour has it all, beautiful accommodations, gorgeous coastal scenery, inviting beaches, superb southern Italian cuisine, and a mozzarella maker.
When to go?
The south of Italy is hot in June, July and August. Go in the Spring or Fall and you will spend less and find better weather for cycling.
How hard are the rides?
The rides are not long, buy they are hilly. If you are concerned about the hills consider renting an ebike for US$ 35 per day. You don't need ebike experience to ride an ebike.