9 Days & 8 Nights

4.3

Cycle The Highlights of Puglia

Easy going coastal cycling across Puglia, ‘The heel of Italy’
Explore Salento’s coastal towns of Gallipoli, Leuca and Otranto
Relax on the whites sands of Torre dell Orso
Visit the extraordinary karstic cave of Grotto Zinzulusa
Dine on freshly grilled swordfish and orecchiette pasta

Begin your cycling tour by spending 2 nights in Alberobello at a UNESCO protected trulli house. Pedal along sleepy backroads through olive and almond groves to the shimmering white Greco-Roman city of Ostuni. Cross into the sun-drenched region of Salento and discover the rich Spanish, Roman and ancient Greek history which has shaped the laid back towns of Salento. Visit the towns of Gallopoli, Leuca and Otranto as you cycle along the Ionian and then the Adriatic coastline, stopping to soak up the afternoon sun over a fresh seafood lunch. Lecce, known as the ‘Florence of the South, boasts a wealth of 16th baroque architecture and an equal number of inviting piazzas to kick back and reflect on your Puglia cycling adventure with an Aperol Spritz.

From £1,159.00

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Itinerary

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Day 1 Arrive Alberobello and overnight

The UNESCO protected trulli houses of Alberobello are easily accessible from the nearby city of Bari (approx 1hr 30min train journey). Stretching across the old town of Alberobello are 1500 whitewashed trulli houses. Begin your cycling tour with a 2 night stay in a traditional trulli house. These compact, conical dwellings date back to the 14th century and have been lovingly converted to provide cosy, unique experience.

Overnight Alberobello

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Trulli Holiday Resort | 3 Star | Trulli

Overnight in an authentic trullo house located in Alberobello's old town, some of which date back to the 14th century. These ancient limestone houses with their iconic conical roofs are compact but cosy and comfortable. Each varies in its size, décor, and layout to keep their original charm.

Charming Trulli | 3 Star | Trulli

These characterful and very welcoming trulli houses boast privacy and tranquillity with the bonus of being in UNESCO-Listed Alberobello. Some have lovely colourful gardens and a patio where you can relax in the warmth of the sun. These ancient limestone houses with their iconic conical roofs each vary in its size, décor, and layout; some have air conditioning, whilst others have a cooling fan. There unique shape and thick walls also help to keep it cool inside.

Tipico Resort Trulli | Trulli

The Tipico Resort Trulli comprises a selection of lovely trulli houses and 14th-century homes spread throughout Alberobello's old quarter. Enjoy a unique stay in these traditional buildings.

Day 2 Alberobello loop ride 22 miles / 35 km

Cycle the Val d’Itria and ride a circular route through the historic centres of Noci and Putignano. Break for lunch in one of the sleepy medieval piazzas before returning to Alberobello through a patchwork of olive groves. You may prefer to spend the day exploring the history of Alberolbello and its wealth of limestone dwellings. Later relax with a large glass of bianco wine and platter of breads and burrata cheese.

Ascent/Descent: 331m/340m (1086ft/1115ft)

Overnight Alberobello

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Trulli Holiday Resort | 3 Star | Trulli

Charming Trulli | 3 Star | Trulli

Tipico Resort Trulli | Trulli

The Tipico Resort Trulli comprises a selection of lovely trulli houses and 14th-century homes spread throughout Alberobello's old quarter. Enjoy a unique stay in these traditional buildings.

Day 3 Alberobello to Ostuni 24 miles / 38 km

Begin with a ride southwards along the coast before peeling away and cycling inland to the ancient Greco-Roman town of Ostuni. Known as the ‘White City’, the shimmering whitewashed buildings are spread across several hilltops. Wander the maze of streets that eventually lead up to the 15th century cathedral where you can appreciate far reaching views across the Adriatic Sea.

Ascent/Descent: 323m/523m (1062ft/1717ft)

Overnight Ostuni

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Sant Relais Eligio | Hotel

Located just outside the fortified walls of Ostuni, this 16th century building is a former maritime post office. Set amongst peaceful gardens, guests can relax and soak up panoramic sea views.

Hotel La Terra | 4 Star | Hotel

Dating back to the 13^th century this historic building has been converted into a comfortable hotel located in the heart of historic Ostuni, next to the Benedictine Monastery of St Peter. Bedrooms are decorated in a clean style and are in keeping with the history of the building but with all modern comforts including WiFi access and air conditioning. The hotel has a bar and restaurant.

Palazzo Stunis - Dimora di charme | Bed and breakfast, Boutique Inn

Ostuni town house has been brought back to life and transformed into a welcoming residence located in the nineteenth-century area of Ostuni, a short walk from the main square of the White City. Palazzo Stunis Charme B&B is characterized by the elegant classic Apulian style and the traditional design has been recently restored. Staying here offers a unique experience in a nineteenth-century house. Each room has a different charm.

Day 4 Ostuni to Manduria 39 miles / 63 km

Leave the Greco-Roman city of Ostuni and cycle through olive groves and sleepy villages as you cross into the sun baked region of Salento. Manduria is your final destination of the day where you will spend the evening in the heart of this honey coloured town.

Ascent/Descent: 114m/227m (608ft/817ft)

Overnight Manduria

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Corte Borromeo | 4 Star | Hotel

Centrally located, the Corte Borromeo is a hotel with a modern twist within the walls of an old town building. Dine in the vaulted breakfast room or al fresco on the expansive terrace.

BHB Hotel | 4 Star | Hotel

You are assured the warmest of welcomes at this splendid accommodation. The BHB hotel is the perfect combination of comfort, quality and elegance and provides all one would wish for a most restful and enjoyable stay.

Day 5 Manduria to Gallipoli 43 miles / 70 km

Head south from Manduria until you reach the coastal town of Torre Colimena. From here, cycle south along the Ionian coastline, passing sandy beaches and inviting swimming spots. Arriving into Gallipoli, head for a wander around the picturesque old walled town, built on a small island which juts out into the sea.

Ascent/Descent: 112m/188m (367ft/616ft)

Overnight Gallipoli

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Al Pescatore | 4 Star | Hotel

Located in Gallipoli's Old Town, Al Pescatore is set in a historic building from the 1600s. It is just 164 feet from Purita beach and features a well-regarded restaurant with terrace serving local specialties. Rooms are air conditioned and include an LCD TV, and mini-bar. Some have sea views. A sweet Italian breakfast is served buffet style each morning. Savory food is available on request. During warm weather, you can enjoy meals from the restaurant out under the gazebo.

Hotel 33 Baroni | 4 Star | Hotel

The elegant 33 Baroni Hotel is finely renovated and located in a quiet place in the heart of the city, a few steps from the sea. The hotel offers a panoramic terrace overlooking the Old Town and both the Northern and Southern coasts, where you can enjoy breakfast or an energizing aperitif with a sea view from dawn to sunset. All rooms are decorated in a simple style, with large windows, air-conditioning and a mini-bar.

Relais Corte Palmieri | 4 Star | Hotel

An 18th-century town house, this Mediterranean-style boutique hotel offers a charming sun patio with a plunge pool, and breakfast on the rooftop terrace. It is located in town not far from St Agata's Cathedral, and just 650 feet from Purita beach. Each room at the Relais Corte Palmieri is unique, different from the others in style, location and size. All offer air-conditioning, wi-fi and a mini-bar.

Day 6 Gallipoli to Leuca 32 miles / 51 km

After a fortifying breakfast today cycle to Puglia’s most southerly coastal town of Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Ionian and Adriatic seas meet. A day of easy cycling leaves plenty of time to make an short diversion to the beach or explore one of the many of the charming villages and towns you will pass through before arriving in Santa Maria di Leuca. One very interesting place where you may wish to stop and check out is Torre Vado, the town named after its round tower. The fortifications lend a magical backdrop to the beach and boat marina.

Ascent/Descent: 33m / 39m (108ft/128ft)

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Terminal | 3 Star | Hotel

Hotel Terminal has a private beach with a direct access reserved only to the hotel guests. The hotel has been refurbished mainly using local raw materials (the stones produced in the city of Alessano, the terracotta of the city of Lucugnano and the reeds of Gallipoli). It has wide terraces, a garden, a library and Wi-Fi service. Rooms equipped with private bathroom, shower, hair-dryer, telephone with programmable alarm-clock, TV with sky decoder, cable radio, air-conditioning, mini fridge, safe box.

Day 7 Leuca to Otranto 35 miles / 56 km

With a choice of two routes today you can choose between pedalling the rise and fall of the Ionian coastline or an easier, rolling route through a patchwork of olive groves and small villages.

The rocky Ionian coastline reveals the most spectacular panoramic photo opportunities. Just over halfway you can visit one of the most impressive karstic cave networks, the ‘Grotto Zinzulusa’ (a 4km/2.4mi detour). Alternatively the gentle rolling route weaves its way through farmland and peaceful countryside to the historic and white-washed city of Otranto.

Currently there is a diversion in place on the coastal route while the Ponte del Cielo bridge undergoes repairs, so you will cycle slightly inland for around 4km (2.4mi) to avoid this.

Coastal route: 56km/35mi | Ascent/Descent: 526m/511m (1725ft/1676ft)

Inland and Coastal route (avoids the harder ascents/descents on the coastal route): 51km/32 mi | Ascent/Descent: 326m/309m (1069ft/1013ft)

Overnight Otranto

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Hotel Albania | 3 Star | Hotel

Set between the beach and the ancient gateway into Otranto, the Hotel Albania has fresh, bright rooms and a rooftop terrace (on a clear day you can see across the water to Albania).

Vittoria Resort & Spa | 4 Star | Hotel

Set in Otranto, the Vittoria Hotel & Spa features elegantly furnished rooms with WiFi and TV. There is also an onsite spa which is the perfect place to unwind after your adventure! There is a restaurant and the resident chef will take you on a journey through the flavours of Apulian local cuisine.

B&B La Terrazza Sul Mare | Bed and breakfast

Set in Otranto, 200 yards from Castello di Otranto, La Terrazza Sul Mare features air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi throughout the property. Each room has a flat-screen TV. A terrace or balcony are featured in certain rooms. Rooms have a private bathroom. For your comfort, you will find free toiletries and a hairdryer.

Day 8 Otranto to Lecce 30 miles / 49 km

The last day of cycling continues north towards the dunes, forests and flora of the Cesine Coastal Nature Reserve, pretty landscape of wetlands. From here, pedal inland through the Greek communities of Salento as you ride to Lecce, the ‘Florence of the South’. Enjoy a dinner al fresco surrounded by the grandeur of Lecce’s Baroque architecture.

Ascent/Descent: 51m/21m (167ft/68ft)

Overnight Lecce

Accommodation

A sample of our typical carefully chosen accommodation in this location. Where you stay will vary depending on availability, but will be a similar standard.

Palazzo Bignami | Bed and breakfast

A boutique B&B, Palazzo Bignami features a terrace and guestrooms. This bed and breakfast offers a shared lounge, rooftop terrace and easy access to all the sights.

Eos Hotel | 3 Star | Hotel

Modern and comfy, Eos hotel was born in 2008 from an unusual design competition, Viaggio nel Salento (Travel to Salento). Situated just outside the historical center of Lecce, the Roman Amphitheatre and other historical sites are 15 minutes' walk away.The hotel offers designer rooms with parquet floors, flat-screen TV, minibar and air-conditioning. Breakfast is served daily until 10:00 and includes a hot savory buffet as well as freshly baked traditional Salento pastries. In the evenings, you can relax with an aperitif or cocktail in the Espera wine bar.

Hotel delle Palme | 4 Star | Hotel

Hotel Delle Palme is located 10 minutes from the historic center of Lecce, within easy reach of the train station and bus stops. The hotel provides concierge services, room service, a restaurant, and a bar. The hotel will provide guests with allergy-free rooms, featuring air-conditioning, kettle, minibar, and a flat-screen TV.

Day 9 Onward travel

THIS TRIP'S CARBON SCORE

This trip has a carbon score of 16kg per person per night, meaning it’s one of our best trips! For comparison, a carbon count of 16kg is equivalent to 6.5 packets of British butter. Here at Macs, we pride ourselves on being a responsible travel company and continue to adopt, develop and innovate ways to positively impact the environment. Find out more information on how we've carbon counted our trips.

Reviews

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Other Information

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Is it for me?

This cycling tour is graded moderate and explores the rolling countryside, hilltop towns and coast of Puglia. Daily rides are between 35-60 km and is well suited to cyclists that enjoy putting in the pedal power to discover the rich history, foods and hidden natural wonders of Puglia. Spend each night in comfortable, centrally located accommodation where you can enjoy discovering local pasta and cheese dishes.

Trip Type:

Classic Routes | If you’re the active, outdoorsy type, who’s interested in taking on the great routes of the world or looking for a challenge, then our Classic Routes are for you. We’re talking the West Highland Way, Tour Du Mont Blanc and the Passau to Vienna Danube Cycle Path, to name but a few!

Activity:

Leisure Cycling | Leisure Cycling

This trip is suitable for:

Solo Travellers

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

Ideal if you have an interest in:

Foodie

Wine

E-Bike

Grade & Terrain

This cycling route is graded easy to moderate, the grade is determined on the basis of the entire trip. Individual days may vary in terms of difficulty, i.e. some days may be slightly more difficult or easier than the overall grade. This cycling route follows a combination of quiet country roads and busier routes when approaching and departing towns and cities.

Experience & Fitness

This cycling tour is suitable for relatively fit regular cyclists seeking an active holiday who enjoy being on their bike for up to 3-6 hours per day. You'll spend much of the day in the saddle experiencing a region and discovering its variety. The terrain is rolling with some longer and steeper ascents/descents, with daily total elevations ranging from 10m to 300m. E-bikes are available for hire should you want to have battery-powered assistance for the hills.

Accommodation & Meals Navigation What's Included

Included

8 Nights in 3-4* hotels
8 Breakfasts
Baggage transfer
Detailed trip info and mapped tracks, via the Macs App
24/7 Emergency telephone support from our office

Excluded

Travel to Alberobello / from Lecce
Bike hire (or upgrade to an e-bike)
Lunches, dinners, drinks & snacks
Personal equipment
Travel insurance (required)

Extras

Additional nights along the route
Bike hire (standard hybrid)
Upgrade to an e-bike
Arrival and departure transfers

When to go Travel & Transfers Info & FAQ

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs Adventure that you have suitable travel insurance which covers you for the activity, emergency evacuation and hospital care.