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Cycling the Heel of Italy - Matera to Lecce

Name: Cycling the Heel of Italy - Matera to Lecce
Brand: Elife Travel
Price: 3215 USD
Availability: InStock

Country:

Italy

Flight:

Not included

Favorite

Tour id:

240001

Operator:

Exodus Adventure Travels
Length:

12 days
Group size:

14 pax
Age:

16 to 80

21.08-01.09.25 scheduled
23.08-03.09.25 scheduled
13.09-24.09.25 scheduled
18.09-29.09.25 scheduled
22.09-03.10.25 scheduled
29.09-10.10.25 scheduled
11.10-22.10.25 scheduled
16.10-27.10.25 scheduled
20.10-31.10.25 scheduled
23.10-03.11.25 scheduled
25.10-05.11.25 scheduled
27.10-07.11.25 scheduled
30.10-10.11.25 scheduled

Itinerary

We explore the very best of this captivating region from Murgia to Salento. Your daily cycle routes allow you to explore a series of architectural and natural wonders, sites of immense historical and cultural interest, and of course, to be tempted by local culinary specialties! Cycle through the Murghe plateau, the Salento plain and along the coast through a landscape of ancient olive groves and vineyards and past traditional masserie, coastal watchtowers and splendid Baroque towns . This holiday is offered with a choice of mainly 3 Star, or mainly 4 Star accommodation. The 3 Star accommodation is listed on the hotels page. Stays are in the UNESCO listed towns of Matera and Alberobello; Putignano, known for its ancient carnival; white-washed Ostuni; Galipolli, where the historic centre is on an island; Santa Maria de Leuca, where the Ionian and Adriatic seas meet; Otranto, known as the gateway to the Orient and Lecce, known as the 'Florence of the South'. Stay also in Castellaneta and Avetrana where evening meals are included.

Tour program

Day 1

Arrive in Matera (breakfast)

Make your way to Matera, one of the oldest inhabited human settlements in the world.

Day 2

Free day in Matera (breakfast)

Explore the UNESCO-listed Sassi of Matera; a complex of houses built into the natural caves of the Murgia.

Day 3

Matera to Castellaneta (breakfast,dinner)

Your first cycling day takes you through a landscape of wheat fields and wide panoramas. Visit the town of Laterza, famous for its tasty bakery products and majolica pottery. Continue to Castellaneta, a small city perched on the edge of a ravine.

Day 4

Castellaneta to Putignano (breakfast)

Today you will cycle in the Terra delle Gravine Natural Park, amongst deep canyons, carved by rivers over millions of years. Leaving the ravines you will soon discover the iconic Puglia scenery: dry stone walls, old masserie (fortified stansteads) and trulli, rural houses with a conic roof typical to the area, built without any cement or mortar. Reach Putignano, known for its ancient carnival.

Day 5

Putignano to Alberobello (breakfast)

Leaving the medieval centre of Putignano, cycle in the lush countryside to reach Castellana Caves. It is the main karst site in the South of Italy and a visit is recommended.After the caves, continue along the rolling lanes of the countryside where olive, almond, apricot and cherry trees grow. Continue to the UNESCO heritage site of Alberobello, the world capital of Trulli.

Day 6

Alberobello to Ostuni (breakfast)

Cycle through the lush Valle d'Itria, passing more white-tipped trulli houses on the way. Boasting beautiful coastal views, the route takes you through the famous wine town of Locorotondo, regarded as one of Italy's most stunning villages. After sampling some of the local sparkling white wine, continue to the white city of Ostuni - so called for the dazzling effect of its whitewashed houses.

Day 7

Ostuni to Avetrana (breakfast,dinner)

Cycle through the colourful Salentinian countryside, characterized by olive groves and red soil towards the medieval towns of Oria and Manduria with their authentic historic centres.

Day 8

Avetrana to Gallipoli (breakfast)

Head to Torre Colimena on the Ionian Sea, then follow the coast alongside a series of beaches and the old coastal towers of Salento. Reach Gallipoli, known as the 'Ionian Pearl' with its Old Town situated on a rocky island. Take time to wander the narrow lanes of the historic centre to discover its baroque cathedral, elegant palazzi and enticing restaurants.

Day 9

Gallipoli to Santa Maria di Leuca (breakfast)

Cycle towards the most southerly point of Salento at Santa Maria di Leuca, where the crystal waters of the Ionian and Adriatic Sea meet. This village is home to one of the most important lighthouses in Italy, as well as numerous villas built at the turn of the century.

Day 10

Santa Maria di Leuca to Otranto (breakfast)

Pedal along the south coast of the Adriatic Sea, stopping off at the famous Grotta Zinzulusa and the thermal baths of Santa Cesarea Terme. Your final destination is Otranto, the most eastern point of Italy with a stunning cathedral and Aragonese castle.

Day 11

Otranto to Lecce (breakfast)

Follow the shoreline through olive groves to the Baroque metropolis of Lecce. Known as the 'Florence of the South', Lecce is home to over 30 churches, an amphitheatre and a Roman theatre dating back to Emperor Augustus.

Day 12

Leave Lecce (breakfast)

Make your own way back to the airport for your flight home.

Tour Details

accommodation

You will spend 11 nights in comfortable en suite hotels, in Matera, your hotel is just a few steps from the Sassi di Matera UNESCO site and when available we use traditional accommodation in Alberobello. Hotels are mainly 3 star, there is also the option to upgrade to mostly 4 star accommodation for a supplement. All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory supplement for a single room for the tour duration. For a solo traveller there is an additional charge to cover transfer costs.

guide

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. Your luggage is transferred and route notes and maps are provided. The route notes contain an emergency assistance telephone number (operating between 0830 and 2000hrs). In emergency, the local representative is normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

meals

Breakfasts are included and consist of a continental-style buffet. However, please note that the typical Italian breakfast are generally light; usually a cup of coffee and a cream-filled or jam-filled croissant. In Puglia you will find genuine regional cooking that has strong links to the land and the sea. To give you just a small list of the types of food on offer in Puglia: Bread from the Murge, durum wheat pasta, olives, the pasta delicacy Orecchiette served with a sauce of turnip-tops or fresh tomato and sheep's ricotta-cheese, Cavatelli with pulses, aubergine and parmesan bake, grilled fish and seafood, burrata (soft mozzarella and cream cheese), plus excellent wines. This region is a food lovers paradise and the abundance of delicious vegetables makes it a perfect destination for vegetarians! On this trip there will be many opportunities to taste the best local specialities. Suggestions of what to do for lunch and dinner are given in the cycling route notes.

others

— Travel insurance — Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement) — Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date) — Visas or vaccinations — Arrival & departure transfers — Hotel Upgrades

transport

Your luggage is transported from hotel to hotel for you.

Standard transfers Standard return transfers are only included for flight inclusive bookings Out: Alitalia Heathrow to Bari via Rome Fiumicino 07:25/14:20 then transfer to hotel 50 minutes Return: Transfer from hotel then Alitalia Brindisi to Heathrow via Rome Fiumicino 11:15/16:00 Customers booking a land only trip will be able to add arrival/departure transfers at a supplement payable in advance.

Good to know

Currency

€

Euro

Italy

Plugs and adapters

Plug type L

Customer reviews

Operator

4.4

Faq Tour

How can I book a tour?

You can order a tour on our website by selecting the desired dates and clicking the “Confirm dates” button. You can also contact our sales department by phone or email.

Which payment options are available?

We accept credit cards, bank transfers and other popular payment methods.

Can I change or cancel my reservation?

Yes, changes or cancellations are possible, however penalties may apply depending on the time before the tour starts.

What documents are required to participate in the tour?

You will need a passport with a valid visa (if required) to visit countries along the tour route.