Apulia Bike Tour
Day 1:
Tour begins in Trani, Southern Italy
Romanesque cathedral of Trani, introductions & bike fitting, welcome dinner. We gather today on the Adriatic Coast in Trani, at one time the principal commercial port in southern Italy. Trani's Romanesque cathedral, dating to the late 12th century, is not only one of the finest early Romanesque churches in Puglia, but its position at the edge of the sea makes it especially unique. We'll fit bicycles this afternoon and then enjoy dinner together this evening.
Day 2
Path: Easy
Distance: about 30 Km.
Difference in altitude: about 200 mt.
Journey time: about 2 hours (excluding visits).
Journey time whit stops: about 3 hours (including visits).
Point of interest:
The classic Apulian landscape unfolds before us today as we cross the Appian Way and pedal past centuries-old olive groves and hillside vineyards. We'll suggest a lunch stop at Castel del Monte, built by the Emperor Federico II. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the castle is unique in Europe for its simple octagonal shape and for the eight octagonal towers that ring it. Arriving in Ruvo mid-afternoon, we'll enjoy a wine tasting before dinner together.
Day 3
Path: Medium difficulty
Distance: about 60 Km.
Difference in altitude: about 500 mt.
Journey time: about 3 hours (excluding visits).
Journey time whit stops: about 4 hours (including visits).
Point of interest:
Ceramics & 13th century cathedral in Ruvo, hilltop towns of Gravina and Matera
During the 3rd and 4th Centuries, Ruvo was the principal supplier for classical Greek pottery. You can visit the National Ceramics Museum and the town's spectacular 13th century cathedral this morning. Then, we'll enjoy a ride through fields of wheat and hay as we cross the high Murgia plains to the hilltop towns of Gravina and Matera.
Day 4:
Rest day in Matera with optional ride
Matera is unique in all of Italy for the cave dwellings that ring the central city. Inhabited by refugee clerics and monks from Greece and the Balkans during the 8th and 9th centuries, the cave churches and domestic dwellings carved into the town's sandstone cliffs at one time housed as many as 25,000 people. Today, the churches and caves are preserved as a World Heritage Site.
Day 5
Path: Medium difficulty
Distance: about 60 Km.
Difference in altitude: about 350 mt.
Journey time: about 3 hours (excluding visits).
Journey time whit stops: about 4 hours (including visits).
Point of interest:
Enjoy the unique scenery and landscape of Puglia's countryside Heading out across the Murgia plains again today you'll enjoy a gentle downhill ride to Gioia del Colle and into the heart of the trulli area. Trulli are conical shaped rural dwellings unique to this part of Italy. Originally used as storage sheds for farmers, they quickly became popular as temporary shelters. Today the landscape in central Puglia is dotted with these unique structures, now used as weekend retreats and permanent homes. We'll have a guided tour today to learn more about these conical shaped buildings and the people who built these stone houses. You'll enjoy tonight's accommodation inside one of these unique trulli in the heart of Alberobello.
Day 6​
Path: Easy
Distance: about 30 Km.
Difference in altitude: about 50 mt.
Journey time: about 2 hours (excluding visits).
Journey time whit stops: about 3 hours (including visits).
Point of interest:
Trulli, vineyards, olive groves, the white town. Our ride today will take you first through vineyards and olive groves to the whitewashed town of Ostuni.
Day 7:
Departure Day
Breakfast. Spend a few days exploring this wonderful town or head on for further explorations.
Cost per person (in a double room) for groups of 10/14 participants:
€ 880.00 excluding the month of August and September to which personalized quotes will be made.
Single room supplement: € 25.00 per day / person
Services included:
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Overnight stays in Hotel/B&B with half board (drinks excluded);
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Bicycle and helmet rental;
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Cycling guide;
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Technical assistance for luggage transport.
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Services not included:
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During the bike tours you have two options for lunch: "bag lunch" (€ 15.00 per person, includes: 2 sandwiches, fruit, water and dessert) or lunch in a restaurant / farm (average price of about € 30 , 00 / 35.00 per person, includes: starter, first course, main course, fruit, drinks not included).
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Tickets for archaeological sites.
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Extras and everything not included in "included services".
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On request Custom tours.
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For more information and booking, write to: info@irentbike.com
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