Cycling holiday in the heel of Italy
Distance: 60 km average per day, Elevation 400 - 700 m average per day. Not to steep nor to long slopes.
Apulia or Puglia is a region in Italy which is also know as the heel of the boot. Situated on the dividing line of the Ionian and the Adriatic sea, this area has been the crossroad for centuries of all the cultures and empires that characterise the Mediterranean.
The first inhabitants of this region date back to the Neanderthal era, some 60,000 years ago! Every stone you touch bears witness to centuries of culture. Many beautiful places such as Matera, Alborobello, Ostuni, Gallipoli or Lecce seem like stars scattered from the sky in this special area and are part of the rich history to this day. Add to that the landscape, climate and the azure blue sea and the choice for this cycling holiday in Puglia is quickly made.
After arriving at Bari or Brindisi airport, there will be a transfer (if booked) by taxi to your hotel. Plenty of opportunity to first explore this special place, for example the underground city: the Sassi. These 35,000 year old cave dwellings give a beautiful impression of this ancient civilization. Matera was also European Capital of Culture in 2019 and has also been the setting for countless films for a long time.
After breakfast, you will be given your bike and the information package. The first stage is a slightly longer, but a relatively flat ride. The route leads through the beautiful, gently rolling landscape of the Basilicata region to Puglia. Today's destination is Alberobello. This unique place is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and is known for its typical "trulli". These are round houses (15th century) built of "dry" stone with a self-supporting domed roof so that they could be easily demolished. This allowed people to avoid paying taxes. Nowadays, most trulli have been renovated and additionally reinforced. Your hotel is also located in such a Trullo.
Today you'll cycle through the Itria Valley. A stunning landscape of vineyards and olive groves. Along the way, you'll pass the town of Locorotondo, famous for its white wine. Be sure to stop and sample a glass! You'll see your destination from afar: the whitewashed hilltop town of Ostuni. Make sure you have plenty of memory on your photo device, as in this fairytale city it will fill up quickly.
You'll start the day with a train ride from Ostuni to Lecce. The journey takes approximately 55 minutes. Bicycles are free on regional trains. You'll return to Lecce at the end of your journey. From Lecce, you'll cycle again. The tour takes you through Baroque Apulia. Along the way, you'll see Galatina with its magnificent Church of St. Mary, and the next town, Galatone, also bears witness to this architectural style. Today's route ends at the blue Ionian Sea, near the fishing town and peninsula of Gallipoli. Translated from Greek, this means "beautiful city." That says it all...
Today, along the Salento coast on the Ionian Sea, you'll cycle past Italy's most beautiful beaches near the medieval town of Ugento. So be sure to bring your swimsuit. You'll continue your journey to the southernmost point of Italy, Santa Maria di Leuca. This is also a place of pilgrimage. From the square in front of the Basilica, you'll look out over the crystal-clear sea and the iconic 47-meter-high lighthouse.
You've rounded the "heel of the boot" and cycle back up the other side towards Castro. The Ionian Sea flows into the Adriatic Sea and remains stunningly beautiful. In Castro, you'll visit the Zinzulusa Cave, where Neanderthals lived as early as 60,000 years ago. Along the rocky coast, with its magnificent viewpoints, you'll continue via Santa Cesarea to today's overnight stop: Otranto. This town has been a crossroads between Eastern and Mediterranean culture for centuries.
The last day of cycling already. Wonderful touring along the special coast to Torre dell’Orso and then inland to Acaya. This heavily walled castle town dates back to 500 AD and was intended as protection against raids from the Ottoman Empire. Afterwards, you will leisurely cycle to the art city of Lecce, the capital of Apulia. This university city was founded by the Greeks in the 7th century BC. In Roman times it became Lupiae and later Lecce. In the 16th century AD, the city was expanded with many buildings in the Baroque style. There is so much to see here and so many culinary delights to enjoy that an extension of your stay is recommended.
Transfer to the airport and departure, unless you have booked an extension of a few days.
Route profile
Activity level
Leisure cycling in uneven terrain, with only few short climbs and descents. Little effort required, suitable for most people.
As a whole it is an easy to manage itinerary, riding on secondary streets with low traffic or paved bike paths. There are light hilly bits with short uphill sections.
Prices per person in a double room in 2025 en 2026
Standard: 6 nights in B&B, 3 star hotels en 1 night in a Trullo
Superior: 6 nights in 4 star hotels and 1 night in a Trullo
Extra nights in all accommodations, prices per person (breakfast incl.)
Standaard/Superior double room
Transfers for 1 to 3 persons one way
Bike rental:
Supplements:
Reservation costs € 25,- per booking
Contribution Dutch Guarantee Fund € 5,- per person (Insolvency Protection)
Included
Not included
Special details
Plane
Matera is connected with Bari airport, about 65 km.
Transfer
You can take a taxi to Matera, if you booked a transfer you will be brought to your hotel in Matera. At the end of the tour the transfer will be from Lecce to Bari airport.
It is also possible to take the train from Lecce to Bari airport, 1,5 hour ride, for prices and timetables you can consult the following website: www.trenitalia.com
The hotels may varie due to availability and booking date
Standard : 6 nights in 3 star hotels and 1 night in a trullo
Superior : 6 nights in 4 star hotels and 1 night in a trullo
This is a sample list of hotels:
MATERA
Standard: L’Arturo B/B,
Superior: Palazzo Gattini of Casa di Lucio
ALBEROBELLO
Standard: Trullidea,
Superior: Trullidea, Le Alcove of il Gabellota
OSTUNI
Standard: I 7 Archi B/B,
Superior: Ostuni Palace
GALLIPOLI
Standard: Corte Moline B/B,
Superior: Relais Corte Palmieri/Palazzo Mosco Inn
LEUCA
Standard: Hosteria del Pardo
Superior: Hotel Montecallini
OTRANTO
Standard: Notos B&B
Superior: Relais Valle dell’Ido of Teneuta Centoporte, of Masseria Montelauro
LECCE
Standard: Up Room & Suite
Superior: Risorgimento Resort
The rental bikes are available in different sizes and frames:
Important notes:
We recommend that you bring your own reusable water bottle with you.
In order to cycle smoothly following our app, we suggest that you bring with you a holder for your mobile phone to be fixed on the handlebar, as well as a power bank (even if the app can be used offline, too).
By this tour you can rent the following bikes:
Tour programme variations
Due to organisational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations caused by roadworks, which cannot be foreseen; in this case please follow the indications you will find on site.
Luggage
Your luggage will be transported from hotel to hotel every day starting from the second day of the standard tour until the last day of the tour. U need to leave your luggage at the reception no later than 9.30 a.m. and you can collect it in the next hotel from 17.30 p.m.
We remind you that luggage transportation is never included in case of extra nights before or after the standard tour.
Luggage allowance
For the luggage transportation we accept only 1 piece of luggage per person with max. 20kg.
We’ll send you the luggage labels per e-mail with the information material and you have to print them, fill them out and attach them on each piece of luggage to be transported.
You cannot change the number of pieces of luggage during the tour.
Forbidden goods
It is strictly forbidden to put the following items inside the luggage to be transported:
- medicines and lifesaver devices
- glass bottles and liquids in general
- fragile objects
We will not be held responsible for damages caused by non-compliance with these rules.
Equipment and clothing
The following personal equipment is recommended:
The following recommended clothes are advisable:
During the tour you will have the chance to visit various religious institutions, such as churches and convents, where you must be appropriately dressed (covered shoulders, shoes or sandals, etc...).
Useful hints and tips
We recommend that you always keep with you:
- passport/identity card
- hotel vouchers
- any medicines you could need during the day
- personal belongings (for example car keys)