Biking Puglia: We love venturing off the beaten path... discovering ancient footpaths and isolated villages, seeing the Italy Hannibal knew, and tasting truly authentic food. This is the Puglia that awaits modern-day adventurers.
Puglia, possibly Italy’s least familiar region, is now being touted as the next Tuscany. This is an ancient world, and the hills and small coastal towns are steeped in history. Located on the Eastern Coast, deep in the heartland of Greek mythology, Apulia does have a distinctly Greek feel, but its ruins also feature Gothic and Byzantine architecture, among others. What better way to explore this mysterious region of olive groves and emerald waters than by bike?
You’ll cycle past castles both small and grand, and old stone trullo dwellings. You’ll swim in the Adriatic and Ionian Seas and view the Strait of Otranto. You’ll sleep in ancient masserias— fortified country homes renovated into elegant inns — and explore cities whose histories stretch back thousands of years. You may even imagine you’re no longer in Italy at all, but instead in some bewitching fairy tale. (See also our Featured Departure Puglia Bike Tour).
Biking Puglia: Day 1 (46 km; 1.6 km = 1 mile)
We’ll meet at the airport in Bari and shuttle you to our first night’s
lodging, Il Trappetello, the starting point of our unforgettable adventure.
Once we’re all settled in our rooms, you’ll have your bicycle
adjusted and then you’re off for the first ride. Bari prides itself
on its friendliness toward travelers, in the tradition of their patron,
Santa Nicola, or Saint Nicholas. You'll appreciate their hospitality as
we wind along its back roads and take in the view of the sea before retiring
back to the inn. Then a relaxing swim and libations in the cool, intimate
rooms of Il Trappetello’s bar. Dinner will be a delicious selection
of Pugliese specialties devoured at a local trattoria. After this sample,
you’ll anticipate your meals with the same relish we do! Lodging:
Il Trappetello
Day 2 (66 km)
Today is the tour's most challenging ride, but not to worry— the
van is nearby in case you need a boost. We’ll pedal through the rolling
hills of the Val d’Itria enroute to Alberobello, a Unesco
World Heritage site, and home of the famous trulli. Unique to Puglia, these circular stone
homes are topped with conical roofs of gray limestone, and Alberobello
alone has a total of 1500! After a refreshing lunch, we’ll ride a
few more kilometers to arrive at our peaceful, rural inn. Lounge poolside
while sharing the highlights of today’s journey, then partake in
a tasting of local olive oils before tucking into our catered dinner. Lodging:
Masseria San Martino
Day 3 (49 km)
After another hearty breakfast, we head out on a loop ride through the
towns of Cisternino and Ostuni. After the initial uphill (better to get
it over with early in the day!), you’ll meet astonishing views
of the surrounding countryside and Adriatic as you cycle along the scenic
ridge road to Ostuni. Known as "The
White City", Ostuni is built on the
remains of a prehistoric town destroyed during the final throes of the
Second Punic War. Its labyrinthine alleyways and cobblestone streets
are ideal for exploring on foot or bike. A stop here is not complete
without a visit to the Spanish-influenced, fifteenth-century Cathedral,
built under the auspices of the
Sforzas, an aristocratic Milanese Renaissance
family. Then it’s back to our inn to prepare for another prodigious
dinner. Tonight, it's fresh seafood at a local trattoria, where the waves
crash below as you enjoy the sea’s bounty. Lodging: Masseria San
Martino
Day 4 (60 km)
After a van shuttle, we begin our travels through the Salento Peninsula.
Today's breathtaking scenery is characteristically Mediterranean, and,
not surprisingly, there's a distinctly Greek atmosphere. Words can't
describe today's views: white sand beaches, the Alimini
Lake Oasis, dozens
of small, ancestral olive groves and vineyards, plus easy, smooth terrain.
You'll have lunch at a funky, little seaside trattoria before continuing
onward to Otrano, a thriving port town and jewel of the Adriatic. Before
resting your head at our inn, experience the elegant ambience and breezy
night life of Otranto's well-preserved historic center. Take your pick
from one of the many trattorias for your dinner and explore the town
at your own pace. Don't miss the Byzantine frescoes and the Castello
Aragonese. Lodging: Palazzo de Mori
Day 5 (55 km)
Awe-inspiring coastal vistas, hidden grottos, undulating cliffs... just
a small part of what our ride has in store for us today. We’ll
cycle along the spectacular high coastal road down to the southernmost
point of Puglia, Santa Maria de Leuca— home of the famous lighthouse—
where we’ll see the Strait of Otranto. This marks the point where
the Adriatic and Ionian Seas meet. Enroute, we’ll pass Grotta
Zinzulusa,
a fantastic seaside cavern lined with stalactites and stalagmites, and
if the tide is right, you’ll be able to tour it. We’ll savor
our lunch among the cliffs with stunning views over the Adriatic, then
onwards to Santa Maria Leuca; our home for the evening. Lodging: Villa
Ramirez
Day 6 (30-50 km)
Today we leave the Adriatic behind and explore Puglia's Ionian coast. We'll
encounter flat countryside and a lush panorama as we journey along the
western tip of Italy’s heel. Perhaps we'll stop for a swim with
the Naiads in the sparkling sea; if we do, keep your eyes peeled for
fossils! With luck, the winds will be in our favor and we'll end our
day with an afternoon ride along Gallipoli Bay before we head
to our masseria, just outside of the town of Gallipol, which has been
known as The Ionian Pearl for eons. Here, we'll enjoy our farewell
dinner, bittersweet though it may be to know that your trip will soon
be ending. Lodging: Masseria
Day 7
A short drive takes us to the end point of the Appian
Way, the refined
city of Lecce, "the
Florence of the South", where cyclists
outnumber cars and Vespas. According to local legend, Lecce was founded
during the Trojan War, and it's now the region's economic and agricultural
center, dealing in olive oils, wines, and ceramics. As for its own natural
resources, they export Lecce stone, a malleable limestone perfect for
sculpture and carving, as well as formidable opera singers and footballers.
A guided tour of this small city with its particular brand of Baroque
architecture, barocco leccese, will wrap up our amazing adventure. We'll
relish our final goodbye lunch together, then it’s off to the train
station where you'll continue alone on further journeys or head to your homes,
richer for the experience.
Biking Puglia
2009 Season
May 10-16 • June 15-21 • September 27-October 3 • October 18-24
Pedal & Sea Adventures: our annual sale
1) Is this your second tour with PSA? Let us know, so we can knock $100
Cdn off the price, and send you a free PSA Jersey ($80 value).
2) If this is your third PSA tour, let us know so we can knock $100
Cdn off the price, send a free jersey, and cover your bike rental!
Have a look at our Featured Departure Tour of Puglia: September 27-October 3, 2009
Prices
$2895 Cdn per person
US rates are dependent upon exchange rates
20 per cent single supplement
Hybrid Bike Rental: $199 Cdn
Inclusions
• 6 nights' accommodation
• 5 dinners, 1 lunch, 6 breakfasts
• van support, guides, snacks, and refreshments
