Matera to Lecce

Day 1: Arrival in Matera
Day 2: Matera - Putignano / Castellana 37 or 44 mi. (60 or 70 km)
Day 3: Putignano: Monopoli, Polignano a Mare and Castellana, 38 mi. (61 km)
Day 4: Putignano - Alberobello / Locorotondo/Martina Franca, 22, 26 or 28 mi. (35, 41, or 45 km)
Day 5:  Alberobello / Locorotodo/Martina Franca  -  Manduria,  44 or 38, or 31 mi. (70, 60, or 50 km)
Day 6: Around Manduria, 28  mi. (45 km)
Day 7: Manduria  - Lecce, 38 mi. (60 km)
Day 8: Departure from Lecce

All distances provided are approximate. The itinerary may be modified due to factors beyond our control, such as weather conditions or directives issued by local authorities before and during your holiday. For instance, temporary deviations or detours may be encountered along the route due to roadwork. In such instances, kindly adhere to the directions posted on-site for guidance.

Day 1: Arrival in Matera
Upon arrival in Matera, you will have a tour presentation meeting and bike rental handoff. 

Sample accommodations (self-guided)​​​​​​

• Maison Boutique Hotel
• Sant'Angelo Resort
• Hotel Casino Ridola

Sample accommodations (guided)

• Hotel Sassi
• Residence del Casalnuovo

Day 2: Matera - Putignano / Castellana 37 or 44 mi. (60 or 70 km)
Pedaling towards Gioia del Colle you find yourself in the “Murge” between Basilicata and Puglia, in what once was the granary of the Roman Empire and, later, Italy. Rolling hills and ancient oak forests characterize it. Gioia del Colle is known for its mozzarella and burrata.  You will continue cycling to Putignano with many historic sights.

Sample accommodations (self-guided)

•  Albergo diffuso Petrantiche (suite)

Sample accommodations (guided)

• Albergo diffuso Petrantiche (standard room)

Day 3: Putignano: Monopoli, Polignano a Mare and Castellana, 38 mi. (61 km)
Today you can enjoy exploring the towns of south-east Bari. You can taste a typical Octopus sandwich and swim in the sea in Polignano a Mare; in Conversano, you will enjoy the cherry trees with their spring blooms, early summer fruit, and fig trees in fall. Finally, Castellana Grotte, where it is possible to visit some astonishing caves, a complex of underground cavities of karst origin.
 

Day 4: Putignano - Alberobello / Locorotondo/Martina Franca, 22, 26 or 28 mi. (35, 41, or 45 km)
You will travel through the area known as Valle D'Itria.  A coffee stop may be enjoyed in the lesser-known and less touristy town of Noci.  Gentle hills bring you to Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996 thanks to its 1.500 "Trulli" houses with conical roofs. 
 

Sample accommodations (self-guided)

• Hotel Realis II Palmento
• Masseria Aprile

Sample accommodations (guided):

• Hotel Colle Del Sole
• Hotel Realis Il Palmento

Day 5:  Alberobello / Locorotodo/Martina Franca - Manduria/Avetrana, 44 or 38, or 31 mi. (70, 60, or 50 km)
The most extensive leg of your journey will lead you to Manduria, traversing the border between the Valle d'Itria and Salento. Throughout the day the landscape evolves. En route to Manduria, the route passes through Martina Franca, where a brief stretch of the 'Aqueduct Cycleway' unfolds—a pathway running alongside the Puglia aqueduct, which channels water from Campania down to Salento.

Continuing your adventure, Ceglie Messapica awaits, renowned for its bread. You can savor this local specialty at one of the oldest bakeries in the historic heart of the city. Francavilla Fontana beckons with the Basilica Minore of the Holy Rosary and Argentina Palace for exploration.

Your next destination is Oria, often called the 'city of witches.' Departing from Oria and passing through Erchie, your overnight stay awaits at a countryside farm in Avetrana or a cozy Bed and Breakfast.

Sample accommodations (self-guided)  

• Corte Borromeo
• Masseria Bosco 

Sample accommodations (guided)

• Masseria Bosco 

Day 6: Around Mandura, 28  mi. (45 km)
Embarking on the journey to explore the environs of Manduria will lead you towards the sea, where the dunes of Torre Colimena frame an extensive seaside stretch. Here, you'll have the opportunity to visit the Salina dei Monaci and, if you fancy, engage in some birdwatching. You'll eventually arrive at San Pietro in Bevagna by cycling along the coastal route in a northern direction. This locale boasts a pristine sandy beach, often deserted in the spring and autumn, offering a tranquil setting for sunbathing and swimming in the emerald waters of the Ionian Sea.

Continuing from San Pietro in Bevagna, your journey proceeds to Manduria. Here, you can explore an ancient archaeological site dating back to the Messapica era and visit the Primitivo Museum, dedicated to the renowned high-alcohol red wine known as Primitivo.

Day 7: Manduria -  Lecce, 38 mi. (60 km)
On this, the final day, you will head towards the ‘Florence of the South’: the city of Lecce. Along the way, you pass through the fascinating ghost town of Monteruga, founded in the 1920s and completely abandoned in the 1980s. This is the area of ‘Salice Salentino’, whose vineyards produce a DOCG wine top-rated around the world. The few small villages you pass are typical. The squares filled with elderly residents, hats pulled down against the sun, discussing politics and agriculture. Here it seems that time has stood still. 

Sample accommodations (self-guided)

• Mantatelurè 
• Palazzo Rollo
• Palazzo de Noha
• Hotel Risorgimento

Sample accommodations (guided)

• Uproom Suites
• Grand Hotel di Lecce 

Day 8: Departure from Lecce

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You will be accommodated in 4-star and boutique accommodations. If the listed hotel(s) is unavailable, an establishment of equal standard will be booked. The confirmed list of hotels is determined based on availability and is considered final; your approval is not contingent on official confirmation. Once the hotels are booked, the tour is confirmed and subject to the terms and conditions outlined.

Bicycles

Men’s & women’s city & touring bikes

Please note that we will do our very best to accommodate specific bike requests but we cannot always guarantee your preference.

Bianchi Spillo Onice

• Light aluminum men or women's frame
• 21 speed Shimano Deore gearing
• 28-inch wheels
• Front suspension
• Royal Freeway saddle

Specialized Crosstrail

• Light aluminum frame
• 24 speed Shimano FD-M191 & SL-M310 gearing
• Specialized Trigger Sport 700 x 38c tires
• Front suspension
• V-brake, linear-pull
• Body Geometry Targa Sport saddle

Specialized Sirrus

• Light aluminum frame
• 24 speed Shimano Altus gearing
• Nimbus 2 - 700 32 c tires
• V-brake, linear-pull
• Body Geometry Targa Sport saddle

Velo De Ville (L 100)

• Aluminum frame
• 24 speed Shimano Acera gearing
• Schwalbe Tyrago tires
• Shimano disc brakes
• Medicus trekking saddle

All bikes are equipped with rear racks, pannier bags, spare inner tubes, repair kit, and first aid kit.

Electric bikes

Please note that we will do our very best to accommodate specific bike requests but we cannot always guarantee your preference.

EY559 Rebel Jet

• Sport standard alloy frame
• Shimano XT 10 speed
• Schwalbe Big Apple 28" tires
• Hydraulic disc brakes
• Frame-mounted 500 Wh battery
• Yamaha PW-SE engine

EY419 Rebel City Wave

• City Wave Alloy Frame
• Shimano Acera 8 speed
• Kenda K192 700 x 42c tires
• Rear mounted 400 Wh battery
• Yamaha PW-SE engine

EY319 Rebel Street

• Street wave alloy frame
• Shimano Acera 8 speed
• Shimano MT200 brakes
• Rear mounted 400 Wh battery
• Yamaha PW-TE