Apulia and Basilicata: Alberobello to Lecce

4.3/5 (15)
7 nights
33 miles/day
Self guided from EUR € 830
Bike tour in Italy
Rider Level: Recreational Electric bike tours

Apulia and Basilicata: Alberobello to Lecce

4.3/5 (15)

Rider Level: Recreational Electric bike tours

7 nights
33 miles/day

Self guided from EUR € 830
Bike tour in Italy

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  • Apulia and Basilicata

    This tour is no longer available. Please contact us for other tour suggestions.

    Apulia, know in Italy as Puglia, is a region in southeastern Italy that includes the heel part of Italy's boot. It is bordered by the sea on two sides, the Adriatic Sea in the east and the Ionian Sea to the southeast.

    The region is characterized by endless olive groves, long fields of grain and vineyards. The charm of this tour is that it leads you into a region of scenic beauty, which is, by today's standards, unspoiled by tourism and retains much of its great and ancient culture.

    • Alberobello, Apulia & Basilicata Italy Bike Tour
    • Fresh seafood along the coast in southern Italy. Nick Fewings, Unsplash
    • Matera, Italy is a one-of-a-kind UNESCO wonder! Giulia Gasperini, Unsplash
    • Otranto, Italy. CC:Alexander van Loon
    • Matera, Italy. Kaspar Supmanis, Unsplash
    • Matera, Italy. Piermario Eva, Unsplash
    • Clams & pizza in Italy. Christopher Carson, Unsplash
    • Ostuni, the white village on a hill in Italy. Henrique Ferreira, Unsplash

    View more photos

    Highlights

    • Alberobello: The Trulli - Unesco World Heritage site
    • Ostuni: "The White Town"
    • Olive groves: The famous olives from South Apulia
    • Otranto: The Aragonese castle
    • Lecce: A baroque town, "Florence of the South"

    Learn More

    Learn more about our self-guided tours or see more bike tours in Italy.

  • Traveler photos

    • Mountains of garbage all over the roads in rural areas, it went on for hundreds of km. :( (photo by George Ouimet)
    •  (photo by George Ouimet)
    •  (photo by George Ouimet)
    •  (photo by George Ouimet)
    • The world is their ashtray :( (photo by George Ouimet)
    • Even in some parks. Sadly the plastic will persist for centuries and no one seems motivated to clean it up. (photo by George Ouimet)
    • At the beautiful Ionian Sea! (photo by Collette)
    • Magical public swimming beach. (photo by Collette)
    • Walking the streets of Matera is a magical experience. Make sure to leave extra time for it! (photo by Sierralover76)
    • The stunning Adriatic coastline on the last day. (photo by Sierralover76)
    • Very charming Locorotondo (photo by Sierralover76)
    • The main beach of Gallipoli (photo by Sierralover76)
    • The first beach you reach on your tour, and it's stunning! (photo by Sierralover76)
    • Great nightlife each day, this was the historic center of Ostuni. (photo by Sierralover76)
    • Fresh strawberries from a roadside stand. (photo by Bikenfools)
    • Poppies in bloom everywhere. (photo by Bikenfools)
    • Alberobello (photo by Bikenfools)
    • Santa Maria di Leuca - tip of the heel. (photo by Bikenfools)
    • Adriatic Sea, old light house ruins (photo by Bikenfools)
    • Adriatic Sea - out peddling the rain. behind us. (photo by Bikenfools)

    Apulia and Basilicata

     Tour Description Daily Program 

  • Daily program

    There is a possible 1 or 2-day pre-trip extension in Matera. Please inquire for pricing.

    Day 1: Arrival to Alberobello
    Arrival in Alberobello. Alberobello is a unique and inimitable city as it is the only urban settlement of the so-called truli (cone buildings) in the world. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1996.
    Overnight in Alberobello.

    Day 2: Alberobello – Ostuni (34 miles/55 km)
    You cycle through the countryside to Ostuni, which is reputed an architectural jewel, and is commonly referred to as "the White Town" for its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture.
    Overnight in Ostuni.

    Day 3: Ostuni – Manduria (37 miles/60 km)
    Today you will leave Ostuni and the Murge hills behind you and you will start cycling on the Salento plain, characterized by green and red colors, given by its olive trees and its red soil. Along the way, you will have the chance to visit Oria, with its beautiful historical centre and the castle built by the emperor Federico II. Today's destination is in the Manduria area, the capital of the Primitivo grapes.
    Overnight in Manduria area

    Day 4: Manduria area to Gallipoli (43 miles/70 km)
    From now on you will head towards the seaside, which will accompany your bike tour between ancient coastal towers and fine sand. You will now reach Porto Cesareo, where we suggest to enjoy a good fish-based lunch. Rolling south, our destination will be the Greek Kale Polis, today's Gallipoli, with one of the most beautiful historic centres of Salento. Enjoy a stroll in its street and the views of the sea that surrounds it.
    Overnight in Gallipoli

    Day 5: Gallipoli – Santa Maria di Leuca (31 miles/50 km)
    Cycling further along the coast you will reach Santa Maria di Leuca. The name Santa Maria di Leuca was given by the ancient Greek sailors who came from the East. They saw this place lightened by the sun and therefore called it "leukos," meaning white. Santa Maria di Leuca is a famous seaside resort.
    Overnight in Santa Maria di Leuca.

    Day 6: Santa Maria di Leuca – Otranto (31 miles/50 km)
    Today you will cycle northwards along the Adriatic coast to Otranto, the most eastern point of Italy where you can visit the beautiful Cathedral and the great Aragonese Castle.
    Overnight in Otranto.

    Day 7: Otranto – Lecce (34 miles/55 km)
    Riding along the Alimini Lakes and the unique Mediterranean bush you’ll enter into Lecce. Thanks to its Baroque style, it has the nickname "the Florence of the South."
    Overnight in Lecce.

    Day 8: Departure from Lecce
    Departure after breakfast.

    Due to organizational reasons, weather conditions, or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday. Along the way you may find temporary deviations (road work, for example) which cannot be forseen; in the case, each rider can decide autonomously how to deal with these stretches.

    Surface and terrain

    Mostly in the lowlands, sometimes hilly. Traffic is almost non-existent in Apulia except during the high holiday season. The route includes very beautiful stretches on the coast.

    Route Profile:
    Total length: 340 km
    Total vertical up: 1,700 m
    Terrain: 99% tarmac, 1% unpaved
    Possibility to shorten the itinerary by taking the train: day 2


    Hotels

    These are sample hotels and may vary based on availability.

    Trullidea Resort, Alberobello
    www.trullidea.it

    La Terra, Ostuni
    www.laterrahotel.it

    Hotel 33 Baroni, Gallipoli
    www.hotel33baroni.it

    Hotel l'Approdo, Santa Maria di Leuca
    www.hotelapprodo.com

    Hotel San Giuseppe, Otranto
    www.hotelsangiuseppeotranto.it

    Hotel Delle Palme, Lecce
    www.hoteldellepalmelecce.it

    Please note: Local hotel taxes are not included and must be paid on location directly to each hotel (approximately €10-15 per person for the duration of the tour).

    Interested in visiting other areas before or after your tour? Visit our hotels page to learn more about lodging options.


    How to get there

    Tour start
    Nearest airports: Bari Airport (BRI) or Brindisi (BDS)
    Nearest train station: Matera, Italy

    Tour end
    Nearest airports: Bari Airport (BRI) and Brindisi
    Nearest train station: Lecce, Italy

    Tips on getting to and from your tour


    Apulia and Basilicata

     Tour Photos Dates & Prices 

  • Dates

    This tour is no longer available. Please contact us for other tour suggestions.

    Prices

    Tour package

    Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Season 4
    Per person, double occupancy €830 €930 €990 €1030
    Single use room (1 person/ 1 room) €1140 €1240 €1300 €1340

    Bike Rentals

    Standard bike, 27-speed €100
    Electrically assisted bike €250
    Helmet €15

    Extra Nights, Alberobello

    Per person, double occupancy €65
    Single room (1 person/1 room) €105

    Extra Nights, Lecce

    Per person, double occupancy €70
    Single room (1 person/1 room) €100

    Transfer

    Bari/Brindisi -Alberobello (1-3 people) €170
    Lecce to Bari airport ( 1-3 people) €300
    Lecce to Brindisi airport (1-3 people) €140

    Discounts

    Third person sharing room with 2 full paying adults (on base package price) € -100

    Included services

    • 7 nights hotel accommodations
    • Breakfast buffet
    • Luggage transportation
    • App including maps, roadbook, points of interest, and GPS tracks
    • Digital tour information
    • Hotline service

    There is a possible 1 or 2-day pre-trip extension in Matera. Please inquire for pricing.

    Please note: Local hotel taxes are not included and must be paid on location directly to each hotel (approximately €10-15 per person for the duration of the tour).


    Bike rentals

    Bikes available to be rented (in advance at the time of booking) include:

    • Standard touring bike, 27-speed, unisex and men's frames
    • Electrically assisted bikes*

    *More about electrically-assisted bikes >

    All above bike rentals will be equipped with:

    • One Ortlieb saddlebag
    • Handlebar bag or a map holder
    • Repair kit (1 replacement tube, glue, patch, pump, allen keys and tire lever)
    • Combination lock
    • Water bottle
    • One cycle computer

    Additional specifications about the Standard touring bikes:

    • Orange aluminum frame
    • Mudguards
    • Saddlebag rear rack
    • Comfortable gel saddle
    • Puncture-resistant Schwalbe Marathon tires

    Bike Protection:
    Bike protection can be purchased at the time of booking. You can read more about that HERE.

    Pedals: 
    The bikes will have flat pedals. If you want to bring your own pedals, please bring your own shoes and also the necessary equipment to change the pedals. Toe cages are not available to rent.

    Helmets: 
    Helmets are available to rent for €15. They must be reserved at the time of booking. We recommend, for safety and hygiene reasons, that you bring your own helmet.


    Tour Company


    Apulia and Basilicata

     Daily program Route Map 

  • Route Map

    Maps are for information purposes only and reflect typical routes between overnight locations. They may not reflect your actual route.


    Apulia and Basilicata

     Dates & Prices Tour Reviews 

    • Darcy Billinkoff November 8, 2022

      Italy’s best kept secret

      After visiting Puglia, we marvel that we had not really heard much about this spectacular region until three years ago.

      We started our trip by staying in a cave hotel in
      the stunning city of Matera in its historic section “sassi di Matera”. This ancient city, steeped in history , has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and should be on everyone’s bucket list.

      We started cycling in Alberobello, a touristy town famous for its whimsical whitewashed trulli with their signature cone-shaped roofs. As we left the town and worked our way toward the coast, we cycled on quiet roads passing by beautiful olive groves with rich red soil and fields dotted with trullis.
      Magnificent views, picturesque seaside towns, a few challenging hills that got our hearts racing, and delicious fresh seafood became the norm as we cycled along the Aegean and Ionian Seas.
      We finished the trip in the elegant city of Lecce, which is aptly nick named “the Florence of the south”. We would recommend spending at least two days in this beautiful city wander its beautiful historic Center, take in a walking tour and visit the fascinating Museo Faggiano.

      We cycled on hybrid bikes and they were comfortable and had good low gears to take on the coastal hills.

      We would highly recommend this trip.

      What was the date of your tour?
      June 2022
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Route selection
    • George Ouimet October 7, 2022

      3 out of 5 legs were good, one was exceptional.

      It was very interesting and educational to be in this party of Italy. Our last guided tour was in Tuscany. Alberobello was an amazing town and the Trullia were a wonder to see, even more fun to stay in. The restaurants in the area that we tried were all good. It was also fun to walk around town and see the old churches, museums and parks. Our guide Marco was excellent and spent good time explaining the route and the attractions to us. All the bikes worked fine, and I liked having the panier to store things in. Based on the type of riding we ended up doing the hybrid bikes were very appropriate and comfortable.
      The first day of riding from Alberobello to Ostuni was interesting - lots of small roads, not much traffic, lots and lots of olive trees (which the area is noted for). One thing we noticed right away unfortunately was the garbage. Lots and lots lots of garbage, all over the sides of the roads. Single use plastics mostly, but also household trash, construction debris, old appliances, tires, and millions of glass bottles and metal cans. Combined with the large number of abandoned and dilapidated properties in the area (abandoned olive farms) it felt like the next 2 days of riding in many parts was through the apocalypse. The old abandoned buildings were interesting, especially the small farm huts, and we did see lots and lots of the Trullia, and nicer properties that were fixed up closer to towns though. We later learned that this area was very very poor in many parts, and that it wasn't until the EU formed that money started to flow into the area to improve things for people. Depending on who you talked to the trash was from "trash collection being a low priority for the local infrastructure" - to people just being ignorant and not caring about the environment. The towns and cites were a bit better, but for the most part the rural areas felt like a 3ed world country on these part of the ride. It looks like this from Alerobello to Ostuni, Ostuni to Manduria, Manduria to Gallipoli to Santa Maria di Leuca (our favorite town next to Alberobella, the hotel was beautiful and we wished we had two days there). Manduria was pretty much abandoned, as was the hotel. The hotel restaurant was closed, and the only place we could find to eat was a pizza express and the grocery store next door. The saving grace was the wine tour at a local fermenting/processing plant, and the wines themselves from the Primitivo grapes were spectacular as was the tour and museum in the winery. We shipped cases of it home :). The ride to Gallipoli was an adventure. 20-30 mph headwinds and blowing garbage the whole way , however the landscape was interesting - it felt like southern California desert. Fortunately Gallipoli was a great town with lots restaurants open, and shopping. It was raining, but that's OK was was still nice. The ride from Gallipoli to Santa Maria di Leuca was short and uneventful. Threatening rain so we made a bee line to town at a fast pace. We found a great little restaurant by the water/harbor where we had a great meal and lots of the Primitivo wines :).
      The ride from Santa Maria di Leuca had to be our favorite of the whole trip. Fantastic scenery along the Adriatic coast, lots of places to stop, the wind at our backs and it seemed cleaner. Swimming in the little beaches and Grottos were so nice. Again, we wished we could spend more time here. Maybe make 2 loops from Santa Maria di Leuca or add another town on this coast. We loved the riding off pavement and along the beaches as well, and that goes for the first part of the ride from Otranto to Lecce. Sadly the latter part of the ride inland to Lecce was more abandoned properties and lots and lots of garbage. Again the feeling like we were riding through the apocalypse. Lecce was great though - what a nice town! Lots to see in the "Florence of the South" in the old town. The surrounding 'modern areas' less so as the roads were very busy. I wrote something for my cycling friends about riding bikes in Italy. I will share it here;
      Thoughts on cycling in Italy. Tongue in cheek: If anyone has to take a test to drive (seems not?), these would be the lessons. 1. The person who drives, walks or pedals the fastest has the right of way. 2. No cars in Italy have blinkers/signals. 3. Three point, U turns and parking is allowed anywhere, so is passing. It's especially fun to play chicken when cars are coming from the opposite direction. 4. Traffic signs aren't even suggestions! Traffic lights, sometimes. And signs that say what road you are on. 5. The most common controls pushed are the accelerator and the horn. 6. No problem if you don't have trash collection or an ashtray at home, the car window works fine. 7. If you can squeeze your car in there, you can drive there. 8. Speed bumps are "suspension tests".
      With all that being said: People pay attention, they have to! Otherwise the country would be one giant pile up!! No one is on their phone! If you signal a turn on a bike, drivers see and respect you, until it's time to pass. I never felt in danger even though drivers get VERY close to you even at high rates of speed. Cycle confidently, don't wander around in the road... and pay attention! Also being in SMALL groups helps so that cars can pass quickly without hitting the oncoming cars head on.
      All in all we had fun and am glad to see another part of Italy. After our riding we went to Greece and on to Munich, Germany. We also had just spent 6 days riding in Catalonia, Spain before this tour in Italy. Germany has by far the best infrastructure for pedestrians and cycling, similar to the Netherlands. Spain was pretty good and has improved since we were there 3 years ago. This part of Italy has a long long way to go, unless thousands of people clean the roads and streets and they develop a different culture. Not something Bike Tours or Giro Libero can affect I am guessing. We would not ride most of these routes again :(  SHOW MORE 

      What was the date of your tour?
      September 2022
      How many tours have you completed?
      20+
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists, Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      No
      • Mountains of garbage all over the roads in rural areas, it went on for hundreds of km. :( (photo by George Ouimet)
      •  (photo by George Ouimet)
      •  (photo by George Ouimet)
      •  (photo by George Ouimet)
      • The world is their ashtray :( (photo by George Ouimet)
      • Even in some parks. Sadly the plastic will persist for centuries and no one seems motivated to clean it up. (photo by George Ouimet)
      • 4/5 Value
      • 3/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 3/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 3/5 Route selection
      • 5/5 Guides (if applicable)
    • Ladislav Votruba September 28, 2022

      Italian hospitality is exceptional

      Disappointed that the route of the trip was changed ( took the same trip 8 years ago )
      Bikes - loved the e bike , the company has to have better maintenance program I almost ran into traffic going down the hill the first day of the trip
      Emergency number - called to get assistance x 3, only got one call back
      Navigation- the GPS is great when it works, starting from hotel or finding hotel at the end of day is challenging- we used google map to help us

      • BikeTours.com staff reply from Biketours Team Member October 19, 2022

        Dear Ladislav,
        Thanks for taking the time to leave us feedback, we really appreciate it. In 2023 we will offer 24/7 assistance from our local office, so we can always help you in emergent cases.

    • Collette February 12, 2022

      Lecce Loop of the Trip is Beautiful

      The segment of this trip within the Puglia region provided stunning views almost all day long of the Adriatic and Ionian Seas. We took frequent advantage of public beaches, stopping for a swim along the way, and the towns were charming, making it easy to linger over an espresso and seaside lunch, or tour on foot once we were settled into our hotel for the night. Our E-bikes made us happy as this Puglia section of the route is quite hilly. The hotels were excellent to good, and the GPS mapping on our phones made it super easy to stay on track or find the route after we had chosen to deviate from it. This portion of the trip was a delight.
      The first third of this bike trip includes the the route from Matera to Alberobello and Ostuni. A previous reviewer had mentioned, "an inordinate amount of garbage," on this section. I cannot stress enough how the garbage surpasses the word "inordinate." Hundreds of thousands of water bottles, household trash, appliances, used diapers and debris of all sorts litters the first three days of this trip, like riding through an open landfill.
      This section of the Basilicata route has long been abandoned for repair. We had to turn off the "emergency SOS" app on our phones - the one that calls your emergency contact using severe shaking of your phone - due to the broken concrete and tar on these roads as our phones kept sending SOS pings out to family members in the US. Where I live, I often have to ride on gravel roads and those seemed like a dream compared to these first 3 days of road conditions. The Lecce portion of this trip was great but I cannot recommend this trip if it includes the first section. Bike Tours is wonderful, this was our second trip with them and we plan more, but I will heed reviews, which is why I'm offering this one.

      What was the date of your tour?
      Sept 26 - Oct 1, 2021
      How many tours have you completed?
      two
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Do you recommend this tour?
      No
      • At the beautiful Ionian Sea! (photo by Collette)
      • Magical public swimming beach. (photo by Collette)
      • 4/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 1/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 1/5 Route selection
    • FunL October 27, 2019

      The best way to see Puglia!

      A great experience riding a bike thru the heel of Italy. A great way to see the country and ride off all those calories. I ate like a Roman, rode my bike like a Maserati and enjoyed La Dolce Vita.

      What was the date of your tour?
      October 5, 2019
      How many tours have you completed?
      2
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat harder
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 4/5 Route selection
    • Randa September 12, 2019

      Great cycling route. Some hills, but not as bad as I had figured. Disappointed that they did not have the meet and great on the day, as stated. It was on our day 2...when we had 70k to go. Otherwise the arrows showed that we had taken the right turn, and with them and the odometers it made for smooth sailing......never got lost!!! First time ever, in 6 tours that we have never been lost!! Great scenery, great accommodations. Some breakfast needed more protein on their tables to get us going until lunch time! All in all, we would recommend this trip!!

      What was the date of your tour?
      Aug. 24-31, 2019
      How many tours have you completed?
      6
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat easier
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 3/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Dickiev01 July 18, 2019

      Interesting Scenery

      A scenic and pretty tour displaying the unique attributes of the region. The roads were generally rural and low volume thoroughfares with a few busy areas, but all in all a wonderful and decently designed tour. We upgrade our bikes so we will rate them higher than normal

      What was the date of your tour?
      June 8th, 2019
      How many tours have you completed?
      4
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat easier
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 3/5 Value
      • 3/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 4/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 4/5 Local tour company services
      • 4/5 Route selection
    • paul22 November 13, 2018

      great trip

      a fantastic part of Italy - unspoiled. tour is well organized, hotels are good. highly recommended

      What was the date of your tour?
      october 2018
      How many tours have you completed?
      3
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Bubbles November 11, 2018

      Good bike tour, great scenery, with caveats and NOT a level 2 difficulty

      This tour benefits from some spectacularly gorgeous scenery, two unique and fascinating cities, and the excellent bike support staff (they were prompt in communicating and resolving equipment problems). Cyclists need to be aware of some of the drawbacks, too. The difficulty rating for this trip is misleading. It is NOT a level 2; it is definitely at least a level 3. I did a level 2 ride the week before, and a level 4 ride the week after, and this ride was closer to the 4 than the 2. The elevation maps provided appear to be inaccurate (day 2 was at least as hilly as day 1). Cycling expectations, and therefore preparations, matter. The on-route directional sign postings are usually present (kudos), but quite small and easy to overlook. Then, unfortunately, there were some things that detracted from the experience that cannot be fixed by the tour operator: inconsiderate auto drivers, very rough pavement in many places (patches upon patches and big, deep potholes), and a truly remarkable amount of litter (garbage, discarded washing machines and refrigerators, cans, bottles) that mars large swaths of the route in otherwise very scenic countryside. We cycled in the shoulder season, and some coastal in the far south towns were nearly closed down, but the traffic was also nearly absent. All things considered, it was a positive experience and worthwhile, but it doesn’t compare favorably to other equally beautiful trips.

      What was the date of your tour?
      October 6, 2018
      How many tours have you completed?
      9
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Much harder
      Do you recommend this tour?
      No
      • 5/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 4/5 Route selection
    • John 327 September 15, 2018

      Fun Trip

      We were on a self guided trip but wound up meeting several fun people we wound up riding with. Scenery was great, the bikes were excellent and well suited to the ride. The accommodations ranged from good to excellent and we found the locals to be engaging and often very helpful. It seemed as though they were happy we were there. One of the bigger surprises was the quality of the local wines. They were excellent and very reasonably priced. The written directions were sometimes a bit confusing, but frankly that added to the fun and adventure. On some of the longer stretches in the countryside it was difficult to find water so it is a good idea to carry an extra bottle in your pannier.

      What was the date of your tour?
      9/2
      How many tours have you completed?
      4
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat harder
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 4/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 4/5 Scenery
      • 2/5 Ease of navigation
      • 3/5 Tour documents
      • 3/5 Local tour company services
      • 3/5 Route selection
    • raystrach July 31, 2017

      A Great Experience of the Real Italy

      We really enjoyed this trip taken before the start of the high season (mid april).
      It really is a great part of Italy with relatively few tourists and quiet roads. Apart from one day when we we battled quite a strong headwind, the touring was really great with many beautiful and/or interesting places to keep us occupied every day.

      We found plenty of great places to have lunch and dinner along the way and from time to time enjoyed the company of fellow travellers using the same tour company.

      A highlight of our visit to Italy.

      What was the date of your tour?
      April 2016
      How many tours have you completed?
      5
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 5/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Sierralover76 January 6, 2017

      Wonderful Adventure of Gorgeous Beaches, Unique History, and Amazing Food

      Our adventure through Puglia was unforgettable! This region offers so much history, culture, and beautiful scenery. Every day of the bike tour is unique and different. It's especially nice to explore this amazing region that I imagine most Americans are not familiar with.

      To begin, the staff at both Biketours.com and Girolibero (the local operator) are outstanding, super helpful, knowledgeable, and very responsive. Everything was smooth and easy.

      Regarding the trip itself, Matera (day one) is just spectacular. Walking through the ancient stassi is a very special experience (we recommend hiring Nadia Garlatti for a guided tour to really get a feel for it (nadiagarlatti@tiscali.it). If you are planning on spending an extra night in either Matera or Lecce, we absolutely recommend you do so in Matera (not Lecce). The hotel is also wonderful, and it's just so special staying in the stassi of Matera.

      One of the best parts about this trip is how you get to experience so much. Literally every day is very different. From the ancient stassi of Matera, to the trulli of Alberobello, the unique history of Otranto, the gorgeous beaches, lovely olive groves, vineyards and fig trees, this trip really covers a lot. Beyond the highlights, you will also visit very charming towns like Locorotondo and Gallipoli.

      The biggest challenge for us was to see and do everything we wanted to do. It may not seem like much to bike 35-45 miles per day, but there is just so much to see and do. Each day was very packed so that we could enjoy the sites along the way, have a great meal in our destination, and have a stroll to explore our destination as much as we could. The nightlife in each bustling town was awesome as well.

      The guidebook offered by Girolibero is very thorough and super informative. Their tips on where to stop and where to eat are spot on. All the restaurants, gelateria, beaches and other specific recommendations were great. In fact, the Pugliese cuisine was the best we had in Italy. Every meal was outstanding (and very reasonably priced). In America, "antipasto" is usually not really memorable. However, do yourself a favor and order the antipasto dishes when dining in Puglia -- for a very affordable price, you get a wonderful assortment of very tasty and unique dishes.

      We could go on raving about this trip. We also need to mention the hotels were great as well (especially San Martino in Matera). And you have a complete and delicious breakfast included every morning.

      Basically, from start to finish, this trip was just perfect. We have no complaints, and look forward to another bike tour in the near future. This was a wonderful way to experience an amazing region of Italy. Grazie!

      What was the date of your tour?
      September 2016
      How many tours have you completed?
      1
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • Walking the streets of Matera is a magical experience. Make sure to leave extra time for it! (photo by Sierralover76)
      • The stunning Adriatic coastline on the last day. (photo by Sierralover76)
      • Very charming Locorotondo (photo by Sierralover76)
      • The main beach of Gallipoli (photo by Sierralover76)
      • The first beach you reach on your tour, and it's stunning! (photo by Sierralover76)
      • Great nightlife each day, this was the historic center of Ostuni. (photo by Sierralover76)
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Louise October 1, 2016

      Excellent trip

      We had a great time . Hotels were great and charming . Self guide tour was enjoyable . Arrows showing pretty well except the last day. It was not only cycling it was a cultural trip at the same time . Your documentation was excellent . Very satisfied

      What was the date of your tour?
      Sept 17-24
      How many tours have you completed?
      At least 12
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 5/5 Value
      • 2/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 4/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Izzz October 1, 2016

      Pulia heel of the boot Italy

      We 4 seniors really enjoyed our bike trip. The second last day was more challenging than we expected. Route was well signed with small arrows except into Lecce. Bikes heavy but reliable and comfortable.

      What was the date of your tour?
      Spring 2015 Belgium
      How many tours have you completed?
      Over ten
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      As expected
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists, Families with teens
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • 4/5 Value
      • 4/5 Included meals
      • 4/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 4/5 Hotels or boat
      • 4/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 4/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Route selection
    • Bikenfools November 5, 2015

      Apulia: Cycling the Heel of Italy’s Boot

      We had a great trip to Apulia (Cycling the Heel of Italy’s Boot), loved the tour, would do it again and recommend to others. All 7 hotels had excellent service and all-round excellent accommodations. Our luggage was always waiting for us, breakfast was always very good and the bikes served us well. The guys at the bike shop where we picked-up our bikes were friendly and helpful, and made adjustments to the bikes before we left.

      The locals we met along the way were always very friendly, warm and treated us like rock stars. Even though we do not speak Italian, we never had trouble communicating - there was always someone within the vicinity who spoke English and eager to help translate. Sometimes there would be 1/6 dozen locals all translating at the same time.

      The first hotel in Matera, Locanda Di San Martino, was our favorite and wished we could take the spa, pool, steam-room, and hot tub with us to the other hotels.

      The 2nd hotel was cool getting to stay in a Trulli.

      The 3rd hotel in Ostuni, Relais Sant’Eligo, was special because of the service we received from Tonia and Abbes – they went “above and beyond” to make our stay enjoyable. I was having technical difficulties with my iPhone charger, and thought the outlet in my room was not working. I took everything to the front desk and Abbes examined all the components (charger, adapter, cord, and phone) determined my cord was not working. He then called several electronic stores trying to find a cord, and said he would drive me to a store to buy a new one.

      The 4th hotel in Gallipoli, Hotel 33, was very nice and we were treated like royalty. When we arrived - hot, thirsty and tired - the staff had ice-cold lemon-aid, and water waiting for us in the lobby, plus a bowl of fresh olives to snack on. They told us to just leave the bikes by the door and they moved them to the garaged. Our luggage was already in our room. We received an excellent local restaurant recommendation that served the best fresh fish I had the entire trip. The next morning our bikes were waiting by the front door. Fantastic service.

      The 5th hotel in Santa Maria Di Leuca was good and had a nice pool. The only draw-back was the hotel is located outside of town about 1 mile from the nearest restaurant and we would have to walk in the dark on a road to get to another restaurant. Luckily, the hotel had an ok restaurant.

      The 6th hotel in Otranto, Hotel San Giuseppe was nice with good service. The location made it easy to walk to restaurants in the area.

      The 7th hotel in Lecce, Hotel EOS, was very nice, and modern.

      The only route we found hard to follow was the route between Alberobello and Ostuni. There are many turns, and a few more directional arrow stickers might have been helpful, but maybe not. I believe we missed some turns because we were too interested in seeing the sights and not paying close attention to the guide book.  SHOW MORE 

      How many tours have you completed?
      3
      Difficulty (actual vs. expected)?
      Somewhat easier
      Who is this tour suitable for?
      Families with teens, Solo travelers, First-time bike tourists
      Do you recommend this tour?
      Yes
      • Fresh strawberries from a roadside stand. (photo by Bikenfools)
      • Poppies in bloom everywhere. (photo by Bikenfools)
      • Alberobello (photo by Bikenfools)
      • Santa Maria di Leuca - tip of the heel. (photo by Bikenfools)
      • Adriatic Sea, old light house ruins (photo by Bikenfools)
      • Adriatic Sea - out peddling the rain. behind us. (photo by Bikenfools)
      • 5/5 Value
      • 5/5 Included meals
      • 5/5 Bikes + equipment
      • 5/5 Hotels or boat
      • 5/5 Scenery
      • 4/5 Ease of navigation
      • 5/5 Tour documents
      • 5/5 Local tour company services
      • 5/5 Route selection

    Apulia and Basilicata

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