Puglia Bicycle Tour Itinerary

Our rendezvous point is in Brindisi where our guides will meet and drive you through the gorgeous “Pugliese” landscape to the lovely seaside village of Otranto.  The Byzantines made Otranto into the capital of the Terra di Otranto and they fortified the town, making it one of the strongholds destined to defend the region against the Normans and the Turks. After toasting your arrival with a traditional Prosecco you’ll be guided into a bike fitting, safety talk, and map review. Our first ride leaves from the old Spanish Castello and leaves the coast for a sea of olive trees.  You'll immediately understand why Puglia is the biggest olive oil-producing region in Italy as we cycle through a landscape devoted to the olive.  We'll ride to a local cantina to sample their wines before looping back to town.  Sunday evening is a great time to join the locals for a passeggiata (evening stroll) in Otranto as everyone is outside enjoying life. For dinner we’ll put our trust in our friend Pasquale’s gift for pairing great wines with original dishes as he hosts us at his well-regarded local restaurant.

 

Meals: Light Lunch / Dinner

Destinations visited: Otranto

Accomplished: 22 km /13 miles. Longer optional ride available.

 

Today’s tour will be along one of the most stunning coastal roads in the world with breathtaking views of cliffs and bays. On your bike you will discover fishing villages, like Porto Badisco and Santa Cesarea Terme, famous for its Moorish architecture and thermal waters.  Continuing along the coast, we will pass spectacular sea caves and the town of Castro, where Virgil claims the legendary Aeneas first made landfall in Italy. Nearing Leuca we will stop for a heavenly picnic, suspended in the branches of an olive tree overlooking the sparkling cerulean sea.  After lunch it’s a short ride to Leuca and the famous sanctuary there that is still visited by pilgrims. The Greek sailors, attracted by its beauty, gave it the name Leukos (white) for its bright sunlit cliffs, and the siren, Leucasia, according to the legend, found peace on its reef. From here, you will have the option to go back to Otranto in the van to spend some time on the beaches or make it an epic day by cycling back for a 106 km roundtrip. Once you have relaxed a bit after the gorgeous ride you’ll be guided around the town for a walking historical tour of Otranto, where you’ll learn all about the cathedral of the mosaic and the eight hundred skulls. Tonight’s dinner is of your choosing but feel free to join the guides at our favorite pizza joint in Italy, built right into the city’s fortification.

 

Meals: Breakfast / Gourmet Picnic

Destinations visited: Santa Cesarea Terme, Castro & Santa Maria di Leuca

Accomplished: 53 km / 30 miles. Optional Century Ride (106 km roundtrip).

 

In the morning we will transfer to the stunning Itria Valley, outside the hilltown of Cisternino for a tour and tasting at a typical Pugliese olive oil mill. You’ll learn all about the different olive varieties present only in this area of the world. From here we will head to nearby Locorotondo, one of the "Borghi piu Belli d'Italia" (most beautiful villages in Italy).  Here we will have the opportunity to explore the labyrinth of whitewashed streets before stopping in to our friend Franco's local trattoria for a typical lunch and some of the local wine.  After lunch, we’ll ride through the stunning green countryside of rolling hills and small farms to our next luxury hotel, built around a collection of old trulli, the conical stone-roofed dwellings found only in this area. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at the pool, or take a trip into the Martina Franca's historic core to explore the bustling streets. Tonight we will dine at the hotel’s restaurant in a trulli special setting.

 

Meals: Breakfast /Lunch/ Dinner

Destinations visited: Cisternino, Locorotondo, Itria Valley

Accomplished: 33 kms / 20 miles

 

The route to Alberobello passes through perfect cycling country; stone walls line the roads, giving way to pastures and vineyards that will delight the eyes. We’ll arrive in Alberobello in spectacular fashion, passing through Puglia’s greatest concentration of trulli on our way to the main square.  You’ll have time to explore the town, ask locals about their peculiar architecture and enjoy a light lunch at one of the many restaurants and pizzerias. You can even stop in at a local butcher’s shop to have them grill any of their meats before your eyes.  After lunch we will cycle through the trulli zone, passing quiet villages on even quieter roads. Arriving at the edge of the Itrian plateau, we will have a spectacular view of the coastal plain below before beginning the thrilling downhill to get there. Our destination is Torre Maizza, a luxury hotel created from a fortified estate, or masseria. The hotel houses a sleek Aveda spa, while the lush, flower-decked grounds extend in all directions. Take time to relax at this magnificent property this afternoon. If interested, your guides are more than happy to provide you with information on additional local activities such as playing nine holes of golf, doing some horseback riding, or taking advantage of the spa. In the evening we will reunite for a private cooking class with Vito, Maizza’s award-winning chef. We will cook a range of typical Pugliese dishes, including some handmade pasta and then taste the rewards with a well-earned dinner.  Today you will officially become a local and fall in love with Puglia.

 

Meals: Breakfast / Dinner

Destinations visited: Alberobello, Fasano, Itria Valley

Accomplished: 50 kms / 30 miles

 

We start today weaving our way along country lanes lined with low stone walls as we cycle to the coast.  Riding down the coast we will pass sunbathers, swimmers, the Ancient Roman ruins of Egnazia and laid-back fishing villages like Savelletri and Torre Canne. Then, turning inland, we will explore the tiny roads, or canali, that wind through an endless plain of ancient olive trees.  A gradual climb will reward us with a stunning view of this colorful canvas: where the bright blue Adriatic embraces the browns and greens of this endless olive grove. A long downhill will bring us back to earth where a delicious lunch awaits us in the courtyard of a stunning masseria. Here our hosts, Laura and Filippo, will show us around their historic home and even let us taste some of their artisanal olive oil. After lunch you can opt for an extra challenge with a ride up the ridge to the white city of Ostuni, or spin back to the hotel to spend the afternoon at the spa or relaxing on the beach. In the evening we will get together for a wine tasting led by Torre Maizza’s sommelier before sitting down to another mouthwatering Pugliese dinner prepared by Vito and his staff. 

 

Meals: Breakfast / Gourmet Lunch / Dinner

Destinations visited: Savelletri, Torre Canne

Accomplished:  48 km / 30 miles. Optional longer ride to Ostuni available.

 

After breakfast on the terrace, say goodbye to Masseria Torre Maizza however you see fit. Stroll the grounds, or take a morning dip in the pool lined with Roman columns. We’ll transfer you to Brindisi as you head on to your next destination.

 

Meals: Breakfast

Accomplished: 206 km / 126 miles & Total Satisfaction!