Self-guided Bike Tour in Puglia, Italy

Day 1: Welcome to Puglia!
Upon arrival in Monopoli, a DuVine representative will take you to your first hotel, Tenuta Chianchizza for a bike fitting and briefing.  The first ride takes you through the flat coastal plain.  Passing towering olive groves, you’ll arrive at the coast and cycle along the seashore to the archaeological site of Egnazia, once the location of a Greco-Roman town dating as far back as the 4th century BC. Stop inside to visit the museum and walk along the ancient Roman highway, the Via Trajana before heading to the beach.  Returning to the hotel, we have plenty of recommendations for your first Pugliese dinner.

Cycling: Egnazia loop ride 35km/22mi
Accommodations: Tenuta Chianchizza

Day 2
Today, you will embark on a charming route along the stunning Adriatic coastline from Monopoli to Conversano. Stop along the way at Polignano a Mare, a small fishing village idyllically perched on the side of the rocky limestone cliffs. Pay attention to your route notes, as we will suggest a stop at one of the great gelato shops in the region, Il Supermago del Gelo – the Super Magician of Gelato! You will continue, through the quaint, picturesque village of San Vito, with its multicoloured boats moored up in the tiny port and finish your journey in the sleepy, beautiful little town of Conversano, set amid a landscape of olive and cherry trees, with its rambling alleyways and sun-baked piazza dominated by the Norman castle and Romanesque cathedral.

Accomplished: Monopoli to Conversano 29km/18mi
Accommodations: Hotel Corte Altavilla

Day 3
Today, you will leave Conversano and cycle towards the Valle d'Itria, or Itria Valley, and the old town of Alberobello, with its unique plethora of Trulli houses, the region’s architectural icon. Pedal through rolling countryside to the sweet aroma of mint that grows by the roadside and stop to enjoy the little towns of Putignano and Noci, with their characteristic whitewashed houses and narrow alleyways. On arrival in Alberobello, you will check into your great accommodations, Hotel Olimpo, a perfectly situation 4-star hotel in the city.

Accomplished: Conversano to Alberobello 38km/23mi
Accommodations: Grand Hotel Olimpo

Day 4
Spend today roaming around the historic center, navigating your way through Alberobello’s narrow streets, souvenir shops and tasting local products or maybe visit the museo del territorio to discover the history of this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, set off on your bikes on a loop ride deep into the Itria Valley to visit stunning Locorotondo - nicknamed “città del vino” for its excellent dry white spumante (sparkling) wine made from verdeca grapes. Here in Locorotondo, meander the atmospheric alleyways bedecked with geraniums and citrus plants. Continue on to Martina Franca – a must-see town for its marvelously intact historic centre, beautiful Baroque architecture, and stunning palazzi, an architectural jewel, splendidly positioned on the hillside with wonderful panoramic views
across the Itria Valley.

Accomplished: Alberobello Loop 49km/31mi
Accommodations: Grand Hotel Olimpo

Day 5
Today, we will leave the lovely town of Alberobello and cycle to Pezze di Greco, riding down beautiful scenic country lanes lined with weathered stone walls before enjoying a long downhill with panoramic views of the Adriatic coastline and the lower fertile plains. This incredible descent will bring you down to Capitolo and south along an ancient farming road, finishing through a patchwork of almond orchards, olive groves, vineyards and gloriously colored fields of fresh tomatoes and peppers. Your home for the night will be the pastoral farmhouse, Masseria Salamina, situated only 7 km from the sea with natural food and old-time charm.

Accomplished: Alberobello to Pezze di Greco 43km/27mi
Accommodations: Masseria Salamina

Day 6
Today you will ride from the Masseria Salamina to Cisternino, one of the most lovely and chic hilltop towns in Puglia. Here you will have sweeping views of the Itria valley below and a chance to see why this town is starting to gain some serious international repute. You then cycle through the olive groves and rock strewn fields to the stunning Citta Bianca, white city, Ostuni. Here you will enjoy a fabulous lunch on your own and breathe in the clean air from the sea only 6KM away. You pedal back down to Pezze di Greco and your lovely Masseria home.

Accomplished: Pezze di Greco-Cisterno-Ostuni Loop 65km/ 40 miles
Accommodations: Masseria Salamina

Day 7
You will depart for your flight home or next destination. DuVine is happy to help you arrange transportation to your next destination (prior to departure) or help you extend your stay in the Puglia.