Dolce Tempo
Magnificent Apulia
Food Tradition Bike
The charm of the Itria Valley is famous all over the world, elegant villages, peaceful countryside dotted with trulli and olive groves, the multitude of flavors, scents and colors of its cuisine will fascinate you and make your bike trip a continuous discovery,all the best that this extraordinary region has to offer and exclusive and luxury accommodation.
WHAT'S INCLUDED:
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Bikes (choice road carbon or hybrid)
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Two professional tour guides throughout the program
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All accommodations: one 4-star, one 5-star, one albergo diffuso
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All breakfasts, all lunches, and all dinners
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Wine with meals, coffee, cappuccino, and gelato stops
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Visits to producers and tastings
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Guided tour of Alberobello
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Cooking class
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Support vehicle during the tour and luggage transfer
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Shuttle at the beginning and at the end of the tour (Mercedes Vito/Ford Transit Custom)
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All activities mentioned in the day-by-day description
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Bike helmet
SicilyCyclingTours gear, including a custom cycling jersey t-shirt, water bottle, and drawstring
WHAT'S EXCLUDED:Medical Insurance, everything is not explicitly written in this page!
Price: €5.300
Day 1
On the first day of the trip, meet your SCT Trip
(the people wearing SCT T-shirts) at the Bari airport.
SHUTTLE BUS TO MASSERIA BRIGANTINO 1 hour
CYCLING OPTIONS:
Coastal warm-up route: 17 miles (700' elevation gain)
Christ of Sod route: 24 miles (1,000')
Welcome to Puglia! We commute from the bustling center of Bari downtown Bari to Masseria Brigantino, a fortified masseria fortified farmhouse nestled in an ancient olive grove. After getting acquainted
after getting acquainted with a delicious picnic, your SCT trip leaders mount the bike and give a short talk on the techniques of cycling techniques and safety. Then it's off for a warm-up ride along the Adriatic coast,passing through the historic city of Egnatia. Continue cycling through a rural landscape through colorful fields of strawberries and fennel and groves of huge centuries-old olive trees, a testament to
Puglia as Italy's leading olive oil producer.
Our destination is Il Melograno, originally a 17th-century agricultural estate, now a Relais & Chaletlocated outside the town of Monopoli, and our home for the next two nights.
DAY 2
BIKING OPTIONS:
Polignano Route: 23 Miles* (1,400' elevation gain)
Melograno Giro Completo Route: 31 Miles (1,800')
Conversano Route: 45 Miles (2,700')
*with shuttle
Ready for your first full day of biking. Unlike yesterday's leisurely ride, today's takes you
into hillier terrain so be prepared to tackle some steep (but not long) climbs. You'll encounter a few ascents
before curling downhill along the coast to Polignano a Mare, a picture-perfect whitewashed village whosewinding streets are lined with flowering plants. Though graced with incredible views over the Adriatic, the town
may be best known for the inlets, coves and caves carved into its shoreline by the constant scouring of wind and
waves. There's no shortage of scenic spots to enjoy before we meet for lunch.
In the afternoon, head back to Il Melograno, traversing rolling hills interspersed with longer relaxing descents. Or,
if you'd prefer, take the shuttle back to the hotel and bask by the pool. We round out the day with a quick
shuttle to a nearby masseria (fortified farmhouse) for dinner, and to learn about local wine varieties and regional
cuisine—including how to make pasta—with an expert sommelier and chef. Lodging: Il Melograno
DAY 3
BIKING OPTIONS:
Trulli Gentle Route: 11 Miles* (900' elevation gain)
Trulli Route: 14 Miles* (1,700')
San Domenico Route: 36 Miles (2,200')
Gallo Rosso Route: 49 Miles (2,900')
*with shuttle
After breakfast at the hotel, kick off the morning with a big climb to the top of the Murgia, a plateau composed
largely of limestone. Bike along rolling country roads lined with weathered stone walls to Alberobello, a World
Heritage site. Here we take a walking tour with our local friend Mimmo, who expounds on trulli, round stonebuildings constructed without mortar and topped with conical gray slate roofs—Alberobello boasts 1,500!
Because similar structures are found in Turkey, Sardinia, Spain and southern France, historians believe that
different ethnic groups influenced the building style. We explore Alberobello's historic center with Mimmo, then
gain insight into another long-practiced art—mozzarella making. Your appetite piqued, take your pick from
Alberobello's many quaint restaurants for lunch on your own.
After lunch spin through the hilly farmland of the Valle d'Itria and back toward the seaside city of Savelletri di
Fasano and the Masseria San Domenico, once a 15thcentury stronghold of the Knights of Malta and our home
for the next two nights.
This evening we gather in our hotel's elegant dining room for a delectable dinner inspired by the Adriatic Sea and
featuring ingredients from the hotel's own vegetable garden. Lodging: Masseria San Domenico
DAY 4
BIKING OPTIONS:
Ostuni Senza Salita Route: 18 Miles* (1,200' elevation gain)
Ostuni Route: 26 Miles* (2,300')
Ostuni Loop: 41 Miles (2,500')
Coastal Loop: 61 Miles (3,000')
*with shuttle
Your ride this morning takes you along peaceful country roads lined with low stone walls and surrounded by the
now familiar and welcome sight of acres of olive groves. A climb back up to the Murgia plateau leads into the quiet
7th-century town of Cisternino, where you can take a break and enjoy a refreshing espressino freddo, a cold
sweet coffee that's a Pugliese specialty, before continuing the ride accompanied by stunning views of the Pugliese
landscape. A few rolling hills and a thrilling descent delivers you to la città bianca (the white city) of Ostuni, a historic
settlement that spans three hilltops and is crowned by a Spanish-influenced Gothic cathedral. Explore the
cobblestone streets before savoring a lunch of fresh Pugliese fare.
This afternoon, hop in the shuttle for a lift back to the hotel for some well-deserved R&R or log a few more miles
on your bike with a spin past olive groves back to the coast and Torre Canne. Tonight we head into Monopoli, a
fascinating town complete with charming narrow streets, a magnificent cathedral and a number of inviting
restaurants to choose from for dinner on your own. Lodging: Masseria San Domenico
DAY 5
BIKING OPTIONS:
Noci Senza Salita Route: 20 Miles* (1,000 elevation gain)
La Mandra Route: 27 Miles* (1,400')
Basilicata Route: 53 Miles* (3,000')
Matera Route: 63 Miles (3,600')
*with shuttle
Today begins with another marvelous ride through the picturesque countryside as you tackle the challenging
climb (or shuttle for a boost over the hills) onto a limestone plateau en route to Basilicata. Pedal across
long stretches of open road past dairy farms to a quintessential agriturismo (country retreat and working
farm) where we are treated to a farm-style meal featuring homemade cheeses, meats and breads made from wheat
grown and ground on the property. When you're ready, catch a ride in the shuttle or reunite with your bike and make your way to the World Heritage Site of Matera, an ideal representation of a Mediterranean troglodyte settlement. Take some time to learn about these prehistoric cave dwellings—known a sassi (stones)—which give this city an otherworldly feel. In
the Middle Ages they were inhabited by monks hiding from foreign invaders and in 1952 there were still 15,000
people living in the sassi!
Later you'll settle into a cliff cave of your own for the night at Sextantio le Grotte della Civita. Harkening back to the
Middle Ages when simple pastoral farmers lived here, the hotel maintains a minimalist design using original and
recycled materials with seamlessly integrated modern amenities. Tonight we gather at a favorite local restaurant—also in a
cave! Partake in a traditional Italian aperitivo toast to a wonderful week followed by dinner featuring Basilicata
specialties at Ristorante Baccanti. Lodging: Sextantio le Grotte della Civita
DAY 6
MATERA
BIKING OPTIONS:
Montescaglioso Route: 11 Miles* (1,100' elevation gain)
Montescaglioso Out-&-Back: 23 Miles (2,200')
SHUTTLE TO BARI 1¼ Hours
*with shuttle
After a leisurely breakfast, join our informative local guide for a walking tour of Matera to learn about its fascinating
history. Want to take on one final challenge instead? Rise early this morning and set off on a formidable route
heading to the crested town of Montescaglioso for some inspirational views of Basilicata's countryside. No matter
which way you decide to complete this week's adventure,you'll have time to bid your leaders farewell before
hopping in the shuttle bound for Bari, where our tripends. Please see "Arriving & Departing" for end-of-trip
logistics.