Cycling
Puglia and Salento
- IT008 / Italy
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Cycling
Cycling tours Cycling holiday with accommodation in selected facilities, luggage transport, assistance. Details
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Self-guided
Self-guided Travel at your own pace following maps, roadbooks and information material. When travelling, you can always count on our assistance. Details
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By the sea
By the sea Coastal itinerary or travel programme that leaves room for relaxation by the sea.
- Silver Gold
- Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
- 8 days
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- linear from Alberobello to Lecce
- Discount for 3rd person in room
Highlights
If you love cycling and also want to enjoy the wind ruffling your hair on the waterfront, then this trip is perfect for you! Enter the Apulian territory, characterized by endless expanses of olive groves. Proceeding south, travel the entire heel of the Belpaese to Salento. Breathtaking coastal landscapes, crystal-clear waters, cities of art and ancient villages, all topped off with rich gastronomy and excellent wines: what more could you ask for?
- The famous trulli of Alberobello, traditional little white houses with conical roofs
- The sea and beaches of Salento, among the most beautiful in Italy
- Lecce's unexpected Baroque architectural style characterized by exuberant decorations
What awaits you
A week of biking along a mostly flat route with some hilly sections on mostly paved, low-traffic roads (outside of peak season). Attention should be paid to traffic when entering and leaving cities.
The stages include wonderful stretches of coastline.
Accommodation
The hotels on this tour have been carefully selected for you. The lodgings are easily accessible from the indicated route and located near major points of interest, so that you can easily visit the new city you reach. Breakfast is always included to start the day on the pedals with the right fuel.
1. Arrival in Alberobello, the city of trulli
Individual arrival in Alberobello, a characteristic Apulian town, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and known worldwide for its characteristic cone-shaped houses, the trulli.
2. Cycling in the Apulian countryside among ancient villages, to Ostuni
Leave the city of Trulli behind you as you ride into the Murgia region and enjoy the beautiful rural landscape. Just in time for a coffee break, you’ll arrive in Locorotondo, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, with its circular shape and characterized by cummerse, the sloping roofs of its rectangular houses. After a short distance, you’ll reach Cisternino: a difficult climb takes you there, but you will be rewarded by the unique tangle of this historic center that resembles a beehive. You’ll have plenty of time to stop and rest and perhaps stock up on snacks with the excellent local taralli and friselle, or even to sample a good plate of orecchiette pasta. Today’s overnight stay will be in Ostuni, also known as “the white city”: a beautiful village perched on a small hill overlooking the sea.
Shorten the stage: You can shorten the stage by taking a train from Alberobello to Martina Franca, or to Locorotondo.
3. Arrival in Salento and on the pedals to Manduria
Today you leave Ostuni and the Murgia hills and enter the Salento region. You’ll ride surrounded by its enchanting landscape, in which the green leaves of olive trees and the characteristic red of the soil predominate. Along the way, you can stop to visit the town of Oria, with its beautiful historic center and castle built by emperor Federico II. The cycling day ends in Manduria, the capital of Primitivo wine.
4. The enchanting Salento coast and overnight stay in Gallipoli
Today’s stage runs along the beautiful Salento coast, interspersed with ancient towers and fine sandy beaches. You’ll reach Porto Cesareo, where we suggest enjoying a good lunch of fresh fish. Today’s destination is Gallipoli, an authentic pearl of the Ionian Sea, which is one of the most beautiful towns in Salento. Don’t miss a walk through the old town and a visit to the underground oil mill.
5. Southern charm all the way to Santa Maria di Leuca
A whole day dedicated to the sea, with all the colors and scents that this Mediterranean coast can offer: pines, myrtles and junipers against a backdrop of the deep blue Ionian Sea, which presents itself with a thousand coves, beaches and inlets. The stage is flat, with only a few short ups and downs at the end. A few kilometers out of Gallipoli, we recommend the detour to Punta della Suina and a walk along the coast that also takes you to nearby Lido Pizzo. Just before you reach the day’s destination, stop at Punta Ristola, with its beautiful caves. Finally, just where the land ends and the two seas (Adriatic and Ionian) meet, Santa Maria di Leuca (from the Greek “leukos,” meaning white) awaits, where you settle in for the night. A sunset toast in the Sanctuary Square is a must!
6. Coastal landscapes, vestiges of the past and arrival in Otranto
Today, you’ll ride on one of the most scenic roads in the world, undulating all along the way, past small fishing villages with whitewashed houses, cliffs surrounded by Mediterranean scrub, and the deep blue of the Adriatic, which indulges with fantastic inlets and natural bays. Not to be missed are the Romanelli and Zinzulusa caves, where fish considered living fossils have been found. Pass the spa towns of Santa Cesarea and then Porto Badisco, Aeneas’ legendary landing place in Italy, on your way to Otranto, the easternmost town in Italy and your destination today. Don’t miss a walk through the old town, with its stone-paved streets, cathedral and famous Aragonese castle.
7. Last day of bike and sea and arrival in Lecce
Today, you go up along the Adriatic coastline, crossing the Alimini lakes and their distinctive Mediterranean scrub, as well as small coastal towns with fine sandy beaches. For a relaxing break by the sea, you can stop at Sant’Andrea, Torre dell’Orso or Roca Vecchia. Then you’ll arrive at the nature reserve “Le Cesine,” where an incredible number of birds from Africa and Asia rest between migrations. Say goodbye now to the sea and the coast and head inland, where you have the opportunity to visit the small town of Acaya, an example of a 16th-century Southern Italian fortified town with an orthogonal street pattern. Finally, you’ll reach Lecce, a splendid Baroque city and the capital of Salento.
8. End of tour in Lecce
End of services after breakfast. If you need to return to Alberobello or reach the airports in Bari or Brindisi, you can book a private transfer or take the train. Those who can indulge in some more vacation time are encouraged to take the opportunity to be amazed by the capital of Salento. Lecce is distinguished by the richness and exuberance of its 17th-century Baroque churches and palaces, built with the local Lecce stone. Absolutely not to be missed is the Basilica of Santa Croce.
- 3* hotels and B&B
- en suite facilities
- In Alberobello accommodation can be in a typical “widespread hotel”, the so called “trulli”.In this accommodation there is no air conditioning, as their thermal isolation is ensured by the construction method of the trullo itself.
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
enter no. of people and see all departures
- mainly 4* hotels, with some 3* hotels
- en suite facilities
- In Alberobello accommodation can be in a typical “widespread hotel”, the so called “trulli”. In this accommodation there is no air conditioning, as their thermal isolation is ensured by the construction method of the trullo itself.
Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
enter no. of people and see all departures
Accommodation
- 7 nights accommodation
Meals
- 7 breakfasts
Hotels usually serve a continental breakfast. However, in some smaller hotels you may find the typical Italian breakfast, consisting of a hot drink, such as cappuccino or coffee, with fresh pastries, such as cake, croissants or toast and jam.
Luggage transfer
Your luggage will be transported from hotel to hotel starting from the first day of the standard tour until the last day of the tour.
For the luggage transportation we accept only 1 piece of luggage per person with max. 20 kg.
The service is not included in case of extra nights before or after the standard tour.
Before your departure, you will receive detailed guidance on allowable baggage, luggage labels, service hours.
Tour information
Before departure you will receive by email:
- the link to download the tour information material in Pdf (Tour notes and Final tour details)
- the hotel list
- the hotel vouchers to show to the hotel reception upon arrival
- the link to download the App including maps, roadbook, points of interest and GPS tracks (you can use the App offline, too)
When you arrive at the first hotel you will find the luggage labels.
Assistance
We plan your trip carefully, but if you need assistance you can contact our helpline.
In the Final Tour Details you will find the contact phone numbers you can call during the tour in case of emergency.
Cancellation policy
In the event of unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occurring at the place of destination or in its immediate surrounding area and having a substantial impact on the execution of the package or on the transport of travellers towards the destination, the traveller has the right to withdraw from the agreement before using the package, without paying withdrawal costs.
In all the other cases of withdrawal from the travel agreement, the traveller is always required to pay a withdrawal penalty. Read more
Withdrawal penalties
- 20% up to 30 days prior to departure date
- 25% from 29 to 21 days prior to departure date
- 50% from 20 to 14 days prior to departure date
- 80% from 13 to 6 days prior to departure date
- 100% from 5 days prior to departure date and no-show
Round trip
Round trip not included.
To pay on the spot
- Meals not mentioned in the section “price includes”
- Local taxes (10-15 € per person)
They must be paid directly by you at check-in or check-out at the hotels. This fee varies depending on the hotel category, on the season and the number of days of stay. - Tips
Rental bikes and accessories
You can rent Girolibero bikes and accessories.
You can also cycle with your own bike, just make sure it is in perfect shape and suitable for your tour.
Additional excluded services
- Accommodation in single room
- Extra nights
Is is possible to book extra nights in Alberobello and Lecce before or after the tour. Rental bikes are not included in case of extra nights. - Pre-trip extension in Matera
Price on request including: 1 or 2 nights with breakfast in a 3* hotel in the heart of Matera’s famous Sassi, transfer from Bari/Brindisi airport to Matera (the transfer will whisk you to your centrally located hotel in Matera) and transfer from Matera to Alberobello, starting point of the tour. - Transfer
You can book a transfer from Brindisi or Bari airport to Alberobello, and a transfer from Lecce to Brindisi or Bari airport.
Since Alberobello has a traffic-free city center as a UNESCO cultural heritage site, the transfer will take you approx. 250/500mt from the hotel. - Everything not mentioned in the section “included”
You can rent the bike type that suits you best. You will find it at the starting point of the tour and you have to return it at the end of the last cycling stage: easy, isn’t it? Touring bikes, electric bikes, tandems, accessories: our mechanics know them down to the last bolt, assemble them and continually overhaul them at our headquarters or at the nearest base of operations. The rental of Girolibero bikes includes insurance against theft and irreparable damage. See Girolibero bikes in detail.
Unisex touring bike
- 28″ wheel
- 27 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
- the only one suitable with children’s accessories
Unisex touring bike
- 28″ wheel
- 27 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
- the only one suitable with children’s accessories
Specifically assembled by our mechanics, our touring bikes feature components and accessories that make it reliable and easy to ride, a perfect companion for your bike tour. Furthermore, thanks to the step-through frame, getting on and off your bike is easier.
Standard components
- bike bell
- side kickstand
- cycle computer
- front/rear lights
- front/rear mudguards
- bottle holder
- rear rack
Accessories included
- Ortlieb rear side pannier (12,5 l)
- repair kit (1 per room)
- handlebar bag (1 per room)
- lock
On guided tours, the handlebar bag and repair kit are only provided to those who ride individually.
Bosch unisex e-bike
- 28” wheel
- 9 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
Bosch unisex e-bike
- 28” wheel
- 9 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
Our e-bike is the right choice if you do not feel trained enough to spend more days on a saddle. You can easily adjust the assistance of the electric motor: from a mild pedaling support, to a more intense boost, which is especially useful on starts and uphill climbs. The battery charge covers an entire cycling stage, or even more if you don’t use it at full power all the time, and you can recharge it at the end of the day at the hotel .
Standard components
- bike bell
- side kickstand
- cycle computer
- frame lock
- front/rear lights
- front/rear mudguards
- bottle holder
- rear rack
Accessories included
- Ortlieb rear side pannier (12,5 l)
- handlebar bag (1 per room)
- battery charger
- battery key
- repair kit
- lock
On guided tours, the handlebar bag and repair kit are only provided to those who ride individually.
Men's touring bike
- 28″ wheel
- 27 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
Men's touring bike
- 28″ wheel
- 27 speed
- anti-puncture tires
- comfort gel saddle
- speedlifter twist T10 to easily adjust the handlebar height
Specifically assembled by our mechanics, our touring bikes feature components and accessories that make it reliable and easy to ride, a perfect companion for your bike tour.
Standard components
- bike bell
- side kickstand
- cycle computer
- front/rear lights
- front/rear mudguards
- bottle holder
- rear rack
Accessories included
- Ortlieb rear side pannier (12,5 l)
- repair kit (1 per room)
- lock
- handlebar bag (1 per room)
On guided tours, the handlebar bag and repair kit are only provided to those who ride individually.
Handlebar bag
- dimensions: 27cm x 18cm
- depth: 6cm
- 4 velcro straps
Handlebar bag
- dimensions: 27cm x 18cm
- depth: 6cm
- 4 velcro straps
Ortlieb bag
- material: PD620/PS490 waterproof
- dimensions: 30×25×14 cm. (HxWxD)
- weight: 1300 g
- capacity: 12,5 l
Ortlieb bag
- material: PD620/PS490 waterproof
- dimensions: 30×25×14 cm. (HxWxD)
- weight: 1300 g
- capacity: 12,5 l
Waterproof side bag whose compact size makes it the ideal partner for short trips or shopping. Through the QL1 mounting system, it can be quickly and easily attached to the bike.
Repair Kit
Kit includes:
- 1 pump
- 1 inner tube
- 2 allen keys
- tyre levers
- patch
- glue
Repair Kit
Kit includes:
- 1 pump
- 1 inner tube
- 2 allen keys
- tyre levers
- patch
- glue
A repair kit (one for every two bikes) containing what is needed to change the inner tube in case of a puncture is provided for each reservation.
Mobile phone holder, which one to choose?
- Girolibero handlebar bag
- Generic phone holders
- SP Connect™ mount, the best on the market
Mobile phone holder, which one to choose?
- Girolibero handlebar bag
- Generic phone holders
- SP Connect™ mount, the best on the market
To attach your smartphone to the handlebar you have 3 options:
- use the Girolibero handlebar bag supplied free of charge (1 per room)
- buy a mobile phone holder in sports shops or major e-commerce outlets: for € 18-25 we recommend the models that clamp your mobile phone and its case like a vise.
- order the best product on the market, SP Connect™ with a special discount. The SP Connect™ mount is attached to the handlebar and works only with a special phone case. This case, which can also be used in everyday life, is slightly thicker than normal cases and is fixed to the handlebar mount with a simple click. The main advantage is that it is easy to attach and remove your phone, so you can immediately use it to take pictures or make calls, as well as grab it quickly when you want to stop cycling and have a break. Also, there are many other available accessories, including those for your car and writing desk. We recommend the Velcro Universal Mount SPC+ which costs € 29.90, which you can buy with a special 20% discount. The compatible phone case must be purchased separately and the price varies depending on your phone model. Visit the official SP Connect™ website and use the discount code TRAVEL20, which applies to all products.
Route profile
- Level: medium-easy
- Total length: 340 km
- Terrain: 95% paved, 5% unpaved
- Train connections between tour cities: none
- Possibility of shortening stops by train: day 2
How to get there
Alberobello is the starting point of the tour to be reached independently.
By plane
Alberobello is connected with the following airports: Bari: 70 km, Brindisi: 75 km.
From Bari Wojtyla airport (BRI):
- train (approx. 20 min) or shuttle bus Tempesta (approx. 30 min) to Bari Centrale train station. From here train to Alberobello (with change in Putignano, approx. 3/4 hours)
- alternatively, bus line no. 100/1 or F110 from Bari (departure from Largo Sorrentino) to Alberobello (approx. 1h15)
From Brindisi Casale airport (BDS):
- shuttle bus STP from airport to Brindisi train station (approx. 15/20 min). From here train to Fasano (approx. 40 min) and then taxi to Alberobello (approx. 25 min, tel +39 348 3736396 or +39 328 4566593)
For an overview of prices, airlines and flight schedules we suggest rome2rio.com or Google Maps, which also show options via train or bus, even for the last mile. For reliability and security, we recommend purchasing your flight on the official website of your chosen airline.
Private transfer
You can book a private transfer from both airports at the moment of the booking (approx. 1h15).
By train
Alberobello is the closest staion. For information on timetables and prices you can consult the following websites: Trenitalia and Ferrovie del Sud Est.
By car
If you arrive by car, you can park it in Alberobello for the whole duration of the tour. Some hotels have a private parking place, while in other cases you have to use alternative car parks. No reservation is possible and you have to pay on site.
How to go back
How to return home
Lecce is the city at the end of the tour. From here you can return home.
By plane
Lecce is connected with the following airports: Bari Wojtyla and Brindisi Casale.
To reach Bari Wojtyla airport (BRI):
- train from Lecce to Bari Centrale train station (approx. 1,5-2 hours). From here shuttle bus Tempesta until the airport (approx. 30 min)
To reach Brindisi Casale airport (BDS):
- train from Lecce to Brindisi train station (approx. 30 min). From here shuttle bus STP (approx. 10 min)
- alternatively, direct bus from Lecce city center (Piazza Carmelo Bene) to the airport (approx. 40 min)
Private transfer
At the moment of the booking you can book a private transfer to reach both airports.
How to go back to the starting point
By train
From Lecce to Alberobello you can take a Trenitalia train with a change (approx. 3,5-4 hours).
Private transfer
At the moment of the booking you can book a private transfer to return to Alberobello.
Return with own bike
Bike transport by train must be booked in advance (the day before) by calling the toll-free number 800 079 090. You must indicate the journey (Lecce-Martina Franca-Alberobello), the train schedule and the number of bicycles. You will then be contacted with confirmation of your bike transport reservation.
Documents
If you are a citizen of the EU or of a Schengen country – i.e. most EU countries and four European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland – you are free to travel to other Schengen countries without having to go through border controls.
Even if you don’t need a passport for border checks within the Schengen area, it is still always highly recommended to take a passport or ID card with you.
If you are a non-EU national wishing to visit or travel within the EU, you will need a passport:
- valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU country you are visiting,
- which was issued within the previous 10 years
- and possibly a visa
You should apply for a visa from the consulate or embassy of the country you are visiting. If your visa is from a Schengen area country, it automatically allows you to travel to the other Schengen countries as well.
Do not forget your travel, health and/or car insurance documents.
For further information visit Your Europe official website.
Always thoroughly check the document you travel with: expiration date and integrity.
Language and time zone
The official language is Italian.
Italy is in the Central European Time (CET) Zone, 1 hour ahead of Greenwich Mean Time zone (GMT), and observes Daylight Saving Time.
Internet, telephone, electricity
Internet and telephone
With a European SIM card, roaming services are free throughout Europe. Please check your rates with your mobile/internet provider before departure.
The international phone prefix for Italy is +39.
Emergency telephone numbers
112 – Common Emergency Number. This is the European emergency number which can be called in any emergency from any telephone (landline and mobile phone). Calls are free.
113 – Police Help Number
115 – Fire Department
118 – Medical Emergencies
Electricity
The Italian electrical net is 220V – 50Hz.
Sockets are Schuko bipolar and comply with European regulations. In most hotels you will find adaptors for different types of plugs.
Currency
The currency in Italy is the euro (€).
Equipment and clothing
Cycling essentials
- handlebar mobile phone holder (we recommend the SP Connect™ system: if you buy it online you get a 20% discount using the code TRAVEL20)
- a power bank
- comfortable shoes with stiff soles
- padded cycling shorts
- a reusable water bottle
Personal equipment
- basic first aid kit which includes sticky bandages, gauze, and low-grade disinfectant
- sunglasses for eye protection
- protective sun lotion
- insect repellent
Clothes
- light weight waterproof/windproof tops
- leggings and long-sleeved tops for cooler mornings or evenings
- small close-fitting rucksack to carry small items during the day while cycling
- swimsuit
- clothes to cover your shoulders when you visit churches
Read carefully
Tour programme variations
- Due to organisational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations caused by roadworks, which cannot be foreseen; in this case please follow the indications you will find on site.
Special diets
- If you are vegetarian, gluten-intolerant, allergic to some specific ingredients/substances or if you suffer from any other kind of allergies please indicate it at the moment of booking. We will pass the information on to the hotels, but we cannot guarantee that all dietary requests will be met. Sometimes it is difficult to find particular food, for example gluten-free food, so we suggest that you bring your own snacks just in case.
Travel insurance
- It is advisable to take out an insurance policy against expenses arising from cancellation of the tour package, accidents, luggage (loss and damage), as well as a contract covering expenses in case of repatriation. Insurance policies are not included in the tour package offered by the operator.
Eric
Published: 06 Oct 2023
Alessandra
Published: 01 Aug 2023
Doris
Published: 17 Jul 2023
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