Apulia’s Heritage Discovery: Cultural Cycling Tour

Transfer from airport/station to our accommodation.

Presentation of the trip, assembly and preparation of bikes. Join the group with a welcome drink and dinner.

Today we will lead you to the historic centres of Castellana Grotte and Conversano, finishing our day in the wonderful town of Polignano a Mare. Along quiet back roads, we will cycle towards Castellana Grotte for about 17 kilometres to get to the small historical square of the town.

Afterwards, we will head to Conversano, an old agricultural centre, built on high ground in the southeastern Murge, famous above all for the production of excellent cherries. We will visit its historic centre where we can admire the castle of Norman origin, the cathedral and the convent of San Benedetto. We can also have a coffee break in the beautiful square. We will get back in the saddle and, after about 10 kilometres of dealing with some rolling hills, we will arrive at the sea and visit one of the most fascinating places in Puglia, Polignano a Mare. Polignano a Mare is famous for the fans of the “Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series” and it is a village built on the cliffs overlooking the sea.

Once we enter the old town we can visit the typical narrow streets that lead to the characteristic panoramic balconies. Continuing along the coast, we arrive at the old centre of Monopoli where we will visit Garibaldi square and the port, after which we will return to our accommodation.

This route, about 60 kilometres long, is certainly one of the most important itineraries of the Valle d’Itria: we will ride surrounded by nature among olive trees, Trulli and a wonderful landscape unique in the world.

The first part of the day, characterized by a panorama of ancient olive trees, takes us to the town of Correggio. Cycling along peaceful back roads, we’ll enjoy wonderful views between the intense blue of the sea and a forest of olive trees that extends from the coast to the hills of the Murgia.

At the end of these roads, we will enter the district of Monopoli, bounded by dry stone walls and Trulli, and from there we’ll head to Alberobello, “Capital of the Trulli and UNESCO world heritage site”. You will be astonished by the uniqueness of the houses of Alberobello: you will have the opportunity to visit the streets of the village.

The next destination of the day will be Locorotondo. It is a small town in the Valle d’Itria, between the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea. Characterized by a breathtaking view, it is defined as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, it owes its name to the particular rounded morphology of its historical centre which makes for a pleasant visit.

After we will cycle to Martina Franca about 9 kilometres away, known for its Baroque architecture and the Valle d’Itria music festival, it stands on the southern foothills of the Murge, on the border of the provinces of Taranto and Brindisi with the metropolitan city of Bari. After lunch, we will cycle for about 35 kilometres through the Valle d’Itria and then return to our accommodation where we’ll finish the third day of this unforgettable bike tour.

Another extraordinary cycling day is waiting for us to discover the traditions of Puglia and it will also be an ideal opportunity to taste the delicious local dairy products.

After riding along the “Panoramica” of Monopoli we will go through a network of historical villages and from there, after 20 kilometres, we’ll arrive in Putignano. Putignano is well-known for its manufacturing companies and for its karstic caves. We will stop for our daily morning coffee or cappuccino along the typical narrow stone streets.

Keeping on riding for about 7 kilometres, crossing a historic stone bridge, we will get to the town of Noci which rises on the southern Murge hills. Noci is famous for its dairy products: burrata, mozzarella and ricotta, which you will be able to taste. At the end of the visit and the break, we will return to our accommodation.

This itinerary, about 100 kilometres, will allow us to discover the typical colours and scents of Puglia with the Adriatic Sea in the background.

Today we will be cycling for about 40 kilometres to arrive in Ostuni called “the white city”. Along the way, you will be able to see the typical landscape of rolling hills. Once we arrive in Ostuni, a renowned tourist centre that from 1994 to 2018 has continuously received the Blue flag and the five sails of Legambiente for its clean beaches and seas and for the quality of the services offered, you can have a short coffee break.

On an international scale, Ostuni is famous for the white town and the historical centre more than for its beaches After, we will continue our tour to arrive at the sea and we will continue cycling along the coast for about 25 kilometres to arrive in Savelletri.

Now we have the last 18 kilometres to return to our accommodation.

After riding once again along the “Panoramica” of Monopoli and its typical countryside landscapes we will once again reach Putignano, another town of Puglia with a beautifully conserved centre full of history and churches whose main reputation comes from the historic Carnival during which the papier-mache creators showcase their art; to Gioia del Colle where we will take the old and characteristic route to arrive in Matera, known as “Città dei Sassi” (City of Stones) and “Città Sotterranea” (underground city).

Matera is famous throughout the world for the historic Sassi districts, where there are ancient cave dwellings that have been used since the Paleolithic period and which make Matera one of the most ancient inhabited cities in the world. The Sassi was recognized as a World Heritage Site, together with the Rupestrian Churches in the area, by UNESCO in 1993, and this was the first site in southern Italy to receive such recognition.

Here your bike tour finishes and you can start your walking tour.

If you can’t get enough of these thrilling roads, hop on the saddle and admire the magical beauty of the sunrise over the region.

Enjoy a last copious breakfast. It’s time to say goodbye and see you soon for your next adventure!