Compare Puglia and Matera Magnifica Tour by Tourissimo vs Puglia Guided Walk by UTracks

Day 1: Matera

Accommodation: Sextantio Le Grotte della Civiltà

Your guide will meet you at the Bari airport at 12pm for a transfer to the first hotel (approximately 1 hr 15 minutes). We will gather at unique hotel Sextantio for introductions, some lunch, and bike prep. UNESCO lists Matera as one of its Official World Heritage sites for its Sassi cave dwellings. In the rock churches, the mystic past is palpable, especially in the crypts of San Nicola and Santa Margherita, and today you will discover even more of Matera’s secrets on a guided visit. You will have some spare time for shopping before dinner at I Baccanti with typical Lucanian delicacies (Lucania was the ancient name of Basilicata).

Day 2: Matera

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Sextantio Le Grotte della Civiltà

Terrain: Rolling

Ride: 28 mi or 45 km (longer option available)

Today’s ride takes us to the countryside in the fertile Metaponto Valley. We reach San Giuliano lake, which is a WWF natural reserve, and have our first stop there. The lake was formed by a dam over the Bradano river, and it was meant for irrigation. The project was part of a larger plan to reclaim land in the Metaponto valley and it was financed through the Marshall plan for European recovery after WWII. In Basilicata, agriculture employs more people than factories (unique case in modern Italy). At lunch, we will have some local organic products at a farmhouse. In the afternoon, you can opt to climb back or to take advantage of our van for the ride back to Matera. This evening we will have a wine tasting at 19ma Buca, a unique wine bar housed in one of Matera’s Caves just under the main square.

Day 3: Martina Franca

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Villa San Martino

Terrain: Rolling

Ride: 51 mi or 81 km (shorter option available)

Today we say goodbye to Matera and pedal South-East. We spin along the Murgia plain through a bucolic terrain of rolling fields of grano duro (the wheat used for pasta) and shady oak groves. We enter Puglia, and soon after we stop for lunch in Mottola, a charming Pugliese town, where we’ll have a picnic of fresh local products such as mozzarella and burrata. Mottola is located on a hill above the sea and has a view of the Gulf of Taranto and the green mountains of the high Sila; for this reason the town is also called “the Balcony of Southern Apulia.” Near Martina Franca, we find our way to Villa San Martino, which is a beautiful villa converted into a charming 5 star hotel. You will have the chance to join the locals for a stroll in Martina Franca, which palaces boast a gorgeous example of Baroque architecture. Dinner is in the quaint hotel dining room and will be paired with fine Pugliese wines.

Day 4: Selva di Fasano

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Tenuta Monacelle

Terrain: Hilly

Ride: 35 mi or 56 km (shorter and longer options available)

Today we ride through a fantasy land of conical-shaped houses called trulli. We will have a first stop in Cisternino where we will enjoy a cappuccino overlooking the valley. Valle d’Itria is a fertile, triangle shaped valley between Cisternino, Locorotondo, and Martina Franca. It's a true gem. Via tiny roads, roll through Valle d’Itria to arrive in Locorotondo, where we will have a wine tasting (Locorotondo is also the name of well know white wine). We will then continue on to Alberobello, which takes its name from the forests that once covered the area. Nowadays, this is where more than 1,000 trulli can be found (UNESCO World Heritage Site). This is a must-see, one of the most emblematic sights of Puglia. You will get to appreciate its historical side thanks to a guided walking tour. Lunch is in Alberobello. In the afternoon we visit the award-winning Frantoio Intini, an olive oil press which has embraced the Slow Food movement under the multi-generational management of Pietro Intini. From Alberobello, you will be shuttled to the hotel, unless you don't want to call it the day yet, and prefer to ride the additional 13 miles with 800ft of elevation to conquer. Dinner is at the hotel and it will be followed by a folk music and dance event. Have your cameras ready!

Day 5: Savelletri

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Accommodation: Masseria San Domenico

Terrain: Rolling

Ride: 38 mi or 61 km (shorter and longer options available)

We will ride through Ostuni, an area that has been inhabited since the Stone Age. Bike to one of the loveliest towns along the Mediterranean where white houses, piled like sugar cubes against an azure sky, remind you of the Greek Islands. The brightness of its whitewashed houses, set against a sea of stately olive trees, provides a spectacular perspective of this rich seaside farmland. We ride along centuries-old olive trees that are like amazing natural sculptures. Lunch is a seafood lover’s delight right by the water. The hotel is just a few hundred meters from our lunch spot, and you will be back for a free afternoon when you can take advantage of the swimming pool and the spa facility, or head to the private beach. Masseria San Domenico is one of the finest hotels of all of Italy. Its 5Luxury-star standards do not affect the authenticity of its historical location, a fortified farm house with watch tower once used by the Knights of Malta. For dinner we will have a fun and instructive cooking class of typical Pugliese dishes at a nearby masseria (dialect for fortified farm house).

Day 6: Savelletri

Accommodation: Masseria San Domenico

Meals: Lunch and Dinner

Terrain: Flat

Ride: 30 mi or 48 km (longer option available)

On this last ride we pass through ancient olive groves and pedal along the coast to the Greek ruins of Egnazia, the ancient Messapian town of prehistoric origins. Today, you have the option to make it back to hotel for some leisure time along pool side, to enjoy a Spa and Thalassotherapy treatment, or to play a round of golf at San Domenico mediterannean golf course rated among the best in Italy (PGA European Challenge Tour Grand Final). The course is right by the crystalline Adriatic Sea. Of course, you can opt to pedal some more with your guides and to take in as much riding as you wish on a final loop. We will have our last dinner together at the fine hotel restaurant housed in a suggestive dining room with arched volts dating back to the 1700′s.

Day 7: Bari

Meals: Breakfast

Goodbye! After breakfast, we will arrange a transfer that will take you to the Bari Airport in time for your connecting flights.

Day 1 Arrival in Lecce, welcome aperitivo

Make your own way to Lecce, capital of the Salento region. From the train station you can take a taxi (allow EUR15-20) to the hotel, which is located in the historical centre of the city. Inside a 17th century building, this charming hotel will be your home for 2 days. Lecce has the charm of Prague, the stonework of Florence and is about the size of Siena. Within its walls are numerous churches and convents, cultural sites, ancient monuments, museums, libraries and cafes. It is a city to to meander through, not knowing what will greet you at your next turn. We recommend arriving in the afternoon and taking time to wander its old streets and relax in the piazza overlooking the amphitheatre, enjoying the ambience. Meet your guide and group at 6pm at the hotel before heading out for a welcome dinner brimming with atmosphere.

meals : D

Day 2 Visit Otranto and Adriatic coastline walk, explore Lecce (4hrs)

The focus today is Otranto, a small seaside village facing the Adriatic Sea, which you'll reach by train or bus. Otranto's cathedral is famous for its 12th-century floor mosaic, which covers the floor of the nave, the sanctuary and the apse. We'll then set off on foot along the coastline, discovering flowers and Mediterranean vegetation, as well as the Saracen watchtowers. We take the train or bus back to Lecce where you can enjoy a free evening discovering its main monuments. Distance: 10km/6.2mi, ascent: +100m/328ft, descent: -100m/328ft

meals : B

Day 3 Transfer to the charming hilltop village of Ostuni, explore on foot (2hrs)

In the morning we'll have a guided walk through Lecce's charming streets and past its Baroque style churches and palaces. In the afternoon we will have a private transfer to Ostuni (approx 1 hr), a striking hilltop village known as the "white city", due to its fortress of whitewashed buildings clustered on the hillside. Its charm lies within the enchanting maze of Greek-style narrow streets and fine Mediterranean architecture. There's free time to discover this fairy tale-like town before we transfer to a typical Masseria for our overnight stay and dinner with local products.

meals : B,D

Day 4 Walk to the coast and the Dune National Park, return to Ostuni (3hrs)

Today we will walk from the Masseria to the coast and the Dune Natural Park where we will have time to relax on the white beaches or to swim in the sea. Back to the Masseria where we have a pasta making session followed by dinner (pasta of course!) and overnight stay. Distance: 9.5km/6mi, ascent: +175m/574ft, descent: -100m/330ft

meals : B,L,D

Day 5 Discover the Itria Valley, Locorotondo and Alberobello, transfer to Matera (4hrs)

Today we will explore the Itria Valley. First up a private transfer takes us to Locorotondo where we walk along an old aqueduct which is still the largest water pipeline in Europe. We'll pass between olive trees, vineyards and trulli on our way through this enchanting landscape. There's free time to explore the iconic village of Alberobello with its streets lined by white trulli houses. Later we have a private transfer to Matera and our accommodation. Dinner at leisure. Distance: 13km/8mi, ascent: +150m/492ft, descent: -150m/492ft

meals : B,L

Day 6 Discover Matera and the Great Canyon (5hrs)

Our walk this morning begins directly from the historic centre of Matera. We will pass through the Civita district and the Caveoso. From here we head towards the ravine of Matera, with a breathtaking view of the city. The landscape will change as we arrive in wooded areas with fortified structures. We return to Matera using a public bus. Following a wine tasting, dinner will be at your leisure. Distance: 13km/8mi, ascent: +130m/429ft, descent: -250m/825ft

meals : B,L

Day 7 Discover the Murgia plateau on foot (3hrs)

A wonderful walk this morning to discover the Murgia plateau. Facing Matera, the plateau has rock churches dating from the 8th century, painted with Byzantine frescoes. The landscape here is of pastures and stone farmhouses, and with luck we'll see the flight of different types of falcons. In the early afternoon we'll have a guided visit of the ‘Sassi’ area and afterwards, dinner in a typical restaurant. Overnight in Matera. Distance: 6.5km/4mi, ascent: +350m/1148ft, descent: -350m/1148ft

meals : B,D

Day 8 Trip concludes

After breakfast, your luggage will be dropped off at Matera station where the trip concludes. We can assist with a private transfer to Bari if required (a supplement applies).

meals : B