Puglia and Matera Cycling Tour

Background and Mission

Tourissimo is a new deeply authentic Italian travel company whose mission is to provide active travelers a unique way to experience the natural and cultural wonders of this magnificent country. With its highly focused niche approach, Tourissimo aims to become the  number one Destination Management Company (DMC) in Italy for active travel by designing, creating and implementing exclusive programs for individuals and small groups, intimately presenting each region with a strong focus on “insider access” and special personal connections to maximize sense of place. Understanding that most travelers today want to be fully engaged and seek  memorable and meaningful experiences, all Tourissimo journeys include breathtaking scenery and activities, gourmet food and wine and a range of accommodations that together create an unforgettable taste of Italy.

Tourissimo was founded in 2015 by Beppe Salerno, a former general manager at one of the industry’s leading companies who has carried out (both as a manager and as a guide) hundreds of tours throughout Italy and amassed outstanding experience and knowledge in the field of active adventure vacations in some of the most inspiring destinations throughout Italy. Tourissimo began with a handful  of destinations including Piedmont, Puglia, Sicily, the Amalfi Coast and Cinque Terre; new destinations for 2016 include Tuscany, Sardinia and Friuli with the bordering country of Slovenia. Each itinerary is a carefully balanced mix of physical activities, cultural immersion and authentic learning experiences.

The Tourissimo Experience

Tourissimo provides turnkey, fully supported programs primarily serving small (8-14pp) private groups through outbound tour operators, travel agents, and private organizations, such as cycling clubs and affinity groups. All tours are designed to provide extraordinary educational hiking and bicycling in geographical areas where Tourissimo has outstanding expertise. These carefully crafted programs are active immersions into local culture and delicious cuisine for energetic, highly curious, young-at-heart travelers of all abilities who love the outdoors.

Tourissimo’s Signature Tours are ready-to-book programs of six or seven nights offering three activity levels: recreational, moderate and athletic. The cycling tours allow riders to choose a performance road bike, hybrid bike or even an Ebike (bike with pedals assisted by an electric engine). Custom tours are also available, whereby Tourissimo specifically designs programs in any Italian destination based on the individual or group’s specific interests and preferences. Custom tours may include things like kayaking, learning to make ceramics from local artisans, making handmade pasta from scratch or literary city tours in the footsteps of Dante, just to name a few.

Rates typically range from $450 to $750 per person per night, including accommodations, most meals, all transfers, daily cultural activities and two or more professional tour leaders. Programs are usually a weeklong in duration, but there are no minimum number  of nights on custom tours. Reservations can be made via www.tourissimo.travel or by calling 857-997-0051.

Additional Background

According to Active Travel Association’s 2015 Industry Snapshot, Italy is the top destination for soft adventure travel in Europe. With its longitudinal, peninsula-like shape, Italy has varying elevations from sea level to mountains reaching 12,000 feet. The country has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites (47 as of 2015), and with approximately 5000 miles of coastline and two mountain ranges including the majestic Dolomites on Eastern Alps, it’s no wonder that Italy tops the wish lists for those seeking beautiful adventures. In addition to being an unchallenged destination for food and wine aficionados, Italy’s dense network of roads and trails, charming villages, hamlets, castles, monasteries and abbeys make it the ideal destination for active travelers.

Cycling and Walking tours in Italy Tourissimo is the first Italian Destination. Management company specialized in active travel. We are local experts; we rely on experienced Italian guides and staff to deliver authentic travel experiences.

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