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Booking for a group?
Reserve spots for 5 or more people, and get $57 off for each

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June 8, 2025 is an E-BIKE ONLY departure!

If you choose to join the tour starting on June 8, 2025, keep in mind that it’s an e-bike only tour. You can either bring your own e-bike or rent it with the guides—you can do so below in the booking process.

The price of the tour is based on double occupancy. If you’d like to have a room to yourself, add this now to your booking.

Bike / e-bike rental

Price is per person. If carrying a bike with you is too much of a hassle, your guides offer bike rental!

People
1 Person
Date(s)
--
Duration
8 day
Guide(s)
Saddle Skedaddle
Reserve deposit ($250.00) $250
Second Payment Amount: $0
  • Welcome to Puglia, a region so beautiful that we’re lucky it’s not overrun by tourists yet. This is an 8-day guided Puglia bike tour that will allow us to discover the heel of Italy in all its glory. Starting from the Baroque gem of Lecce, we’ll head through the countryside, cycle along the coastline and swim in the Adriatic and Ionian Sea, and visit many other lovely villages and towns along the way. We’ll visit the whitewashed Ostuni, the coastal Gallipoli, the Smurfs-like Alberobello, and the spectacular Polignano a Mare. Three and four-star hotels are included, most melas, luggage transfers, as well as a local professional who will be your guide on this journey.

    • We’ll meet together at the airport and get transferred to our accommodation in Lecce. After a welcome meeting and bike fitting, there will be time to explore the historical center of Lecce. Dubbed as the Florence of the South, Lecce is a city that’s bursting with culture. We’ll take in the city’s wonderful palaces and churches, as we meander through its historic old town. Lecce is a vibrant city, packed with bars and cafes; the perfect place to enjoy a welcome aperitivo or coffee.

      Accommodation: Three or four-star hotel

      Ruins of Roman theater in Lecce
    • We’ll leave Lecce and head for the coast! We’ll cycle through the countryside of Greek Salento, where we’ll find traces of former colonies still present in the dialect, cuisine, and architecture. Our first stop will be the historic fortified village of Acaya, famed for its astonishing castle. Then we’ll move towards the Cesine Natural Reserve, passing through forests, all the way to the coast.

      As we head south, the turquoise Adriatic will be on our left, and we’ll stop off at the famous Poetry Caves and S. Andrea bay to admire tuff columns (I Faraglioni). After an undulating ride between the Alimini Lakes, our final destination will be Otranto, a Greek-Roman port frequented by merchants and thrill seekers. As we enter the old town, we’ll notice the wall surrounding the Aragonese Castle. In your spare time, we recommend visiting the Cathedral with its beautiful rose-window, the UNESCO world heritage mosaic floor, and the columned crypt.

      Meals: Breakfast and lunch
      Cycling: 34 miles / 55 km
      Elevation gain: 985 ft / 300 m
      Accommodation: Three or four-star hotel

      Stacks near Otranto in Italy
    • Today will be our most challenging day, as we’ll cycle along the high coastal route and wind our way along the cliff tops. We’ll be riding past rocky coves, heading to the furthest tip of the heel of Italy! We’ll have the chance to stop at the lighthouse of Punta Palascia and we’ll stop for a coffee at the lovely Porto Badisco bay.

      Following this, we’ll stop to admire Santa Cesarea Terme and enjoy its eclectic villas and the Moorish Palazzo Sticchi. We’ll then head on to unique sea-caves, known as Grotta Zinzulusa. After lunch, we’ll reach Gagliano del Capo. From here we can take in the magnificent views from its world-famous bridge, as we enjoy a well-earned break. Arriving in Santa Maria di Leuca, a small village with colorful mansions and a beautiful lighthouse, there will be time to dip into the crystal clear sea, where the Adriatic Sea meets the Ionaian.

      Meals: Breakfast
      Cycling: 35 miles / 60 km
      Elevation gain: 2,460 ft / 750 m
      Accommodation: Three or four-star hotel

      Grotta Zinzulusa in Italy
    • Today we’ll leave the Adriatic and start riding north along the coastline of the Ionian sea, past long sandy beaches dotted with beach clubs and little coves. If time allows, we’ll stop at one of the more famous beaches, Maldive del Salento. Continuing north, we’ll soon find ourselves at a quiet lunch spot just by the beach, where we’ll have the opportunity for a dip in the warm Ionian Sea.

      Gallipoli is our destination for the evening, also known as the Ionian Pearl. Throughout history, Gallipoli has been an important fishing and trading port. The rest of the day is yours to spend as you wish! You may want to visit one of the ancient underground olive-mills still preserved and open to the public, or take a stroll near the harbor. Or you could meander through the narrow alleys and explore the many little churches, or perhaps just relax in one of the town squares, before taking in the breathtaking sunset.

      Meals: Breakfast
      Cycling: 33 miles / 55 km
      Elevation gain: 985 ft / 300 m
      Accommodation: Three or four-star hotel

      Gallipoli, Puglia in Italy
    • Today we’ll leave the Ionian coast and start cycling inland, through sparsely-populated flat countryside, overflown with olive trees and pine forests. We’ll soon understand why Gallipoli was renowned for exporting lamp oil made from olive oil from the rich harvest of this region. We’ll stop off in Nardò, where we can enjoy a cup of coffee in the pretty Baroque town square.

      Once we reach Lecce, we’ll board the train to Ostuni (or jump in the support van, depending on the size of the group). From here, we’ll go on a short uphill ride to the town center and our accommodation. Ostuni, known as the White City, has a rich history and is a beautiful base for the evening. You can spend the evening exploring Ostuni’s narrow streets within its walls, stopping to admire the 15th-century Gothic cathedral.

      Meals: Breakfast and lunch
      Cycling: 33 miles / 50 km
      Elevation gain: 985 ft / 300 m
      Accommodation: Three or four-star hotel

      White facades of Ostuni in Puglia
    • Today we’ll see the landscape change as we ride through the historical Valle d‘Itria. Our route follows a roller coaster country lane, as we ride amongst olive groves, vineyards and traditional stone, masserie (typical farmhouses of Puglia) and trulli (traditional dry stone huts). If time allows, we may get the opportunity to stop off at a local olive oil making factory to sample some oil!

      We’ll pass through the medieval towns of Locorotondo, famous for its white wine, and move on to Cisternino, which boasts a charming historic center and will likely be where we stop for lunch.
      Jumping back on our bikes, we’ll make our way towards Alberobello, passing the famous fairy-tale trulli houses which awarded Alberobello its UNESCO World Heritage site status. A thousand trulli houses, many of which are still lived in, will transport us to an entirely different time, and we’ll grab the opportunity to explore these houses and charming streets around Alberobello after our cycling.

      Meals: Breakfast
      Cycling: 26 miles / 45 km
      Elevation gain: 2,135 ft / 650 m
      Accommodation: Three or four-star hotel

      Cute trulli of Alberobello
    • Leaving Alberobello, our route will take us through the distinctive Apulian landscape, via Putignano and Castellana, where we’ll have the option to visit an impressive underground cave system (known as Murgia dei Trulli). More olive groves and trulli houses follow us as we make our way out of the Valle d‘Itria region.

      An awe-inspiring descent will lead us to the coast, as we make our way to Monopoli, offering a charming mix of Norman, Venetian-Byzantine and Arabic architecture. Then we’ll cycle to Polignano a Mare, a vibrant fishing village, surrounded by clear blue waters. Polignano a Mare is perched on beautiful limestone cliffs, offering panoramic views of the Adriatic coastline. With a charming old town, Polignano a Mare is the ideal location to celebrate our last evening in Puglia.

      Meals: Breakfast and lunch
      Cycling: 30 miles / 50 km
      Elevation gain: 1,315 ft / 400 m
      Accommodation: Three or four-star hotel

      Polignano a Mare on cliffs in Italy
    • Arrivederci Puglia! Time to head to the airport for flights home (approximately 45 minutes to Bari and 1hr to Brindisi). If you don’t want to leave yet, totally understandable! You might want to spend your day in Matera, famous for its historical center, and where inhabitants carved dwellings directly into the ravines made of tuff. These dwellings are called Sassi, and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Just ask us for recommendations on how to spend the rest of the day or stay for a few more days!

      Meals: Breakfast

      Aerial view of Polignano a Mare
    • Included:

        • An experienced, local cycling guide with extensive knowledge of the area (and at least one leader qualified in first aid)
        • 8-day guided Puglia bike tour
        • Accommodation for 7 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels (in shared twin or double ensuite rooms)
        • Meals as listed in the itinerary
        • GPX files available on request
        • Support vehicle and luggage transfers
        • Round-trip airport transfers to/from Bari Airport (BRI) or Brindisi Airport (BDS) on designated arrival and departure day
          • Transfers will be coordinated with the group flight schedule, exact shuttle departure times will be provided as soon as flight timetables become available
          • For the September 8 departure, please fly into and return from Bari Airport
          • For the September 28 departure, please fly into and return from Brindisi Airport

      Add-ons:

        • Bike rental — hybrid bike for $310, e.bike for $510
        • Single supplement — $545

      Not included:

        • Transportation to Italy
        • Meals not listed in the itinerary
        • Personal clothing and equipment
        • Personal expenditure (souvenirs, bar bills, hotel facilities, etc.)
        • Entrance fees to museums and other attractions enroute
        • Possible city tax that needs to be paid in person
        • Guide gratuities — optional
        • Travel and medical insurance — optional
    • Fitness and experience
      This Puglia bike tour is beginner-friendly! If you can cover daily distances between 15-30 miles (24-48 km), you’re good to go. More day-by-day information is found in the itinerary. In general, there will be no high altitude ascents or steep climbs. If you’re a semi-regular rider (maybe commuting to work or doing some leisure rides on the weekends), look no further.

      Terrain and roads

        • You’ll ride on a mixture of flat and rolling countryside, mainly on quiet country roads. Some roads will have local traffic leading into the towns, but generally the roads in Puglia are quiet. Please be aware that some roads in this area are not in a great condition.
        • While the majority of the route is gentle, Day 2 sees some short, steep climbs, and Day 3 will be the toughest, with the longest distance and some cheeky climbs. This might be challenging, but still very doable for semi-regular riders!
        • Hybrid bikes are recommended for this tour. Road, gravel, and e-bikes are also suitable. E-bikes will make the cheeky climbs a bit more manageable! It’s also a good option when it comes to the warm summer months. E-bikes also come in handy if you want to spend more time exploring the towns and villages along the way.
    • Here’s what you’ll need:

        • Bike — available to rent
        • Helmet — available to rent
        • Comfortable, season-appropriate riding or athletic clothing, preferably moisture wicking or synthetic material
        • Padded shorts
        • Peaked helmet
        • Sneakers or sport shoes
        • Breathable outside layer or jacket
        • Sunglasses
        • Plenty of water, water bottle or hydration bladder
        • Daypack with snacks
        • Biking gloves are optional but recommended
        • Toiletries (sunscreen, hand sanitizer, bug spray, toilet paper, etc.)

      Dress comfortably and for the weather in clothes you can move in. We suggest bringing clothing appropriate for the season. Layers are best and don’t wear jeans.

    • If you don’t own a suitable bike or would prefer to avoid bringing your own, your guides have bikes available to rent.

      On standard departures, you’ll have the choice between a hybrid bike for $310 (typically a Specialized Crosstrail Sport hybrid bike (or equivalent)) or an e-bike for $510 (typically Atala B Tour E-Bikes (or equivalent)).

      If booking onto one of the e-bike departures, only e-bikes will be available. Learn more about e-bike departures by choosing any date and reaching the checkout page.

      If you choose to bring your own e-bike, on any of departures, please contact us so we can discuss the bike specification and ensure it is suitable for the tour.

      If you would like to hire a helmet, your guides can provide these; please make sure you request helmets at the time of booking. Rental bikes will be provided with a pannier rack and 1 bag. Your guides will be carrying everything else you’ll need, including all necessary spares.

    • Group sizes and pricing

        • For this Puglia bike tour, the maximum group size is generally set to 15 participants.
        • It takes a minimum of 6 people for this guided tour to operate.

      Puglia bike tours can be arranged for larger groups. Contact us to make arrangements.

      Min. age requirements

        • If you are older than 18, you’re good to go.
        • Children as young as 10 are able to go on trips with a legal guardian. They may be able to participate on a case-by-case basis.

      If your group has riders under the age of 18, contact us prior to booking to make arrangements.

    • To get to Lecce in the Puglia region of Italy, you’ll either fly into Bari Airport (BRI) or Brindisi Airport (BDS). Group airport transfers are included in the cost of your tour.

      Please check with your guides prior to making any travel arrangements to ensure that a minimum number of participants has been reached. That’s when you can also make flight arrangements to fit with the scheduled airport transfers. Please note that if you make travel arrangements outside the scheduled transfer windows, there may be an additional charge for individual transfers.

    • We highly recommend that you cover all your bases with both medical and travel protection. To make your booking and traveling experience as carefree as possible, simply choose Redpoint—the official 57hours insurance partner!

      Redpoint tailors their protection packages for adventure travel, offering a comprehensive travel program, even in remote locations. Trip cancellation, natural disasters, pandemic coverage, medical evacuation, primary medical expenses—regardless of the travel interruption that may happen, Redpoint will have you covered.

      Once your booking is confirmed and your trip is paid in full, you will be offered to purchase Redpoint’s protection. If you need any help or require more information, let us know and we will be happy to help!

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