Self-Guided Cycling Tour of the Heel of Italy: Discover Puglia

Included:

• • 8-day self-guided Puglia bike tour
  • Accommodation for 7 nights in 3 and 4-star hotels, B&Bs, and guesthouses (in shared twin or double ensuite rooms)
  • All breakfasts
  • Local representative with a welcome meeting (either in person or via video call)
  • Access to an app for information and navigation
  • Luggage transfers
  • Round-trip airport transfers to/from Bari Airport (BRI) on designated arrival and departure day

Add-ons:

• • Bike rental — $310 for hybrid bike, $505 for e-bike
  • Single supplement — $545
  • Hotel upgrade (based on double occupancy) — $410
  • Single supplement for the hotel upgrade — $710

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
  • Train tickets from Ostuni to Lecce on Day 6 (€10 approximately)
  • Possible city tax to be paid locally in cash (€15 approximately)
  • Guide gratuities — optional
  • Travel and medical insurance — optional

Fitness and experience

This self-guided 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. These bikes are typically Specialized Crosstrail Sport hybrid bikes (or equivalent) for $310. E-bikes are also available, these will typically be Atala B Tour E-Bikes (or equivalent) for $505.

Rental bikes will be provided with a pannier rack and 1 bag, a tool kit, a spare inner tube, a bike lock, a bike pump, and a phone mount.

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.

Helmets can be provided locally on request. If you would like us to organise this please request a helmet at the time of booking.

A self-guided tour is an independent exploration without a formal guide leading the way. Instead of being part of a group with a tour leader, you will navigate the tour yourself, using resources provided by the operator, such as maps, guidebooks, audio guides, or digital apps.

By going on this self-guided Puglia bike tour, you’ll have lots of things arranged for you, making your cycling experience a lot less stressful and a lot more enjoyable:

• • accommodation at 3 and 4-star hotels , B&Bs, and guesthouses
  • all breakfasts
  • airport transfers
  • app for information and navigation
  • luggage transfers
  • local representative for a welcome meeting

After you get transferred to Gravina and once you’ve talked to a local representative, the self-guided tour starts! Keep in mind that your guides offer support along the way should you need anything.

Group sizes and pricing

• • For this self-guided Puglia bike tour, the maximum group size is generally set to 15 participants.
  • It takes a minimum of 2 people for this self-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 the Puglia region of Italy, fly into Bari Airport (BRI). Airport transfers on designated arrival and departure days are included in the cost of your tour. 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!