The winter sea by bike
«We're almost going to the seaside!» and so, in the middle of winter we decide to cross a small...
01.07.2024
Private tour 
Cycling
Puglia flavours by bike
Murge, Itria valley and Salento - PugliaDifficulty path:Easy - Moderate
Private tour · CyclingDuration: 8 daysCode: bg013
departure on request
Highlights
Someone says that in Puglia you cry three times: “when you arrive, when you leave and when you weigh on the scales!”.
A journey into Apulian food and wine is an unforgettable discovery. That’s because it is impossible to resist to the good oil on freshly baked bread, to the perfume of focaccia and biscuits that comes from every corner, to the fruity and full-bodied wine that warms like the heat of the Salento sun, to the "drop" of fiordilatte mozzarella, or to the simple but inimitable dish of broad beans and chicory.
And so the scales needle hangs … and it hangs on the thought “I can’t wait to taste all this!”. Seven days through selected wineries, restaurants, farmhouses and pastry shops to leave diets and thoughts at home and immerse yourself in one of the sacred place of Italian food and wine: Puglia.
A tour by bike from Polignano a Mare to Lecce, among dry stone walls, characteristic villages, vineyards and lots of good food.
A journey into Apulian food and wine is an unforgettable discovery. That’s because it is impossible to resist to the good oil on freshly baked bread, to the perfume of focaccia and biscuits that comes from every corner, to the fruity and full-bodied wine that warms like the heat of the Salento sun, to the "drop" of fiordilatte mozzarella, or to the simple but inimitable dish of broad beans and chicory.
And so the scales needle hangs … and it hangs on the thought “I can’t wait to taste all this!”. Seven days through selected wineries, restaurants, farmhouses and pastry shops to leave diets and thoughts at home and immerse yourself in one of the sacred place of Italian food and wine: Puglia.
A tour by bike from Polignano a Mare to Lecce, among dry stone walls, characteristic villages, vineyards and lots of good food.
PRIVATE TOUR:
choose your date and travel with your own group, always accompanied by one expert local tour leader.
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The enchanting Polignano a Mare
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The treasures of Gioia del Colle: the Castle, Mozzarella and Primitivo wine
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The vineyards of the Itria Valley
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Cooking class in Locorotondo
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The incredible views from the White Walls of Ostuni
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Manduria and its famous Cellars
Program
Day1
Welcome to Polignano a Mare
First evening and overnight stay in Polignano a Mare.
From here begins the discovery of Puglia food and wine by bike.
Meeting with the tour leader and welcome dinner in one of the restaurants of the town, home of excellent fish soups and of the great Domenico Modugno, singer of "Volare".
Your journey through Puglia's food and wine experiences starts here.
Day2
From Polignano to Gioia del Colle
60km
This morning we will go exploring the hinterland, surrounded by almond trees and cultivated fields.
After few kilometres we will reach Conversano, ancient county of the Acquaviva’s family and now headquarter of Canapuglia. This important local project is for the recovery of hemp plantations, a plant used very little today, but always known for its versatility, from green building to textile fiber and food use. Back on the bikes, we will cycle through the countryside around Bari to finally arrive to the Castle of Gioia del Colle. This town is a gastronomic treasure, and a delicious tasting of Primitivo Gioia del Colle DOC with the typical Gioia's fiordilatte mozzarella will be the exquisite final destination of the day.
Overnight in Gioia del Colle.
Day3
From Gioia del Colle to Martina Franca
50 km
After breakfast we will cycle towards the village of Noci.
Nestled between trulli and farms, the town is characteristic for its "gnostre", small open courtyards that overlook the narrow streets of the historic center: time for an interesting meeting with a true Sandwich maker.
Towards Alberobello, among dry stone walls and olive trees, we will finally get into the Itria Valley to discover its ancient wine traditions and native vines like the Verdeca and the Fiano Minutolo. In the afternoon we will reach the baroque Martina Franca to taste its traditional pork cold cut Capocollo, guaranteed by Slow Food. Even the sweets' lovers won’t be disappointed: the bocconotto of Martina Franca is one of the best known delights of the gastronomy of the Itria Valley.
Overnight in Martina Franca.
Day4
From Martina Franca to Ostuni
55 km
Greeting the bocconotto with regret, today we will head by bike to Cisternino, to visit its candid old town listed as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.
After the visit, coffee break at the bar under the Clock Tower which also offers excellent artisan ice creams. A few more kilometers before arriving in Locorotondo, where Mrs. Antonella is waiting for us in her restaurant to get "our hands in dough" with a cooking lesson.
After lunch we will head downhill towards the Natural Park Dune Costiere to get to know another Puglia excellence: the olive oil. In the oldest rural landscape of Europe, among age-old olive trees, we will make a tasting of extra virgin olive oil in one of the park farmhouses.
Today's destination is Ostuni, the splendid "white city", known for its inimitable bakeries and olive wood artisans.
Overnight in Ostuni.
Day5
Cycling from Ostuni: Ceglie, Francavilla and Manduria
55km
A day dedicated to movement ... and sweetness!
We will cycle between various locations in the heart of Puglia to intercept its flavors and typical delicacies. The biscuit of Ceglie Messapica, the curly almond of Francavilla Fontana, the royal pasta of Oria and the sweet and natural Primitivo of Manduria will be the excellent travel companions of this day, in addition to the loyal bicycles. To satisfy all palates, there will be "savory" breaks in the beautiful setting of the Salento plain, where we will end our day in the beautiful and popular Primitivo Valley.
Overnight in Manduria.
Day6
From Manduria to Gallipoli
65km
During the morning we will visit the Museum of Primitivo Wine Civilization located inside the Cantina Produttori Vini Manduria, the most popular wine cellar of the area.
The museum collects objects of daily life and work tools of the peasants of the past, to narrate the social history and agricultural economy of Salento. Here we will savor a good glass of wine accompanied by a taste of the local food and wine products.
Then we will follow the coast to the south with, in the background, the blue sea, ancient coastal towers and fine sand, to reach Porto Cesareo, and finally Gallipoli, "the beautiful city".
This evening our culinary research will be dedicated to what the sea has to offer: seafood, mussels, clams and the delicious sea urchins will delight the palate.
Overnight in Gallipoli.
Day7
From Gallipoli to Lecce
50km
Today the day will be dedicated to exploring the Salento countryside and its "nectars".
It will be a journey through the DOC wines of this area: we will cycle among the wine cellars in a landscape surrounded by expanses of vines and olive groves. And so, after tasting Negroamaro, Susumaniello and Salice Salentino, and getting to know a ceramic workshop, we will reach the enchanting Lecce. The most elegant baroque city in the south will offer us the best of the Salento culinary tradition.
A nice coffee on ice with almond milk will reactivate the energies before a dip in the beauty of the magical and full of life night of the capital of Salento.
Overnight in Lecce.
Day8
Goodbye from Lecce
Greetings and kisses. For a final taste of sweetness, enter a pastry shop to try one of the many Lecce confectionery delicacies!
Tour programme variations
Due to organizational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday.
What's included
Our offer includes
- 7 nights with breakfast in shared double/twin room
- Welcome dinner
- English Speaking locale guide during excursions and included dinner
- Tastings and visits scheduled
- Luggage transportation hotel to hotel
Not included
- Transfer IN and Transfer OUT
- Bike rental
- Other meals and drinks
- Entrance fees and tips
- Hotel tourist taxes
- Insurance and what's listed as Included
Departures and prices
Mid Season24/03/2024 => 21/06/2024
Superior1190 € /p
High Season22/06/2024 => 19/07/2024
Superior1350 € /p
Peak Season - ON REQUEST20/07/2024 => 01/09/2024
Mid Season02/09/2024 => 26/10/2024
Superior1190 € /p
Supplements per person
6 days Trek bike rental
Superior110 € /p
6 days Gravel bike rental
Superior160 € /p
6 days E-bike rental
Superior240 € /p
Transfer Bari Apt-Polignano a Mare (min 2 pax)
Superior55 € /p
Transfer Brindisi Apt-Polignano a Mare (min 2 pax)
Superior80 € /p
Transfer Lecce-Brindisi Apt (min 2 pax)
Superior45 € /p
Transfer Lecce-Bari Apt (min 2 pax)
Superior100 € /p
Other Information
Grade
This bike tour among Puglia flavours is suitable to anyone with a good workout to ride a bike.
The daily mileage varies from 50 to 60 daily km, with programmed pause for the visits and the refreshments. The itinerary offers a great combination of cycling and discovering of Puglia food&wine.
The bike will be a way to work off the good food and enjoy the many landscapes offered by this land. There will also be strictly cultural moments and the possibility of a refreshing swim in the clear sea of Puglia.
Accomodations & Meals
En suite rooms in 4* Hotels and charming B&B.
- 1 night in Polignano a Mare
- 1 night in Gioia del Colle
- 1 night in Martina Franca
- 1 night in Ostuni
- 1 night in Manduria
- 1 night in Gallipoli
- 1 night in Lecce
7 breakfasts, 1 dinner and scheduled tastings included.
Private Tour
Holiday designed for small prearranged groups of friends, families and colleagues (quotation is per person and based on a group of 10 pax). The presence of an expert local guide is guaranteed during the scheduled excursions.
→ Departures every day on request.
Choose your departure date, who you are going with and ask us for a personalised quote!
Price per person
The price varies according to the services requested and the number of people.
Support
You will be accompanied during the excursions by one of our expert guides, coordinator of the group and passionate about travel, nature and the territory visited. He/she will support you, becoming a travel companion and trying to meet the needs of the group, while being attentive to individual requests.
He/she will help make your vacation authentic, relaxing and fun.
Travel documents
A few days before departure you will receive by email the documentation containing the latest information relating to your holiday.
Getting There
Getting there
Polignano a Mare is easily reachable by car, train, bus and by air.
BY TRAIN. Trenitalia connects Polignano a Mare with regional trains for Bari. On www.viaggiatreno.it you can find update informations about train routes.
BY AIR. The two reference airports are the ones of Bari and Brindisi with departure flights from the most important Italian cities and from abroad.
The Salento airport of Brindisi is about 71 km from Polignano. Bari Palese airport is closer with a distance of about 50 km. From both airports it will then be easy to get to Polignano a Mare by bus, train or taxi. More info on the website Aeroporti di Puglia.
BY BUS. Polignano a Mare can also be reached by bus. Here are the major companies that operate the service: Autolinee Ferrovie Sud-Est, Flixbus. From the terminus of Bari Largo Ciaia, continue with local trains from the Bari railway station.
BY CAR. you can use the A-14 Bologna-Taranto motorway or the A-16 Napoli-Canosa motorway with exit to Bari Nord. From Bari Nord continue along the bypass for Brindisi. On the SS16 - E55 after about 30 kilometers you’ll find the exit for Polignano a Mare. For those coming from Taranto, follow the SS100 until the exit Mottola, then Noci, Putignano, Castellana Grotte and finally Polignano a Mare.
Back to Polignano a Mare
From Lecce, the last stop of this tasty trip to Puglia, it is possible to reach Polignano a Mare using the train. Or you can easily reach the airports of Bari and Brindisi.
→ If you prefer to travel in total comfort, you can book a private transfer on the days of arrival and departure.