| Puglia Bike details |
|---|
Departures 2008 :
May 17
June 7
September 6 & 27 | Departing from: Hotel Boston (Bari) at 9:00 a.m. on Day 2 (Sunday)
Tour finishes: Ostuni train station on Saturday morning, Day 7
Price: $3,299 USD per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement $350. |  |
|
Puglia is flat!
|
A trullo
|
Snack on some crispy taralli
|
Centuries' old olive trees
|
Biking by the Adriatic Sea
|
Come discover some delicious new wine!
|
Alberobello, World Heritage site
|
Our hotel in Conversano
|
Puglia Bike |
|
Puglia Bike Itinerary
Preview - Our trip explores the region southwest of Bari near the UNESCO World Heritage village of Alberobello. We ride through a patchwork landscape of vineyards, olive groves, and orchards sprinkled liberally with trulli houses. A trullo is the typical squat house of whitewashed stone with a conical stone roof that the inhabitants of this region have been living in for centuries (if Italy had leprechauns they would live here!).
Trip design: We have designed this trip to be moderate in difficulty as an easier alternative to our challenging Tuscany Bike. However, this trip also offers challenges for keen riders as we have optional extension rides up the beautiful escarpment that sits above the coastal flats. As for accommodations, we have designed the trip so you can experience Puglia's countryside, seaside, and village life. Our first night is spent in Bari, the capital of Puglia where you will have time to explore the city's beautiful medieval center as well as the broad 19th century boulevards lined with majestic date palms. Our next two nights are at a wonderful small boutique hotel in a converted 16th century convent in the charming baroque village of Conversano. Then we spend two nights right on the beach in a seaside resort hotel. The whitewashed town of Ostuni hosts us for the last two nights, where we stay in a beautifully restored 17th century palazzo which is now a lovely four star-hotel in the heart of town.
Day 1 - Saturday: Transfer to the Hotel Boston in Bari. Formerly the domain of smugglers and brigands, Bari's quaint and atmospheric historic center has been revitalized during the past ten years. Cafés, wine bars, and trattorias are found around every corner of the labyrinthine medieval streets, all of which eventually lead to the remarkable Romanesque architecture of the 12th-century Basilica di San Nicola. Depending on your arrival time, you may have time for sightseeing or just relaxing after your journey. Dine independently tonight in one of the many local restaurants. All meals and transfer to Bari on your own. Hotel included.
Day 2 - Sunday: Meet your guide(s) in the hotel lobby this morning for introductions before transferring by van to the village of Conversano and our hotel for the next two nights, a converted medieval convent in the center of town, the Corte Altavilla. Upon arrival, our guides conduct a safety talk and oversee the bike fitting before we set out on our warm-up ride amongst the ancient olive groves and whitewashed cottages that dot the Pugliese countryside. After returning from our ride this afternoon, we'll enjoy an aperitivo in town while your trip leader conducts a more formal orientation and description of what to expect during the week ahead. Dinner tonight in a colorful local pizzeria. (Mileage: 55 km/35 mi) Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3 - Monday: Today begins with a gentle ride to the fantastic cliffside town of Polignano a Mare. Here, the vertical cliffs surmounted by 16th-century palazzi plunge dramatically into the Adriatic. Our afternoon ride takes us back up to Conversano past whitewashed "masseria," the imposing fortified manor houses that are the legacy of dangerous medieval times when corsairs raided the Pugliese coast. Free time this afternoon to wander through Conversano's maze of alleyways and cobbled streets and shop or simply enjoy a chilled glass of wine in the piazza. (Mileage: 50 km/30 mi). Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 4 - Tuesday: After breakfast we ride to the village of Alberobello, recently awarded UNESCO World Heritage status and famous for its trulli houses (almost 1500 of them!), the squat stone buildings with conical stone roofs for which Puglia is renowned. We have lunch in town and then take time to explore the streets and alleys of this amazing town. The afternoon's ride takes us through an undulating jumble of farmland and vineyards before an exhilarating downhill to the shimmering Adriatic Sea. Our hotel for the next two nights is a 4-star hotel along a wide stretch of sandy beach, the Torre Egnazia. For dinner, indulge in a seafood feast accompanied by some local white wine. (Mileage: 58 km/37 mi). Hotel, breakfast and dinner included
Day 5 - Wednesday: This morning we ride along the coast passing the Roman ruins of Egnazia. The road takes us through the ancient olive groves of Cristo delle Zolle en route to Monopoli where we have time to visit this fascinating walled medieval port. The afternoon ride follows the coast road as it meanders along the shoreline of rocky coves and small sandy beaches. Tonight, we are the guests of Ettore and his family at their 15th-century masseria. Ettore, whose family has owned the masseria for generations, will welcome us into his lovingly maintained property and take us for a visit through his olive mill. The mill's huge, 19th-century olive presses stand as silent testament to the former function of this once important estate. Dinner in the vaulted dining room of the masseria, or if weather permits, in the torch-lit courtyard. (Mileage: 50 km/30 mi, or shorter 38 km/23 mi). Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 6 - Thursday: The stunning hilltop village of Ostuni is the destination of today's ride. Our approach is along a quiet valley lined with orchards, vineyards and stone trulli. As we round a bend in the road, the whitewashed walls and tiled roofs of Ostuni greet our eyes as they glimmer in the afternoon sun. We spend next two nights in a lovely four-star hotel located in the center of this baroque town, La Terra. Free time to explore the village's tangled narrow streets and gothic cathedral before dinner. Tonight is a "free night" dinner so you are free to eat wherever you like. (Mileage: 56 km/35 mi). Hotel and breakfast included. Dinner not included.
Day 7 - Friday: Our final day of cycling brings us to the charming village of Locorotondo. The region around Locorotondo has developed a reputation for producing some of southern Italy's finest wines. We enjoy lunch at a local trattoria before descending back to the coast for the final ride back to Ostuni. As we approach the village from below, Ostuni's white walls and church spires rise up dramatically from the surrounding olive groves and vineyards. A final dinner of Puglia's delicious cuisine is planned tonight to celebrate the end of a great week of cycling. (Mileage: 58 km/38 mi). Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 8 - Saturday: You have the option of taking the early Eurostar train directly back to Rome (6:44 departure from the Ostuni station arriving Rome at 12:22) or the 11:53 train from Ostuni to Bari and then the Eurostar direct to Rome arriving in Rome at 18:22. Transfers to the Bari airport can also be arranged for an additional cost. Breakfast included.
Useful Links -
Puglia tourism: general introductory site on the region of "Apulia," including links to weather forecast, train schedules, and local events
Trullo houses: short site on these traditional houses
Bari: basic information and history on the city by Wikipedia
Locorotondo wine: a short article on the local white wine
UNESCO World Heritage Site: check out all the wonderful places in Italy!
General Information
Note on Itinerary: Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control. Qualifications: This trip is rated easy to moderate with challenging optional rides. This trip is perfect for anyone who is physically fit and likes to cycle; the presence of a support van and relatively flat terrain means that cyclists of all abilities may join. The daily distances are between 50-60 kms (30-45 miles) a day, which translates into 3-5 hours of riding more or less equally divided between morning and afternoon. This may sound like a lot, but we take frequent breaks to take pictures, enjoy a cappuccino, or simply stop and admire the view. You are provided with written route directions, which allow you to be independent and ride at your own pace. However, a regular conditioning program consisting of cycling, walking/running and a daily stretching regimen is recommended, beginning at least 3 months prior to departure. This will get you in shape and ensure that you are comfortable in the saddle, allowing you to enjoy all that this wonderful trip has to offer. In other words, get your bum used to a bike seat before you arrive to avoid suffering during the trip! There is a support van to move the luggage and also to help tired bikers in case of need. Most importantly, the rides are absolutely beautiful!
The Bikes: Our hybrid bikes are lightweight FRW "Crooked Street" aluminium frames with high-end Shimano Deore and Deore XT componentry. They are very comfortable, with a relatively upright riding position as well as climbing bars which enable you to change your hand position. They have 27 speeds with index shifters on the handlebars. They have a low gearing ratio to make hill climbing especially easy, and the upright sitting position reduces shoulder and neck fatigue. A more upright position also means that you get to look at the beautiful countryside instead of just the asphalt in front of your wheel!
The bikes come with a small front handlebar bag suitable only for light things, a separate map case, water bottle, pump, spare tube, and a rear carrier rack. We HIGHLY recommend that you bring a strap-on rear carrier bag that sits on top of the rear rack (not a side pannier). You can bring your own pedals and seat, which we can mount for you. The bikes are sized based on the information that you send to us, so be as accurate as you can! You must bring your own helmet. If you would like more detailed info from our bike geek or if you have any special requests, please send him an e-mail.
Trip Cost Includes: All accommodations (1 night 3-star hotel in Bari, 2 nights in 4-star hotels in Conversano, Capitolo, and Ostuni); 7 breakfasts and 5 dinners, bilingual guide or guides; support vehicle; guided tours as noted in the itinerary; pick up from Bari, transfer to Ostuni train station at the end of the trip, bikes (quality 27-speed hybrid-style touring bikes with map readers, front handlebar bags and rear racks).
Not Included: Round-trip airfare; airport/hotel transfers; lunches; travel insurance; gratuities; alcoholic beverages and items of a personal nature.
Van Support and luggage transfers: Your luggage is transferred by van from hotel to hotel, and the rest of the time it is on the road with you to provide support when you need it.
Weather: In May and June, the climate is generally sunny and warm with daytime temperatures in the 80s and evening temperatures dropping 10-20 degrees. Rain showers are a possibility but typically do not last longer than a few hours. September and October weather can be slightly cooler with fewer daylight hours. Rain is possible on any of the departures, so participants should bring appropriate raingear.
Getting there (this will redirect you to our "Getting to the Trip" page)
Trip Cancellation Insurance: Should you have to cancel your trip because of illness, injury or death to you or a family member, trip-cancellation insurance protects most of your deposits and payment for both air and land cost. We highly recommend the purchase of Trip-Cancellation Insurance. If you wish, you can purchase this insurance through Customwalks Ltd when you book your trip. Contact us for more details.
General Information: This trip is subject to the booking information set forth in the CustomWalks Ltd. reservation information and trip agreement. Please read this information carefully and e-mail us (or use the "Contact Us" page) if you have any questions. We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance which you can do through CustomWalks Ltd or by clicking on the logo below (another window will open up on your screen).
We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! Why wait? Space is limited. Send us an email or fax to reserve your trip. Full trip details including detailed pre-departure information, train timetables, and a gear list are sent upon receipt of deposit.
Come join us!
|
|