| Puglia by Scooter details |
|---|
Departures 2008 :
June 7
October 4 | Duration: 6 Days/5 Nights
Departing from: Bari at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, Day 2
Tour finishes: Monopoli train station on Day 6
Price: €1,950 per person based on double occupancy. Single supplement €200. Couples can save €100 for one person if they request one scooter
for two. Depending on availability at the
time of booking, a couple might be obliged to take one scooter and
thus receive the discount. |  |
|
UNESCO World Heritage site:
Alberobello
|
Mouth-watering local produce
|
King of the Road!
|
Monopoli
|
Italy's No.1 producer of
table grapes
|
Baroque balconies in
Locorotondo
|
Get to know some new wines
|
A trullo
|
Sample some of the local cheese
|
Matera rooftops
|
Puglia by Scooter |
|
Puglia by Scooter Itinerary
Preview - Hit the open road on your own scooter on this guided tour of Puglia ("Apulia" for the Brits), southern Italy's hottest new tourist destination. Your local guide will lead you along quiet back roads amongst olive groves and vineyards to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Alberobello, where we spend two nights. Alberobello is famous for its conically shaped trullo houses, which are unique to the region and impart a fairytale feeling to the landscape. Our last two days are in the fantastic city of Matera, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Situated on a limestone promontory, Matera is cut in two by a spectacular ravine, creating cliffs that have been inhabited since prehistoric times and were home to some of the first human settlements in Italy. The town grew during the last thousand years as the locals carved out their houses, chapels, and shops from the soft tufo rock. The result is a chaotic but breathtaking jumble of buildings that honeycomb the cliffside.
And of course it wouldn't be Italy without good food and wine. Puglia is home to some of Italy's most interesting cuisine, from fresh seafood on the coast to the opulent array of antipasti they bring before dinner made from the finest local produce: roasted artichokes, fresh figs and almonds, savory vegetable pies, and the deliciously creamy burrata cheese. What's more, the wines of Puglia are now considered to be among the best in Italy. The hot southern sun and little-known indigenous grapes are being transformed by state of the art wine-making techniques into some opulent and powerful wines.
The Hotels - The Hotel Boston in Bari is a utilitarian business hotel with a great location in the heart of the city. It is conveniently close to the train station, the main shopping street, and the old port. We are there for one night. The Hotel Lanzillotta is a comfortable family-run hotel that has recently been completely renovated. It is located in an 18th century building in Alberobello's main square, so you can easily explore the village on foot. The Hotel Sant'Angelo in Matera is a unique four-star hotel situated amongst the historic "Sassi" district. The Sant'Angelo has both memorable rooms and unforgettable views.
The Scooters - Traveling by scooter is fun and easy. We have a local scooter provider, who supplies us with modern 125cc scooters. They are not "Vespa" brand but are very similar, with an electric start and automatic transmission. The brakes are on the handlebars, like a bicycle. We provide you with helmets. The 125cc scooter is also powerful enough for two people to happily cruise through the Pugliese countryside. It's the best way to get off the beaten track without working up a sweat! Of course, couples can ride together on one scooter (and save €100 for one person).
Scooterbella in the news: our trips have been featured in the travel section of The Guardian (UK) on January 20, 2007. See the article here. Another article was published by The Observer on April 23, 2006. See it here! And a 3-page full-color article covering our Tuscany by Vespa trip was published in the London Telegraph. Click here to see the article (search for: "The Vespa and Italy").
Note: Everyone who drives one of our scooters needs to have an international driver's license (or EU driver's license). This is very easy to get! Please click here for more information.
Day 1 - Saturday: Independent arrival in Bari and check into the Hotel Boston. 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 line 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, the afternoon and evening are open 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. Dinner not included.
Day 2 - Sunday: Meet your guide this morning at 9:00 in the hotel lobby and then transfer by van to the countryside just outside of Monopoli where our scooters will be waiting. After a safety talk you will have time to get used to the scooter in a parking lot before heading out onto a very quiet road for more practice. When you feel comfortable on the scooter – and once we have assessed your ability to safely drive the scooter – we will head out to explore the beautiful countryside of Puglia. Our ride takes us through ancient olive groves and past whitewashed cottages to the charming village of Locorotondo for lunch. Afterwards a short ride takes us to neighboring Martina Franca. Here you have free time to search out some gelato and admire the Baroque architecture of this quaint town. Then we have a short ride to Alberobello where we check into the family-run Hotel Lanzillotta, located just off the main piazza. Your bags will have already been delivered by van. After checking in you have some free time before reconvening for an aperitivo and then dinner at the Michelin-starred "Il Poeta Contadino." This world famous restaurant was once named the best restaurant in Italy by Gault et Millau, and has received the Wine Spectator's "Grand Award" for it wine cellar. Overnight Alberobello. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 3 - Monday: Today begins with a gently sloping downhill ride to Monopoli. We stop along the way to admire the view over a sea of olive trees that seem to wash up against the Adriatic. We take an ingenious side road to avoid traffic and ride right up to Monopoli’s imposing 16th century fortifications. We explore Monopoli by foot, but only after a mid-morning cappuccino! We hop back on our scooters to drop in on our friend Ettore, who welcomes us into his masseria (fortified farm), which has been in his family for centuries. Ettore will show us around his lovingly maintained property and take us on a visit of his olive mill. The mill's huge, 19th-century olive presses stand as silent testament to the former function of this once important estate. We will then have lunch in the cobbled courtyard. Let your belt out a notch as Zia Victoria spoils us with wonderful home cooking. Our afternoon ride follows the coast road for about 12 kilometers before climbing back up to Alberobello. On our way we pass many whitewashed "masseria," imposing fortified manor houses that are the legacy of centuries of danger when corsairs raided the Pugliese coast. Free time this afternoon to wander through Alberobello's maze of trulli houses and cobbled streets and shop or simply enjoy a chilled glass of wine in the piazza. Speaking of wine, we will have an introductory wine tasting of the excellent regional wines of Puglia followed by dinner in a local trattoria. Overnight Alberobello. Hotel, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 4 - Tuesday: After breakfast, we head southwest through vineyards and orchards to the village of Mottola where we will stop to enjoy a coffee and some local pastries. Then we have another hour's ride to stunning Matera, where you will have free time in the afternoon to explore the ancient village and/or the new town’s shops. Matera is another UNESCO World Heritage site and is truly an unforgettable place. Up until the late 1950's, many of Matera's inhabitants lived in stone dwellings partially excavated from the rock face of the two steep ravines that slice through the city. The "Sassi" fell into ruin in the 1960's when the city moved these "cave dwellers" into new government housing. Fortunately for us, however, the people from Matera began restoring the ancient village a decade ago and it is now a truly unique sight. Our hotel for the next two nights, the four-star Hotel Sant'Angelo, has been central to the revival and restoration of the old town. Indeed, the hotel has lovingly restored a complex of buildings to provide its guests with a unique experience. We'll enjoy an aperitivo on the hotel terrace and watch the last rays of the sun play on the opposite wall of the gorge before walking to dinner. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 5 - Wednesday: This morning we have a guided visit of Matera, giving us a fascinating glimpse into the ancient peasant and Christian/pagan culture of the area. We can visit centuries' old frescoed rock chapels and monasteries, as well as some of the previously inhabited cave-houses. We then set out for a ride that takes into the heart of the province of Basilicata, one of Italy's most beautiful and least populated regions. Our route takes as across wide open plains to perched hilltop villages. You will get a glimpse of authentic Italy as we explore the rustic villages of Montescaglioso and Miglionico before returning to Matera. A fantastic dinner awaits us at the end of the day. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.
Day 6 - Thursday: This is our final day of scooting. We leave Matera for the village of Conversano which is a leisurely three-hour ride. We will stop for a break along the way and have one last superb lunch at the "Carpe Diem" restaurant, located inside the walls of Conversano's 16th century castle. After lunch we have a van transfer to Bari to catch the 16:14 train to Rome (arriving at 22:05). However, should you wish to depart directly from Matera for Bari airport or train station for an earlier departure we can arrange a transfer for you at your own expense (a transfer for two costs about €90). Breakfast and transfer to Bari train station from Conversano included.
IMPORTANT!! -- QUALIFICATIONS
You must be over 18 years of age and have a valid driver's license to drive a scooter. Of course anyone can be a passenger. To drive a scooter, previous experience on a scooter or motorbike is advantageous and highly advised, but not necessary, but only if you are a good driver, athletic and coordinated, and you are used to riding a bicycle. If you cannot ride a bicycle we do not advise you to try and ride a scooter for the first time on this trip. Indeed, if you have never ridden a scooter before we highly recommend that you rent one locally and try it out before coming on the trip. Although our scooters are easy to ride, a good sense of balance and coordination is required. The scooters have a 125cc engine and an all-steel frame. They have a 125cc engine and an all-steel frame. They are lighter and easier to drive than a larger motorbike but they are also heavier than a moped. They weigh around 110 kg, or about 235 lbs.
You will be driving a motor vehicle on public roads. You are responsible for your safety but also for the safety of other motorists, bikers and pedestrians. You must be able to control the scooter and drive it competently. If we feel your driving skills put you and others at risk we reserve the right to take the scooter away from you. In the event that you cannot ride as a passenger on one of the scooters, then we will help to arrange an alternative mode of transport (like taxi or rental car) but at your expense.
We have been doing these trips since April 2006 and have found that 80% of people are very good drivers and have no problems with the scooters from the start. 10% are marginal, but with practice and coaching are able to drive the scooters competently. Finally, the other 10% have been incompetent and frankly dangerous. We have been forced to tell these people that they cannot use the scooter (sometimes, however, not before they have fallen!). So far no one has suffered any serious injuries, but we are amazed that some people sign up for a trip of this type with no experience and poor coordination or athletic ability, and then expect to drive a motorized vehicle on public roads in a foreign country. Please do not be one of these people. We will not hesitate to take the scooter away from anyone who we feel is a threat to themselves and to the safety of others.
Finally, age may be a factor. We have found that most people who are over 50 and who have never ridden a scooter or motorbike have problems riding the scooter. If you have not used the “motorbike” part of your brain before the age of 50, then it may be too late to learn. We don't know why this is, but such are the mysteries of Life, Zen, and the Art of scooter maintenance. So, if in doubt, please take the time to try a scooter at home. Find a big vacant parking lot, put on a helmet, read our accompanying document about motorcycle safety, and give it a whirl. If you are happy with your abilities and you feel safe, then you are ready to ride one of our scooters.
The bottom line is that we just want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday!
Useful Links -
Puglia tourism: general introductory site on the region of "Apulia," including links to weather forecast, train schedules, and local events
Bari: basic information and history on the city by Wikipedia
Trullo houses: short site on these traditional houses
Matera tourism: basic Wikipedia site on this amazing city
Basilicata Province: website for the province of Matera, lots of information
UNESCO World Heritage Site: check out all the wonderful places in Italy!
Vroom with a View: check out Peter Moore's lively account of his solo trip from Milan to Rome on a vintage Vespa. Cool website with lots of pictures & info.
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.
Trip cost includes: all accommodations (1 night Bari 3-star, 2 nights Alberobello, 2 nights Matera superior 4-star); 5 breakfasts, 1 lunch and 4 dinners; *one 125 CC scooter; insurance and petrol/gas; bilingual guide; all van transfers and luggage transfers from pick-up in Bari to drop-off at Bari train station as per itinerary. (*Depending on availability of scooters at time of booking, couples may be obliged to share a scooter, thus receiving the discounted price.)
Not Included: Round-trip airfare; airport/hotel transfers; lunches; one dinner; travel insurance; gratuities; alcoholic beverages; and items of a personal nature. Insurance: Unlike in Tuscany, we are unable to provide our own Vespas for this trip. In effect, you will be renting a scooter from a rental agency. The contract will be made between you and the agency. Scooterbella will pay for all expenses related to the rental, including third party liability and third party property damage insurance as required by law. However, you are liable for any damage that you may do to the scooter while on trip. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us.
Reservations and payment: In order to reserve a space on the
trip, a non-refundable deposit of $300 USD or €300 (depending on
the trip) is required. Please contact us at info@scooterbella.com or go to the Reservations page
on our website for more information. We will send you a trip agreement
that outlines the terms and conditions of payment and cancellation.
Weather: In May and June, the climate is generally sunny and warm with temperatures in the 80's, with evenings 10-20 degrees cooler. Rain showers are possible but typically do not last longer than a few hours. June and September departures can be hot. September and October weather is similar, but temperatures can be slightly cooler with fewer daylight hours. Some rainfall is possible on any of the departures, requiring participants to arrive equipped with appropriate raingear.
Getting there (this will redirect you to our "Getting to the Trip" page)
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!
|
|