Difficulty Rating : 5 Start: Alberobello Finish: Lecce Terrain: Mostly lowlands, some hills en route Daily Average: 53km Weekly Average: 32km Tour Type: Self Guided Teaser: Apulia is a region in south-eastern Italy that includes the heel part of Italy's boot. It is bordered by the sea on two sides
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Apulia is a region in south-eastern Italy that includes the heel part of Italy's boot. It is bordered by the sea on two sides (the Adriatic Sea in the east and the Ionian Sea to the southeast). The region is characterized by endless olive groves, long fields of grain and vineyards. The charm of this tour is that it leads you into a region of scenic beauty, which is, by today's standards, still unspoiled by the unattractive aspects of tourism and still retains testimony of its great and ancient culture.

You will start cycling in Alberobello, UNESCO world heritage site with its "trulli" and arrive in Lecce, also known as "Florence of the South" because of its magnificient baroque architecture. This bike tour will lead you into a region of scenic beauty, which is, by today's standards, still unspoiled by the unattractive aspects of tourism and still retains testimony of its great and ancient culture.

The tour is mostly in lowlands, sometimes hilly. Traffic is almost non-existent in Apulia ( except in the high holiday season ). The route includes some very beautiful stretches along the coast.

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A downloadable version of the itinery is available from the Resources Tab

Itineraries

Day 1

Arrival to Alberobello

Individual arrival. Alberobello is a unique and inimitable city as it is the only urban settlement of the so called trulli (cone buildings) in the whole world. It has ben a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

Day 2

Alberello - Ostuni (55 km, 460m elevation)

You will cycle through the countryside to Ostuni, which is reputed as an architectural jewel, and is commonly referred to as "the Whtie Town" for its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture.

Day 3

Ostuni - Manduria area (60 km, 270m elevation)

Today you will leave Ostuni and the Murge hills behind you and will start cycling on the Salento plain, characterized by green and red colours, given by its olive trees and its red soil. Along the way you will have the chance to visit Oria, with its beautiful historical centre and the castle built by emperor Federico II. Today's destination is the Manduria area, the capital of the Primitivo grapes.

Day 4

Manduria area - Gallipoli (70 km, 360m elevation)

Fron now on you will head towards the seaside, which will accompany your bike tour between ancient coastal towers and fine sand. You will now reach Porto Cesareo, where we suggest to enjoy a good fish based lunch. Rolling south, our destination will be the Greek Kale Polis, today's Gallipoli, with one of the most beautiful historic centres of Salento. Enjoy a stroll in its streets and the views of the sea that surrounds it.

Day 5

Gallipoli - Santa Maria di Leuca (50km, 50m elevation)

Cycling further along the coast you will reach Santa Maria di Leuca. Its name was given by the ancient Greek sailors who came from the East. They saw this place lightened by the sun and therefore called it "leukos", meaning white. The town is today a famous seaside resort.

Day 6

Santa Maria di Leuca - Otranto (50km, 460m elevation)

Today you will cycle northwards along the Adriatic coast to Otranto, the most eastern point of Italy where you can visit the beautiful Cathedral and the great Aragonese Castle

Day 7

Otranto–Lecce (55km, elevation 100m)

Riding along the Alimini Lakes and their unique Mediterranean bush you will enter Lecce. Thanks to its Baroque style, it has earned the nickname of Florence of the South. You will come to appreciate the rich sculpted motives done in the 17th-century with the tender stone from Lecce. The old town enclosed by what is left of the ancient walls bears the impression of that exuberant period.

  • 7 nights hotel accommodation ( mixture of 3* & 4*hotels )
  • Breakfast buffet
  • Luggage transfers
  • App including maps, roadbook, points of interest and GPS tracks
  • 7-days Hotline service 

Note that bike hire is separated out / not included in the tour price
€115   21 speed touring bike with water bottle cage, lock and a small pannier bag, repair kit
€275   Electric - bike with water bottle cage, lock and a small pannier bag, repair kit
€15     Helmet (58-61 cm)

Bike rental is not included in the basic tour price

On this tour you can rent a 27-gear unisex Citybike A unisex frame, ideal for an upright but relaxed riding position.
This is the bike automatically given to ladies and gents unless otherwise specified.
Citybike with men's frame with 21/24 gears are available to rent but are on a request basis only.

E-Bike rental:

Unisex low-entry frame.
Bosch motor Active Line Plus, located centrally (250 Watt, engine torque 50 Nm).
Bosch battery PowerPack Frame, top safety and long life (36 V - 13,4 Ah capacity - 500 Wh available power).
Range: approx 90 km (flat terrain, average speed).
Grip: ergonomic.
Saddle: Touring Gel.
Pedals: flat.
Gears: Shimano Deore 9-speed.
Brake: mechanical V-brakes.
28” wheel.
Tyre: Schwalbe Marathon Plus, the most puncture resistant tyre.

Accessoires:
All rented adult bikes are equipped with
1 cycle computer
1 Ortlieb one-sided saddlebag
1 front bar bag per room
1 repair kit per room (1 spare inner tube, glue, patch, a pump, allen keys, tyre levers)
1 combination bike lock

Back up Service on a Self Guided tour

All details are organised for the tour for you. All your accommodation is booked, your luggage is transported from hotel to hotel. You are given a map with a fully researched route. You will also have a hotline number should you need any assistance in any way.

We had a great tour!  I was very impressed with the accommodations and the breakfasts were superlative.  I especially loved Trullidea Resort.  The bikes were great; just what we needed on those bumpy Italian roads.

Michelle (Apulia Sept 2018)

The Apulia trip was a great success. The food was spectacular, reasonably priced and of a high quality, the best food I have tasted to date in Italy.

Alex B. (Apulia 2014)

I highly recommend this trip through historic sites, olive orchards galore, vineyards, and the beautiful Mediterranean!

Barbara B. (Apulia self led 2014)

It was a wonderful adventure. The World Heritage sites of Matera, where our hotel room was a former caver, and Alberobello, where our room was a truly, were fascinating. The four day coast road cycle fronting first the Ionian, then the Adriatic sea, was both beautiful and full of a sense of history going back millennia!

Barbara B. (Apulia self led 2014)

We had a great time.  I thought all the hotels were very unique to the area and staff incredibly welcoming.
Would recommend your cycling safaris to anyone!

Amy Phillips (Apulia 2015)

Category A (mainly 4* hotels with some 3* hotels):
Season 1 -    €880 per person sharing / €1210 single room/ €690 triple
Season 2 -   €980 per person sharing / €1310 single room/ €790 triple
Season 3 - €1080 per person sharing / €1410 single room/ €890 triple
Season 4 - €1180 per person sharing / €1510 single room/ €990 triple

Category B (3* hotels):
Season 1 -   €780 per person sharing / €1110 single room/ €620 triple
Season 2 -   €880 per person sharing / €1210 single room/ €720 triple 
Season 3 -   €980 per person sharing / €1310 single room/ €820 triple 
Season 4 - €1080 per person sharing / €1410 single room/ €920 triple

Season 1:
23rd March – 12th April & 26th October – 2nd November
Season 2:
13th April – 3rd May & 12th October – 25th October
Season 3:
4th May – 28th June & 14th September – 11th October
Season 4:
29th June – 20th July & 31st August – 13th September

Self Guided Tour Information

Every Saturday from 23rd March – 20th July & 31st August – 2nd November
Every Sunday from 5th May – 2nd June & 1st September – 22nd September
Special departure dates can be organized for at least 6 people

How to get to the start point in Alberobello: 

The closest major airport to Alberobello, Italy is Brindisis Airport or Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI / LIBD). This airport
is in Bari, Italy and is 64 km from the center of Matera, Italy. If you're looking for international or domestic flights to BRI, check the airlines that fly to BRI on SkyScanner.

Option to book transfers (based on 1-3 people)
Bari / Brindisi Airport - Alberobello: €180
Lecce - Bari Airport: €310
Lecce - Brindisi Airport: €150

For more details please have a look at the tour dossier.

As always please contact us in the office for more information (info@cyclingsafaris.com).

ALBEROBELLO

Day 1: Trullidea Resort

ALBEROBELLO image 1ALBEROBELLO image 1

OSTUNI

Day 2: Hotel La Terra

OSTUNI image 1OSTUNI image 1

LECCE

Day 7: EOS Hotel

LECCE image 1LECCE image 1

GALLIPOLI

Day 4: Hotel 33 Baroni

GALLIPOLI image 1GALLIPOLI image 1

SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA

Day 5: Hotel L'Approdo

SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA image 1SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA image 1

OTRANTO

Day 6: Hotel San Giuseppe

OTRANTO image 1OTRANTO image 1

Tour Date Options

Red = booked out / not available, Blue = Limited Availability, Green = available

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Booking Form

Primary Contact Details.

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Insurance

We require you to have Travel Insurance when you book the tour. It is important that you are covered in case of cancellation due to injury as the deposit is non refundable

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Other members of your group if applicable.

Please indicate below how many people are in your group including yourself.

Second person details

Third person details

Fourth person details

Fifth person details

 

Sixth person details

 

Seventh person details

 

Eighth person details

 

Ninth person details

 

Tenth person details

 

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Acommodation

For single travellers, we organise accommodation on a twin sharing basis. Please note it may not be possible on all our tours and a single supplement will be applied.

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Other Information

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Payment Information

If you have been on a previous tour, there is a €50.00 discount on our week long tours in Ireland (unfortunately this discount does not apply to other European trips)

A €250.00 deposit is required for each person booking on a holiday. The Balance payment is required two month prior to the starting date. The deposit is forfeited in the event of a cancellation of your booking. The balancing payment is also non-refundable in the event of the cancellation occuring within 14 days of the tour starting date. All transactions are taken in Euro.

We will contact you to confirm your booking and payment details.

Please ensure that you have read the terms and conditions before proceeding.

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Booking Conditions

Irish Cycling Safaris Ltd (“the Company”) accepts bookings subject to the following conditions:

  • The contract is between the Company and the client, being any person travelling or intending to travel on a tour operated by the company. The contract, including all matters arising from it, is subject to Irish law and the exclusive jurisdiction of the Irish courts. A booking is accepted and becomes definite only from the date when the company sends a confirmation. It is at this point that a contract between the company and the client comes into existence. Before your booking is confirmed and comes into existence the company reserves the right to increase or decrease brochure prices. The company or their agents reserve the right to decline any booking at their discretion.
  • To secure a booking the Company or their agent requires a completed booking form and the necessary deposit. (Full payment if travel within 60 days). The first named client must be over 18 years of age. Clients booking by telephone, by website/E-mail or fax will be deemed to have signed the booking form and read and accepted our terms of booking. The person signing, or being deemed to sign, the booking form warrants that he/she has full authority to do so on behalf of all persons whose names appear thereon, and confirms that all such persons are fully aware of and accept these conditions.
  • The balance of all monies due, including any surcharges applicable at the time, must be paid to the company or their agents not later than 60 days before departure. In the case of non-payment of the balance by the due date the Company reserves the right to cancel your booking and cancellation charges will apply. If any cheque is dishonoured we reserve the right to charge €25 to cover administration costs.
  • Travel Insurance is mandatory for all clients whilst on a tour organised by the Company. Clients are wholly responsible for arranging their own insurance. Clients are responsible for ensuring that they are in possession of private Travel insurance with protection for the full duration of the tour in respect of at least medical expenses, injury, death, repatriation, cancellation and curtailment, with adequate cover.
  • An administration fee of €25 per booking plus any additional costs incurred will be charged if a confirmed booking is changed or transferred to a different departure date or tour, up to 60 days prior to departure. Thereafter all changes will be treated as cancellations and subject to the relevant charges. Changes are subject to availability. For an administration fee of €25 you may request a credit voucher. This must be redeemed within 12 months of issue and must be used against a new booking. The voucher is non transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. In certain circumstances, which the Company considers reasonable, the booking may be transferred to another suitable person; however the tour arrangements must remain the same and will only be allowed if all suppliers agree to accept the name change. If a transfer is allowed an administration charge of €25 per person will be charged plus any extra charges levied by suppliers.
  • Should the client wish to cancel, cancellation charges will be imposed. These are calculated from the day written notification is received by the company or their agent as a percentage of the total tour price, including surcharges as follows:

    > 60 days before departure – retention of deposit

    60-14 days before departure – 50%

    < 14 days before departure – 100%

  • Clients are responsible for arranging, and must be in possession of, a valid passport and any visas and vaccination certificates required for the whole of their journey. Information about these matters or related items (climate, clothing, baggage, personal items etc) is given in good faith but without responsibility on the part of the company.
  • Should the client have a reason to complain, you must immediately notify our representative and the relevant supplier. If the client’s complaint is not dealt with satisfactorily at the time, they must write to us with full details of the complaint within 28 days of the end of the tour. Failure to notify complaints entirely within accordance of this clause will diminish or extinguish the client’s ability to claim compensation.
  • The company provides all services on a “ground only” basis. The client is responsible for arranging their own travel to the designated start points of each tour. The company cannot accept any liability for any delay/cancellation in your transportation and cannot offer any refunds for lost holiday time.
  • Clients agree to accept the authority and decisions of the Company’s employees, tour leaders and agents whilst on the tour with the company. If in the opinion of such persons the health, level of fitness or conduct of a client at any time before or after departure appears likely to endanger the safe, comfortable or happy progress of a tour the client may be excluded from all or part of the tour without refund or recompense. In the case of ill health the company may make such arrangements as it sees fit and recover the costs thereof from the client. If a client commits an illegal act the client may be excluded from the tour and the Company shall cease to have responsibility to/for them. If you are affected by a condition, medical or otherwise, that might affect you or affect other people’s enjoyment or active participation of the tour, you must advise us at the time of booking. No refund will be given for any unused services.
  • The Company will use its best endeavours to operate all tours as advertised. However, it reserves the right to change any of the facilities, services, prices or itineraries described in our brochure/website. If a major change is necessary or deemed advisable, the company will advise the client as soon as reasonably possible, if there is no time before departure. A major change does not apply to a change of transport or named accommodation, but is usually considered a major change in itinerary or change in duration of a client’s holiday. If advised of a major change before departure, the client will have the choice of accepting changes (at additional cost if applicable), purchasing another available tour from the company, or cancelling the tour with a full refund.

    Provided that the major change is not as a result of situations outside the company’s control or consolidation, compensation will be paid as follows:

    Notification Period Given / Compensation Per Person

    More than 30 days: Nil

    14-30 days: €40

    Less than 14 days: €50

     
  • Force Majeure. We regret we cannot accept liability or pay any compensation where the performance or prompt performance of our contractual obligations is prevented or affected by reasons of circumstance amounting to “force majeure”. In these conditions “force majeure” means any event which we the supplier of services in question could not, even with all due care, foresee or avoid. Such events include war or threat of war, riot, civil strife, industrial dispute, terrorist activity, natural or nuclear disaster, fire or adverse weather conditions, epidemics or health risks and all similar events outside our control.
  • The company reserves the right to cancel a tour in any circumstances but will not cancel a tour less than 4 weeks before departure except for “force majeure”, consolidation, or the client’s failure to pay the final balance. Unless the client fails to pay the final balance, the company, upon cancellation will return all monies paid to it, or offer the client an alternative holiday of comparable standard if available (if less expensive than original we will refund the difference, if more expensive, the client will have to pay the difference). Compensation will not be payable (1) where the company is forced to cancel as a result of unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control, the consequences of which we could not have avoided even with all due care or (2) where an insufficient number of people book the clients chosen holiday and we notify we are cancelling for this reason not less than 28 days before departure. In all cases our liability is limited to offering the above choices and the compensation payments (where applicable) set out in clause 11. No compensation is payable if we notify you of cancellation more than 8 weeks before departure. We cannot be held responsible for any costs or expenses you may have as a result of cancellation.
  • Client’s bookings are accepted on the understanding that they appreciate the risks inherent in adventure travel and that they undertake the tours featured in our programme at their own volition. Our obligations, and those of any suppliers providing any service or facility involved in any travel arrangements you book with us, are to provide services and facilities with reasonable care and skill. Facilities will be provided to the realistic minimum standard recommended by the regulatory authorities responsible.
  • Bike Hire: The equipment including all accessories supplied is let out on hire. The equipment remains the property of the company and the Client will not sell, hire out or otherwise part with the possessions thereof.

    The Client undertakes not to misuse the equipment and to return it with all accessories in the same condition as when received (ordinary wear and tear accepted). The company shall be entitled to charge the client for any damages caused to equipment during the period of hire. In event of a breakdown, other than a result of the Clients misuse, the company will use its best endeavours to repair or procure repair of the equipment.

    The company will not be liable for any damage or loss whatsoever, through breakdown or other defect in the equipment or other circumstances beyond the company’s control. The Client shall indemnify the company with respect to all costs, claims, expenses and demands suffered or incurred which arise directly or indirectly out of the use of the equipment during the period of hire. The company reserves the right to charge the client for partial or full settlement of any claim. In the event of the equipment being stolen or lost, the company reserves the right to call upon the client to indemnify the company the replacement of the equipment. However, should the equipment subsequently be returned in a satisfactory condition, the company undertakes to refund the clients indemnity within 14 days.

    The Client will ensure that the equipment is adequately secured when not in use, will not use the equipment whilst under the influence of drink or drugs and will immediately notify the company in the event of breakdown or loss of equipment.

  • Clients bringing their own bikes do so on the proviso that their equipment is in a suitable condition for participation in a tour. Responsibility for maintenance of bicycles brought by clients rests with the client. The company will endeavour to accommodate such clients, but cannot guarantee that correct tools and spares will be available, given the wide range of possibilities that exist.