Bike Across Southern Italy
Traverse Italy from heel to toe
Download a Detailed Itinerary
Our comprehensive itineraries are a one-stop-shop for all the delightful details of our carefully crafted tours, including:
- A thorough daily itinerary
- Details for exact accommodations
- What to expect
- Travel planning tips
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Building on the success of Ciclismo Classico’s signature Bike Across Italy, director Lauren Hefferon created its ideal counterpart: Bike Across Southern Italy, a 9-day, coast-to-coast journey from the Adriatic to the Mediterranean through Puglia, Basilicata, and Campania.
This tour reveals an Italy few travelers ever see. We ride from seaside Polignano into the Trulli region, famed for its fairytale stone dwellings, then cross Basilicata to unforgettable Matera, the ancient Città dei Sassi, an archaeological and cinematic marvel carved into the rock. From there, we pedal through the dramatic Dolomiti Lucane to the hidden village of Castelmezzano and continue across the Southern Apennines, passing nature reserves, historic monuments, and timeless hill towns.
The journey ends along the unspoiled Cilento coast in Campania—every bit as beautiful as the Amalfi Coast, yet blissfully untouched—before concluding in Maratea, the “Pearl of the Tyrrhenian Sea,” where forested hills meet brilliant blue water.
Tour Essence
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Explore Polignano, a charming fishing village and the Capital of Gelato
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Indulge in four-star stays along the stunning Adriatic and Mediterranean coastline
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Ride through the captivating clusters of conical Trulli structures, the region’s unique and iconic architecture
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Discover the ancient, enchanting villages of Alberobello, Castelmazzano, Matera and Maratea
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Enjoy peaceful cycling through the epic mountain landscapes
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Absorb the scent of eucalyptus and the sound of cowbells echoing through the countryside
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Learn through guided visits to UNESCO World Heritage Sites
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Experience warm “Old World” Italian hospitality
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Take historic walking tours of Alberobello and Maratea led by local experts
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Thrill in breathtaking roller-coaster-like rides along the dramatic Cilento Coast
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Savor hearty, authentic Southern Italian cuisine
What to Expect
Terrain
HillyStart Location
Polignano a MareEnd Location
MarateaMileage
Average Daily: 40/45 miles Total: 330/375 milesElevation
Average Daily: 4,300/5,000 ft Total: 30,000/34,600 ft
Once you have a trip confirmed, we will feed you a steady diet of additional pre-departure information that includes: How to train, prepare, pack and all the wonderful, inspirational and practical things you want and need to know before you go! Our Travel Advisors will be available to help plan your pre- and post-tour travel.
- Van Support
- Expert, bilingual guides
- Cycling clinics
- Ciclismo jersey
- Guided walking tours of the Trulli of Alberobello, the Sassi of Matera and the “Certosa” monastery in Padula
- 1 wine tasting
- Group shuttle at the end of the tour
What’s Included
- Use of our exclusive carbon road bike, La Classica Ribelle (or Equivalent Carbon Road Bike)
- Garmin Edge Explore GPS loaded with the GPX tracks of your rides
- Two water bottles
- Saddle bag with repair kit
- Optional: map holder on handlebar
Pedal Options
- Flat pedals
- Half-toe pedals (without straps)
What’s Not Included
- Helmet
- Optional: clipless/SPD pedals with shoes
- Optional: your own saddle
- All breakfasts, 3 lunches, 7 dinners
- All accommodations:
Day 1: Pietrablu Resort & Spa
Day 2: TBD
Day 3 & 4: Locanda di San Martino
Day 5: Locanda di Castromediano
Day 6: Villa Cosilinum
Day 7: Grand Hotel San Pietro
Day 8: La Locanda delle Donne Monache
Discover an Italy you never imagined on this magical cycling trip. Deluxe accommodations await at the end of each day’s adventure on our cycling tour. We’ll spend a night each in Palinuro and Maratea, two of Italy’s most beautiful coastal towns, so you can enjoy the area’s forests and beach coves, friendly residents, and welcoming trattorie and seafood restaurants. We will visit Matera, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. It is a magical place that contains evidence of human settlements dating back to the Palaeolithic period, in natural caves that were carved into the rock. When you visit Matera, which is located on a limestone plateau in Basilicata, you will encounter deep fissures, ravines, rocks, and caves that make you feel like you are entering a nativity scene.
2026
Start Location
Polignano a MareFly Into
RomeEnd Location
MarateaFly Out Of
RomePolignano a Mare
Meals Provided
Lunch, DinnerAverage Mileage
15 milesElevation Gain
600 ftRiding Terrain
Gentle climb to Conversano with descent back to PolignanoMeals Provided
Lunch, DinnerAccommodations
Pietrablu Resort & Spa
Pietrablu Resort & Spa is a tranquil 4-star retreat surrounded by Mediterranean gardens, olive groves, and iconic trulli. Overlooking a clear-water bay with natural rock pools and a private beach, this stylish resort features air-conditioned rooms with terraces or balconies, multiple pools, a spa with sauna and Jacuzzi, and on-site dining.
Polignano a Mare to Alberobello
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
35/40 milesElevation Gain
2,300/2,900 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling, leaving sea level up onto the “Murge” and Alberobello at 787 ftMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Grand Hotel Olimpo
Grand Hotel Olimpo is an elegant 4-star hotel in the heart of Alberobello, just a short walk from the famous trulli and historic center of this UNESCO-listed town. The hotel offers comfortable, stylish rooms (many with private balconies). On-site amenities include the Eden restaurant serving local cuisine, a bar/lounge, and a garden terrace.
Alberobello to Matera
Meals Provided
Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAverage Mileage
45/55 milesElevation Gain
2,000/ 2,600 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling through vast farmlands and isolated roadsMeals Provided
Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodations
Locanda di San Martino
Set inside the Matera Sassi UNESCO site, the boutique hotel is in a renovated historical building carved out of stone with all modern comforts. There is an underground thermae Romana (Roman-style baths) with heated pools, a dry-heat room, a steam room, and a hydromassage. Guest rooms are on four levels and are simple and comfortable to keep to the original cavern atmosphere—the view from the terrace is breathtaking.
Rest Day or Loop Ride to Montescaglioso
Meals Provided
BreakfastAverage Mileage
30 miles/optional rest dayElevation Gain
2,600 ftRiding Terrain
Starting with a 3.7-mile descent then a 3.1-mile climb to Montescaglioso, and back through the wheat fields of BasilicataMeals Provided
BreakfastAccommodations
Locanda di San Martino
Set inside the Matera Sassi UNESCO site, the boutique hotel is in a renovated historical building carved out of stone with all modern comforts. There is an underground thermae Romana (Roman-style baths) with heated pools, a dry-heat room, a steam room, and a hydromassage. Guest rooms are on four levels and are simple and comfortable to keep to the original cavern atmosphere—the view from the terrace is breathtaking.
Matera to Castelmezzano
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
60/60 milesElevation Gain
6,500/7,000 ftRiding Terrain
Long descent from Matera, then rolling, followed by some significant climbing in the afternoonMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Locanda di Castromediano
Nestled in the rocks of the Piccoli Dolomiti (Little Dolomites) and in the midst of a beautiful park, Locanda di Castromediano offers mountain style hospitality. Our host, Antonietta, is well known in Italy as a one of the most important Chefs who represent “La Cucina Lucane”. She will treat us to an unforgettable feast of Local Culinary delights as we recover from today’s ride.
Castelmezzano to Padula
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
45/60 milesElevation Gain
5,500/6,900 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling through vast farmlands and isolated roadsMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Villa Cosilinum
The 4-star Villa Cosilinum is an archeo-hotel. An historical building with views of the center and the Diano Valley. This is the perfect facility to relax and enjoy your stay in Padula.
Padula to Palinuro
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
55/60 milesElevation Gain
5,200/5,500 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling with gentle-to-steep climbs and descentsMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Grand Hotel San Pietro Palinuro
Near Cape Palinuro’s main square, the modern 4-star Grand Hotel San Pietro is built into the rocky coastline and offers a private pebble beach, a panoramic seawater pool, and a serene wellness center. Guests can indulge in beauty treatments and massages or unwind in the sauna and Turkish bath for a truly relaxing escape.
Palinuro to Maratea
Meals Provided
Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAverage Mileage
45/55 milesElevation Gain
5,300/6,500 ftRiding Terrain
Flat to start, then challenging climbsMeals Provided
Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodations
La Locanda Delle Donne Monache
The 4-star luxury hotel La Locanda Delle Donne Monache was originally occupied by the Visitandine nuns. It is the ideal accommodation in Maratea for guests to explore the character and local treasures of the Lucania region. This hotel has 27 rooms and suites, a large panoramic pool with a solarium and a jacuzzi, and is a few steps from the sea and mountains. It offers many gastronomic and cultural delights.
