Bike Across Southern Italy
A Magical Sea-to-Sea Exploration of Undiscovered Lands
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- A thorough daily itinerary
- Details for exact accommodations
- What to expect
- Travel planning tips
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Fueled by the success of our most popular bicycle tour – Bike Across Italy – which crosses central Italy from coast to coast, director Lauren Hefferon designed the perfect complement: Bike Across Southern Italy, a 9-day adventure traversing the Italian peninsula east to west through the enchanting regions of Puglia, Basilicata, and Campania. See and experience an Italy you never imagined, as our bike trip takes us from Puglia into the trulli region with its captivating clusters of conical “trulli” structures, and across the Basilicata region to Matera, the famous city of stone. We’ll ride through the “Dolomiti Lucane” to the nested village of Castelmezzano and continue across the Southern Appenine Mountains, crossing natural preserves, lava formations, imposing monuments and tiny ancient towns, ending our journey by the breathtaking coastline of Campania’s Cilento peninsula, a corner of Italy that rivals the striking and natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast, but unknown to mass tourism.
Tour Essence
- The charming fishing village of Polignano
- Captivating clusters of conical Trulli structures, the region’s typical architecture
- The constant scent of orange and eucalyptus
- Guided visits to UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites
- Experience “Old World” hospitality from Italian natives
- Breathtaking rides along the cliffs of the Cilento Coast
- Sampling freshly made Mozzarella and fresh peperoncini
What to Expect
Terrain
HillyStart Location
Polignano Al MareEnd Location
MarateaMileage
Average Daily: 41 / 47 miles Total: 330 / 377 milesElevation
Average Daily: 3,742 / 4,331 ft Total: 29,941 / 34,654 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
- Guided walking tours of the Trulli of Alberobello, the Sassi of Matera and the “Certosa” monastery in Padula
- Wine tasting
- 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 accommodations
- All breakfasts
- 3 lunches
- 7 dinners
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.
2024
2025
Start Location
Polignano Al MareFly Into
RomeEnd Location
MarateaFly Out Of
RomePolignano al Mare
Meals Provided
Lunch, DinnerAverage Mileage
14 milesElevation Gain
627 ftRiding Terrain
Gentle climb to Conversano with descent back to PolignanoMeals Provided
Lunch, DinnerAccommodations
Borgobianco Resort & SPA
The 5-star Borgobianco Resort & SPA is a restored Masseria that lies on the hills overlooking the spectacular coastal stretch. Rooms are typical Puglia style with a balcony or terrace overlooking the golden cliffs and cobalt-blue sea.
Polignano al Mare to Alberobello
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
33 / 42 milesElevation Gain
2,313 / 2,856 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling, leaving sea level up onto the “Murge” and Alberobello at 787 ftMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
La Corte Dell’Astore Luxury Resort and Falconry
Peacefully positioned on a hillside but within a short walking distance of downtown Alberobello, La Corte Dell’Astore is a magical combination of past and present to experience in the Trulli. Take a swim in the outdoor swimming pool or relax in the garden.
Alberobello to Matera
Meals Provided
Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAverage Mileage
46 / 57 milesElevation Gain
2,003 / 2,579 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling through vast farmlands and isolated roadsMeals Provided
Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodations
Sant’Angelo Resort
The Sant’Angelo resort is a 5-star hotel of charm and relaxation, designed to give you the unique experience of a stay among the stones of Matera. Set as a jewel in the extraordinary amphitheater of Sassi di Matera, the Resort is located in one of the best squares in the heart of the historical center, with its unmissable view of the elaborate labyrinth of typical houses and staircases that leads down to the rugged canyon Gravina.
Rest Day or Loop Ride to Montescaglioso
Meals Provided
BreakfastAverage Mileage
30 miles / optional rest dayElevation Gain
2,592 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
Sant’Angelo Resort
The Sant’Angelo resort is a 5-star hotel of charm and relaxation, designed to give you the unique experience of a stay among the stones of Matera. Set as a jewel in the extraordinary amphitheater of Sassi di Matera, the Resort is located in one of the best squares in the heart of the historical center, with its unmissable view of the elaborate labyrinth of typical houses and staircases that leads down to the rugged canyon Gravina.
Matera to Castelmezzano
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
58 / 61 milesElevation Gain
6,408 / 7,028 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
47 / 61 milesElevation Gain
5,445 / 6,948 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
57 / 58 milesElevation Gain
5,246 / 5,506 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling with gentle-to-steep climbs and descentsMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
Grand Hotel San Pietro Palinuro
Near Cape Palinuro’s main square, this modern 4-star Grand Hotel San Pietro is built into the rocky coast and offers a private pebble beach, a panoramic sea- water pool, and a wellness center; indulge in a variety of beauty treatments and massages or treat yourself to a relaxing break in the sauna and the Turkish bath.
Palinuro to Maratea
Meals Provided
Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAverage Mileage
45 / 54 milesElevation Gain
5,307 / 6,518 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.
