Bike Across Southern Italy
A Fun-Filled Four-Region Traverse of Italy from Heel to Toe
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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 Fano to Porto Ercole, director Lauren Hefferon designed the perfect complement: Bike Across Southern Italy, a 12-day adventure traversing the Italian peninsula east to west through the enchanting regions of Puglia, Basilicata, Campania, and Calabria. 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 Castelmezzano’s vast cultivated fields, natural preserves, lava formations, and tiny ancient towns, and pedal the breathtaking coastline of Campania’s Cilento peninsula, rivaling the natural beauty of the Amalfi Coast, but unknown to all.
Tour Essence
- Enjoy the captivating clusters of conical “trulli” structures, Puglia’s typical architecture
- The constant perfume of orange and eucalyptus
- Amazing guided visits of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites
- Experience “Old World” hospitality from local Southern Italians
- 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
CetraroMileage
Average Daily: 39 miles Total: 385/539 milesElevation
Average Daily: 3,181 ft Total: 34,995 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 and visit to a cantina
- Shuttle at the end of the tour
What’s Included
- Use of a carbon road bike equipped with Garmin Edge Touring GPS
- Ciclismo jersey and water bottles
- Garmin Edge GPS
- Handlebar bag
- Tire pump
- Combination bike lock
- Gel-padded saddle
- Choice of pedals
- Card with your tour leaders’ mobile phone numbers
Pedal Options
- Flat pedals
- Half-toe pedals (without straps)
What’s Not Included
- Helmet
- Optional: clipless pedals with shoes
- Optional: your own saddle
- All accommodations
- All breakfasts
- 1 lunch and 2 picnic lunches
- 9 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. Our route also takes us to Pollino National Park, a World Wildlife Foundation protected forest of pine trees and eucalyptus, and through the tiny hilltop Albanian villages of Calabria, founded some 500 years ago and still maintaining their own language and traditional dress. The grand finale of this sentimental biking vacation is a ride to Cittadella del Capo, a city which epitomizes the ecco la bella vita (here is the beautiful life) style. You’ll carry it home in your heart and soul!
2023
Start Location
Polignano Al MareFly Into
RomeEnd Location
CetraroFly Out Of
Rome or MilanPolignano al Mare
Average Mileage
16 milesElevation Gain
700 ftRiding Terrain
Gentle climb to Conversano with descent back to PolignanoAccommodations
Hotel Covo dei Saraceni
The 4-star Hotel Covo dei Saraceni overlooks a spectacular coastal stretch atop golden cliffs that overhang cobalt-blue sea. Rooms are typical Puglia style with a balcony or terrace overlooking the sea.
Polignano al Mare to Alberobello
Average Mileage
35/55 milesElevation Gain
1,500 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling, leaving sea level up onto the “Murge” and Alberobello at 787 ftAccommodations
La Corte Dell’Astore Luxury Resort and Falconry
Peacefully positioned on a hillside, but still within a short walking distance of downtown Alberobello, La Corte Dell’Astore is a magic combination of Past and Present, Competence and Passion, Dream and Reality that you will experience in the Trulli.
Alberobello to Matera
Average Mileage
53/62 milesElevation Gain
2,540 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling through vast farmlands and isolated roadsAccommodations
Corte San Pietro
Set inside the Matera Sassi UNESCO site, Corte San Pietro is housed in a renovated historical building carved out of stone. It offers rooms with a private entrance and free Wi-Fi throughout. Featuring an elegant yet primitive style, each room is unique and furnished with hand-carved wood and stone items.
Rest Day or Loop to Montescaglioso
Average Mileage
23 miles / optional rest dayRiding Terrain
Starting with a 3.7 mi descent then a 3.1 mi climb to Montescaglioso, and back through the wheatfields of BasilicataAccommodations
Corte San Pietro
Set inside the Matera Sassi UNESCO site, Corte San Pietro is housed in a renovated historical building carved out of stone. It offers rooms with a private entrance and free Wi-Fi throughout. Featuring an elegant yet primitive style, each room is unique and furnished with hand-carved wood and stone items.
Matera to Castelmezzano
Average Mileage
37/64 milesElevation Gain
5,900 ftRiding Terrain
Long descent from Matera, then rolling, followed by some significant climbing in the afternoonAccommodations
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
Average Mileage
53/62 milesElevation Gain
5,400 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling through vast farmlands and isolated roadsAccommodations
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
Average Mileage
59 milesElevation Gain
4,200 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling with gentle-to-steep climbs and descentsAccommodations
Grand Hotel San Pietro
The Grand Hotel San Pietro, situated in the centre of Palinuro, directly on the sea, is perfect for holidays with your family and your bike. With rooms looking straight onto the Gulf of Palinuro, this 4 star hotel awaits you for a holiday in the name of beauty and relaxation, during which every detail will be managed with passion and care.
Rest Day or Palinuro Marina di Pisciotta Loop Ride
Average Mileage
27 miles / optional rest dayRiding Terrain
Gentle climbing along the coast to Pisciotta, then steep and narrow descent to Marina di Pisciotta. Then it’s mostly a cruise back to Palinuro. We’ll be back in Palinuro for lunchAccommodations
Grand Hotel San Pietro
The Grand Hotel San Pietro, situated in the centre of Palinuro, directly on the sea, is perfect for holidays with your family and your bike. With rooms looking straight onto the Gulf of Palinuro, this 4 star hotel awaits you for a holiday in the name of beauty and relaxation, during which every detail will be managed with passion and care.
Palinuro to Maratea
Average Mileage
45/54 miles with extra loopElevation Gain
3,190 ftRiding Terrain
Flat along the coast, with a challenging but scenic climb and amazing descent before lunch. The afternoon is a spectacular coastal ride which gradually climbs to high cliffs overlooking the sea, and ends with a bit more challenging climbingAccommodations
La Laconda Delle Donne Monache
The four star luxury hotel, La Laconda Delle Donne Monache was originally occupied by the Vistandine 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, is a few steps from the sea and mountains and offers many gastronomic and cultural delights.
Maratea to Morano Calabro
Average Mileage
27/57 milesElevation Gain
6,500 ftRiding Terrain
Long, beautiful, and hillyAccommodations
Villa San Domenico
The hotel is situated in the heart of the historic center of Morano Calbro and boasts a broad terrace with views of the Pollino mountains. Our host Tonino is maestro of an important school of hotel and restaurant management in nearby Castrovillari. He will see to it that our dinner is exquisitely prepared with all local and traditional ingredients. He will provide for us an unforgettable evening of authentic Calabrese food, song and dance.
Morano Calabro to Cetraro
Average Mileage
60 milesElevation Gain
5,065 ftRiding Terrain
Winding roads with some challenging climbs and spectacular but technical descentsAccommodations
Grand Hotel San Michele
An elegant hillside villa overlooking the sea, upscale Grand Hotel San Michele lies on a 44-hectare beachfront estate. Bright, airy rooms come with either antique or modern furnishings; most have balconies or patios, many with sea views. Amenities include an elegant restaurant with a patio, an on-site organic farm and a 9-hole golf course. There’s also an outdoor pool, and a private beach (reached by elevator) offering lounge chairs, a bar and a seasonal restaurant.
