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
- 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
MarateaMileage
Average Daily: 38 miles Total: 300/353 milesElevation
Average Daily: 2,962 ft Total: 23,700 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 Touring 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
- 2 lunches and 1 picnic
- 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!
2024
Start Location
Polignano Al MareFly Into
RomeEnd Location
MarateaFly Out Of
Rome or MilanPolignano al Mare
Meals Provided
Lunch, DinnerAverage Mileage
15 milesElevation Gain
700 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
1,500 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 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
Meals Provided
Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAverage Mileage
45/55 milesElevation Gain
2,540 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling through vast farmlands and isolated roadsMeals Provided
Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodations
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
Meals Provided
BreakfastAverage 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 BasilicataMeals Provided
BreakfastAccommodations
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
Meals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAverage Mileage
58/61 milesElevation Gain
5,900 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
47/60 milesElevation Gain
5,400 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
4,200 ftRiding Terrain
Rolling with gentle-to-steep climbs and descentsMeals Provided
Breakfast, DinnerAccommodations
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
Meals Provided
Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAverage Mileage
45/54 milesElevation 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 climbingMeals Provided
Breakfast, Lunch, DinnerAccommodations
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.
