Itinerary
- Day 1
Altamura
You'll arrive in Altamura and meet your tour leader at the hotel at 6pm for a welcome briefing. If you get there earlier, the old town is worth a walk around, and you should definitely try the local PDO-protected bread, the cartwheel loaves the place is known for. The Gothic Cathedral is also right there if you want to see it before the briefing.
Optional Activities
- Dinner with tour group (evening)
- Explore old town and sample local PDO-protected bread
Landmarks/POIs Altamura Cathedral - Day 2
Altamura to Matera
Start the morning at a local bakery where you'll learn how bread-making traditions work and taste fresh products. After that, you'll cycle about 30km south through the countryside, moving past grassy meadows and wheat fields with nice views the whole way. By afternoon you'll reach Matera and the Sassi district, where stone dwellings are built right into caves with houses literally stacked on top of each other.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided bakery tour and bread tasting in Altamura
- Cycling to Matera (approximately 30 kilometres/18.6 miles, leisurely grade)
Landmarks/POIs Sassi di Matera - Day 3
Matera
This day is yours to spend as you like in Matera. Wander through the Sassi district at your own pace, taking in the narrow alleys and stone dwellings. If you want some structure, there's an optional guided cycling ride in the morning with two choices, either a shorter loop to Torre Spagnole Belvedere with views over the Sassi or a longer countryside route out to San Giuliano Lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Guided morning cycle ride - shorter loop to Torre Spagnole Belvedere (approximately 30 kilometres/18.6 miles, moderate grade)
- Guided morning cycle ride - longer route to San Giuliano Lake (approximately 30-40 kilometres/18.6-24.9 miles, moderate grade)
- Self-guided exploration of Sassi district
Landmarks/POIs Torre Spagnole Belvedere San Giuliano Lake Sassi di Matera - Day 4
Matera to Alberobello
An optional guided tour of the Sassi district is available in the morning if you want one. Mid-morning you'll head to Putignano Agriturismo to visit a local cheese maker and learn about traditional Italian cheeses like mozzarella, ricotta, provolone and scamorza, followed by a light lunch with samples. In the afternoon, cycle through quiet countryside past stone-walled roads and trulli buildings to reach Alberobello.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Light lunch at Putignano Agriturismo with cheese samples)
Included Activities
- Visit to local caseificio (cheese maker) with demonstration and light lunch
- Cycling to Alberobello (approximately 35 kilometres/21.8 miles, leisurely grade)
Optional Activities
- Guided tour of the Sassi with licensed guide (morning)
Landmarks/POIs Alberobello - Day 5
Alberobello
You'll cycle through rolling hills covered in olive groves along quiet back roads. Stop in Cisternino's historic centre and if you're interested there's an option to visit a traditional olive mill for a tasting. Later, head to Locorotondo, a hilltop town famous for its white wines, where you'll have a wine tasting at a local farmhouse. A bus brings you back to Alberobello at the end of the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cycling through olive groves and countryside (approximately 44 kilometres/27.3 miles, moderate grade)
- Visit to Cisternino historic centre
- Wine tasting at local Masseria (farmhouse)
Optional Activities
- Visit traditional olive mill for olive oil tasting (additional 5 kilometres/3.1 miles cycling or ride in support vehicle)
Landmarks/POIs Cisternino Locorotondo - Day 6
Alberobello to Monopoli
Spend the morning in Alberobello exploring on your own before cycling to the Adriatic coast. The ride takes you through ochre-coloured fields with olive trees and trulli buildings, then onto a panoramic coastal road with views of the blue Adriatic waters. You'll pass through Conversano and arrive in Monopoli, a busy fishing town with whitewashed houses and narrow alleys.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Cycling from Alberobello to Monopoli via Conversano (approximately 35 kilometres/21.8 miles, leisurely grade)
Optional Activities
- Explore Alberobello in free morning time
Landmarks/POIs Conversano Monopoli - Day 7
Monopoli
Cycle south along the rugged Adriatic coastline where you can see green vegetation, rocky beaches and deep blue waters the whole way. It's an easy, pleasant ride to Savelletri, and along the route there's an option to visit the Bronze Age archaeological site of Egnazia and its museum. Later, check out Torre Canne lighthouse or spend time at the beach, then have the rest of the afternoon free.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Coastal cycling from Monopoli (approximately 45 kilometres/28 miles, leisurely grade)
Optional Activities
- Visit archaeological site of Egnazia with museum (Bronze Age finds)
- Beach time at Savelletri
- Cycling optional section through farmland to Torre Canne lighthouse
Landmarks/POIs Egnazia Archaeological Site Savelletri Torre Canne - Day 8
Monopoli
The tour ends this morning after breakfast. You'll depart at whatever time works for you, and the hotel can store your luggage if your flight doesn't leave until later in the day.
- Meals
- Breakfast
