AT A GLANCE | DAY by DAY AGENDA | DINNER IN TRATTORIA | LIVING IN THE CHARME | WHAT INCLUDED
Road to Matera
This beautiful corner of Italy has historical links to Greece just across the Adriatic, possesses unexpected delights such as the splendor of the “white cities” Ostuni, Alberobello, Locorotondo, Cisternino, the spectacular Polignano a Mare and the rock dwellings of Matera. By bike, a week of dirt roads and not without traffic awaits you on the Murgia hills, on the roads of the Dune Park on the Adriatic Sea, on the ancient Apulian Aqueduct. A busy week.
At a Glance
6 Days | 5 Nights | 5 Rides
Roads type: 50% Gravel
Bike required: Gravel
Daily Itineraries
Every day 2 different itineraries to chose from.
You are free to mix them to create your personal vacation.
Regular itinerary:
RIDER LEVEL: Recreative/Intermediate
Total ride distance, 175 miles (281 km)
Total climbing, 11,000 feet (3.400 m)
Extended itinerary:
RIDER LEVEL: Intermediate/Advanced
Total ride distance, 235 miles (378 km)
Total climbing, 14,200 feet (4.350 m)
Day by Day agenda
Day 1 –Arrival in Italy, welcome and warm-up ride
Arrival in Italy. We will pick you up at Bari Airport (BRI) or Brindisi Airport (BDS) or at the other previously agreed pick-up point. A transfer by Van (about an hour) will take you to the “Masseria” hotel.
Check-in at the hotel, and after a light lunch you have two options, a few hours to recover from the fatigue of the journey and relax at the hotel or fix and test your bike with a ride with our guides.
When darkness is coming: CIBUS RESTAURANT
Cibus for us means home in Puglia, we always go there on the first day to enjoy its land cuisine and possibly we come back to taste its fish cuisine. Lillino’s hospitality is proverbial, there’s always a dish we’ve never tasted.
Regular: 21 miles – 1,200 feet
Extended: 29 miles – 3,200 feet
Day 2 – Southern Murge Hills crossing
We meet the Murge for the first time. Murge mountains are the backbone of Apulia. We start from the White city of Ostuni and through pastoral roads we arrive to the city of Taranto. We will walk the old roads of the transhumance of sheep flocks. Centuries-old olive groves, dry stone walls, old watchtowers dating back to two thousand years ago.
Fun back roads cross the Murgia up to the surprise of the Small Sea of Taranto, the beautiful naturalistic oasis, refuge of protected birds and fish.
When darkness is coming: OSTERIA BOTTEGHE ANTICHE Splendid aperitif in the center of Putignano and then dinner at the Botteghe Antiche, substantial cuisine with the flavors of the Murge Cellar that can satisfy the most demanding enthusiasts.
Regular: 39 miles – 2,200 feet
Extended: 50 miles – 2,950 feet
Day 3 – Itria, the “Trulli” valley (UNESCO site)
The Valle dei Trulli, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, an immersion in lush greenery that is becoming one of the favorite holiday destinations for European nature lovers. The ride is a succession of ups and downs on narrow streets flanked by dry-stone walls. From time to time you come across the Trulli, archaic buildings typical of the area. A day of battle, where you will challenge your travel companions on roads, dirt roads, paths, an uninterrupted succession of rolling hills. It will be a challenge to the last climb. We will cross the beautiful towns of Locorotondo, Martinafranca, Alberobello where we will surely take a photo in front of the Trulli.
When darkness is coming: PERBACCO RESTAURANT
Aperitif in Bari Vecchia and dinner at the Perbacco Restaurant, a small pearl of the historic restaurants of the city of Bari.
Regular: 37 miles – 2,300 feet
Extended: 55 miles – 3,200 feet
Day 4 – The historic Apulian aqueduct
The Apulian aqueduct is the public drinking water supply infrastructure of the Puglia region and of some municipalities in Campania, its construction began in 1906, to solve the age-old problem of water shortage in the region The aqueduct is 500km long and in the central part it has been transformed into a beautiful cycle path, we will make a section of this route crossing the Murga which unites the cities of Ceglie, Cisternino, Locorotondo
When darkness is coming: OSTERIA IL CORTILETTO
Apparently, a trattoria like many others, but which reveals surprises: the endless list of Apulian appetizers of land and sea, the splendid handmade pastas and the fabulous burrata from the Oronzo Crovace dairy.
Regular: 35 miles – 5,000 feet
Extended: 44 miles – 7,700 feet
Day 5 – Matera, the “Sassi” town (UNESCO site)
Matera, the City of Sassi, a UNESCO site since 1993, is today’s destination, up and down the karst ravines (deep canyons carved by water) to discover a unique place. As a last ride, the crossing of the Murgia Materana Park following the route of the old Materana railway passing through the villages of Montescaglioso and Ginosa.
When darkness is coming: LA CUCCAGNA RESTAURANT
Farewell dinner in Crispiano, excellent land cuisine, meat preparations at Fornello Pronto: Bombette, Gnummareddi, Torcinieddi, wild vegetables and a nice cellar for the last toast.
Regular: 33 miles – 2,850 feet
Extended: 43 miles – 2,950 feet
Day 6 – Greetings and see you soon with us on the Italian roads
After breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye and start the journey back home.
If you come back home, we will take you to Milan (MPX) airport, or if you plan to stay longer to visit Italy, we will be happy to help you.
We hope to see you soon on one of our tours on the roads of Italy
Dinner in the great Italian “Trattoria”
Contrary to popular belief, Italy does not have a single gastronomic tradition (Pizza, Pasta, Cannolo) but many traditions closely linked to their territory, which make up a very interesting mosaic. Our goal is to introduce you to it, to immerse you, every evening we take you to the “Great Italian Trattorias” where the Italian culinary heritage is preserved and perpetuated.
PUGLIA has the best Italian regional cuisine (tied), rich in fantastic wild raw materials, Apulian cuisine is purely a “land” cuisine, only in the last 50 years has fish cuisine also grown. What we like so much about Apulian cuisine: the preparations linked to sheep farming, “the pignata sheep” among all, the fresh stretched curd cheeses, mozzarella and the wonderful burrata, the dishes made with wild herbs, the “Lampascioni” frittata is a dream. I could go on, the list of dishes we are in love with is endless.
The key to Cibus’ success is the study of traditional Apulian preparations and the continuous search for improvement. Among the alleys of the historic center of Ceglie, in an ancient 15th century convent, is the Cibus restaurant. In the stone rooms, with lime-painted arches, Lillino Silibello welcomes us with the food and wine traditions of his land
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Murgia black chickpea soup and Norwegian cod.
Pasta or risotto: Raw orecchiette pasta with stracciatella cheese, basil pesto, almonds and tomato confit.
Main course: Gentile sheep of Puglia cooked in terracotta wood-fired oven.
A menu that smells of antiquity, punctuated by dishes of tasty simplicity, which delve into the gastronomic memory of the Murge. Merit of Stefano D’Onghia, very good, while in the dining room Valentina De Cataldo takes care of the guests with passion and competence and manages a truly interesting cellar, full of natural wines.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Stewed artichoke stuffed with local mortadella mousse.
Pasta or risotto: Timbale pasta in broth with chicory and podolica cow meatballs.
Main course: Stewed cod, purple potatoes, “bran” pepper and wild herb salad.
A modern tavern with traditional Bari dishes, we are in the heart of the old city of Bari, where you drink very well and eat very well. A safe reference for 18 years in the center of Bari. This is the air you breathe when you enter, after playing, almost as if you want to preserve the integrity of the customer from the chaos of the city. The Petruzzelli Theater a few meters away and the echoes of the octopus beaters around the corner, a few steps away there is also the port, a changed, welcoming Bari full of contradictions.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Cialledda (dry bread) personalized and revised with potato puree, sautéed artichoke, grilled cherry tomatoes, fried sponsal and crumbled “frisa”, extra virgin olive oil.
Pasta or risotto: Crazy wheels pasta (Benedetto Cavaliere) with Sarconi beans, enriched with mullet bottarga and turnips.
Main course: Salted cod prepared with green cabbage and reggina tomatoes.
In the two gracious rooms, or in the large internal courtyard, traditional Apulian dishes prepared with care are served Local products and respect for seasonality, good cuisine and a small but well-stocked cellar of wines from Puglia and beyond. Polite reception.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Pettola with fried olives, blue cheese cream, “crusco” pepper powder.
Pasta or risotto: Orecchiette (handmade apulian pasta) with veal chops and meatballs with sauce.
Main course: Veal fillet wrapped in a caciocavallo cheese crust, apricot cream with mustard and sautéed spinach.
Cuccagna” or fabulous country, rich in all good things, where life flows happy and happy, without any thought. Half a century old, in the beginning it was a butcher’s shop with a kitchen. With time and work here is the current restaurant, excellent regional cuisine and a spectacular cellar with Italian and French wines-
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Crostata, soft potatoes, sponsal and roasted cherry tomatoes.
Pasta or risotto: Tubettini pasta, ”Calò & Monte” zollino beans, pecorino mousse and tarallo crumbs.
Main course: Baked lamb with peas, potatoes and egg dressingashed potatoes.
An all-female staff will welcome you in this traditional Apulian tavern. Traditional cuisine, many wild vegetables harvested on the Murgia hills. Everything you expect to find in Valle d’Itria: Fried lampascioni, Orecchiette strascinate, Rice-Potatoes-Mussels, Pasta omelette, Baked courgette flowers and the king dish of the pastoral Murgia: Pignata of sheep with potatoes, lampascioni and wild herbs.
Highlights dishes:
Starter: Green broad bean puree, EVO oil and red cornetto pepper.
Pasta or risotto: Rice-Potatoes-Mussels.
Main course: Pignata of sheep with potatoes, lampascioni and wild herbs
Living in the Charme
We have selected some beautiful boutique hotel, historical house or vinery house, where you will enjoy to stay in relax after your bike experience.
Most of them have SPA treatment available in a charming exclusive environment.
Our tours involve staying in a single hotel for the entire holiday, to avoid the commitment of transfers and to have more time to immerse yourself in the culture of the area.
In case of unavailability of the described accommodation, the same level accommodation will be chosen.
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This fortress has always been a settlement of Byzantine monks in the 12th century, a garrison of the Knights of Malta in the 1400s, and a Masseria since the 18th century, it has resisted the mistral breeze. Today Masseria Borgo San Marco is a relais/agritourism near the sea in Puglia, perfect for relaxing and indulging in rest, amidst the scent of citrus fruits and other Mediterranean essences.
Charming boutique hotel located a few steps from Porta Nuova, Piazza Bra and the Arena, Hotel Indigo Verona adds the guarantee of quality, style and comfort to the perfection of a central yet secluded location. The Arya Bar & Mixology and its intriguing proposals, the refined design and the accuracy of our services and hospitality standards: these are the ingredients that will make the experience of the Hotel Indigo Verona – Grand Hotel des Arts unique.
Whats is included
ACCOMODATION
- 5 night in Historical Mansions, 4* Luxury Hotels or Villas located in special places
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Concierge & suggestion service for additional vacation ticketing, booking
TRANSPORT
- Guest pick-up / drop-off in airport or other meeting point
- All-vacation long, guests, bikes and luggage transport
MEALS
- 5 daily breakfasts in hotel
- 5 lunches during the riding time
- 5 social hours aperitivo
- 5 dinners in 5 different GREAT ITALIAN TRATTORIA with the best Italian regional wines
WHEN YOU ARE RIDING YOUR BICYCLE
- 5 riding days, 2 daily itineraries with different grade of effort
- 2 expert local certified guides multilingual will ride with you and support all day
- 1 professional mechanic with support/SAG Van during the tour
- Energy bars and sports drink during pedaling
- Daily bike maintenance and daily laundry service for bike clothing
- GPX daily tours documentation
- Custom Hirides.com cycling kit
WHEN YOU ARE NOT RIDING YOUR BICYCLE
- Professional guides for visits to the tour cities, experts for visits to wineries and support in all not pedaling activities as described in the tour program
- Wine tasting/oil tasting at the producers’ premises. Visits to dairies with demonstration of cheese making, as described in the tour program
BICYCLE
- Rental of professional bicycle (e-bike or muscle) or transport of your beloved bicycle in Italy
PERSONAL INSURANCE
- Civil Liability Insurance and Italian health insurance for non European citizens
What is not included or on-demand
AIRFARE
- Through our partners we can organize the flight for you (ON-DEMAND)
BEFORE AND AFTER VACATION
- Meals, transportation, hotel costs or expenses in the days before and after the tour
HIRIDES.COM STAFF GRATUITIES
- Staff Hirides.com gratuities is not included
TRAVEL PROTECTION
- Travel Protection Plan not included, but heavily suggested
LUGGAGE AND BIKE TRANSPORTATION SERVICE
- Luggage service, before/after tour days (ON-DEMAND)
- Bike transport service, before/after tour days (ON-DEMAND)
ON-DEMAND ACTIVITIES
- Regional cuisine cooking class
- White Truffle tasting
- White Truffle hunting
PERSONAL EXPENSES
- Cost of passport and visas
- Personal expenses while on the vacation
- Personal transportations when not included on the Tour
- Beverages not specifically agree/included
- Additional hotel expenses, mini-bar, wellness treatments
- Optional activities not scheduled by Hirides.com
- All not explicitly declared in the vacation description