Cycling the Heel of Italy - Alberobello to Lecce
Cycling the Heel of Italy - Alberobello to Lecce
Cycling the Heel of Italy - Alberobello to Lecce
8 Days Starting in Alberobello and ending in Lecce
Visiting: Alberobello, Ostuni, Gallipoli, Santa Maria di Leuca, Otranto, Lecce
Tour operator:
Tour code:
C07PI
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Age range:
14-99
Activities:
Tour Overview
We explore the very best of this captivating region from our start point in Alberobello, known for its UNESCO-listed Trulli houses, to the end point in Lecce, known as the 'Florence of the South'.
The daily routes take you through the Murghe plateau, the Salento plain or along the coast. Discover a landscape of ancient olive groves, long fields of grain and vineyards.The architecture of the region takes you from the conical Trulli houses in Alberobello, the white city of Ostuni, past traditional masserie, coastal watchtowers and splendid Baroque towns. The region is filled with spectacular views; beautiful coastline and mouth-watering cuisine.
This holiday is offered with a choice of mainly 3 Star, or mainly 4 Star accommodation. The 3 Star accommodation is listed on the hotels page.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrive In Alberobello
Location: Alberobello
Make your way to Alberobello, famous for its Trulli houses.
Day 2 : Alberobello To Ostuni
Location: Ostuni
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cycle through the lush Valle d'Itria, passing more white-tipped trulli houses on the way. Boasting beautiful coastal views, the route takes you through the famous wine town of Locorotondo, regarded as one of Italy's most stunning villages. After sampling some of the local sparkling white wine, continue to the white city of Ostuni - so called for the dazzling effect of its whitewashed houses.
Day 3 : Ostuni To Avetrana
Location: Ostuni
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Cycle through the colourful Salentinian countryside, characterized by olive groves and red soil towards the medieval towns of Oria and Manduria with their authentic historic centres.
Day 4 : Avetrana To Gallipoli
Location: Gallipoli
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head to Torre Colimena on the Ionian Sea, then follow the coast alongside a series of beaches and the old coastal towers of Salento. Reach Gallipoli, known as the 'Ionian Pearl' with its Old Town situated on a rocky island. Take time to wander the narrow lanes of the historic centre to discover its baroque cathedral, elegant palazzi and enticing restaurants.
Day 5 : Gallipoli To Santa Maria Di Leuca
Location: Santa Maria di Leuca
Meals Included: Breakfast
Cycle towards the most southerly point of Salento at Santa Maria di Leuca, where the crystal waters of the Ionian and Adriatic Sea meet. This village is home to one of the most important lighthouses in Italy, as well as numerous villas built at the turn of the century.
Day 6 : Santa Maria Di Leuca To Otranto
Location: Otranto
Meals Included: Breakfast
Pedal along the south coast of the Adriatic Sea, stopping off at the famous Grotta Zinzulusa and the thermal baths of Santa Cesarea Terme. Your final destination is Otranto, the most eastern point of Italy with a stunning cathedral and Aragonese castle.
Day 7 : Otranto To Lecce
Location: Lecce
Meals Included: Breakfast
Follow the shoreline through olive groves to the Baroque metropolis of Lecce. Known as the 'Florence of the South', Lecce is home to over 30 churches, an amphitheatre and a Roman theatre dating back to Emperor Augustus.
Day 8 : Leave Lecce
Location: Lecce
Meals Included: Breakfast
Make your own way back to the airport for your flight home.
What's Included
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All breakfasts and 1 evening meal
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Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
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GPS Route directions and maps
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Headwater navigation app
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High Quality Bikes
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Luggage transfers between hotels
What's Not Included
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Travel insurance
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Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
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Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
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Visas or vaccinations
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Arrival & departure transfers
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Hotel Upgrades
Food
Breakfasts are included and consist of a continental-style buffet. However, please note that the typical Italian breakfast are generally light; usually a cup of coffee and a cream-filled or jam-filled croissant.
In Puglia you will find genuine regional cooking that has strong links to the land and the sea. To give you just a small list of the types of food on offer in Puglia: Bread from the Murge, durum wheat pasta, olives, the pasta delicacy Orecchiette served with a sauce of turnip-tops or fresh tomato and sheep's ricotta-cheese, Cavatelli with pulses, aubergine and parmesan bake, grilled fish and seafood, burrata (soft mozzarella and cream cheese), plus excellent wines. This region is a food lovers paradise and the abundance of delicious vegetables makes it a perfect destination for vegetarians! On this trip there will be many opportunities to taste the best local specialities.
Suggestions of what to do for lunch and dinner are given in the cycling route notes.
Accommodation
You will spend 7 nights in comfortable en suite hotels, when available we use traditional accommodation in Alberobello. Hotels are mainly 3 star, there is also the option to upgrade to mostly 4 star accommodation for a supplement.
All prices are based on 2 persons sharing, so if there is an odd number of people travelling in your party or you are travelling alone, there will be a compulsory supplement for a single room for the tour duration. For a solo traveller there is an additional charge to cover transfer costs.
Mode of Transport
The tour includes high-quality bikes and luggage transfers between hotels. Arrival and departure transfers are not included, and solo travelers incur an additional charge to cover transfer costs.
Check out our Q&As
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What type of accommodation is provided during the tour?
You will spend 7 nights in comfortable en suite hotels, with traditional accommodation in Alberobello when available. The hotels are mainly 3-star, with an option to upgrade to mostly 4-star accommodation for a supplement.
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Are meals included in the tour package?
All breakfasts and one evening meal are included in the tour package. Suggestions for lunch and dinner are provided in the cycling route notes.
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What kind of support is available during the cycling tour?
The tour is managed by a local Headwater-appointed agent. You will also have access to GPS route directions, maps, and the Headwater navigation app. High-quality bikes and luggage transfers between hotels are provided.
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Is there a single supplement for solo travelers?
Yes, there is a compulsory supplement for a single room if there is an odd number of people traveling or if you are traveling alone. Additionally, there is an extra charge for solo travelers to cover transfer costs.
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What are some of the culinary highlights of the region visited on this tour?
Puglia offers genuine regional cooking with strong links to the land and sea. You can enjoy bread from the Murge, durum wheat pasta, olives, Orecchiette pasta, Cavatelli with pulses, aubergine and parmesan bake, grilled fish and seafood, burrata, and excellent wines. The region is a paradise for food lovers and vegetarians.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If you wish to make any changes to your booking, particularly if you need to alter any flights booked through us, please let us know as soon as possible. There is a booking or flight amendment fee of £40 per change and flight amendments often incur extra airline costs depending on the changes to be made and if the ticket has been issued or not.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Exodus has been trading since 1974
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Your final joining instructions and flight details, if booked with us, will then be sent out 2 to 3 weeks before departure. If you would like a hard copy posted, or if you require these any earlier, please contact the customer operations team. We advise that if you are booking connecting travel before receiving these, please ensure you leave plenty of time.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Travellers are welcome to opt to share a room with a tour member of the same gender for no additional charge. If you'd like your own room, we can request a single supplement so that you will have your own room throughout.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
You are welcome to meet the group after the tour has departed however there is no reduction in rate for joining a tour after the departure date.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Exodus Adventure Travels allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform exodus adventure travels, 43 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Exodus Adventure Travels requires a minimum deposit of 25% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of exodus adventure travels charges.
Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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