PUGLIA – A TOUR IN THE “HEEL” OF ITALY
PUGLIA REGION – CYCLING EXPERIENCE
20-27 April 2024
Included with trip:
In April we head south to the “heel” of Italy, and the province of Puglia. Sunny and warm, we’ll spend time on the coast, with its beautiful azure water, as well as ride inland, through the quiet and serene countryside, seeing the famous sights of this area.
We will spend 3 nights in Matera, 2 nights in Locorotondo and 2 nights in Polignano a Mare, with unique rides in each area to discover the highlights of this quiet and largely undiscovered region.
We’ll visit Alberobello, famous for its Trulli houses, Ostuni, a unique village of all white structures, Matera, the third oldest city in the world, filled with ancient history and famous for its natural rock caves and rock churches, and Polignano along the coast, to see the sea caves. We will ride in Gravina in Puglia and Ginos near the Basilicata region, both filled with an ancient rock settlements and underground passages.
Our rides will be moderate in distance and climbing, with about 30-60 miles per day and not more than about 3000 feet of climbing. You can easily conquer the rides on your choice of a Pinarello Grevil Nytro that will easily take you over the hills, or the Grevil, the perfect bike for the rugged roads of Puglia, and feel secure knowing van support is always available.
Our hotel selections put you in 4- star hotels throughout the trip, so you will rest very comfortably, with luxurious rooms, amenities, and surroundings.
Meals are included, and you will be delighted with the local cuisine of Southern Italy. Puglia is well known for its delicious food, specializing in a variety of seafood, orecchiette pasta, and high-quality olive oil. Spumoni and pasticiotti pastry are in plentiful supply for those with a sweet tooth, and of course, there is local wine, including Primitive and Salice Salentino.
SERVICES
AND
FACILITIES
– PACKAGE INFO
7 NIGHT (minimun) PACKAGE, which includes: 3 nights in Matera, 2 nights in Locorotondo and 2 nights in Polignano a Mare, starting on 20 April 2024. Extended stays with time in Lake Garda can be added before or after this trip
– ACCOMODATIONS
- 20-21-22 – Lo Stemma, Matera ****
- 23-24 – Ottolire Resort, Locorotondo ****
- 25-26 – Covo dei Saracendi, Polignano a Mare ****
– MEALS & GOURMET
- Breakfast
- Lunch & Dinner in local restaurants, trattorie & osterie or in hotel restaurant
- Water and energy drinks, bananas, bars and sandwiches for daily rides.
– CYCLING SERVICES
- Guided tours with local guides
- Daily rides 7 days a week .
- Custom program in terms of lenght & altimetry of the rides.
- Daily laundry service for your bike clothing including your free laundry net bag.
- Full kit (Jersey + wind vest) brand Sportful x Andiamo Cycling
- Water bottles
– PINARELLO RENTAL
For this trip the rental of a PINARELLO DOGMA F DISK is included in the price. For the kind of terrain, we really suggest to rent PINARELLO GREVIL or PINARELLO NYTRO E-GREVIL both included in the price.
– TRANSFERS
Collective transfer with our driver and minivan from and to Bari airport.
Transfer from others airport on requests (extra cost)
– INSURANCE
Cancellation – Assistance – Medical expense Reimbursement – Luggage Insurance.
For more info click here
– OPTIONAL EXTRAS
SINGLE ROOM
If you would prefer to stay in a single room, please let us know.
MASSAGE
Massage Area with masseur and physiotherapist available with prior arrangement.
Accomodation
Matera
Lo Stemma Luxury Hotel ****
In Matera, Lo Stemma Luxury Hotel: Have a drink in the top floor lounge, overlooking the Sassi and the main Cathedral, while watching the sunset over Matera. Relax in your room, a blend of antiquity and modern lines, and a gorgeous view. This palace will provide you with all the comforts you need during your 3-night stay in Matera.
Accomodation
Locorotondo
Ottolire Resort ****
For two nights your abode sits on a small hill in the heart of the green hills of the Valle d’Itria. The fairytale landscape is made up of immense expanses of centuries old olive groves and small plots of land planted as vineyards, bordered by characteristic stone walls.
Accomodation
Polignano a Mare
Covo dei Saraceni ****
Simplicity and beauty, overlooking the sea. A drink al fresco to take in the sea air, or perhaps a visit to the spa will provide complete relaxation during these last few days of your trip.
OFFICIAL PINARELLO BIKE RENTAL
DOGMA
X DISK
Top of the line road bike, with a frame designed for the endurance.
- Year: 2024
- Size available: from 43 to 60
- Group set: Shimano DURA-ACE R9270 Di2 – 12 speed electronic, hydraulic disc brakes, Chainrings DURA ACE 34 / 50, Cassette 11 / 34
- Saddle: Most by Selle Italia
- Handlebar & stem: Most Jaguar XC
- Wheels: Fulcrum Speed LITE 40 db
- Tires: Pirelli P27 – 32mm
- Mount Device: Most iTALON Cockpit (for Garmin VIRB, GoPro, wahoo, etc…)
The new Pinarello Dogma X is a top of the line Pinarello road bike, with a frame designed for endurance and therefore more comfortable than the Dogma F, but still designed to be a high performing bike.
This bike has a market value of 15.000€ and is great for riders who plan to do our longest rides.
DOGMA
F DISK
The best of the best; a top-level bike, the same used by the pro team Ineos / Granadier.
- Year: 2023
- Size available: from 43 to 58
- Group set: Shimano DURA-ACE R9270 Di2 – 12 speed electronic, hydraulic disc brakes, Chainrings DURA ACE 34 / 50, Cassette 11 / 34
- Saddle: Most by Selle Italia
- Handlebar & stem: Most Jaguar XC
- Wheels: Fulcrum Speed LITE 40 db
- Tires: Pirelli 30 mm
- Mount Device: Most iTALON Cockpit (for Garmin VIRB, GoPro, wahoo, etc…)
The Pinarello Dogma F is the top level of the Pinarello brand. This bike has a market value of 14.000€
The DOGMA is a high-performance race bike with aggressive geometry. This bike is recommended for high level athletes who regularly ride high performance race bikes and are accustomed to the leaned over and low position, as well as the snappy handling, of this race bike.
GREVIL F
Our all-purpose bike that will provide you with comfort and performance on any of our daily rides.
- Year: 2023
- Size available: from 43 to 60
- Group set: Campagnolo EKAR 1/13 speed, Chainrings 40, Cassette 9 / 42
- Saddle: Selle Italia Bobcat
- Handlebar & Stem: Most Jaguar XC
- Wheels: Fulcrum 500DB C17 disk
- Tires: Pirelli p7 32 mm
- Garmin Mount: Most iTALON Cockpit for Garmin VIRB, GoPro, Shimano o TomTom Bandit
The Grevil is our all-purpose bike that is perfect for most cyclists, and what most of our guests use. The bike has a market price of 6.000 €
It has relaxed geometry making it a comfortable bike, wider tires and longer wheel base, perfect to handle the cobblestone and rough pavement that we often encounter and lower gearing to tackle our bigger hills.
It’s a versatile bike designed for multiple terrains, from road rides to the white (gravel) roads in our area.
NYTRO
E-GRAVEL
A Pinarello road e-bike. For all the guests that need a little “help”.
- Year of the bike: 2023
- Size available: from 44 to 60
- Group set: Shimano GRX Di2 1/ – 11 speed – Chainrings 42 – Cassette 11 / 42
- Engine & battery: TQ MOTOR-HPR50 Drive Unit – 360 Watt Integrated Battery
- Saddle: Most saddle bobcat
- Handlebar & Stem: Most Jaguarc XC
- Wheels: Fulcrum 500DB C17 disk
- Tires: Maxxis Rambler 40mm
The Nytro eBike is great for experienced riders who just need a little assistance going up some of our hills. The bike has a market price 8.000 €.
The Nytro is a proper pedal assisted road bike (not a scooter). The motor has a maximum 300 watts, with 3 levels of pedal assist, The battery life depends on how the motor is used. (from 40km to more than 80km depending on elevetion)
CYCLING KIT
We will gift you the Andiamo Cycling Kit by famous italian brand Castelli. The full kit will consist of shirt, bibs, hat and wind vest
TRANSFER & VAN SUPPORT
We offer a daily van support for all your activities… from the rides, to the transfer from/to restaurants and all the transfer to the extra ride activities. We have a fleet of 4 top level minivan.
DETAILED
PROGRAM
This is our sample itinerary for the “PUGLIA experience” component of the trip. Details are subject to change, but you can expect something comparable.
DAY 1
Saturday 20 April 2024
Arrival in Bari at Bari-Karol Wojtyla Airport or the Bari train station. We will meet you and transfer you by van to our hotel in Matera. We’ll get you set up on your bike and give you time to unwind and relax after your journey. Matera is the city of Sassi, ancient human settlements from the Paleolithic age, and is fascinating to visit.
DAY 2
Sunday 21 April 2024
Our first ride takes us to the historic Gravina in Puglia, where you will ride among ancient rock settlements. There are underground passages and medieval churches, as well as the Alta Murgia National Park. You will be transported to ancient times as you ride among settlements dating back to the Iron Age.
RIDE: MURGIA NATIONAL PARK
89 KM – 1000 M
55 MI – 3280 FT
DAY 3
Monday 22 April 2024
Today we leave Matera and head to Ginosa, on the border of the regions of Basilicata and Puglia. Ginosa is another ancient town, dating back to the Paleolithic age. You’ll enjoy riding on the quiet roads that traverse the countryside.
RIDE: GINOSA
73 KM – 1000 M
45 MI – 3280 FT
DAY 4
Tuesday 23 April 2024
Today we leave Matera by bike and head to our next stop in Locorotondo. There we will visit the Trulli houses, the traditional Puglian stone house with a conical roof. The Trulli are one of a kind mortarless construction and because of their uniqueness, have been named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are lovely to behold, and you will have lots of photo ops at this stop along our route.
RIDE: LOCOROTONDO
85 km – 600 m
52 mi – 1968 ft
DAY 5
Wednesday, 24 April 2024
Our longest day on the bike takes us to Grottaglie and Ostuni to the south. Grottaglie is an important artisan center for Puglian ceramics and majolica, with at least 50 artisans in the Quartiere delle Ceramiche, or artisan’s quarter. Then, we’ll head to Ostuni, “the white city”, named because all the buildings of the ancient historic center are whitewashed. The narrow streets lined with white houses are elegant and magical to see.
RIDE: OSTUNI
94 Km – 900 m
58 mi – 2952 ft
DAY 6
Thursday, 25 April 2024
Today we have a short and easy ride as we transfer to our final location of the trip, Polignano a Mare, by the Adriatic Sea. Be prepared to soak in the sun and breathe the salt air as you gaze upon the beautiful blue waters of the area. This is our shortest day on the bike, giving you time to explore the seaside town and sea caves of Polignano a Mare.
RIDE: POLIGNANO A MARE
46 km – 120 m
26 mi – 393 ft
DAY 7
Friday, 26 April 2024
Today we head inland again with a ride to Alberobello, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, also famous for its Trulli houses, and we will get a more in depth look at the Trulli. Tonight, we will have our farewell dinner and share stories about our week in Apuglia.
RIDE: ALBEROBELLO
78 km – 760 m
48 mi – 2493 ft
DAY 8
Saturday, 27 April 2024
After breakfast at the hotel, we will say our goodbyes and transfer you back to the airport or train station in Bari.
Pricing
Because this package has so many variables and options available, please contact us with some ideas of the nights you would like to spend, and we will quickly supply you with your own custom package and prices.
10% discount is provided to all our Garda Bike Hotel or Andiamo Cycling returning customers
UPGRADE
AND
CUSTOMISE
> SINGLE ROOM
- If you would prefer to stay in a single room, please let us know.
> TRANSFER
- Transfer from/to Milano, Venezia, or the other major airport of norterhn italy to Lake Garda on requests. (not included)
ANDIAMO STAFF
Federica
booking manager
Silvia
booking manager
Nicola
Guide & bike manager
Davide
Head guide
Simone
Guide
Daniele
Guide
Alberto
Guide
Stefano
Driver & mechanic
