Cycling Puglia & Matera
Experience Overview
Cycle the captivating region of Puglia, riding through olive groves and along the winding coast to stay in some of the most spectacular cities and towns in Italy. The adventure begins in the cave town of Matera, officially in the Basilicata region and beloved by film directors for its ancient beauty, before progressing to the fairytale trulli houses of Alberobello, the White City of Ostuni, and seaside Gallipoli. It ends in Lecce, known as the Florence of the South for its extraordinary collection of baroque landmarks.
Profile
— Accommodation: 7 Classic nights (6 hotel, 1 agriturismo/farmhouse) — Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Six days cycling with partial vehicle support (limited seats) — 99 percent paved roads and some short sections of gravel — Quiet, rural, rolling roads —
E-bikes available for an additional cost — Option to travel by train to your adventure
At a Glance
— Accommodation: 7 Classic nights (6 hotel, 1 agriturismo/farmhouse) — Group normally 6 to 16, plus leader. Minimum age: 16 — Six days cycling with partial vehicle support (limited seats) — 99 percent paved roads and some short sections of gravel — Quiet, rural, rolling roads —
E-bikes available for an additional cost — Option to travel by train to your adventure
Trip For You
This trip is classified Road and Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit our Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
Six days of cyclingAverage 37mi (60km) per dayTerrain and route: 99 percent paved road, with a couple of very short sections of gravel
Most of the cycling is along flat to hilly paved roads with a few steady ascents and descents along the way, so a reasonably good fitness level is required. Road conditions are generally good, but the roads may be pot-holed in places. A support vehicle (with only two passenger seats) is available throughout the trip, it can’t follow the group at all times but it will meet you at the end of cycle paths and at junctions to give route directions and allow access to any items you don’t wish to carry on the bike.
Some roads on the trip will be busy, particularly in June to September when Italians traditionally take their holidays and drive to the seaside. The most challenging cycling is on Day 2, when we cover approximately 43mi (69km) and there is an ascent of 2,162ft (659m). Be prepared for high temperatures during the summer months, when 30C (86F) in the daytime can be expected.
Group Description
There will be one cycling leader and one support person driving the support vehicle.
Eating Drinking
Seven breakfasts are included and usually consist of a continental-style buffet. A typical hotel breakfast consists of toast/bread with jam, cereal, cheese and ham (occasionally), served with coffee, tea, milk, orange juice, fruit, cake and yoghurt.
Lunches are normally arranged as picnics or taken in small cafes along the route. You may opt in to a lunch kitty (€50-€80, depending on the weather/season) to cover the cost of these lunches. The tour leader will collect cash at the welcome meeting and the kitty also covers local city taxes. If you choose not to opt in, the local city taxes should be paid directly to each hotel on check-in.
Vegetarians and people with special dietary requirements can be catered for but please inform us of your requests prior to travel.
In Puglia, you will find authentic regional cooking with strong links to the land and sea – think orecchiette pasta served with a turnip-tops sauce or fresh tomato and sheep’s ricotta cheese, cavatelli with pulses, grilled fish and seafood, burrata, and excellent wines. This region is a paradise for food lovers.
Transportation
Your luggage is transported from hotel to hotel for you. The vehicle will be available with assistance during the rides.
Joining Instructions
Key information
Recommended arrival time: There will be a welcome briefing around 5.30pm at the start hotel; if you arrive later, the tour leader can give you a shortened version the following morning
Airport: Bari (BRI)
Getting to the start hotel
The start hotel is approximately a one-hour drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:
Take an Exodus transfer
Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
Make your own way
You can reach the start hotel relatively easily on public transport. From Bari Aiport, catch the Pugliairbus bus service to the stop in Matera. The journey takes 1hr 15min and tickets cost €6 from www.aeroportidipuglia.it/en/bus-pugliairbus-/. The hotel is then a 20-minute walk or 10-minute cab away.
Catching your return flight
There’s a group departure transfer to the airport that's scheduled to align with a flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
Weather Information
Puglia enjoys a wonderful Mediterranean climate with year-round sunshine and just enough rainfall to ensure a lush landscape. Although Puglia covers a large area it is long and narrow, never more than 19mi (30km) across, which allows the sea breeze to have a moderating effect on the weather.
Spending Money
For lunches and dinners not included allow about €200-€250 (for the week) depending on the standard of the restaurant chosen.
Local taxes: many Italian cities have introduced a tourist tax for non-residents. The local administration is in charge of the tax, which will be collected by the accommodation provider at check-in or check-out. This fee varies depending on the hotel category, the season and number of days of stay. It is usually between €1 and €4 per person per night. For this trip, please allow €10-15 for the week. If you opt into the lunch kitty at the beginning of the week, this also covers the local taxes.
Tipping
Our local staff are paid well and fairly for their work with Exodus, however most of our clients wish to give a tip to their guides and in appreciation of their help and friendliness. This, of course, is in no way compulsory and depends on the service received. If you feel you would like to leave a tip, as a guide we would suggest approximately €20 for the leader and €10-€15 shared between the other staff, such as private bus drivers, where appropriate.
Highlights
— Discover the best of Puglia and Matera by bike, riding through the Italian countryside — Begin in the extraordinary cave town of Matera – a spectacular opening to the adventure — Ride to Alberobello and wander among fairytale trulli houses — Cycle along the Ionian Coast with a chance for a refreshing dip — Finish in Lecce, known as the Florence of the South for its magnificent baroque buildings — Stay at Masseria Bosco, a converted farmhouse with home-grown produce
Trip Details
Product Code: 4397
Tour Type: Small Group
Accommodation: Moderate
Transport: he rides.
Guide Language: English
Tour Operator:
Exodus Travel
Supplier Code: MWV
Starts: Matera, Italy
Finishes: Matera, Italy
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Average
Includes
— All breakfasts — All accommodation — All transport and listed activities — Tour leader throughout — Local bike hire — Group arrival and departure transfers availableAccommodation
Three- and four-star hotelsThroughout this town-to-town cycling trip, we use three- and four-star hotels and renovated traditional buildings, which have been selected for their location, comfort and character. Below are the hotels we typically use. Matera: Hotel Belvedere, Residence Casalnuovo, Matera in Vacanza, or Hotel San Domenico al Piano (night 1) Alberobello: Traditional trulli houses, Grand Hotel Olimpo or Colle del Sole (night 2) Ostuni: Relais Sant’Eligio (night 3) Avetrana: Masseria Bosco (night 4) Gallipoli: Hotel 33 Baroni (night 5) Otranto: Hotel Albània or Vittoria Resort (night 6) Lecce: Hotel Eos or Hotel delle Palme (night 7) For many, our standout stay is Masseria Bosco (above), a bucolic farm estate with original stone buildings. Our groups often head straight for the swimming pool (perhaps picking up a wine or beer en route), where there’s an inviting set of sun loungers. Alternatively, you may want to wander around the working farm, enjoying a peaceful moment among the olive groves. Dinner is held where the animals were once kept. It’s a celebration of Pulian produce with much of the ingredients grown on the farm – make sure to sample their delicious range of olive oils and homemade wines. Worth knowing Due to the limited capacity of hotels in Matera we are not able to confirm the definite start hotel for each departure far in advance, and the group may occasionally be split across different accommodations of similar standards. You can contact your sales representative two weeks before departure if you wish to receive the up-to-date hotels list for your trip.
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $3,420 ($428 /day)
Itinerary
The town of Matera is a real jewel of southern Italy, and our hotel is just a short walk from the historic centre. There is usually time in the afternoon to wander through the narrow alleys of the town’s Unesco-listed cave-dwelling district and enjoy the unique atmosphere of this enchanting city. For millennia, inhabitants of this region have carved dwellings directly into ravines and gullies made of tuff (or tufa), a characteristic honey-coloured soft stone. These houses are called Sassi and are a Unesco World Heritage site. Matera is the only place in the world where people still live in the same houses as their ancestors did 9,000 years ago. We’ll also enjoy a welcome briefing today – the perfect chance to meet the group and your expert tour leader. Accommodation: Hotel Belvedere (or similar)
On leaving Matera, we pedal through the area that makes this town so special. Today's ride is mostly hilly with gentle ascents throughout, as we cycle on quiet rural roads among the picturesque Apulian countryside towards Alberobello. We’ll pass the lovely towns of Noci and Gioia del Colle plus fairytale trulli houses that have made the historic centre of Alberobello another Unesco World Heritage site. Overnight in Alberobello.
Today we cycle through the lush Valle d'Itria, one of the prettiest cultural and natural landscapes in southern Italy, to the hilltop town of Ostuni. The route is rolling throughout but much shorter than yesterday's ride. This allows us to enjoy the views at a more leisurely pace with plenty of opportunities for rest stops. Along the way we pass the wine town of Locorotondo and Cisternino, both known for their historic centres filled with whitewashed houses, narrow streets, churches and elegant piazzas. In the afternoon we reach Ostuni, known as the White City thanks to the dazzling effect of its white buildings. Overnight in Ostuni.
We continue pedalling through tranquil country lanes to the town of Francavilla Fontana and on to Oria. A popular destination among Apulians, Oria is famous for its 13th-century castle and delightful historic centre of cobbled streets, whitewashed walls and beautiful architecture. We continue through the countryside to a masseria, a typical Apulian converted farmhouse and our accommodation for the night. The masseria is still a working farm and most of the produce grown here, from vegetables to olives and wheat, is used daily for the preparation of local dishes. Before dinner we will have the opportunity to taste some organic olive oil produced by the family that runs the farm and accommodation. Overnight in Avetrana.
From the masseria we cycle towards the Ionian Coast and the beautiful town of Gallipoli, known as the Ionian Pearl with its old town on a rocky island offering fantastic views both to north and south. The town itself has many churches and narrow alleys and was the largest exporter of lamp oil made from olives in the 17th and 18th centuries. There are plenty of opportunities for swimming in the Ionian sea near the popular seaside resort of Porto Cesareo (weather permitting). Overnight in Gallipoli.
Leaving the Ionian Sea behind, we head across the peninsula to the Adriatic sea and the ancient Messapian town of Otranto, the easternmost point in Italy. Before dinner there will be time at leisure to explore the medieval town centre. Here the interesting architecture, views, sea-front restaurants and white sandy beaches make it one of the most picturesque towns in Puglia. Overnight in Otranto.
Today we follow the shoreline through innumerable olive groves to Lecce, the baroque masterpiece of southern Italy, in the heart of Puglia. Sometimes described as the Florence of the South, the city is an architectural gem, with sumptuous palazzi and churches. Today's ride is relatively short and easy, giving us time to stop for a last swim (seasonal) in Torre dell'Orso, a lovely bay surrounded by limestone cliffs with many ancient caves to discover. In Lecce, there will be free time to explore the historic centre before an optional farewell dinner. Overnight in Lecce.
We enjoy our final breakfast of the adventure this morning. But if you’d like an extra day in Lecce to soak up the atmosphere of this elegant baroque city, contact your sales representative to arrange post-tour accommodation.
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Tour Operator
Exodus Travel
It’s all about adventure That is what Exodus was founded upon 50 years ago, and what the company is still all about. Discovering countries, cultures, environments, cities, mountain ranges, deserts, coasts and jungles; exploring this amazing planet we all live on. At Exodus, we know what makes you tick when it comes to holidays. It’s a desire shared by so many others. A yearning to visit new places and come home with a real sense of what they’re all about. This means delving into local traditions, cultures, cuisine, lifestyles – anything that contributes to its unique identity. At the same time, we always remember that we are only guests. So we travel courteously and respectfully, in smaller groups to minimise our impact, to ensure that every Exodus holiday is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. This is a philosophy we take with us around the world, helping you reach some incredible destinations on 500 itineraries across over 90 separate countries. We also strive to provide as much flexibility and choice as we possibly can, making it simple for you to experience a very different holiday. Exodus started life on 4 February 1974 when two friends got together to provide an overland truck to travel to the Minaret of Jam, deep in the heart of the Hindu Kush, the most inaccessible of the world’s great monuments. See our history page for more details about how we began and how we have grown over the past 50 years. Never travelled with Exodus before? Visit our New to Exodus page for some useful, first-timer information.
In Business Since 1974
Reviews
Sam Murray - Traveled, September 2023
A fabulous cycling trip with lots of culture What a fantastic trip. Great group, felt like I was laughing all the time. The leader, Michele, was full of energy and organised little extras that really made the trip memorable. The hotels were good too, particularly the masseria, and the cycling was great fun. Most Inspirational Moment There were many. Seeing Matera for the first time, watching a local artist perform songs for us in his shop, and jumping into the sea from high up.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/09/2023
Mike Speke - Traveled, May 2023
Scenic cycling in Puglia A very scenic cycling tour of Matera and Puglia, though the cycling landscape is not as diverse or dramatic as some tours. The challenge was coping with the temperatures of around 30c rather than too many hills. The region though offers great food and drink, and as well as the lovely dinners the lunches were also excellent. It also has stunning religious buildings along the way even in the smallest of towns. The tour is split in two parts, with countryside rides in the first half where you stay in some iconic accommodation such as a cave hotel, trulli house and a masseria. The second half hugs the coast with tourist hotel stays. Most Inspirational Moment Like most cycling holidays its getting to the top of the climbs though there weren't too many on this holiday. The climb on the way to Otranto was made tougher after a lovely lunch and a few beers in Castro. Thoughts on Group Leader Fabrizio was very enthusiastic and led the group well. Coming from Bari, he has a lot of local knowledge which he communicated well. He lived in England for awhile so his English is good and he was eager to pick up new phrases. Advice for Potential Travellers Enjoy the food and drink. Try and find a few craft bars otherwise you will be stuck with the local beer which is Peroni. Suggestions If you like swimming, there are plenty of opportunities to have a dip starting with the lovely pool at the masseria.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/12/2023
Claire Brady - Traveled, April 2023
Puglia cycling Wonderful! The guide and driver, the hotels and the routes were all excellent. A memorable trip with a great group. Most Inspirational Moment Staying in a Trulli house Thoughts on Group Leader Fantastic-he quickly got the measure of the group and worked our days around the weather and sights. He changed timings when he recognised there was a benefit to do so and checked with the group to ensure we were all happy with arrangements. He went out of his way to book and recommend great restaurants and sights to see when off the bikes. Advice for Potential Travellers Prepare for all weather conditions-it’s quite changeable
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/04/2023
Shane Shudra - Traveled, October 2022
Amazing Trip! Beautiful countryside, just the right amount of challenging hills, and amazing food and drinks – what more could you ask for? This trip is so well planned to see the best that Puglia has to offer. Matera is a must see (we spent a couple extra nights there and HIGHLY recommend it if you can), but the real gem here is the countryside full of olive groves, old farmhouses, small towns, and beautiful sea views. Our personal favorite parts were the small towns we stopped in daily for a cappuccino breaks – you won’t see these places from a bus. Our group leader (Manny) made the trip unforgettable – he kept a good pace, told us just the right amount of history about the area, and made sure we well fed and taken care of. While we didn’t require van support – we always knew he was there if needed – and brought fresh snacks (and water) daily to all our stops. Of course the highlight for us was staying at Maseria Bosco (day 4) – the old farmhouse was the perfect place to stay for the evening, surrounded by olive groves, and the restaurant was amazing. Thanks to all the recommendations and support from Exodus before our trip – we got engaged this night, they went above and beyond to make it perfect! Most Inspirational Moment Day 6 - cylcing from one sea to the other felt like such an amazing accomplishment. Thoughts on Group Leader Manny was amazing throughout the whole trip! . His restaurant picks were top notch, and recommendations for how to spend free time was always spot on! We unfortunately had a couple of incidents in our group, which were well taken care of. Advice for Potential Travellers The Italian way is much more laid back and leisurely than what most of us are used to - be prepared for that, and just bask in the beauty of the Italian countryside (or grab an extra gelato).
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/12/2022
Tim Robinson - Traveled, June 2022
Lots of Olive trees A lovely part of Italy visiting beautiful towns and cities on the route. The hotels were very nice and comfortable and some quite unique. The level of cycling was as advertised with a few lengthy uphills and a few long days in the saddle which were quite tough in the high temperatures but expected. Puglia is full of millions of Olive trees with a few vineyards too. Therefore the vistas on the route became very similar and repetitive each day. This was in contrast to the beautiful on-route vistas of the Amalfi Coast or Portugal’s Atlantic coast trips which I preferred. Most Inspirational Moment The cities and towns we visited were the best part of the trip; All beautiful in their own way. Thoughts on Group Leader Fab was a great leader and a fun guy; Very lively and enthusiastic, had lots of initiatives and sorted out every issue quickly with a smile and always felt safe in his hands. Advice for Potential Travellers This is the first trip I've seen electric bikes as an option and used by a third of the group. They definitely enjoyed the hills more and found the long days easier to manage. Something I'd consider for a future trip. Suggestions I'd like Exodus to consider solo-specific holiday dates. I have always travelled solo and met many others on earlier Exodus trips who have grasped the group ethos to make a great trip. Latterly there have been small groups coming (groups within the group) who prefer not to mix as much which has been a detriment to the holiday.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/17/2022
Claire Holloway - Traveled, May 2022
All round brilliant trip We waited two years for this trip but it was worth the wait – beautiful scenery, relaxed riding, lovely food, excellent tour leader and a great fun group. Bikes were comfortable and very able to cope with the terrain. Most Inspirational Moment It's difficult to pinpoint a single moment - the view from the terrace of our Matera hotel, cycling on backroads through olive groves, the trullis of Alberobello, late night jazz in Ostuni - and getting to the top of that roller coaster hill. Thoughts on Group Leader Fabrizio was a star - nothing was too much trouble for him. Bursting with enthusiasm and energy and very knowledgeable about the area. He kept the group cycling at a good steady pace, making sure that no one got left behind and as a single guide with a group of 15 had a great system of shared responsibility for being way markers and back markers. He collected money up front to cover all lunches, snacks, tips and taxes which saved lots of time and was very good value. Definitely one of the best group leaders we've had. Piero our driver was also excellent - always on hand with water and assistance and finding wonderful fresh fruit for our snack stops. Advice for Potential Travellers Highly recommend this trip - the distances aren't too great so plenty of time to swim in the Adriatic and the Ionian and explore the beautiful towns you stop at along the way. Hills are very manageable but if you're concerned about fitness, hire an ebike, We had five on our tour and we all cycled together very happily. Suggestions The bikes are fitted with panniers which means you can carry swimming gear ready for seaside stops. Highly recommend staying an extra night or two properly to explore Lecce, which is beautiful. Move to accommodation in the old town to get the best experience.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/11/2022
Francis Kng - Traveled, April 2022
Cycling Puglia and Matera An interesting trip in very hot weather. The places visited were interesting and the hotels were good. Bikes as usual,even though brand new, were basic and heavy. More suited to town riding than touring. This added to the amount of time on the road, so leaving less time to explore the towns we stayed in. Thoughts on Group Leader Very pleasant and helpful. Informative and with a good command of English. A good bike mechanic for a change.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/04/2022
Barbara Knowles - Traveled, May 2022
All round excellent trip. Stunning towns. Good quality hotels. Great Tour Leader. A great trip with some beautiful scenery and stunning towns. Cycling on some of the days was quite tough given the weight of the bikes combined with the undulating terrain and Puglian heat (end May 2022). Great tour guide Antonio and driver Piero could not have been better. Very good standard of accommodation. Most Inspirational Moment Beautiful scenery along the Ionian and Adriatic coastlines. Otranto Cathedral mosaic floor is a must see. Thoughts on Group Leader Antonio was excellent. Very attentive and ensured any requests were attended to. He made great efforts to ensure people paid the correct amounts at dinner time (for what they ate and drank). He ensured that the group was safe on the roads giving very good guidance a all times. Advice for Potential Travellers Ensure you have done some training before the trip so that you can enjoy the cycling as much as possible. Be aware that Puglia can get very hot! Suggestions The bicycles were very high quality, but a little on the heavy side for the undulating terrain and distances each day. Are lighter bikes an option? If possible, suggest leaving a little earlier each day, e.g. 8:15/30 vs 9/9:15 so that the group arrives into the towns a little earlier and can enjoy exploring them a little better.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/25/2022
Lesley Foote - Traveled, April 2022
Cycling the undulations of Puglia A varied trip with great cycling opportunities, mostly off main roads, led by an experienced leader. Emanuele was our leader, a local man with knowledge and passion for local history and geography. There were opportunities each day to eat and drink local specialities, and a couple of special treats such as cheese-making and olive oil tasting. There are no bus transfers, you cycle a good way each day, sometimes a few challenging hills and dips, sometimes a chance to cycle as fast as you want off road, but on good surfaces. Emanuele is an excellent leader who keeps control of the group at the same time as giving everyone the chance to go at their own pace. You don’t need to be a strong cyclist to do the trip, there are always regroupings so that nobody gets left behind, and nobody feels left out. There are a couple of coffee and lunch stops where we were able to swim in the gorgeous blues of the Ionian Sea if we wanted, or just laze on a bench with a marvellous gelato. A couple of the hotels en route had swimming pools. Most Inspirational Moment I particularly enjoyed our visit to a working farmhouse that provided hotel accommodation and a pool. It was very different from the norm, comfortable, with gorgeous tiled bathrooms. Thoughts on Group Leader Emanuele is an experienced cycling group lead and had firm control of the group. I have been on a few trips when this has not been the case and chaos ensued, resulting in disappointing experiences for some. Emanuele is confident and able to let those more experienced ride at their own pace while ensuring that others never felt left out or left behind. He involved everyone in taking responsibility for our own safety and helping each other. His knowledge of the area is widespread and he has a passion for the region and its communities. His technical knowledge was excellent, and his English was so good. He translated for us wherever we went and showed us how to eat the local produce like Italians. Advice for Potential Travellers Take your swimming costume just in case, and plenty of sun cream. We went in early May and only had rain for an hour one day.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/03/2022
Sue Duncombe - Traveled, September 2021
A fantastic cycling trip I’d highly recommend this cycling trip to those who are looking for a ‘moderate’ cycling holiday. The route is great – you visit some of the main tourist sites in Puglia, but also visit some of the little towns that have very few tourists. The scenery is beautiful – you cycle through olive groves, along the coast and through narrow lanes in little towns. Our tour leader, Emanuele (Mani) was fantastic. He was keen to ensure that everyone had a great time. I really can’t praise him enough. We ate in a range of cafes and restaurants for lunch and dinner – all were very good with some delicious food. Most Inspirational Moment So difficult to decide as the whole itinerary was excellent. Cycling along the coast was really 'feel good'. Thoughts on Group Leader Emanuele (Mani) was fantastic. He bonded well with the group and really did everything to make sure we really enjoyed the trip. He took us to some great local cafes for lunching dinner. Despite the dinners being optional the whole group ate together each evening as the places he chose were so good. He shared his local knowledge, which put things into context for the places we visited. Mani made an excellent trip into something really special. Advice for Potential Travellers If you like Italy and cycling, get this trip booked! Suggestions Italian drivers in this part of Italy are VERY considerate to cyclists. They seem to celebrate cycling rather than get inpatient with them. I felt safer here on a bike than in the UK All dietary requirements are catered for.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/09/2021
Yvonne Renwick - Traveled, June 2019
Foodies Paradise Have just returned from a brilliant 8 days with a great fun group of people. Its a beautiful part of Italy with plenty of pretty towns and villages that differ from one to the next and great mixture of peaceful countryside and coastal views. The bikes were very comfortable, with gel seats and easy to ride. Everything was very well organised and the staff at every hotel were welcoming and friendly and getting our rooms every day was quick and efficient which is so important after a long day in the saddle! The food was fantastic and I tried so many things I haven’t tasted or heard of before! The afternoon at the farm location with the most stunning pool is a real treat after a very hot ride! There is plenty of spare time at the end of the ride of a few days or that could have been because we had an efficient group that all kept up. Nobody was particularly super quick or slow and our leader kept a good pace the whole week. Most Inspirational Moment Watching those that are 20+ years older than me steam ahead and reach those steeps climbs and make it look easy! Thoughts on Group Leader Our leader Antonio was friendly, calm, patient!...informative and couldn't do enough for you, he went over and above when you wanted to do something in your own time for example of one of the days we had a few hours to ourselves in the afternoon and rather than walk around the town I wanted to jump in the nearest ocean! He enquired with the hotel where the nearest nicest beach was, the cost in a taxi and arranged all that for us. Antonio also asked us every day if we wanted to join him for dinner and he booked the table for the group and many nights we had the set menu with wine and it was so reasonable and delicious and made our evenings all the more enjoyable not having to think after a tiring day. Our support driver Peiro was a great guy and lugged our cases from one hotel to the next every day in the scorching heat, supplied us with fresh fruit and cold water all day long and presented us with the best daily lunchtime picnics without any effort and always with a big smile! Advice for Potential Travellers This wasn't the toughest cycle holiday I've done, but some of the days are long and for us very hot. There are 2 day with steep climbs, so you should do some training if you want to keep up, or go for the e-bike and enjoy the ride! Suggestions The people that go on these trips are fun, outgoing and friendly and what keep you going on those days when you want to give up . Trust your leader on booking your restaurants. The establishments were all first class and the food choices were just brilliant! We only had one disappointing breakfast and that was at the Gallipoli hotel, that would be my only gripe. The last hotel in Lecce is nothing to write home about, simple, basic, but a great breakfast so if I was staying on after the end of the trip I would book a different hotel. Lecce itself is a stunning place but I was too tired to look around it and just wanted to crash before dinner, so if you have the time and energy do take a walkabout!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/08/2019
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