Cycling Puglia & Matera

8 days
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Additional images not provided by operator
4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews  
98%
Save this trip to your favorites or other list
Small Group Tour
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 Albero...
$3,949
From$2,925
See departure dates

Overview

Trip type
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

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

What's this trip about?

    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.  Discover the heel of Italy by bike, taking a country-and-coast route from the cave town of Matera to baroque Lecce 

Details

Itinerary focusClassic Highlights
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 16 people
Age range16 years and up
Flights and transport
Start CityMatera
End CityLecce

Travel Themes

  • Cycling & Biking

Destinations

Attractions

  • Alberobello
  • Lecce
  • Matera
  • Ostuni
  • Puglia

Activities

  • Cycling

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 6

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 16

Trip includes

    • All breakfasts
    • All accommodation
    • All transport and listed activities
    • Tour leader throughout
    • Local bike hire
    • Group arrival and departure transfers available

Popular Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Start Matera

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 atmosp...

Day 2 Ride past the historic Sassi houses of Matera before heading to Alberobello

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 No...

Day 3 Cycle through the lush Valle d'Itria, past the fairytale trulli houses to the hilltop town of Ostuni

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 le...

Day 4 Ride through quaint villages and country lanes to a typical masseria (renovated farmhouse) where we spend the night

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 ...

Day 5 Cycle to the coast and swim in the crystal-clear sea before continuing towards Gallipoli with its old town on a rocky island

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 lar...

Day 6 Head towards the Adriatic Sea and the ancient town of Otranto

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.

Day 7 Continue along the shoreline to the beautiful baroque city of Lecce

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...

Day 8 End 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.

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:

  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics
Design custom trip

Dates & Availability

Price From $2,925
Price per day$366
Last Updated: 4/5/2025
Departure Date
Finish Date
Shared Room
Single Room
Availability
27 Apr 2025
04 May 2025
$2,925
$3,465
04 May 2025
11 May 2025
$2,415
$2,955
11 May 2025
18 May 2025
$2,925
$3,465
18 May 2025
25 May 2025
$2,925
$3,465
25 May 2025
01 Jun 2025
$2,925
$3,465
01 Jun 2025
08 Jun 2025
$2,925
$3,465
08 Jun 2025
15 Jun 2025
$2,700
$3,240
15 Jun 2025
22 Jun 2025
$2,925
$3,465
22 Jun 2025
29 Jun 2025
$2,925
$3,465
31 Aug 2025
07 Sep 2025
$2,700
$3,240

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Check current availability, prices, specials & more.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

Travelstride Gift Card
One card, thousands of extraordinary trips
Gifts Card

Exodus Adventure Travels Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
Excellent
13,502
Great
3,265
Average
609
Disappointing
146
Terrible
190
A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

An Interesting Area of Italy

A great week of cycling staying in fascinating old towns with narrow picturesque streets. Whilst the countryside is no match for Tuscany there are some nice section...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Exceeded my expectations; and they were pretty high!

This was my third cycling holiday with Exodus and I can't wait to book the next one. Once again, I chose somewhere where I had no previous knowledge, thus making i...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Wonderful holiday

Perfect combination of good cycling, great company, excellent accommodation and fine food and drink. The negatives? Be prepared for even more potholes than in the ...

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Puglia

great trip all round new Masseria San martino, great guide book it now !

A

Anonymous

Oct 2018

Cycling Puglia and Matera

I have just returned from a fantastic week, exceptionally well organised and led by Michele our superb guide. Through his infectious laugh, confident and approacha...

Write a Review

Other Exodus Adventure Travels Reviews

S

Sheila Bissell

Apr 2025

Written on
Exodus Adventure Travels Company Reviewsby Exodus Adventure Travels

Excellent service

Excellent service

R

Roger hil

Apr 2025

Written on
Exodus Adventure Travels Company Reviewsby Exodus Adventure Travels

Roger

They were very helpful, polite and knowledgeable

G

Gill Barber

Apr 2025

Written on
Exodus Adventure Travels Company Reviewsby Exodus Adventure Travels

Quick invoice receipt sent...prompt

Quick invoice receipt sent...prompt, good service

Write a Review

Travelers also viewed

Tour Operator

About Travelstride

Find your perfect trip

An epic selection of pre-planned trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from over 1,000 trusted travel companies.

Save time

Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics — travel providers plan for you.

Save money

Book directly with the operator. See inclusive packages for the best values, and get access to amazing deals.

Travel confidently

Read unbiased user reviews, pick the operator that suits your needs, and connect with them directly.

Logistics

What's excluded

    • Travel insurance
    • Single accommodation (available on request)
    • Visas or vaccinations
    • Local city taxes (approximately €10)
    • E-bike hire

Accommodation

7 nights in comfortable charming hotels 6 days cycling with 100% vehicle support 99% tarmac, with one very short section of gravel Quiet roads with a few ascents and descent All breakfasts included E-bike hire available on request
Throughout 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. 
Cancellation policy

The cancellation policies of this trip when booked through Travelstride are determined by the stated policies of the tour operator - Exodus Adventure Travels.

If you or any other member of your party decides to cancel a confirmed booking you must notify Travelstride in writing. Your notice of cancellation will only take effect when it is received in writing by Travelstride and will be effective from the date on which we receive it.

Period before departure in which you notify us

From the date your Booking Confirmation is issued up to, and including, 90 days prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.

  • 89 to 52 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 51 to 31 days (inclusive) prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation.
  • 30 days or less prior to the departure date specified on the Booking Confirmation, or after the booking has started

Cancellation charge

Deposit can be transferred to a new booking which must be made within 3 months of the date the original booking was cancelled, and depart within 12 months of the new booking date. If a new booking is not made within this period then the deposit will be forfeited. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.

  • 50% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 75% of the total holiday cost. Any remaining balance will be refunded excluding any non-refundable costs.
  • 100% of the total holiday cost.

For Polar holidays, the following cancellation charges will be made:

Cancellation period (before departure) - Cancellation Fee (per person)

Outside of 180 days - No fee if cancelled within 15 days of booking date. US $1,250 cancellation fee if cancelled 16 days or more of booking date.

179 to 120 days - Loss of deposit.

119 to 90 days prior to departure - 50% of the holiday cost.

89 to 60 days prior to departure - 75% of the holiday cost. 

59 to 0 days prior to departure - 100% of the holiday cost.

For more additional details, see the booking conditions of Exodus Adventure Travels at the following web address: https://www.exodustravels.com/us/about-exodus/exodus-booking-conditions

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included
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.
Age Requirements
16 years and up
Additional Information
[object Object]
Trip ID
exodus-MWV

Become a member

(it's free)
  • Save up to $700 per person
  • Access members-only specials
  • Personalize trip recommendations
Sign up and save

Popular Trips

Top Tour Companies on Travelstride:
All 1,600+ companies >
Sign in to reveal savings up to $700 per person!