Tasting Puglia By Bike

Your first evening and overnight stay will be in remarkable Matera, one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities. In the afternoon, meet your local guide and enjoy an included dinner. From here, your cycling journey through the flavours of Puglia begins.

After breakfast, a short private transfer takes you to the charming town of Gioia del Colle, known for its beautiful castle and exceptional local products like Primitivo wine and creamy mozzarella fiordilatte.

You then cycle along quiet country roads toward Putignano, home to the oldest Carnival in Europe. After a brief break, the climb ahead feels lighter, followed by a series of fun rolling hills leading you to the fairytale town of Alberobello. Its white, cone-shaped trulli have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

Inside one of these picturesque trulli, you’ll enjoy a wine tasting.

Today you ride through oak woods, vineyards and ancient olive groves on your way to Italy’s largest karst caves. Visit the spectacular Castellana Caves, extending over 3 km underground in a world of stalactites, stalagmites and magical light.

After the visit, continue over rolling hills, past old masserias and grand historic villas, descending gently toward beautiful Monopoli and its colorful marina on crystal-clear waters.

After breakfast, ride into the lush countryside of vineyards and olive groves that lead you into the heart of the Itria Valley. The landscape is rich with aromatic woodland, and you climb to a hilltop to visit one of Italy’s most beautiful villages: Locorotondo.

A tasting of traditional dairy products awaits you today, before continuing to another hilltop town—Martina Franca, famous for its striking Baroque architecture. Stay overnight in Martina Franca, where you can enjoy capocollo and other delicious local specialties.

Ride through the timeless Itria Valley, passing hills and oak forests on your way to the Pomona Gardens, where rare trees from around the world—including the symbolic Nagasaki Kaki—are preserved and showcased.

Continue to the charming village of Cisternino for a memorable lunch, where local butchers grill meats directly for guests. In the afternoon, visit the ancient Dolmen of Montalbano, a 4,000-year-old megalith shrouded in ritual history. End your day in Ostuni, the stunning whitewashed city, where you settle in for the night.

Today cycle toward Finibus Terrae and the cape of Santa Maria di Leuca, beginning with a scenic ride along the bastions of Gallipoli’s historic center. After a transfer from Ostuni, you find yourself surrounded by the brilliant blue sea.

Follow a coastline of dunes, long white beaches and low rocky cliffs rich with marine life. A stop in Torre San Giovanni offers a perfect snack break, and after a glimpse of the ‘Maldives of Salento,’ continue to the very tip of the Apulian peninsula—between Punta Meliso and Punta Ristola, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet in a spectacular setting. The day ends with the calm, white beauty of Leuca and a boat trip exploring its sea caves.

This is one of the most beautiful stages of your journey, following the most spectacular stretch of coastline in Puglia—an unforgettable ride all the way to Otranto.

Cycle along high cliffs overlooking the deep blue Adriatic, passing coastal towers and panoramic viewpoints where Albania and the Greek islands appear on the horizon. With the sea always on your right, ride across the impressive Ciolo bridge, the colorful port of Tricase, and stop for a swim in one of the coves with crystal-clear waters.

Along the way, pass legendary seaside towns carved into the rock, such as Santa Cesarea Terme, Castro, and Porto Badisco—where Aeneas is said to have landed.

From here, Otranto is just moments away. A crossroads between East and West, it welcomes you with its castle, winding streets, and above all the Norman Cathedral featuring Pantaleone’s extraordinary medieval mosaic.

From Italy’s easternmost town, you cycle through the lush Idro Valley and along the shores of the Alimini Lakes, discovering the region’s characteristic vineyards. Return to the Adriatic for one last swim and continue through some of Salento’s most iconic coastal spots: Torre dell’Orso, San Foca, Roca and the legendary Grotta della Poesia.

The route then leads through the verdant ‘Le Cesine’ Nature Reserve and WWF Oasis, a haven for migratory birds and sea turtles, before turning inland toward the final highlights of your journey. Visit Acaya, a fortified village with a timeless atmosphere and an impressive castle, and once you arrive in Lecce, dive into its rich history with a guided tour.

This morning before departing, steal one last opportunity to delight in the flavours of Puglia with a visit to the pastry shop, home to numerous delicacies of Lecce confectionary.

Head to the airport to depart as you say “addio!” to beautiful Puglia.