PUGLIA, ITALY · 2019. 10. 6. · Day 1 Bari to Alberobello Day 2 Alberobello Loops Day 3...

6-Day Cycling TourPUGLIA, ITALY

2 415.366.3806 lifecycleadventures.com & [email protected]

SELF-GUIDED TOUR SUMMARY

TOUR LENGTH

SERVICE HIGHLIGHTSPrivate transfer from Bari with bike set up and full route briefing at the start of your tour

Bilingual guides delivering superior service

Select accommodations with breakfast

On-call roadside assistance

Luggage moved between lodgings and optional participant transfers along the routes

GPS units, maps, directions and guidebook

Private transfer back to Bari at the end of your tour

RIDE OPTIONSLeisure Intermediate Challenge* Epic * There is limited riding for

Challenge riders - typicallycombining two Intermediaterides.

BIKES AVAILABLEHybrid Road eBike Premium Road See Bike Choices page for bike rental rates

DAY-BY-DAY FLOWDay 1 Bari to Alberobello

Day 2 Alberobello Loops

Day 3 Alberobello to Ostuni

Day 4 Ostuni Loops

Day 5 Ostuni to Monopoli

Day 6 Monopoli to Bari

In the heel of Italy, Puglia is undiscovered and untouched relative to the rest of the country. The people are warm and authentic with life here fitting around slow, pastoral rhythms unique to Italy’s deep south. The whitewashed villages and emerald waters of the Adriatic are reminiscent of Greece. Indeed, the Greeks, Romans, Venetians, Turks and Spanish have all left their marks on the region’s architecture, the culture and the cuisine.

A network of quiet country lanes and gentle terrain make this a great destination for beginner and intermediate riders.

START & ENDBari

BEST TIMES TO VISITApril to NovemberNOTE: August can be quite warm

OPTIONAL EXTRASAlternative start/end location at Bari Airport

Cooking classes

Private wine tours

Sailing & motor yacht excursions

Customize your route

PUGLIA, ITALYItaly’s Sundrenched Heel

6 Days / 5 Nights

https://www.lifecycleadventures.com/

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WHY LIFECYCLE ADVENTURES

ABOUT US

OUR SELF-GUIDED TOURSAt the start of your self-guided tour, your guide transfers you from your hotel, sets up your bike, and gives you a full route briefing. They then take care of all the behind-the-scenes logistics while you guide yourself along the routes; riding at your own pace and choosing a route that best suits your ability. Our support vans are nearby should you require assistance and your guide is also available by phone.

Your GPS unit and cycling maps help you navigate while our best-in-class guidebooks tell you about the towns you will visit and the sights along your route. We also recommend places to eat and would be pleased to make reservations for you.

When customizing your itinerary, you select your accommodation, trip duration, when you travel, and what type of bike you ride. This customization, support and insight helps make our self-guided tours the most personalized and well-supported in the industry.

Feature LifeCycle AdventuresSelf-Guided Tours

Typical Self-Guided Tours

Dates & Duration Fully flexible Limited & fixed

Accommodation From Budget to Luxury Set

Routes From Leisure to Epic Some choice

Ride Briefings Day 1 in personDaily by phone None or limited

Ride Support Van on callGuide by phone None or limited

Lunches & Dinners Help with reservations On your own

Pre- and Post-Tour Transfers Yes No

PRIVATE TOUR SPECIALISTS SINCE 2004With our unique blend of customized itineraries and personal service we create perfect cycling vacations for those who want to explore on their own terms. From the moment you contact us until the end of your tour, you will find us responsive, attentive and totally focused on creating your perfect cycling vacation.

We donate 10% of our profits to cycling advocacy and reduce our carbon footprint using offsets while working towards making all our operations carbon neutral.

OUR GUIDESOur expert guides live in the areas in which you tour and have the passion and knowledge to deliver superior service and exceptional insight.

YOUR GUIDE TO PUGLIA

My name is Antonello and I will be leading the team taking care of you during your tour.

I was born in Puglia but traveled widely as a professional cyclist. My passion now is to share the cuisine, landscapes, and culture of my home region with other travelers. My aim is to allow you to enjoy an authentic experience of this beautiful region.

I look forward to meeting you at the start of your tour.

Antonello Losito



415.366.3806 lifecycleadventures.com & [email protected]

ABOUT US

BOOK AND TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCEMORE FLEXIBILITY AND ENHANCED SAFETY IN A TIME OF COVIDIt is always our objective to make your booking and travel as easy and worry-free as possible. To that end, we have taken tours that were already well-suited to safe travel and added a number of new features to truly make this a great way to explore in these challenging times.

A Great Way to Vacation Book with Confidence Travel Safely

Our Self-Guided and Private Guided tours have always been perfect for those wanting to get off the beaten track and avoid the crowds.

Our tours have never mixed strangers together and have always been limited to just your group. All transportation is private – for just you and your travel companions.

You are in control: stop as much or as little as you like, eat where you choose, and only visit the sights you want.

In these times of uncertainty, we have improved our already generous cancellation policy.

Cancel penalty-free until March 1, 2021 for any tour starting after April 30. After March 1, 2021, you have the choice of a refund or a credit for a future tour.*

If you are unable to travel due to travel restrictions, you can choose to postpone your tour for up to two years.*

Our health-screened guides are available throughout your tour and will wear masks and take distancing precautions.

Overnight accommodations have been screened to help ensure they follow distancing protocols and sanitize rooms between guests.

Our equipment, from bikes to vans, are sanitized before and after serving guests.

* - See the Terms and Conditions at the end of this itinerary for details of our cancellation policy.




DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY

DAY 1

DAY 2

Bari to AlberobelloThe Intermediate ride starts with a van transfer to Castellana Grotte; a town famous for its spectacular limestone caves. Your route starts out over rolling farmland with vibrant green fields in spring and golden wheat fields in the summer. The network of tiny byways, bordered with drystone walls, makes this ideal cycling territory for those who like to explore at a gentle pace.

With a mid-morning start you will easily reach Noci for lunch. Noci is an attractive and relatively undiscovered town. The small, historical center is a maze of winding cobbled streets and small courtyards. Noci is also famous for its mozzarella and there are several good cheese shops in the town. From Noci, it is back onto the small lanes for a gentle ride on to your overnight destination of Alberobello.

The Leisure ride starts in Noci and then follows the intermediate route described above.

The Challenge starts at the coast in Polignano a Mare. This adds 10 miles and some extra climbing.

Nothing quite prepares you for the bizarre

wonder of the Zona di Trulli in Alberobello

RIDE OPTIONSLeisure 10 miles500 feet of climbing

Intermediate 20 miles1,000 feet of climbing

Challenge 40 miles1,950 feet of climbing

OVERNIGHT TOWNAlberobelloThe Zona di Trulli is a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the heart of this pretty provincial town. The zone is a dense mass of hundreds of beehive-shaped cottages built from flat stones without mortar. This is an exceptional example of a building technique that has survived from prehistoric times.

Alberobello LoopsYou could spend several contented days in and around Alberobello and its UNESCO World Heritage Site. The surrounding countryside is also full of fascinating villages and sites. There are two good intermediate rides.

The first Intermediate ride heads to the spectacular towns of Locorotondo and Martina Franca. Locorotondo is a sparkling white city on a hill. The old town is bedecked with blood-red geraniums set against the whitewashed walls. Martina Franca makes a great lunch stop – it is famous for its local cuisine and has impressive Baroque architecture.

The Leisure ride follows the above route but loops back from Locorotondo.

The second Intermediate ride heads east to Savelletri on the coast. This charming fishing hamlet has a couple of great seafood restaurants clustered around the small harbor. The coast here is spectacular with rocky cliffs and small coves.

The Challenge ride combines the two intermediate routes.

Locorotondo is a sparkling hilltop city bedecked with red

geraniums set against whitewashed walls


Intermediate 20 miles / 950 feet of climbing 35 miles / 2,300 feet of climbing


OVERNIGHT TOWNAlberobelloThe Zona di Trulli is a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the heart of this pretty provincial town. The zone is a dense mass of hundreds of beehive-shaped cottages built from flat stones without mortar. This is an exceptional example of a building technique that has survived from prehistoric times.





DAY 3

DAY 4

Alberobello to OstuniToday you leave the fanciful world of Trulli and head to the gleaming white city of Ostuni.

The Intermediate route meanders past centuries-old olive trees to the slow-paced city of Cisternino – designated borghi più belli (one of Italy’s most beautiful towns). The town is also famous for its fornello pronti – meat grilled by butchers that you eat at a table right in their store. Very tasty and perfect for a picnic lunch.

After lunch you enjoy an easy ten-mile ride to Ostuni across craggy limestone terrain with expansive views down to the Adriatic. For many, the arid, Mediterranean terrain and whitewashed villages are as reminiscent of Greece as they are of Italy.

Leisure riders will take a van transfer to start their ride in Cisternino.

Challenge riders will add on a loop ride down to Ceglie Messapica after arriving in Ostuni.

In Cisternino eat fornello pronti – meat grilled by butchers that you eat at

a table in their store


Intermediate 25 miles1,000 feet of climbing


OVERNIGHT TOWNOstunOstuni is one of the most stunning cities in southern Italy. The city gleams on its hilltop as you approach it. Inside, the streets criss-cross on multiple levels all linked together by staircases and cobbled alleyways. At every other turn, there are spectacular views down to the sparkling Adriatic.

Ostuni LoopsOstuni has enough to entertain for several days and the old section of the city rewards those who wander without purpose. There are also several good bike rides into the hinterland.

The first Intermediate ride is to the Torre Guaceto nature reserve: one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in Puglia with sandy bays and clear water. The nearby town of Torre Santa Sabina has a couple of good seafood restaurants overlooking the small harbor. The route is via a network of bike paths that pass olive trees that are thought to be over two thousand years old. The Leisure ride follows this route but turns around at the walled city of Carovigno before the coast.

The second Intermediate ride is inland to Ceglie Messapica. The city dates back to Messapian times (500 BCE) but most of the visible buildings are “merely” 14th century. The sleepy city is a fine lunch stop with pleasant piazzas, Baroque balconies and a medieval castle. Ceglie Messapica is also something of a gastronomic capital in the region with a surprising number of excellent restaurants.

The Challenge ride combines the coastal and the inland routes.

Torre Guaceto is one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in

Puglia with sandy bays and clear water


Intermediate 30 miles / 1,200 feet of climbing20 miles / 1,100 feet of climbing


OVERNIGHT TOWNOstunOstuni is one of the most stunning cities in southern Italy. The city gleams on its hilltop as you approach it. Inside, the streets criss-cross on multiple levels all linked together by staircases and cobbled alleyways. At every other turn, there are spectacular views down to the sparkling Adriatic.





DAY 5

DAY 6

Ostuni to MonopoliToday you head up the Adriatic coast to the ancient port-city of Monopoli.

The Intermediate ride starts with a gentle 10-mile descent to the Dune Costiere National Park: an unspoiled stretch of sand dunes and beaches. From here, you ride up the coast alongside a series of small sandy beaches and rocky coves. In several places you are riding just yards from the emerald waters of the Adriatic.

You pass through small fishing villages with great seafood restaurants: notably Savelletri and Capitolo. Shortly before Monopoli, you reach the Greco-Roman ruins of Egnazia – perhaps the most important archaeological site in Puglia.

Leisure riders will take a van transfer to Torre Canne on the coast and join the Intermediate ride there.

Challenge riders will do a loop ride via Conversano and Polignano after arriving in Monopoli.

Ride past small sandy beaches and rocky coves

- just yards from the emerald waters of the

Adriatic


Intermediate 25 miles350 feet of climbing


OVERNIGHT TOWNMonopoliMonopoli is a charming walled port city. The old town is a maze of alleyways and there is an interesting cathedral which dates back to the 12th century.

Monopoli to Bari - Last DayThere are a couple of choices today – depending on how much time you have. Either have a relaxing day in town or ride north up the coast to Polignano.

Today’s Intermediate ride takes you north up the coast to Polignano a Mare – via the inland town of Conversano. Conversano is off the beaten track – which is part of its charm along with rambling alleyway and sunbaked piazzas – a perfect place for a late-morning cappuccino. From Conversano you descend to Polignano on the coast. Polignano is a small port with a whitewashed medieval center perched precipitously on the edge of limestone cliffs. There are several good restaurants on the edge of these cliffs overlooking the sea. This is a great place to enjoy lunch before being met by your guide for the transfer back to Bari.

The Leisure ride heads directly up the coast to Polignano.

Alternatively, enjoy a relaxed morning in Monopoli exploring the narrow streets and small harbor before being met back at your hotel by your guide for your transfer back to Bari.

Polignano is a medieval city perched

precipitously on limestone cliffs

overlooking the Adriatic


Intermediate 25 miles960 feet of climbing

OVERNIGHT TOWNNoneAs this is the last day of your tour, there is no overnight accommodation unless explicitly requested on booking.




ACCOMMODATION

LUXURY

ACCOMMODATION NOTESProperties in our Luxury category are some of the nicest full-service hotels in the area. They typically include spa facilities and a good restaurant.

See page 2 for prices.

Mix & MatchYou can choose accommodation in different categories in different towns. Please ask for prices.

Tips & NotesThe Don Ferrante hotel provides a free shuttle to Lido Sabbiadoro: a private beach 7 KM south of Monopoli. There is a charge at the beach of €40/couple.

Monopoli:Don Ferrante Dimore di CharmeThis small, luxury hotel with modern facilities is located in a refurbished 16th-century castle overlooking the Adriatic. The comfortable rooms have vaulted ceilings and limestone floors. A terrace overlooks the sea and an outdoor pool. The property is in the heart of the old town so all the sites and restaurants are easy to walk to.

Ostuni:Relais La SommitàThis exclusive refuge is discreetly hidden away in the highest part of Ostuni. The hotel comprises 15 suites and rooms which ooze discreet luxury. The property’s terraces have outstanding views across ancient olive groves down to the sparkling waters of the Adriatic. Their restaurant, Cielo, is the only one in Ostuni with a Michelin Star.

Alberobello:Le AlcoveIn the heart of the old town, this is a charming luxury resort set among the trulli of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Each room is unique and many of them are in the beautifully-renovated 16th century building. Breakfast is served in a tranquil courtyard. A peaceful retreat yet walking distance to all the main sites and restaurants.




ACCOMMODATION

CLASSIC

ACCOMMODATION NOTESProperties in the Classic category are typically smaller hotels or luxurious B&Bs with very personal service sometimes including wine tasting or evening hors d’oeuvres.



Tips & NotesThe Palazzo Indelli hotel can sometimes impose a 3-night minimum in high-summer that requires guests to choose a hotel in another category.

Alberobello:Tipico Resort in TrulliThe guestrooms of this resort are in trulli buildings scattered around the center of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Tastefully converted, rooms are several trulli connected via large open arches. Furnishings are simple but tasteful, walls are exposed stone or whitewashed. Many rooms have separate sitting areas.

Ostuni:Hotel Monte SaragoA newly built hotel located just outside of the historic old town on a ridge. The rooms are clean, bright and spacious. The hotel also has a pool along with a terrace with fantastic views of the old town. The hotel is a one-kilometer walk from the center of the old town.

Monopoli:Palazzo IndelliThis chic, newly refurbished hotel is housed in a converted palace at the corner of a bustling piazza in the heart of the city. Rooms are tastefully decorated with polished wood floors and high ceilings. Rooms at the front of the hotel have balconies overlooking the square – great for atmosphere but can be noisy.




ACCOMMODATION

BUDGET

ACCOMMODATION NOTESProperties in our Budget category are typically simpler B&Bs and more modest inns or hotels. However, all the properties are well-kept with en suite facilities.



Tips & Notes

Alberobello:Hotel SilvaAn unpretentious, family-run hotel towards the edge of this small town. The owners are very friendly and helpful and well-informed about the area. This is not a luxurious hotel but clean, simple and modern. Similarly, breakfast is nice but basic. It is a 10-minute walk to the center of town.

Ostuni:i 7 Archi Guest HouseA series of small apartments clustered into the old town. The rooms are basic, clean and characterful but not luxurious. Some have their own terraces, and many have views over the rooftops. There is no formal reception area, rather you are met at the property by the friendly owners at a prearranged time. Breakfast is delivered to your room.

Monopoli:Casa CiminoThis family-run B&B is in an old fisherman’s house in the center of the old town close to all the main restaurants and sites. Rooms are clean and simple with tiled floors and private bathrooms. The property has a shaded roof terrace with views across rooftops to the Adriatic. Note there is sometimes a 3-night minimum that precludes the use of this hotel.




BIKES

BIKE CHOICES

BIKE RENTAL RATESBike Per Day Per WeekHybrid $30 $180

Road $45 $270

eBike $55 $330

OPTIONAL EXTRASReceiving & Assembly $100per bike charge to receive bike from shipper, assemble the bike and repack it and deliver it to a shipper at the end of the tour.

Bike Boxes $100a per box charge for the extra logistics needed to handle bike boxes during a tour. Note: this fee can be avoided if you leave your box with your start/end hotel.

Tandem Bike $100a per bike fee for the extra logistics to handle a tandem bike that is brought by a guest.

YOUR BIKEIf you have a favorite bike, we can help you get it to your destination as well as set it up once it is there. Please ask about options for bike shipping and assembly.

HYBRID BIKEHybrid bikes are a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike. They have a relaxed riding position and are great for beginners and intermediate riders. A typical model is the Bianchi Camaleonte with Shimano components and high-pressure road tires for better cycling efficiency than your typical hybrid.

ROAD BIKEOur road bikes are a racing style bike with drop handlebars. The road bikes are faster bikes than the hybrids with a less upright riding position and will be enjoyed by intermediate and experienced riders. A typical model is the Bianchi Nirone 7 with aluminum frame, carbon forks, and Shimano 105 components.

Hybrid eBIKEOur Hybrid eBikes are designed to give you a little extra assistance when climbing hills. The ride position is very similar to our hybrids. We typically rent Scott Silence eRide bikes equipped with Bosch motors. If one rider in a couple is stronger than the other, an eBike can be a great choice for the less-strong rider.




INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

SERVICES & OPTIONS

NOTES:

THE TRIP PRICE INCLUDES: Private transfer from/to downtown Bari or Bari Railway Station.

Bike set up and detailed map briefing at the start of your tour.

GPS units, cycling maps, and a custom guidebook; one set per couple.

Guide available by phone from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. On-call roadside assistance available from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM for mechanical issues.

Luggage transported between lodgings and wine collection service.

Transfers along all or part of the route to coincide with luggage moves – to be arranged at least 24 hours in advance.

Snacks and ride food.

Concierge service for activity and meal reservations.

Accommodation for each night of your tour with breakfast the following morning (unless breakfast is explicitly excluded in the accommodation description earlier). Prices quoted are per person but assume there are two people sharing a room. We book standard rooms with one bed unless an upgrade is requested and then extra charges may apply. Accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking.

THE TOUR PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Lunches and dinners though we are pleased to make reservations for you.

An on-bike guide.

Transfers to sites to which it is not practical to ride. We are pleased to arrange for such transfers for a fee.

Activities such as wine tours, cooking classes, and spa treatments - though we are pleased to make suggestions and reservations on your behalf.




INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

SERVICES & OPTIONS

NOTES:

OPTIONAL EXTRAS:Transfers from/to Bari AirportTypically, we collect guests from their hotel in downtown Bari or Bari Railway Station. There is a $100 charge per couple, per transfer for pick-ups or drop-offs at Bari Airport. These transfer are only available on the first and last days of the tour.

Cooking ClassesThe best overnight town for a cooking class is Ostuni. Courses start from $100 per person. Please ask for more details.

Private Wine ToursPlease ask for details if you are interested in arranging any private wine tours.

Sailing and Motor Yacht ExcursionsFor those staying in Monopoli, you have the chance to get out on the water on either a catamaran or a motor yacht. Excursions can either be shared or private and typically explore the intricate coastline with time for aperitifs, hor d’oeuvres and swimming. Prices start at $55 pp for shared tours and $600 for private tours. Please ask for more details.

Route CustomizationIf you would prefer alternative routing – staying in different overnight towns or with more or fewer loop days – we would be pleased to customize this itinerary.




THE AREA

WHERE TO STAY BEFORE YOUR TOURGuests typically stay in Bari before and/or after their trip. We have had good feedback for the following hotels and B&Bs:

Bari HotelsGrande Albergo delle Nazionihttps://www.ih-hotels.com/en/our-hotels/ih-hotels-bari-grande-albergo-delle-nazioni.html

Palace Hotel http://www.palacehotelbari.com/en/

Hotel Oriente http://www.orientehotelbari.com/

CLIMATEThe Southern-Mediterranean climate means that it is possible to ride in Puglia throughout the year. However, the best months to visit are April through mid-July and September through to the end of October, when the temperatures are pleasantly warm and the risk of rainfall lower.

For some, August is a little too warm though there is usually a cooling sea breeze. Early spring and late fall are also great times to ride as there are few other tourists but you do need to be prepared for some rain. Winter temperatures are similar to those in San Francisco.

The charts to the right show the monthly average temperatures (in Fahrenheit) and rainfall (in inches) for Ostuni.

ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE INFORMATIONBari has a medium-sized airport with flights to many European cities including Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Paris, and Rome. There are no direct flights from the U.S. If we are not collecting you at the airport, the easiest way to get into Bari from the airport is by taxi.

Bari also has a railway station (Bari Centrale) with direct services to and from Rome. The fast trains (Frecciargento) take about four hours..

ABOUT PUGLIA



PUGLIA, ITALY · 2019. 10. 6. · Day 1 Bari to Alberobello Day 2 Alberobello Loops Day 3...

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Transcript of PUGLIA, ITALY · 2019. 10. 6. · Day 1 Bari to Alberobello Day 2 Alberobello Loops Day 3...