Ten (10) Day Self Guided Trip 2010

This is a beautiful Southern Visions’ ten (10) day self guided cycling trip through the region of Puglia, Italy, which lies in the heel of the boot, along the sun drenched Adriatic Sea. Puglia offers access to the freshest seafood, crowd-free open spaces, irresistible desserts and pastries, distinct wines, and the 50 million olive trees that make Puglia the world’s leading producer of Olive Oil. Come to Puglia and hear the voices of the past call out over the trulli houses…..we promise, once you discover it, Puglia will leave a lasting impression.

Trip Highlights

Exceptional Cycling Routes that pass through fishing villages, country lanes, ancient olive groves,

vineyards, hidden coves, golden beaches, and the unparalleled Itria Valley.

A trip to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Alberobello with its ancient Trulli houses

Optional guided walking tours of Alberobello, Locorotondo, and Monopoli

Insider look at the region’s hidden treasures

All luggage transfers

WHAT YOU GET!!!

An outstanding adventure travel

experience

Peace of mind you are with the most

professional cycling company in Puglia

Local, native guides with knowledge of

the secrets and mysteries of the region

9 Nights lodging at 3 and 4 star hotels

and Bed and Breakfast Lodging

All luggage transfers

The finest and best maintained bikes in

Southern Italy

9 Breakfasts

Professional Bike demo and fitting

Exceptional, detailed Maps and Route

Notes

Local city maps and dining suggestions

€1329 per person based on double occupancy

€600 single supplement

Services available at additional cost

Optional Shuttles to/from Bari or

Brindisi Airport(s)

Alberobello Walking Tour and Tasting

with Native Guide

Pre-paid cellular phone

At the beginning of your trip, a Southern Visions Team Member(s) will meet you at the Monopoli

Train Station at 11:00 a.m. You will find your Southern Visions representative in a red and orange

shirt, or holding a sign with you name. (If you choose, we can provide optional shuttles from and to the

Bari or Brindisi Airports for an additional fee – ask a Southern Visions/Active Cultures representative for

details.) After we meet, we will have a briefing, custom fit you to your bikes, and provide you with

proprietary, exceptional maps and route notes to help you navigate your way along the countryside,

and find special hidden gems to stop, explore, and dine. (Guests are expected to make their own travel

arrangements to Puglia. See the end of itinerary for recommendations on arriving and departing from

the area).

Prior to arrival we will send you a very a brief guide on the region of Puglia, which we suggest you

read thoroughly. Welcome to Puglia!

Day 1. Arrive in Monopoli

Cycling: Egnazia loop ride 35km/22mi (optional)

Lodging: Tenuta Chianchizza www.tenutachianchizza.it

You will be met at the Monopoli train station, and led to your first hotel, Tenuta Chianchizza for your

briefing. Your trip starts with a perfect, easy, flat, circular ride heading south from Monopoli, past

ancient olive groves and along the Adriatic coast to the archaeological site of Egnazia, once the location

of a Greco-Roman town dating as far back as the 4th century BC. Guests can choose to visit the local

museum and archaeological park, or explore the nearby beach. We will make several suggestions on

stops along the route for dining and exploration. Have a great first day!!

Day 2

Cycling: Monopoli to Conversano 29km/18mi

Lodging: Hotel Corte Altavilla www.corte-altavilla.com

Today, you will embark on a charming route along stunning Adriatic coastline from Monopoli to

Conversano. We will suggest a stop en route to visit the small, but vibrant fishing village of Polignano a

Mare, idyllically perched on the side of the rocky limestone cliffs. Pay attention to your route notes, as

we will suggest a stop at one of the great gelato shops in the region, Il Supermago del Gelo – the Super

Magician of Gelato! You will continue, through the quaint, picturesque village of San Vito, with its multi-

coloured boats moored up in the tiny port and finish your journey in the sleepy, beautiful little town of

Conversano, set amid a landscape of olive and cherry trees, with its rambling alleyways and sun-baked

piazza dominated by the Norman castle and Romanesque cathedral. Wow, what a day!!

Day 3

Cycling: Conversano to Alberobello 38km/23mi

Lodging: Grand Hotel Olimpo www.grandhotelolimpo.it

Today, you will leave Conversano and cycle towards the Valle d'Itria, or Itria Valley, and the old town of

Alberobello, with its unique plethora of Trulli houses, the most famous architecture and symbol for

which this region is known. Pedal through rolling countryside to the sweet aroma of mint that grows by

the roadside and stop to enjoy the little towns of Putignano and Noci, with their characteristic

whitewashed houses and narrow alleyways. On arrival in Alberobello, you will check into your second

hotel, Hotel Olimpo, a perfectly situation 4-star hotel in the city. Well done on today’s activities.

Day 4

Cycling: Alberobello Loop 49km/31mi

Lodging: Grand Hotel Olimpo www.grandhotelolimpo.it

Spend today roaming around the historic centre, navigating your way through narrow streets, kitsch

souvenir shops and tasting local products or maybe visit the museo del territorio to discover the history

of this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. We also suggest riding a circular cycle route (49km/31mi)

deep into the Itria Valley to visit stunning Locorotondo - nicknamed “città del vino” for its excellent dry

white spumante (sparkling) wine made from verdeca grapes. Here in Locorotondo, meander the

atmospheric alleyways bedecked with geraniums and citrus plants. Continue on to Martina Franca – a

must-see town for its marvellously intact historic centre, beautiful Baroque architecture, and stunning

palazzi, an architectural jewel, splendidly positioned on the hillside with wonderful panoramic views

across the Itria Valley.

Day 5

Cycling: Alberobello to Pezze di Greco 43km/27mi

Lodging: Masseria Salamina www.masseriasalamina.it

Today, we will leave the lovely town of Alberobello and our friend Mimmo, and cycle from Alberobello

to Pezze di Greco, cycling down beautiful scenic country lanes lined with weathered stone walls,

beginning with some rolling hills to the edge of the plateau, before enjoying a long downhill run with

panoramic views of the Adriatic coastline and the lower fertile plains. This incredible descent will bring

you down to Capitolo and south along an ancient farming road, finishing through a patchwork of almond

orchards, olive groves, vineyards and gloriously coloured fields of fresh tomatoes and peppers. Your

home for the night will be the pastoral farmhouse, Masseria Salamina, situated only 7 km from the sea

with natural food and old-time charm.

Day 6

Cycling: Pezze di Greco-Cisterno-Ostuni Loop 65km

Lodging: Masseria Salamina www.masseriasalamina.it

Today, you ride from the Masseria Salamina to Cisternino, one of the most lovely and chic hilltop towns

in Puglia. Here you will have sweeping views of the Itria valley below and a chance to see why this town

is starting to gain some serious international repute. You then cycle through the olive groves and rock

strewn fields to the stunning Citta Bianca, white city, Ostuni. Here you will enjoy a fabulous lunch on

your own and breathe in the clean air from the sea only 6KM away. You pedal back down to Pezze di

Greco and your lovely Masseria home.

Day 7

Cycling: Squinzano-Otranto Loop 68km

Lodging: Relais Valle dell’Idro http://www.otrantohotel.com/hotel-otranto-home-ita.php

Today we will shuttle you via train to Squinzano, and then cycle along the beautiful Salento coast to

Otranto. Along the way you can have a lovely local lunch in the Castle town of Acaya. You will ride

through numerous olive groves and nearly empty roads to reach the coast and pedal into one of the

jewels of all of Puglia: Otranto. Here you will lodge in the gorgeous Relais Valle dell’Idro and enjoy

lovely evening walks along the giant piazza and the pristine beach. Thanks to its peculiar location, you

will enjoy a panoramic view of all Otranto, of the sea and of the old town centre, in which it is possible

to admire the architectural beauties of the Otranto martyrs’ Cathedral, the Byzantine Church of Saint

Peter, the old city centre, and much more. There are numerous lovely suggestions for dinner as well as

one of the best Pizza joints in Puglia right in the main Piazza. Welcome to Otranto!

Day 8

Cycling: Otranto-Santa Maria de Leuca Loop 55/110km

Lodging: Relais Valle dell’Idro http://www.otrantohotel.com/hotel-otranto-home-ita.php

We have saved the best ride for last! You pedal along the coast south and west of Otranto where you

will see the easternmost and southernmost points of Puglia both on the same day. You will also visit the

winery Castel di Salve winery on our way to Santa Maria de Leuca, a city noted for gleaming white as you

arrive from the sea and its position as De Finibus Terrae, the end of the earth). You can make today as

challenging as you like, as your route notes will provide cycling options up to 110km, but will also make

it easy for you to pick a point to turn around and head back at any time. And, of course, whatever

route(s) you choose to take, it will be easy to find places to stop for food and sightseeing along the way!

Day 9

Cycling: Otranto-Lecce 37km (optional)

Lodging: Palazzo Rollo www.palazzorollo.it

Today, you will head to the wonderful town of Lecce, choosing to be shuttled by Southern Visions Staff,

or if you still have energy, cycle the 37km down. If you choose to cycle to Lecce, known as the Florence

of the South, you will find the terrain is mostly flat and in between endless olive orchards. Your ride will

lead you through the small enchanting villages of Borgagne, Melendugno, Castri' di Lecce e Lizzanello....

all villages in which time seems to have stopped, so be sure to stop and smell the olives . After arrival

in Lecce, we will provide you a walking map to reach your final hotel destination, the Palazzo Rollo.

Palazzo Rollo is a charming bed and breakfast located in a 17th century palace in the heart of the

historical centre of Lecce. The beautiful structure offers the opportunity to appreciate Lecce's baroque

masterpieces in just a few steps. No matter how you choose to spend the day, be sure to stop for a

coffee and the amazing local pastry known as Pasticciotto Leccese (filled with yummy custard cream).

Take in all that Lecce has to offer on this last day of your Italian Holiday!

Day 10

You will depart for your flight home or next destination. The Southern Visions Team is happy to help you

shuttle back to Monopoli (upon request), or help you extend your stay in the Puglia Region. We are sure

that this trip will have changed your life for the better, as it has all of ours!

ARRIVING AND DEPARTING - LOGISTICS

After reviewing the following information, please inform us of your arrival and departure plans on the

Personal Information Form.

Arrival in Monopoli

We will meet you at the town of Monopoli train station and can provide details about how to arrive in

Monopoli. If you would prefer a more full service experience we would be happy to arrange a shuttle

for you from Bari or Brindisi airports. Please let us know during the booking process of your intentions

so that we can make all the necessary arrangements.

Conclusion of the trip

On the last day of the trip we can make arrangements for you to If you would like a private shuttle to

either Bari or Brindisi airort or assist with the best advice to continue your journey in Puglia, Italy, or

other parts of Europe. There are frequent trains to that will lead to all points in Italy.

Flight arrangements

We recommend flying into Milan or Rome. You can then catch a flight to Bari (airport code: BRI) from

either city. Or, if you don’t mind the longer travel time and perhaps a pre trip stay in another Italian

destination you can take the train to Bari. You can see below.

Getting from the Bari train station to the Bari airport

A taxi ride from train station to the airport takes 25-30 minutes and costs around €20. An Autolinee

Tempesta bus ride to the Bari train station takes approximately 30 minutes and costs €4.15.

Taking the train to Bari from Rome, Milan or Florence

The trip from Rome takes about 5 hours; from Milan it’s about 8 ½ hours; from Florence, expect

approximately 7 ½ hours of travel.

Train travel in Italy

We suggest purchasing rail tickets and making reservations through your own travel agent. For more

information on rail travel in Italy, visit the web www.trenitalia.com. There you can purchase tickets and

book your seat by using your credit card. There is also a great website called www.raileurope.com

where you can purchase individual rail tickets and also rail passes.

You can purchase Italian rail tickets from any train station in Italy, but the best advice is to get your

entire ticket from a major train station as there are sometimes unpredicted outages in the smaller

stations. Many stations are equipped with automatic ticket machines, from which you can purchase

tickets and reservation coupons for travel in Italy and for principal cross-border routes. The machines

accept cash, credit card and ATM card with your PIN.

If you travel on one of Italy’s faster trains, including Eurocity, Intercity and Eurostar, you’ll be charged a

supplemental fare in addition to the regular ticket price (this will be included in the price when you buy

from a machine). If you travel on these trains without your supplemental ticket, you’ll be fined. (it is

almost impossible not to get the proper ticket nowadays especially if you buy from a machine) Eurostar

and Intercity trains require a seat reservation for travel at all times. For travel on intercity trains,

reservations are not mandatory; however, you may want to pay the extra reservation charge for a

guaranteed seat, simply for peace of mind. If you know you’ll be taking the train during a peak local

travel period, such as a holiday, you’ll definitely want to make reservations or you risk standing for your

entire trip. Italy’s slower train (Rapido, Espresso, Regionale, Inter regionale and Locale) don’t require a

reservation or a supplement ticket.

Boarding the train

To find your platform, which will be listed at least 10 minutes prior to departure, check the small TV

screens or the larger schedule boards in the main station area. If you are travelling without reservations,

you’ll need to validate your “open” ticket by stamping it at one of the small yellow machines located on

each train platform (the machine stamps the date and the time on the open ticket to prevent multiple

uses). If you forget to stamp your ticket before boarding, tell the on-board ticket inspector immediately

to avoid a supplementary fee.

WHERE TO STAY BEFORE & AFTER YOUR TRIP

BARI

PALACE HOTEL

Via Lombardi 13

70122 Bari

tel. +39 080 5216551

www.palacehotelbari.it

GRAND HOTEL LEON D’ORO

Piazza Aldo Moro 4

70122 Bari

tel. +39 080 5235040

www.grandhotelleondoro.it

HOTEL VILLA ROMANAZZI

Via Giuseppe Capruzzi 326

70124 Bari

tel. +39 080 5427400

www.villaromanazzi.com

HOTEL ADRIA

Via Zuppetta 10

70121 Bari

tel. +39 080 5246699

www.adriahotelbari.com

HOTEL BOSTON

Via Piccinni 155

70122 Bari

tel. +39 080 5216633

www.bostonbari.it

HOTEL VICTOR

Via Nicolai 71

70122 Bari

tel. +39 080 5216600

www.victorservice.com

MATERA

LA CASA DI LUCIO

Via S. Pietro Caveoso, 66

75100 Matera

Tel. +39 0835 312798

www.lacasadilucio.it

HOTEL SANT’ANGELO

Rione Pianelle - Piazza San Pietro Caveoso

75100 Matera

tel. +39 (0)835 314010

www.hotelsantangelosassi.it

LOCANDA DI SAN MARTINO

Via Fiorentini, 71

75100 Matera tel +39 0835 256600

info@locandadisanmartino.it

HOTEL RIDOLA - Albergo in dimora storica

Via Morelli 13

75100 Matera

tel. +39-0835-318811

info@hotelridolamatera.it

ALBERGO DEL SEDILE

Recinto Sedile n. 4 - Piazza del Sedile

Matera

tel +39.0835.333436

www.albergodelsedile.it

HOTEL IN PIETRA

Via San Giovanni Vecchio, 22

75100 Matera

tel +39 0835 344040

www.hotelinpietra.it

ALBERGO ITALIA

Via Ridola 5

75100 Matera

tel: 0835 333561, 0835 337689

www.albergoitalia.com

LECCE

Hotel Patria Palace

Piazzetta Riccardi

73100 Lecce (Lecce), Italy

+39 0832 245111

www.patriapalacelecce.com

Hotel delle Palme

Via Di Leuca, 90

73100 Lecce (LE), Italy

+39 0832 347171

www.hoteldellepalmelecce.it

Grand Hotel Tiziano

Viale Porto d'Europa, s/n

73100 Lecce

tel. +390832 272111

www.grandhoteltiziano.it

B&B Palazzo Rollo

Via Vittorio Emanuele II, n°14

Lecce

Tel. +39.328.9540585 - +39.0832.307152

www.palazzorollo.it

FINAL THOUGHTS

Please be sure to note these important contact numbers, should you need assistance before, during, or

after your trip: Puglia: +39.340.264.4128 or +39 331 833 1857 U.S.A: +1.713-540-0989

All tours operated by Active Cultures LLC