Seven (7) Day Self-Guided Trip 2011 This is a beautiful Southern Visions seven (7) 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 and 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 Monopoli and Alberobello

Insider look at the region’s hidden treasures

All luggage transfers 2011 Flexible Trip Dates

Guests may choose to start their trip any day from Monday to Saturday, during the months of March, April, May, June, September, October and November 2011.

At the beginning of your trip, a Southern Visions team member will meet you at the Monopoli train station at a predetermined time. You will find your representative holding a Southern Visions sign. (If you choose, we can provide optional shuttles from and to the Bari or Brindisi airport or train station 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 this itinerary for recommendations on arriving to 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: Monopoli-Egnazia loop 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 the 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 Ice! 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/24mi Lodging: Trulli e Puglia www.trulliepuglia.com/en/index.htm Today, you will leave Conversano and cycle towards the Valle d'Itria, or Itria Valley, and the old town of Alberobello with its plethora of unique trulli houses, the most famous architectural symbol for which this region is known. Pedal through rolling countryside savouring 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 meet local superstar Mimmo, who will guide you to your own private trullo in the centre of town. Well done on today’s activities! Day 4 Cycling: Alberobello-Locorotondo-Martina Franca loop 49km/31mi (optional) Lodging: Trulli e Puglia www.trulliepuglia.com/en/index.htm Spend today roaming around the historic centre, navigating your way through narrow streets, browsing in 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 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 local 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; a 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 http://www.masseriasalamina.it/eng/index.uk.html Today, you will leave the lovely town of Alberobello and our friend Mimmo and cycle to Pezze di Greco, pedalling down beautiful scenic country lanes lined with weathered stone walls. After progressing over some rolling hills to the edge of the plateau, you will enjoy 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 next two nights 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-Cisternino-Ostuni loop 65km/40mi (optional) Lodging: Masseria Salamina http://www.masseriasalamina.it/eng/index.uk.html Today, you ride from the Masseria Salamina to Cisternino, one of the most lovely and chic hilltop towns in Puglia. Here you will soak in sweeping views of the Itria Valley below and see firsthand why this town is starting to gain some serious international repute. We will then ride past olive groves and rock-strewn fields to the stunning “città bianca” or “white city” of Ostuni. Here you can enjoy a fabulous lunch on your own while breathing in the clean air from the sea just 6km away. Then you will pedal back down to Pezze di Greco and your lovely Masseria home. Day 7 You will depart for your flight home or next destination. The Southern Visions team is happy to shuttle you back to Monopoli (upon request) or help you extend your stay in the Puglia area. We are sure that your time in this region will have changed your life for the better, as it has all of ours! WHAT YOU GET!!!

An outstanding adventure travel experience

Peace of mind that you are with the most professional cycling company in Puglia

6 nights lodging at 3- and 4-star hotels and Bed & Breakfast-style establishments

6 breakfasts

All luggage transfers

Use of the finest and best-maintained bikes in Southern Italy

Welcome drink and snack

Thorough briefing and bike fitting

Exceptional, detailed maps and route notes

Local city maps and dining suggestions $1599 per person based on double occupancy $600 single supplement

Services available at additional cost

Optional shuttles from/to Bari or Brindisi airport or train station

Room upgrades

Rental of prepaid local cellular phone

Cooking classes (see details below)

Alberobello walking tour and tasting with native guide

Mozzarella making demonstration and tasting with local cheese artisan

Cooking Classes with Laura Giordano

Local chef and food expert Laura Giordano will pick you up from your hotel one morning after breakfast and take you to a local market to select ingredients for your lunch. There she will introduce you to local vendors and products. Your day could also include a visit to a local bakery, an olive orchard for a grove walk and oil tasting, or a cheese factory for a fresh mozzarella making demo & tasting!

Then, Laura will take you to the Southern Visions cooking school, La Cucina at Gelso Bianco, or to an authentic trullo house owned by our friend Giacomino for your hands-on cooking adventure. Have you ever dreamed of making your own ricotta? What about fresh crudaiola sauce on handmade orecchiette pasta? Laura can make it happen! She will share secrets of local dishes as you help her chop fresh tomatoes and choose the perfect olives. Don’t forget to gather some basil leaves from the onsite garden! After the class, you will all enjoy a delicious lunch together, and Laura will introduce you to some of her favorite local wine.

Number of Participants Price per Person Total Price What’s Included

2 € 139 € 278 Chef Fee Souvenir Spatula Recipe Booklet

Food & Wine for Lunch

4 € 99 € 396

6 € 79 € 474

8 € 69 € 552

Arrival and Departure Logistics After reviewing the following information, please inform us of your arrival and departure plans. Please be sure to note these important contact numbers, in case you need assistance before, during, or after your trip – Puglia: +39 340 264 4128 or +39 392 185 7704; USA +1 800 737 5760. Flight arrangements We recommend flying into Milan or Rome. You can catch a flight to Bari (airport code: BRI) or Brindisi (airport code: BDS) from either city. Or, if you prefer to see the countryside and perhaps enjoy a pre-tour stay in another Italian destination, you can make your way to Puglia by train. The trip from Rome takes about 5 hours; from Florence, it’s about 7 ½ hours; from Milan, expect approximately 8 ½ hours of travel. Transportation between the Bari airport and train station A taxi ride between the airport and train station takes 25-30 minutes and costs around €20. An Autolinee Tempesta bus takes approximately 30 minutes and costs €4.15. Booking Italian train travel You can purchase Italian rail tickets from any train station in Italy. Many stations are equipped with automatic ticket machines, from which you can purchase tickets and reservation coupons for travel throughout Italy and for principal cross-border routes. The machines accept cash, credit card, or ATM card with PIN. There are sometimes unpredicted system outages in the smaller stations, so we recommend booking your entire journey in advance of your trip (see below) or at a major train station at the start of your trip. For more information on train travel in Italy, visit www.trenitalia.com. There you can purchase tickets and make seat reservations with your credit card. There is also a great website called www.raileurope.com where you can purchase individual rail tickets as well as rail passes. Another option is to purchase tickets and make reservations through your own travel agent. If you travel on one of Italy’s faster trains, such as Eurocity, Intercity, or Eurostar, you’ll be charged a supplemental fare in addition to the regular ticket price. If you travel on one of these trains without a supplemented ticket, you’ll be fined. Don’t panic, though; it is almost impossible not to get the proper ticket nowadays, especially if you buy online or from a machine, where the supplement is automatically included in the cost. Intercity and Eurostar trains require a seat reservation. Reserving a seat is not mandatory on other trains; however, you may want to pay the extra charge for a guaranteed seat, especially if you travel during a peak period or local holiday. Otherwise, you risk having to stand for a part or all of your trip. On Italy’s slower trains (Rapido, Espresso, Regionale, Inter Regionale, and Locale), reservations and supplemental tickets are not necessary.

Boarding the train The platform number will be listed at least 10 minutes prior to departure on the small TV screens and larger schedule boards in the main station area. If you are traveling without a seat reservation, you will 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 time on the open ticket to prevent multiple uses). If you forget to stamp your ticket before boarding, tell the on-board inspector immediately to avoid a supplementary fee. WHERE TO STAY BEFORE & AFTER YOUR TOUR BARI PALACE HOTEL Via Francesco Lombardi 13 70122 Bari Tel +39 080 521 6551 www.palacehotelbari.it/eng/index.html GRAND HOTEL LEON D’ORO Piazza Aldo Moro 4 70122 Bari Tel +39 080 523 5040 www.grandhotelleondoro.it/e_index.php HOTEL VILLA ROMANAZZI Via Giuseppe Capruzzi 326 70124 Bari Tel +39 080 542 7400 www.villaromanazzi.com

HOTEL BOSTON Via Piccinni 155 70122 Bari Tel +39 080 521 6633 www.bostonbari.it/index.php?&lang=en HOTEL ADRIA Via Zuppetta 10 70121 Bari Tel +39 080 524 6699 www.adriahotelbari.com/english/hotel.php

MATERA LA CASA DI LUCIO Via San Pietro Caveoso 66 75100 Matera Tel +39 083 531 2798 www.lacasadilucio.it/en/ HOTEL SANT’ANGELO Piazza San Pietro Caveoso 75100 Matera Tel +39 083 531 4010 www.hotelsantangelosassi.it/en/ HOTEL IN PIETRA Via San Giovanni Vecchio 22 75100 Matera Tel +39 083 534 4040 www.hotelinpietra.it/page/home_e.php LOCANDA DI SAN MARTINO Via Fiorentini 71 75100 Matera Tel +39 083 525 6600 www.locandadisanmartino.it/en/hotel/ LECCE HOTEL PATRIA PALACE Piazzetta Riccardi 73100 Lecce Tel +39 083 224 5111 www.patriapalacelecce.com/eng/index.htm HOTEL DELLE PALME Via Leuca 90 73100 Lecce Tel +39 083 234 7171 www.hoteldellepalmelecce.it

ALBERGO ITALIA Via Ridola 5 75100 Matera Tel +39 083 533 3561 www.albergoitalia.com/eng/ HOTEL RIDOLA Via Morelli 13 75100 Matera Tel +39 083 531 8811 www.hotelridolamatera.it/index.php?lang=en ALBERGO DEL SEDILE Recinto Sedile 4 (Piazza del Sedile) 75100 Matera Tel +39 083 533 3436 www.albergodelsedile.it GRAND HOTEL TIZIANO Viale Porto d'Europa 73100 Lecce Tel +39 083 227 2111 www.grandhoteltiziano.it/index_en.asp B&B PALAZZO ROLLO Via Vittorio Emanuele II 14 73100 Lecce Tel +39 083 230 7152 www.palazzorollo.it/palazzorollo/