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Great Explorations

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(604) 730-1247

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Particulars

Trip Dates:

2012
May 13-19
May 20-26
May 27-Jun 2
Sep 9-15
Sep 16-22
Oct 17-23

2013
May 12-18
May 19-25
May 26-Jun 21
Sep 8-14
Sep 15-21
Oct 16-22

Don’t see your date? Call or email us about adding another departure.

Custom and self-guided trips also available.

Total Days:

7 days/ 6 nights

Arrive/Depart:

Monopoli/Lecce

Accommodations:

Masseria Torre Coccaro, Savelletri di Fasano

Il Palmento, Locorotondo

Ostuni Palace, Ostuni

Masseria Montelauro, Otranto

Activity Level:

Easy-going/ moderate20-40+miles daily
van supported

Terrain:

3 days gently rolling, 3 days are moderately rolling

Cost:

Land Cost (Luxe Inns):
US $3450
Includes 6B/2L/5D

Single Supplement:
US $650

Bike Rental:
US $140

We also offer Classic Inns trip at US $2450

“Puglia is natural and wild, authentic in the true sense, rustic and traditional, friendly and safe. It is totally enchanting if these are the qualities you are searching for in a place”
written by a traveler who fell in love with Puglia, and stayed

Puglia, Biking

The Land of Trulli

Puglia is a land of dazzling light, historic villages, a vast blue sea. Orchards, olive groves and vines cover the landscape and quaint villages of whitewashed homes and fairytale-like trulli invite discovery. Cycling along the Adriatic coast is sublime and the cuisine, with abundant fresh seafood and imaginative pasta dishes are the reward for each day's journey. Best of all are the people, who have lived here away from the rush of life in other parts of Italy, eager to welcome you into their hearts. Benvenuti.

This trip features luxurious inns (Luxe) 4&5 star. We also offer our Classic level of hotels which are generally 3&4 star.

Only Great Explorations:

• Small groups, extraordinary guides, and authentic experiences
• A ride you will never forget: from Otranto south along the coast to Santa Cesaria Therme
• Cooking course with an Italian chef at a local trattoria
• Order off the menu at restaurants you won't find in guidebooks
• Distinctive, charming hotels too small for larger groups
• We design and operate our own trips so there are only good surprises

Itinerary

Getting there :
Monopoli/Fasano: We’ll meet at our first hotel, the luxurious Massereia Torre Coccaro, located 15 km from Monopoli. The nearest train station is Fasano and if you are traveling by train from Rome or Bari, it is the 2nd stop, after Monopoli. The shuttle from Fasano takes 10 minutes. If you are flying into Bari, and prefer a shuttle direct from the airport, the hotel will arrange a private transfer at 60 euros for up to 6 people.

DAY 1:
Savelletri di Fasano
We’ll meet at our first hotel at 2:00, where our guides will do bike fit. Let’s go cycling! The ride on this day is a loop ride to Egnazia, a Roman port city dating to the 5th century, where remnants of the ancient road to Rome, a beautiful Acropolis and other monuments still exist - we’ll visit the museum here to learn about this fascinating history. Our hotel, the 5-star Masseria Torre Coccaro was a fortified farm, now a luxurious hotel with large swimming pool, comfortable lounges, and spa. We’ll have dinner in the dining room of the hotel tonight. Ride Distance: 23 km

DAY 2:
Savelletri di Fasano
Today we’ll ride to Monopoli which boasts a charming historical center and a vibrant port where fisherman bring in the day’s catch. Visit the impressive 16th century castle, and shops and restaurants in the center and return after lunch to the private beach of Coccoro Torre or around the pool at the hotel. Prefer a longer ride with some moderate hills? Polignano a Mare and/or Conversano are both worth visiting with historical centers and cafes to tempt. Finish the day with an Aveda Spa before dinner in the hotel restaurant. Ride Distance: 40 km/ 80 km

DAY 3:

Locorotondo
We’ll cycle to the Unesco World Heritage site of Alberobello which boasts over 1500 trulli, distinctive round stone buildings with conical slate roofs. We’ll join a local guide here to learn the secrets of this fascinating town on a walk followed by lunch together. The short option will take you directly to Locorotondo, known as the Balcony of the Itria Valley for its stunning views. Puglia produces 17% of Italy’s wine and the whites produced here are very popular; you can sample from over 1000 vintners at the Cantina Sociale in town. A longer option will take in the Bosco delle Pianelle Nature Reserve. We’ll stay at the 4-star Il Palmento with charming trulli, two swimming pools and lush grounds. For dinner, we’ll follow the locals to a charming trattoria, where Giovanni presides over the kitchen. Try the house pennette, quill shaped pasta in a hearty tomato sauce spiked by hot peppers and onions or his lamb chops with cheese, parsley and wild herbs.

DAY 4:

Ostuni
Start your day cycling to Martina Franca, an ancient city with stone walls, stunning piazzas and tiny winding streets. En-route you’ll pass through olive groves, vineyards, and forested lands on quiet roads with very little traffic. Midway, we’ll have time to explore Cisternino, with great cafes and restaurants. We’ll finish the day in Ostuni, known as the “white city” with its Arab influenced architecture and a labyrinth of streets designed to confuse invaders. Tonight, we have arranged a cooking class at a local trattoria where you will enjoy eating the Apulian specialties you prepared. Ride Distance: 36 km or 64 km

DAY 5:

Otranto

This day will start with a transfer by local train to Torre Rinalda for a coastal ride with the aquamarine Adriatic at your side. The sea-side town of San Foca awaits you for lunch and afterwards we’ll continue south to historical Otranto, the most eastern point on the Italian peninsula and one of our favorite city’s in the region. Like much of Puglia, Otranto had a colourful past with Greek, Byzantine, Roman, Aragonese influences. We’ll stay at the luxurious Masseria Montelauro, located just outside of town. Tonight will be a free night for dinner and there are many excellent restaurants to choose between in town. Ride distance: 70 (flat) km

DAY 6:
Otranto
We save the best ride for last! Cycle south along the dramatic coastal road to Santa Cesarea Terme with unsurpassed architectural and natural beauty in one of Italy’s most serene locations. There are swimming opportunities along the way and some of the most stunning scenery in Italy. For those who want the challenge, you could continue all the way to Marina dei Leuca at the ‘southern tip of the boot’ and back for a century ride. For those who prefer to cycle directly back to Otranto after lunch, you can explore the Castello Aragonese, a mighty fortress castle that formed the defense of the city, or relax around the pool at the hotel. We’ll finish by hosting a wine tasting with a local sommelier followed by a celebratory dinner in the dining room of the hotel. Ride distance: 34 km, 60 km or 100 km

DAY 7: Departure: You can depart at your leisure for Lecce train station or Bari airport. There are bus and taxi options and we’ll help arrange this at your convenience.