Puglia is an enticing region to cycle in Italy, combining moderate cycling, quiet roads, charming towns, delicious food and wine. Beginning in Monopoli and finishing 5 days later in Ostuni youâll see the best of this region, all the while enjoying distinctive lodging and exquisite meals. Buon appetito!
Location
Monopoli
Monopoli, Metropolitan City of Bari, Italy
Day 1+2
Locorotondo
Locorotondo, Metropolitan City of Bari, Italy
Day 3
Ostuni
Ostuni, BR, Italy
Day 4+5
Whatâs Included in the Cost of Your Trip?
INCLUDED INÂ REGULAR TRIP
4 nights hotels
All breakfasts and 1 dinner
Luggage transfers
Cooking class included
Comprehensive Tour Details with detailed pre-trip information
Detailed route instructions and maps
Personal meet & greet with our local Area Manager
Area manager available on call throughout the tour
Access to Loyalty Program and other exclusive benefits
Particulars
EVENT DATES
Can start any date between March and November.
Custom trips also available. Call or email for details.
Custom trips also available. Call or email for details.
TOTAL DAYS
5 days / 4 nights, with 4 days of cycling
ARRIVE / DEPART
Monopoli / Ostuni
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Moderate
TERRAIN
Mostly flat to gently rolling
COST
Classic Accommodation: US $1,500
Single Supplement: US $375
Luxe Accommodation: US $1,950
Single Supplement: US $490
Bike Rentals
Hybrid or Racing Bikes: US$200
E-Bikes: US$320
E-bikes are generally available but are on an âon request basis â and will be confirmed on receipt of your booking registration. E-bikes provided are the best rentals available in the region. Our regular fleet of hybrid and race bikes are fun to ride and light and fast, but if having an e-bike will make your trip, weâll do our best to provide. E-bike rentals are non-refundable. Â
Please note: Final itinerary is subject to revision; any changes made are done so in an attempt to provide the best possible trip given route conditions and available services. Due to the nature of our business and exchange rates, prices are subject to change. All prices quoted are U.S. dollars but we gladly accept payment in Canadian dollars also. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Getting There Our trip starts in Monopoli. If you stay in Bari the night before the trip begins, you can take a train from Bari Centrale station to Monopoli (25 minutes). Taking the train to Monopoli from Rome, Milan or Florence. From Rome: There are several daily departures from Romeâs Termini station to Monopoli. We recommend arriving in Bari or Monopoli a day early, but if you choose to leave Rome on the day the trip begins, you could take a train from Romeâs Termini station around 7:30 am arrives in Monopoli just before 1 p.m. and weâll arrange for the Area Manager to meet you on arrival. From Milan or Florence: Train travel from Milan or Florence is also an option, but it is a long trip. Average travel time from Milan to Monopoli is 9 Âœ hours; average travel time from Florence to Monopoli is 8 hours. There is one overnight train from Florence to Monopoli, arriving in the early morning, but otherwise to travel from either of these destinations, you need to plan on arriving in Monopoli the day before the trip starts.
1
Day 1
Monopoli
The meeting time is usually at 1pm at the first hotel, which allows you to arrive from Rome by train in the morning. Our area manager will fit your bike and answer any questions you may have. 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. For dinner, dine at the hotel or take a taxi into Monopoli.
Ride Distance: 19 km, elevation gain 53 m or 11 km, gain 26 m.*
2
Day 2
Monopoli
Todayâs ride is along the Adriatic to the vibrant fishing village of Polignano a Mare, where white-washed buildings appear built out of the limestone cliffs and the winding streets are adorned with flowers and plants. Enjoy one of the lively cafes here before continuing on to Conversano for lunch. Youâll have an option to return directly back to Monopoli from Conversano or take a longer route via Castellana Grotte where underground caves can be explored.
Ride Distance: 7 km, elevation gain 10 m or 14 km, gain 10 m or 58 km, gain 480 m .*
3
Day 3
Locorotondo
Cycle to the Unesco World Heritage site of Alberobello which boasts over 1500 trulli, distinctive round stone buildings with conical slate roofs. Visit artisanal shops selling knitted goods, linen tablecloths and delightful handmade story dolls. The short option will take you directly to Locorotondo. A longer option will take in the Bosco delle Pianelle Nature Reserve. Either way, we recommend allowing time for a wine tasting in town before dinner as this region is well-known for its white DOC wines.
Ride Distance: 35 km, elevation gain 657 m or 42 km, gain 236 m.*
4
Day 4
Ostuni
Start your day cycling to Martina Franca, an ancient city with stone walls, stunning piazzas and tiny winding streets. Youâll pass through olive groves, vineyards, and forested lands on a road with very little traffic. Enjoy a picnic in Cisternino or sample one of the specialities of this city, bombettes, a type of roasted meatball in one of the many restaurants. Weâll finish the day in Ostuni, known as the âwhite cityâ with its Arab influenced architecture and a labyrinth of streets designed to confuse invaders. Don’t miss a visit to a local hand made ceramic shop. Tonight, we have arranged a cooking class at a local trattoria where you will enjoy eating the local specialities you have learned how to make.Â
Ride Distance: 34 km, elevation gain 382 m or 43 km, gain 399 m.*
5
Day 5
Depart for onward travel. There is a train station in Ostuni.
*Distance and elevation gains may vary depending on hotels chosen for specific departure.
Classic
Masseria Donnaloia , Capitolo di Monopoli
The 5-star Masseria Donnaloia boasts outstanding views of the sea, 200 m away. It is a historic property, with beautiful rooms, many with sea views. There is a spa on site, swimming pool, excellent restaurant, and beach club nearby that guests can utilize in high season.
Hotel Le Cummerse, Locorotondo
This hotel comprises a group of historic apartments or casas, each unique and distinctive in the old town center.
La Terra Hotel, Ostuni
Occupying a 13th century palace, and adjacent to St. Peterâs Benedictine monastery, this family run 4-star hotel sits in the center of Ostuni.
Luxe
Casale Murgese, Savelletri di Fasano
This historic upscale property overlooks the Adriatic Sea and sits on lush farmland in an oasis of tranquility. Individually decorated guest rooms, an upscale restaurant with open-air dining and infinity swimming pool make this a fabulous hotel.
Leonardo Trulli Resort, Locorotondo
This boutique hotel, just 3 km outside of Locorotondo, boasts six original trulli from the 18th century and a villa built in 1900. The resort boasts a large swimming pool, charming restaurant and lovely setting.
La Sommita, Ostuni
Built around an historic 16th century Palazzo, with Moorish-styled walled gardens with citrus trees, a dipping pool and parapets that look out to the shimmering Adriatic. There is a one-star Michelin restaurant in the hotel. Please note, there are no twin rooms here; the 10 doubles each have king-size beds.
Trip Reviews
Hotels were very well curated, food was good and scenery was colorful. Both biking and sightseeing afterwards were very interesting. Choice of restaurants was impeccable.
“We were very pleased with the accommodations- wonderful locations and high standards. We loved the destination- would not have changed a thing. We had the trip of a lifetime! It was the perfect mixture of natural beauty, culture, food, exercise and elegance. We are counting down the days until our next trip with Randonnee!â
âPuglia 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 placeâ
Trip was fantastic, we were a family of 8 including a 8 month baby. The trip was very organized and geared to our
family. It was evident a lot of planning went into this trip to make it special and we really appreciated the attention to
all the details that made it memorable for all of us.
Bike was just like mine at home. I was very comfortable with it and it was in very good shape…I felt very spoiled every night at dinner. We ate like royalty!
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