BASILICATA AND PUGLIA PHOTO & CYCLING TOUR
29 APR-12 MAY, 2023
14 Days/13 nights
with Jeremy Woodhouse
Matera
This 14-day cycling and photography tour will begin in the historic town of Matera in the province of Basilicata. Called the city of the Sassi — "the stones"— it is known for its cave dwellings that today house shops, cafes and hotels. This stunning hill town and UNESCO World Heritage site features in the most recent James Bond movie, No Time to Die.
Our tour will take us to several more gems in Basilicata before continuing on to Puglia, "the heel of Italy". We will ride through the Valle d’Itria and the Trulli region and finish up in Otranto, the easternmost town in Italy.
Matera
Itinerary
Pre-Tour: 28 Apr, 2023 – Arrive Bari
You will arrive in Bari today and transfer to your hotel. You will be met by the cycling company at 10:00AM the next day for your transfer to Matera
O/N iH Hotels Bari Oriente
The iH Hotels Bari Oriente is a 4 star hotel located in the heart of Bari, in the Murat district, a few steps from the historical Petruzzelli Theater. An elegant Liberty-style hotel a few steps from the city center, it is housed in a majestic building from 1900.
Day 1: 29 Apr, 2023 – Bari/Matera
Today we will be met by a representative of the cycle tour company and we will be transferred to Matera. Get settled in at your hotel and attend a briefing with your ride leader. Dinner in a typical restaurant in the Sassi district.
O/N Matera
Day 2: 30 Apr, 2023 – Matera (Distance 35 km. Grade: moderate)
Bike fitting and warm up. Today you can ride a short loop and reach the Murgia Park and/or the lake (35 km). Afternoon: walking tour in the Sassi and time for photos. The tour of the Sassi district takes us along beautiful paths, discovering the
typical courtyards surrounded by cave-houses. Breath-taking views
will frame the fascinating history of one of the oldest cities
in the world. We follow a scenic route that winds around stairways,
squares and alleys, often running along rooftops. We will visit a large
complex including two rock churches, a monastery and a cellar, all in
caves. Also, we visit typical dwellings equipped with the original tools and
furniture used by one of the last families to live here before they were moved to a new district
purposely built for poor farmers in the 1950s. Dinner.
O/N Matera
Day 3: May 1, 2023 – Matera/Pietrapertosa/Castelmezzano (Distance 20 km. Grade: moderate)
Transfer to Pietrapertosa (1 hour) and free time for photos. Afternoon cycling (or walking) to Castelmezzano (km 20) – overnight in Castelmezzano and dinner with chef Antonietta.
O/N Castelmezzano
Day 4: May 2, 2023 – Castelmezzano/Craco (Distance 30 or 50 km. Grade: easy to moderate)
Transfer to Craco (1 hour) and time for photos. Start the Calanchi cycling route (30 or 50 km) and overnight at an Agriturismo, a working farm that is set up to receive guests for meals and/or overnight stays. Dinner.
O/N Agriturismo
Day 5: May 3, 2023 – Craco/Alberobello
Transfer to Alberobello (90 min) and time for photos. No cycling today. Dinner. Overnight in the typical trulli houses (in Alberobello or surroundings)
O/N Alberobello
Day 6: May 4, 2023 – Alberobello (Distance 40 km. Grade: easy)
Valle d’Itria loop cycling (40km). You will stop in white painted villages of Locorotondo, Cisternino, Martina Franca. Dinner and overnight.
O/N Alberobello
Day 7: May 5, 2023 – Alberobello/Monopoli (Distance: 35 km.Grade: easy)
Cycling to Monopoli crossing the widest olive groves of Puglia and riding the Adriatic coast. Dinner and overnight.
O/N Monopoli
Day 8: May 6, 2023 – Monopoli/Ostuni (Distance: 45 km. Grade: easy, rolling hills)
We cycle along the Adriatic coast and reach Ostuni, an architectural jewel in the region, also commonly referred to as “the White Town” for its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture. Get situated at your Hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 9: May 7, 2023 – Ostuni/Francavilla Fontana—(Distance: 55 km. Grade: easy)
Cycling south through the quiet country lanes to the charming town of Francavilla Fontana and on to Oria, famous for its 13th Century Castle and delightful historic Centre. You continue through the countryside to a Masseria, a typical Apulian converted farmhouse and your accommodation for the night. Dinner
O/N Masseria
Day 10: May 8, 2023 – Francavilla Fontana/Gallipoli ( Distance: 60 km. Grade: easy)
Today your route will pass through Porto Selvaggio and skirt the Ionian coast to reach Gallipoli, its name derived from the Greek word kalépolis meaning “beautiful city.” Get situated at your Hotel near the seaside. Dinner and overnight stay.
O/N Gallipoli
Day 11: May 9, 2023 – Gallipoli/Santa Maria di Leuca (Distance: about 45 km. Grade: easy)
Reach the Heel of the Boot cycling near sandy beaches facing the Ionian Sea. Santa Maria di Leuca was called in Latin the “Finibus Terrae”, the end of the land. Dinner and overnight.
O/N Santa Maria de Leuca
Day 12: May 10, 2023 – Santa Maria di Leuca/Otranto (Distance: 45 km. Grade: easy to moderate)
Cycling to Otranto, the route will take you to the wild and rocky eastern coast of Southern Italy. The sun and the atmosphere is unique in a place where the Turkish and the Greeks landed centuries ago. Otranto has a wonderful Centre with walls and a castle. A masterpiece is the mysterious mosaic which is on the floor of the Romanesque Cathedral. Dinner and overnight stay.
O/N Otranto
Day 13: May 11, 2023 – Otranto/Lecce (Distance: about 45 km. Grade: easy)
Last stage will take you to Lecce, the Baroque town with wonderful façade of buildings and churches. Taste a puccia (local bread filled with salami or vegetables) or a pasticciotto (delicious pastry), and enjoy shopping and strolling in the city centre. Get situated at your Hotel. Farewell dinner and overnight stay.
O/N Lecce
Day 14: May 12, 2023 – Lecce/Bari
Breakfast and end of services. Transfer back to Bari.
Bike Rentals
You will not need to bring your bike from home (unless you want to). You will have the opportunity to rent a well-maintained bicycle right there in Matera. You will have the option of renting a Hybrid, E-Bike & Road Bike or a Full Carbon Road Bike
Rental Rates (for the tour)
What’s Included with Your Bike
- Flat Pedals (if you prefer clipped in pedals you should bring your own)
- Water bottles and cages
- Routes Notes—We supply a comprehensive selection of maps, guides and route notes for your cycling tour. These are included in the price and we send them in advance so that you can have a look to all the details of your trip. Our maps are highly detailed whilst our guidebooks contain invaluable information on the local area including culture and customs, art and history, flora and fauna.
What’s Not Included
- GPS Bike Computer (if you would like to record your ride you should bring your own bike computer and the mount. Also bring your speed sensor and cadence sensor along with your heart rate monitor strap.
- If you do not plan on bringing your own bike computer, you may rent a Garmin Edge 810 for €45/7 days. The touchscreen Edge 810 is designed for the cyclist who wants it all — navigation and advanced training capabilities in 1 device. It offers connected features through your smartphone, including live tracking, social media sharing and weather.
- Helmet
- Optional: clipless pedals with shoes
- Optional: your own saddle
Weather
Evenings and nights are comfortable, with an average low temperature of 55°F. In the afternoons, the average high is around 72°F. These lows and highs increase significantly throughout the month, respectively from 52°F to 59°F and from 68°F to 75°F
12 SPOTS OPEN
TOUR COST: $4,850
DEPOSIT: $1,000
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: $600
BIKE RENTAL:
Hybrid: $175
E-Bike & Road Bike: $300 Carbon Road Bike: $375
Group size: 6-12
Tour Price Includes
- 13 nights in a double room with breakfast
- 13 dinners, 12 light lunches
- Transfers from/to Bari airport
- Cycling guide, minivan assistance, luggage transfer
- Comprehensive Route Notes
- Photography Guide
- Guided walking tour in the Sassi of Matera
- Technical and emergency assistance
Tour Price Excludes
- Arrival/departure flights
- Pre- and post-tour accommodation
- Luggage/medical insurance
- Drinks at meals
- City taxes
- Entrance fees
- Tips
- Personal extras
- Everything not included in the heading “Included”
- Travel insurance
Paying by check
If you would like to pay your deposit and/or balance with a check, please make the check payable to: Pixelchrome, Inc and mail it to:
Paying by Wire Transfer
If you would like to pay by Wire Transfer please contact nicole@pixelchrome.com for bank account details.
Dress for the Weather
Important note on weather and clothing: In November, weather can be rather cold in the mountains, so hats and gloves are recommended to ensure your comfort. We may/hope to get some snow, especially in the mountains so warm clothes are recommended.
Equipment Checklist
- Bring you own laptop computer and storage media
- Camera body(s)
- Lenses, 16-35mm, 24-70mm zoom and 70-200mm zoom or similar lenses are very good
- Light bag for easy hiking with camera bodies and accessories
- Cleaning kit for cameras and lenses
- Rain/dust covers for cameras and lenses
- Charger for batteries
- Spare batteries
- Spare Memory cards
- Memory card reader
- USB key to exchange images
Also good to have
- Tripod
- Good quality polarizing filter