Matera to Monopoli Cycling

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8 Days from

CAD 3,395

Incl. taxes Excl. flights

Cycling

Ways to Travel :

Self-Guided Holidays

Activity :

Cycling

Activity Levels :

2 out of 7 - Leisurely / Moderate

Ages :

12+

Trip Code :

C07PM

Start at Matera, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and cycle through the Alta Murgia National Park, the largest natural park in Italy.

This seven night, self-guided cycling holiday takes in some of the highlights of Basilicata and Puglia in Southern Italy. Starting in the UNESCO-listed Matera, known for its rock churches and Sassi houses, you'll have a free day here to explore before setting off on your bike to head to the neighbouring region of Puglia. You'll ride to Gravina, one of the most important Roman cities along the Appian Way and continue on through the Alta Murgia National Park (the largest natural park in Italy) with a stop at Castel del Montewith its iconic castle. Your cycle route then heads to the Adriatic coast, to Trani, one of the oldest and liveliest cities along this stretch of coastline. Follow the coastline for the last two days stopping in Bari and Monopoli.

Highlights

Two nights in the UNESCO town of Matera
Cycling through the Alta Murgia National Park, the largest natural park in Italy
Charming hotels, all full of character

Key Information

7 nights hotel-to-hotel accommodation
5 days cycling
Management by your local Headwater-appointed agent
E-bike hire available on request (supplement applies)

Countries visited: Italy

What's Included

All breakfasts and 1 evening meal
Luggage transfers between hotels
High Quality Bikes
GPS route directions and maps

What's Not Included

Travel insurance
Single accommodation (available on request - compulsory supplement)
Solo traveller supplement (where only one person is travelling on a departure date)
Visas or vaccinations
Arrival & departure transfers
Hotel Upgrades

5 Days of Cycling

Day 3

43 km / 26.7 miles

Day 4

42 km / 26.1 miles

Day 5

43 km / 26.7 miles

Day 6

55 km / 34.2 miles

Day 7

50 km / 31.1 miles

Responsible Travel

At Exodus we believe in the power of Responsible Travel.

Every time we travel, we are part of a global movement that creates jobs, builds more sustainable societies, encourages cultural understanding and safeguards common natural and cultural heritage. To learn more about what Responsible Travel means to Exodus click here…

Itinerary

Arrive in Matera, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world, with an overnight stay at Palazzo Viceconte.

Enjoy the stone city of Matera, named the European Capital of Culture in 2019. Situated in the Basilicata Region, stroll through its beautiful Palaeolithic cave dwellings, intricate cathedrals and museums.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Leave Matera and cycle a few kilometres to enter the beautiful region of Puglia. Ride on gentle slopes towards Gravina, one of the most important Roman cities along the Appian Way, and Altamura, located on the hills of the Murge plateau.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today, our route winds across the largest natural park in Italy - the Alta Murgia National Park. Our final destination is an iconic castle in the southern region, commissioned by Frederick II, with its unique octagonal structure making it worthy of the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today's ride continues though the Alta Murgia National Park, with a pleasant descent towards the adriatic Sea and Trani, one of the oldest and liveliest cities on the Apulian coast. Known as the 'Pearl of Pugila', the city is characterised by its breath-taking cathedral that sits right on the water's edge. Afterwards, wander around its Jewish quarter, hidden between it's glossy limestone streets.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Explore the historic town centres of Bisceglie, Molfetta and Giovinazzo, admiring their Romanesque style architecture. Arrive in Bari, a bustling, coral-fringed port town, and ride along one of the longest promenades in the Mediterranean to the old city.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Ride towards the metropolitan city of Mola and continue on a narrow path between its towering fortified castle and the Adriatic Sea. Reaching the turquoise shores of Polignano a Mare, you move on through the historical centre towards Monopoli's picturesque harbour.

Meals Included: Breakfast

The tour ends after breakfast in Monopoli.

Meals Included: Breakfast

Essential Info

Visa

Italy

Travellers from the UK, US and EU normally do not need a visa to enter Italy. Please note, visa requirements often change and it is your responsibility to obtain any required visas for this trip. Therefore, we recommend that you check with the nearest embassy or consulate of your chosen destination(s), including any countries you may be transiting or transferring through.

Some local governments provide guidance on what visas their citizens need. To help, we’ve gathered a selection of useful links below.

• Australia: www.smartraveller.gov.au/destinations/europe/italy
• Canada: www.travel.gc.ca/destinations/italy
• United Kingdom: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/italy/entry-requirements
• USA:  www.travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Italy.html

Please note: it is compulsory to carry ID with you at all times in Italy.

Vaccination

Italy

There are no required vaccinations. However, you may want to consider vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and tick-borne encephalitis. Please confirm with your doctor or travel clinic.

Eating and Drinking

All continental breakfasts and 1 dinner is included.

In Puglia you will find genuine regional cooking that has strong links to the land and the sea. To give you just a small list of the types of food on offer in Puglia: Bread from the Murge, durum wheat pasta, olives, the pasta delicacy Orecchiette served with a sauce of turnip-tops or fresh tomato and sheep's ricotta-cheese, Cavatelli with pulses, aubergine and parmesan bake, grilled fish and seafood, burrata (soft mozzarella and cream cheese), plus excellent wines. This region is a food lovers paradise and the abundance of delicious vegetables makes it a perfect destination for vegetarians! On this trip there will be many opportunities to taste the best local specialities.

Weather

Matera and Puglia enjoy a wonderful Mediterranean climate with all year round sunshine and just enough rainfall to ensure that the green is never too far off. You're never far from the sea which has a moderating effect on the weather. Please note that the area can be very hot, reaching high 30s in the summer.

Is this trip for you?

This is a self-guided trip for those who prefer to cycle independently, but with our assistance to take out the stress of the logistics and planning. We arrange your accommodation, provide you with a map and route notes so that you can cycle at your own pace, while your bags are transported from one hotel to the next.

As this is a self-guided holiday there is no group and no leader. There maybe others on the same departure date as you, but you will not be organised together. The routes notes contain a 24-hour emergency assistance telephone number should you need it and in emergencies, the hotels are normally able to dispatch a taxi or pick you up themselves. They may wish to charge for this service.

Covid-19 refund commitment

You will get a refund if you have to cancel your trip due to COVID-19.

Availability

This trip is available on request. Please proceed with your booking online or contact our Sales Team for assistance.

Matera to Monopoli Cycling

Start at Matera, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world and cycle through the Alta Murgia National Park, the largest natural park in Italy.

5 Days of Cycling

Responsible Travel

Itinerary

Essential Info

Visa

Italy

Vaccination

Italy

Eating and Drinking

Weather

Is this trip for you?

Hotels

Would you like to include flights with your booking?

Looking to set your own pace on your next adventure?

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Matera to Monopoli Cycling