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See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you
See our Activity Level Guidelines to check if this holiday is right for you
Combining highlights from two of our most popular Italian cycling trips, this itinerary offers the challenge of riding right across southern Italy, with the added support of an e-bike. Starting from the coastal city of Monopoli, we take quiet routes through the mountainous Basilicata and Campania regions, finishing at Sorrento on the Tyrrhenian Sea. The trip includes time in Matera, home to ancient cave dwellings, plus lesser-known (but no less beautiful) attractions, including Castelmezzano, a postcard-ready mountainside village where we stay for a night. Our journey ends with a memorable ride along the scenic Amalfi Coast all the way to Sorrento.
For those seeking a challenge, it is possible to join this trip with a road bike rather than an e-bike. Please see our ‘Is this trip for you?’ section under Essential Info for more information.
90 percent paved and 10 percent unpaved; some long rides and challenging climbs
Begin your adventure in the historic coastal city of Monopoli. Depending on when the group arrives, we might have time for a relaxing stroll through the town’s narrow alleys and along the Adriatic shore.
Around 6:30pm, say ciao to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead.
Your tour leader then ensures a big Italian welcome by arranging a group dinner.
We strongly recommend arriving a day or two early to visit some of the other regional highlights, including the Unesco-listed town of Alberobello, home to trulli (traditional stone huts with conical roofs), or Ostuni, known as the White City for its whitewashed old town. Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.
Accommodation: Palazzo Indelli (or similar)
Today we start cycling from the coast and go inland, heading for Matera, one of the most fascinating cities in southern Italy. A warm-up climb brings us onto a large rolling plateau, where we pedal through fennel fields and ancient olive groves. We pass several Apulian villages, where we stop to regroup, take a coffee or rest. As we cross into the Basilicata region for the last part of the route, we cycle through open fields and partly along the the Appian Way, an ancient Roman road that was strategically vital to the empire. We should reach the UNESCO-listed town of Matera in the afternoon with time for a relaxing stroll in the Sassi district, home to ancient cave dwellings, and for an aperitivo in one of the beautiful squares.
Accommodation: Hotel Italia (or similar)
Today will be our longest ride but the destination will be more than worth the effort. We start with an easy downhill through fields towards the Lake of St Giuliano. We then follow an old road along a ridge, encountering several historic villages, including the old Byzantine capital of Tricarico, before arriving in sight of the Lucan Dolomites, known as the Dolomites of the South.
We have a downhill ride and gather strength for the challenging but rewarding steep climb to Castelmezzano, a beautiful village clinging to a sandstone mountain. The support vehicle is available if you would prefer to skip this last ascent. Castelmezzano, rated as one of the prettiest villages in Italy, is very remote and set in a breath-taking location with mountain views – a perfect reward for our long ride today. A short walk through the village and up to the Norman steps is a must before dinner at the hotel restaurant. Overnight in Castelmezzano.
Accommodation: Becco Della Civetta (or similar)
Today we head west into the Campania region. In the morning, we cross the National Park of the Basilicata Apennines, a sparsely populated wilderness area of mountain scenery and historic villages. Towards the end of the afternoon, after a last challenging climb, we reach the top of the ridge between Basilicata and the Campania region. From here, we cycle down into the Vallo di Diano, a fertile high plain with several beautiful medieval towns. We settle into Padula, a beautiful village.
Accommodation: Grand Hotel Certosa (or similar)
Today’s ride is relatively short, allowing us time to sightsee. We first cycle down to Padula, where we recommend paying a morning visit to the Padula Charterhouse, the largest monastery in Italy and Unesco World Heritage site. After the visit, we get on our bikes again and cycle into the heart of Cilento National Park. First, we follow a mainly flat route through the Vallo di Diano and continue with a climb up the Sentinella pass (3,058ft/932m), which winds high above the plain. The last part of the route descends into Cilento National Park, where we settle into our homely agriturismo with a pool. We have lunch (if we arrive on time), after which we can relax or go for a short optional ride to the nearby ghost town of Roscigno, which was abandoned in the early 20th century after a landslide.
Accommodation: Agriturismo Terranostra (or similar)
Today we ride in the shadow of the Alburni Mountains making our way down to the Tyrrhenian Sea. Early in the afternoon, we arrive at the excellently preserved Greek temples of Paestum. Our hotel is close, so we have time to visit this impressive archaeological site, home to three columned temples dedicated to the Greek gods Hera and Athena. Alternatively, you could opt to relax at the swimming pool. The sea is only a few minutes’ away by bike, so you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the late afternoon. Tonight, we eat at the hotel.
Accommodation: Hotel Villa Rita (or similar)
We start the day with an early train ride to Salerno. Here we get on our bikes and begin our final cycle along one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world: the Amalfi Coast. After a short climb up to Vietri, we follow the undulating coastal route to Cetara and continue uphill to the dramatic viewpoint of Capo d’Orso. We then head towards Amalfi itself, where we have time for a short stop and stroll. In the afternoon, we ride past Positano and cross the ridge to then wind down to the resort town of Sorrento. Here we can toast our accomplishment with a drink or two at the beach and a dive into the Bay of Naples in sight of Mount Vesuvius. Those who wish can opt for a stroll in the historic centre, or perhaps just a few hours of relaxation. In the evening, we gather together for a last evening meal (optional).
Accommodation: Hotel Ulisse/Hotel Crisitina (or similar)
The trip ends this morning, but if want to explore more of this stunning part of Italy speak to your sales representative about adding extra nights in Sorrento or beyond.
Sunday 14 Jun 2026 to Sunday 21 Jun 2026
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 3899 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 974 deposit
Sunday 13 Sep 2026 to Sunday 20 Sep 2026
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings and has reached the minimum number of passengers required to go ahead. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 3899 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 974 deposit
Sunday 02 May 2027 to Sunday 09 May 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 3999 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 999 deposit
Sunday 13 Jun 2027 to Sunday 20 Jun 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 3999 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 999 deposit
Sunday 12 Sep 2027 to Sunday 19 Sep 2027
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
This departure is available for new bookings, and will be guaranteed to go ahead once it reaches minimum numbers. Please click Continue to proceed with booking or contact our Sales team for assistance.
£ 3999 (excl. flights)
Book with £ 999 deposit
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We spend six nights in different three- and four-star hotels and one night in an agriturismo – a beautifully converted farmhouse. The typical accommodations used are noted on the daily itinerary.
The hotels were chosen for their warm hospitality and typical Italian character. Some have a swimming pool or beach nearby, which will be greatly appreciated in summer. Most of the hotels have restaurants serving typical regional cuisine and delicious local produce.
Perched above the Bay of Naples with sweeping sea views and easy access to the Amalfi Coast and Capri, Sorrento is a wonderfully relaxed place to end your adventure. Extra nights here give you time to explore charming streets, enjoy leisurely coastal walks and savour Italian cuisine with a view. Here are a few of our favourite hotels to inspire your stay:
Hotel Villa Garden: Set on the cliffs of Sant’Agnello, just outside central Sorrento, this boutique hotel offers elegant rooms with panoramic views across the Bay of Naples. With a peaceful atmosphere and a terrace overlooking the sea, it’s an ideal spot for a scenic and restful stay.
Antiche Mura: Located in the heart of Sorrento’s historic centre, this welcoming hotel combines traditional charm with modern comfort. Surrounded by citrus gardens and close to shops, restaurants and transport links, it’s perfectly placed for exploring the town at a relaxed pace.
Hotel Miramare: A classic clifftop hotel overlooking the Gulf of Naples, offering bright rooms and a terrace with far-reaching sea views. Its convenient location near Marina Grande and within easy walking distance of Sorrento’s historic centre makes it a comfortable and well-positioned base for extending your stay.
This is just a glimpse of what’s possible. Speak to your sales representative, who can guide you through the options and arrange everything for you.
This trip is classified as Road and Activity Level 3 (Moderate). For more information on our trip gradings please visit the Activity Level Guidelines page. If you have any queries about the difficulty of the trip please do not hesitate to contact us.
This trip crosses the mountainous Basilicata and Campania regions; however, the use of e-bikes makes the climbs much easier to manage. There will be some sections with sustained climbing, particularly on days 3, 4 and 7, which are considered Activity Level 5 (Challenging) without e-bikes. The difficulty and distances of other rides (days 2, 5 and 6) are similar to those you would find on a standard Activity Level 3 (Moderate) cycling trip. The reward for the ascents will be stunning views and an amazing sense of achievement. Daily distances vary from 31mi to 60mi (50km to 97km).
E-bikes provide battery-powered assistance that is triggered by pedalling. It is still necessary to push the pedals yourself, but less effort is required when setting off and climbing hills.
If you are an experienced cyclist who uses a road bike regularly, you may request to join this trip with a road bike. The trip is graded Activity Level 5 (Challenging) when completing it with a road bike.
Daily rides will start from our accommodation and the terrain and route will be mainly on quiet asphalt roads. The more remote roads are often not maintained as well as those nearer towns, so on these we may encounter a few potholes and less-than-perfect surfaces. The support vehicle will follow the group for the vast majority of the time (with seats for two or three people at a time).
Day 7 (cycling the Amalfi Coast from Salerno to Sorrento) is a classic ride and a highlight for many customers. The spectacular road is narrow in many places and traffic can be heavy, but our leaders and support crew are experts at keeping the group safe and together to experience this highlight. The support vehicle will be available if two or three people in the group prefer not to cycle. We do not run this trip in the month of August when the roads are at their most congested.
A good level of fitness is essential for this trip.
Start hotel: Palazzo Indelli, Monopoli, Largo Giuseppe Garibaldi, 27, 70043 Monopoli BA, Italy
Phone: +39 080 930 3050
Recommended arrival time: You can arrive at any time today. There will be a welcome briefing around 6:30pm this evening.
Airport: Bari Airport (BRI)
The start hotel is approximately 40 minutes’ drive from the airport. Your options for this journey are:
Take an Exodus transfer
Exodus provides one group arrival transfer from the airport, which is timed to coincide with the arrival of a chosen flight from London, UK. You may join this transfer at no extra cost, provided you can be at the airport before the transfer leaves. Speak to your sales representative for the group arrival transfer times or to arrange a private transfer.
If you would like further information on joining this trip, please speak to your sales representative.
There’s a group departure transfer to Naples Airport (NAP) for customers who Exodus booked onto a chosen flight to London, UK. Please speak to your sales representative if you wish to join. If the group departure transfer does not suit your flight time, speak to your sales representative to arrange an alternative transfer.
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.
A typical hotel breakfast consists of toast/bread with jam or honey, cereal, cheese and ham, served with coffee, tea, milk, orange juice, fruit, cake and yoghurt. Lunches are normally arranged as picnics or taken in small cafes along the route. Included dinners normally consist of a three-course menu with a choice of regional specialities. Vegetarians and people with special dietary requirements can be catered for but please inform us prior to travel.
Southern Italy is characterised by a hot, dry climate in summer, with cooler but slightly damper spring and autumn periods, and mild, damp winters at coastal levels. Rainfall is more common in winter with an average of one day in three affected. Unseasonable cold spells are possible at any time of year, during which you need warm clothes. You cross mountainous regions on this trip, where temperatures are typically slightly cooler than by the coast. It is very important to be equipped for cold and wet weather in early and late season departures. Additionally, you may experience significant temperature changes between the coastal and inland areas; therefore, it’s vital you take warm and waterproof clothing.
As a certified B Corp, we’re on a mission to improve our social and environmental impact across all our adventures.
We do this through our innovative Thriving Nature, Thriving People plan.
This ‘nature positive’ approach is designed to help nature and communities thrive in harmony through practical solutions, such as reducing carbon and waste on our trips, supporting conservation projects through the Exodus Adventure Travels Foundation, and rewilding 100 square metres for every Exodus traveller.
This e-bike trip with Exodus was absolutely incredible. Riding from the Adriatic to the Tyrrhenian coast offered stunning views, charming villages, and amazing local food. The e-bikes made the hills manageable and fun, and our guide was fantastic—knowledgeable, friendly, and super organized. Everything from accommodations to luggage transfers ran smoothly....
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this trip, that said the first three days are quite challenging in both range and climbing, so managing the battery in the e-bike is essential to successfully complete the ride. All of the hotels were to a very good standard and the food at...
Too many to mention really but Matera is always an inspiration as well as Castelmezzano. And every day the fabulous landscapes of the Italian countryside.
Our group leader Mateus actually did the ride on a standard road bike, so kept up a brisk pace. A few more photo stops would have been nice. Big thanks to Raphael as the support engineer, he really worked hard to ensure the were fully charged and in tip top order.
I would not advise this trip as a first time cycle holiday but if you have experience with other Exodus cycling holidays then the rewards from this slightly more challenging ride are well worth the effort.
I had the most amazing time cycling from coast to coast in Italy with Exodus. The scenery was stunning, the rides were very enjoyable, we had the chance to try lots of tasty local food and the group were lovely.
Cycling the Amalfi Coast felt pretty surreal! It was absolutely surreal and a pinch-me moment.
Paolo was fabulous - he was very attentive, friendly and gave us a great insight into the local culture.
The e-bikes are great - there’s no need to worry about the range of the battery! If needed, the bikes were charged on lunch breaks too so you need not to fear of running out of charge.
Great trip.Fantastic staff- leader Paulo, mechanic/driver Raffael and soon to be leader Matteo.Great organisation, good route choice, comfortable hotels and great group of guests( as is usual with Exodus!!)
Amalfi coast- stunning scenery
Paulo was brilliant - calm, knowledgeable, loved his country, couldn’t fault him or his team
E- bikes are great so opens up tour to anyone healthy.Road bikes fine on the flat but some longish hills were hard unless very rdgjlar cyclist used to hills!!
Recommend trip, very enjoyable
This was the first time that this trip had been run using E-bikes, so everyone was keen to see how the trip would unfold. We were introduced to our bikes on the first evening, and because of a change of hotel we had the opportunity to cycle into Monopoli, and...
In terms of inspiring moments - there were many. I'd already been to Matera before, but it is breathtaking. And of course cycling the Amalfi Coast on the last day was stunning, but just a bit too busy for my liking. I preferred the relative tranquility of the towns and villages we cycled through in the heart of the country. I particularly liked the village of Castelmezzano, where you could have a pint in the local bar and watch the world go by, at a snail's pace.
Paolo was our group leader, and his passion for the area stood out. He guided us, with care, through the ever changing landscape, and organised some really nice places to eat in the middle of the rides, and in the evenings too. He looked after us all admirably from start to finish. Grazie mille Paolo.
Providing you have a reasonable level of fitness this should be a very achievable ride. Do not be put off by the ascent and distances involved. Let the E-bike take the strain, so that you can take in all the beautiful scenery. You don't even have to suffer from 'range anxiety', as the batteries are given a top up whilst you nosh at lunchtime. If you're not a regular cyclist then please be advised that some sort of padding for your more delicate areas is a must, particularly during the first few days.
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