Puglia Coastal Cycle

Puglia Coastal Cycle

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6 Days From

$1149

Puglia Coastal Cycle

6 Days Starting and ending in Lecce, Italy

Visiting: Lecce, Gallipoli, Santa Maria di Leuca, Otranto

Tour operator:

UTracks

Tour code:

UPU

Group Type:

Independent

Guide Type:

Self Guided

Physical rating:

moderate

Tour operated in:

English
From: $1149

NB: Prices correct on 16-Sep-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

Embark on the Puglia Coastal Cycle tour and experience the unspoiled beauty of Italy's Puglia region. This self-guided cycling adventure takes you along the stunning Ionian and Adriatic coasts, through ancient cities like Gallipoli and Lecce, and past the picturesque Alimini Lakes. Enjoy the local delicacies, including olive oil, fresh vegetables, and wine, as you explore historic sites such as the Cathedral and Aragonese Castle in Otranto. With luggage transfers, rental touring bikes, and quality 3-4 star accommodations provided, you can focus on the journey and the breathtaking scenery. Swim at the beach in Santa Maria di Leuca and savor the rich cultural heritage of this largely undiscovered region.

Highlights

  • Cycling along the Ionian and Adriatic coasts

  • Discovering the ancient cities of Gallipoli and Lecce

  • Enjoying the local delicacies including olive oil, fresh vegetables and wine

  • Exploring the Puglia region which is largely unspoiled by tourism

  • Visiting the beautiful Cathedral and the great Aragonese Castle in Otranto

  • Swimming at the beach in Santa Maria di Leuca

  • Cycling along the Alimini Lakes and their unique Mediterranean bush

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 : Arrive Lecce

Location: Lecce

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Make your own way to Lecce today and check-in to the first hotel. Thanks to its Baroque style, Lecce has earned the nickname of "Florence of the South". Appreciate the rich sculpted motifs from the 17th century made with the tender stone from Lecce. The old town, enclosed by what is left of the ancient walls, bears the impression of that exuberant period.

Day 2 : Cycle To The Ionian Coast And Gallipoli (50Km/31Mi)

Location: Gallipoli

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

The cycle begins by heading deep into the "Salentinian countryside" before approaching the Ionian coast and your destination for today, Gallipoli. An ancient Greek city, it is a fishing town divided into two parts: the new town and the old town, which is connected by a 17th century bridge to the mainland.
Elevation +70m/230ft

Day 3 : Continue Along The Coast To Santa Maria Di Leuca (50Km/31Mi)

Location: Santa Maria di Leuca

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Continue cycling further along the coast and you will reach Santa Maria di Leuca. The name was given to this town by ancient Greek sailors who came from the East. They say it was enlightened by the sun and therefore called it "Leukos", meaning white. Today it is a famous seaside resort and fishing area and there is ample opportunity to swim at the beach in the afternoon.
Elevation +40m/131ft

Day 4 : Cycle Along The Adriatic Coast To Otranto (50Km/31Mi)

Location: Otranto

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Another superb day of cycling as you follow the Adriatic coast northwards. Passing by small towns, impressive grottoes, inlets for swimming and small cafes, you soon arrive at Otranto, Italy's most eastern point and where you can visit the beautiful Cathedral and the great Aragonese Castle.
Elevation +480m/1575ft

Day 5 : Cycle To Lecce Along The Alimini Lakes (55Km/34Mi)

Location: Lecce

Accommodation Name: Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

Today's cycle will take you along the Alimini Lakes and their unique Mediterranean bush back to Lecce.
Elevation +100m/330ft

Day 6 : Trip Concludes

Location: Lecce

Meals Included: Breakfast

After breakfast the trip concludes. Lecce is well connected by train with the airports of Bari and Brindisi.

What's Included

  • Accommodation
    5 nights in 3-4 star hotels

  • 5 breakfasts

    Varied buffet breakfasts are served in each hotel.

  • 5 nights accommodation

    Accommodation in 3-4 star hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities.

  • Digital information pack

    Includes route notes, maps, and a navigational app (can be used offline) with GPS tracks (smartphone required).

  • Rental touring bike

    Includes helmet, pannier, puncture-resistant tyres, and gel saddle (e-bike available on request, supplement applies).

  • Luggage transfers

    1 piece max 20kg per person, supplement applies for excess.

  • Bike insurance

    Insurance against theft and damage.

  • Emergency hotline

    Access to an emergency hotline for assistance.

  • Travel to and from Lecce

    Travel to and from Lecce is included.

What's Not Included

  • Travel to and from Lecce

    Travel arrangements to and from Lecce are not included.

  • Meals not listed as included

    Lunches, dinners, and drinks are not included.

  • Travel insurance

    Travel insurance is mandatory but not included.

  • Guide

    This is a self-guided cycling holiday; no guide is provided.

  • Single room supplement

    A supplement will apply if you book a single room.

  • Entrance fees

    Entrance fees not listed as included are excluded.

  • Transfers not listed as included

    Transfers by taxi if you need to skip or shorten a stage are not included.

  • Excess luggage

    A supplement applies for excess luggage.

  • Handlebar phone holder

    We recommend bringing a handlebar phone holder to follow the route more easily using the app/GPX files.

  • Local hotel taxes

    Local hotel taxes are payable locally directly to the hotel (allow EUR10-15 per person).

  • Items of a personal nature

    Personal items are not included.

Grading

This trip involves 4 days cycling with daily distances between 50 and 55km/31 and 34mi. The route on some days is flat and on others it is hilly. You will cycle almost always on asphalt/tarmac roads. Traffic is almost non-existent in Puglia, except during the high holiday season. The route includes very beautiful stretches along the coast. The trip requires a reasonable level of fitness to fully participate in this adventure. You need only carry your camera and water bottle. Your luggage is transported for you between hotels. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets be included as a compulsory item on your equipment list.

Accommodation

5 nights in 3-4 star hotels. The accommodation chosen is a special feature of the trip, ranging from a seaside hotel in Santa Maria di Leuca with a pool, a historic hotel in Otranto, and a modern city hotel in Lecce and Gallipoli. All accommodation is good quality, from 3 to 4 star, with private facilities. Breakfasts are included and are buffet style with a range of food available from breads and cakes to cheese, meats and yoghurts, sometimes cereal and eggs. *Accommodation subject to availability. If our first choice is not available a property of equal standard will be used but may not be as described above.

What You Carry

During the cycle day you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.

Mode of Transport

Travel to and from Lecce is included. During the tour, you will cycle along the Ionian and Adriatic coasts, with luggage transfers provided. Rental touring bikes with helmets, panniers, puncture-resistant tyres, and gel saddles are included. E-bikes are available on request for an additional supplement.

Check out our Q&As

  • What type of bikes are provided for the tour?

    Rental touring bikes with helmets, panniers, puncture-resistant tyres, and gel saddles are included. E-bikes are available on request for an additional supplement.

  • Is luggage transport provided during the tour?

    Yes, luggage transfers are provided with a limit of one piece of luggage per person, up to 20kg. A supplement applies for excess luggage.

  • What kind of accommodation can I expect during the tour?

    You will stay in 3-4 star hotels for 5 nights. The accommodation includes a seaside hotel in Santa Maria di Leuca with a pool, a historic hotel in Otranto, and modern city hotels in Lecce and Gallipoli. All accommodations have private facilities and include buffet-style breakfasts.

  • Are meals included in the tour package?

    The tour includes 5 buffet-style breakfasts. Lunches, dinners, and drinks are not included.

  • Is this a guided tour?

    No, this is a self-guided cycling holiday. A digital information pack with route notes, maps, and a navigational app with GPS tracks is provided.

  • What should I carry during the cycling days?

    During the cycle day, you will carry your daily requirements in the pannier provided with the bike. This may include your lunch, wet weather gear, mobile phone, and water. A small daypack which can be kept inside the pannier is useful for sightseeing.

  • What is the level of difficulty for this cycling tour?

    The trip involves 4 days of cycling with daily distances between 50 and 55km. The route on some days is flat and on others it is hilly. The trip requires a reasonable level of fitness to fully participate.

  • Is travel insurance included in the tour package?

    No, travel insurance is mandatory but not included in the tour package.

  • Are there any additional costs I should be aware of?

    Yes, additional costs include travel to and from Lecce, meals not listed as included, travel insurance, single room supplement, entrance fees not listed as included, transfers by taxi if you need to skip or shorten a stage, excess luggage, handlebar phone holder, local hotel taxes (EUR10-15 per person), and personal items.

  • What happens if I need assistance during the tour?

    You will have access to an emergency hotline for assistance during the tour.

  • How fit do I have to be?

    Our adventures are first and foremost holidays and can be undertaken by anyone in a reasonable state of health and fitness - however, please carefully read our Terms & Conditions when booking and view the trip grading. We rank our trips according to our honest Trip Grading System. We recommend that you familiarise yourself with our grading system by reading our detailed trip notes (which you can order through this site) and to speak with us about the physical requirements of your chosen trip.

  • What happens if something goes wrong?

    On our guided tours, you travel in small groups with a local multi-lingual guide whose knowledge of the terrain, flora, fauna and history of the region is exemplary. Our self guided tours give you the freedom to explore at your own pace - but they're not unsupported. We provide detailed route notes and maps and our local partners are on hand throughout the day in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. All we request is that you select a program that matches your level of fitness to ensure that you have a comfortable experience.

  • I'm travelling solo on a self-guided trip. Do I pay the single supplement or the single traveller surcharge?

    Most of our self guided trips are priced based on twinshare. If you are travelling solo the single traveller surcharge will apply. The single supplement would apply if you were travelling in a party with others and you had chosen to book a single room. You would never pay a single traveller surcharge and a single supplement.

Reviews from travellers on this tour

L. Williams(Croydon Hills, Australia)  

Puglia Coastal Cycle

4 Jun 2024

Our group of 5 had a wonderful time riding around the coast of Puglia, Italy. The e-bikes were very high quality and it was great having accommodation and luggage transfers all taken care of. This was my first cycle trip and I would definitely do another with them.

Paul Hodgson(St. Albans, United Kingdom)  

Puglia Coastal Cycle

9 Jul 2024

The Puglia cycling trip was superb! Puglia is a beautiful part of Italy to explore with interesting towns, fabulous views and lovely beaches and coves to explore. The self guided tour was perfect, the App was easy to use and made almost impossible to go wrong. The points of interest and suggested stopping point were good advice and added to the trip. The organisation of the trip was excellent! the hotels were perfect for what you needed, the bags appeared at the next hotel before we did! and the summary notes were well worth a read the night before you set of on that part of the route to ensure you did not miss the things you would enjoy! 10/10!

M. Elford(Eden Hills, Australia)  

Puglia Coastal Cycle

11 Jun 2024

Four great days of cycling in the Puglia area. Tremendous coastal scenery, good e-bikes, excellent navigation aids for our self guided trip and very reliable organisation the company.

J. Elford(Eden Hills, Australia)  

Puglia Coastal Cycle

4 Jun 2024

Beautiful Coastline and well organised trip. We enjoyed a group ride with five people along the Puglia Coast. There was quite a lot of riding on major roads but fortunately they were not busy as it was not peak season. The scenery was spectacular and the riding app made navigating incredibly easy. The most difficult thing about the trip was finding public toilets! Nearly impossible. So be prepared to eat in restaurants all the time so you have a toilet available. As it was the off season sometimes finding food was a bit of a challenge. The hotels were mostly good and the trip was well organised with safe delivery of our belongings at each stage. Definitely worth having an e-bike as one of the days there were a lot of steep hills to negotiate.

J. Wicks(Craigburn Farm, Australia)  

Puglia Coastal Cycle

4 Jun 2024

A well organised tour. Positives: bikes worked well and charging was easy, scenic route, most of the hotels were good. Negatives: Gallipoli hotel was not good. The room I had was tiny, it smelled and the breakfast didn’t contain many options.

J. Wright(Tennant Creek, Australia)  

Puglia Coastal Cycle

19 Sep 2023

The trip was pleasant with good track notes so we could easily find our way around.

M. Hulmes(Cottesloe, Australia)  

Puglia Coastal Cycle

7 Jun 2023

We enjoyed the cycling and the trip was generally well organised.

Read all 7 reviews

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Book with Confidence

  • Transfer as credit to Future Tours

    UTracks allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform utracks, 70 days before departure.

  • Low Deposit

    UTracks requires a minimum deposit of 250 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 70 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of utracks charges.

    Up to 70 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 69 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 35 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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