Italy: Puglia’s Undiscovered Coast

7 days
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4.9/5 Excellent
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Group Tour
Value and connection are what set this incomparable cycling tour of Puglia apart from the pack. With our deep roots in the region, VBT takes you beyond the main tourist attractions to discover authentic rhythms of daily life at the heel of Italy’s boot. As you pedal along Puglia’s turquoise coast with your local trip leaders, you may find yourself stopping be...
From$3,859
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Overview

Trip type
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Strenuous
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

    • Enjoy incomparable accommodations with six nights at luxurious masserie.
    • Share a farm-fresh lunch and taste delicious olive oils with your masseria hosts.
    • Bike from the ancient walled city of Acaya to the beautiful, rugged coast.
    • Enjoy unhurried pedaling along rural pathways heading to the coastal town of Castro Marina.
    • Refresh yourself with a swim in Otranto’s crystalline waters.

What's this trip about?

    Value and connection are what set this incomparable cycling tour of Puglia apart from the pack. With our deep roots in the region, VBT takes you beyond the main tourist attractions to discover authentic rhythms of daily life at the heel of Italy’s boot. As you pedal along Puglia’s turquoise coast with your local trip leaders, you may find yourself stopping beside an ancient limestone trulli, where you’re greeted by a sweet nonna with a basket of almond cookies to share—or pausing in the town square for an affogato as you watch the village wake slowly from its afternoon siesta. Best of all, our local connections love to go the extra mile for VBT guests. Why? Because we’re family. Shop around and you’ll see—the local values of VBT’s Puglia cycling vacation outshine the competition, hands down. 

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeSmall Group - max of 22 people
Age range13 to 80 years
Flights and transportAll internal ground transport included
Start CitySavelletri
End CityLecce

Travel Themes

  • Cycling & Biking
  • Nature & Wildlife

Destinations

  • Europe
  • Italy

Attractions

  • Lecce
  • Puglia

Activities

  • Cycling
  • Nature
  • Guided Group

Min Group Size

  • Min Group Size: 10

Max Group Size

  • Max Group Size: 22

Trip includes

    • Custom VBT Bike and Helmet
    • Two Local, Bilingual Trip Leaders
    • Support Vehicle
    • Luggage Transportation
    • Ride with GPS and Daily Route Notes
    • Welcome Reception
    • Facilitated Cultural Experiences
    • Your Choice of VBT Branded Gear for Your Adventure

Itinerary

Travel Map
DAY 1: VBT Bicycling Vacation begins / Warm-up ride to Savelletri / Welcome reception and dinner

VBT highly recommends flying to Italy at least one day before the tour begins. This will allow you to rest and recover from jet lag before you begin sightseeing and cycling.

Meet your VBT trip leaders in the lobby of the first masseria. Readily identifiable VBT...

DAY 2: Olive oil tasting / Lunch at Il Frantoio farm

This morning, you will ride along the sea for a few miles, before looping inland to Masseria Il Frantoio, another award-winning country hotel famous for the quality of its food. The estate extends over 150 acres (61 hectares) and includes a “secret garden” planted wit...

DAY 3: Cycle to Egnatia and Monopoli

After breakfast, you’ll cycle along the coast on quiet roads, completely surrounded by ancient olive trees. Puglia ranks first in Italy in the production of olive oil, wine, and hay, and second for almonds. You’ll stop on the way to explore the archaeological site of ...

DAY 4: Acaya / Cycle along the coast of Salento

Leave Savelletri and take a morning shuttle farther south to embark on another day of your stunning Puglia bike ride toward Salento. You’ll begin at the walled city of Acaya and ride through the ancient city’s archway on country roads that are free from traffic and ma...

DAY 5: Cycle to Otranto / Picnic by an organic farm / Discover Otranto

Bike from your hotel on country roads through sleepy villages, where a stop in a colorful local bar for an Italian coffee can be a wonderful diversion. Your route is shaded by big olive trees and towering oaks as you head toward the coast. By lunch, you’ll reach an or...

DAY 6: Discover the eastern tip of Italy

After breakfast, you’ll set out on one of the best rides in all of Italy. Starting in the interior of Salento, you’ll follow gentle, rural pathways through little villages to the coastal town of Castro Marina. From there, you’ll continue to Santa Cesarea, a quiet town...

DAY 7: VBT Bicycling Vacation ends

After an included breakfast, travel by private motorcoach to Lecce, arriving at approximately 10:30 a.m. at Hotel Patria Palace. From here you can take a taxi to the Lecce railway station or airport. The nearest airport is in Brindisi.

Included Meals: Breakfast

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,859
Price per day$551
Last Updated: 5/16/2024

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with VBT Bicycling Vacations.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

VBT Bicycling Vacations Reviews & Ratings

4.9/5  Excellent
Excellent
579
Great
42
Average
11
Disappointing
4
Terrible
3
L

Larry

Oct 2023

Written on

Puglia Bike Tour With VBT

First of all, VBT leaders were AMAZING! Aimee and Tony were awesome…. Their morning briefings in particular were informative, educational and fun! The rides were exc...

M

MKO

Oct 2023

Written on

Fantastic biking journey in Puglia.

We had a fantastic time in Puglia. Our guides were charming and made sure we understood the history, culture and geography of Puglia while overseeing a safe and enjo...

E

Elizabeth B

Oct 2023

Written on

Perfect trip with one exception

This was a beautifully planned trip. Beautiful setting, great accommodations, terrific guides. One complaint. VBT booked us on flights with only an 80 minute layover...

C

Chuck J

Oct 2023

Written on

Puglia

Accommodations, rides, meals and guides all were outstanding.

P

Peter

Oct 2023

Written on

First VBT trip

Tony and Luca where great guides, both in terms of knowledge of the region and its history, as well as the bicycling. This was our first VBT trip and Tony and Luca h...

Write a Review

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G

Ginger

Nov 2023

Written on

The best vacation ever

This was the first organized tour my husband and I have ever joined, so we were not sure what to expect , but it turned out to be the best vacation we've ever had. T...

C

Corvette01

Nov 2023

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Spectacular, Cycling the Dolomite Valleys

This trip is unbelievably fantastic. Two of the best rides of my life, were on this tour. The guides were very good and this was just the start, when we met them, at...

D

DonaandConnie

Nov 2023

Written on

Absolutely stunning scenery with relatively easy cycling.

This tour was one of our favorites. The tour leaders (Claudio and Tiziana) were great. The Dolomites and Italian Alps were breathtaking and the bike paths and towns ...

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Tour Operator

VBT Bicycling Vacations

premier
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Since 1971, VBT has crafted immersive and authentic biking vacations for active travelers. When you travel with VBT, you’re not just another tourist—you’re a traveler. With us, you’ll experience your destination with the help of a local, bilingual trip leader with a passion for sharing their home with you. You’ll eat in local restaurants, stay in accommodations that have been family-owned for generations and cycle through vineyards, olive groves, and medieval villages. 


With VBT, you won’t just visit a place—you’ll immerse yourself in it. You might follow a centuries-old pasta recipe while taking a cooking class in Rome—or learn a folk dance in Croatia, followed by sharing a bottle of locally-produced Grk wine with your new friends. Exploring the world on two wheels lets you experience your surroundings on a deeper level.

 

VBT offers exceptional value without compromising on quality. Simply put, no other US-based active travel company offers an experience this rich for such a reasonable price. On our tours, you can see more sights, have more local experiences, and enjoy more delicious, authentic meals—all while staying in high-quality, boutique hotels and charming, family-run inns.

 

All you have to do is show up at the airport—we’ll handle the rest! From tour consultants who help you find the perfect vacation to expert local trip leaders who show you the best place for gelato, we take care of all the little details that make your trip memorable. We book your flights, arrange all your transportation and accommodations, and move your luggage between hotels. Our support vans are available to give you a lift up a hill or quickly fix a flat tire. VBT takes care of your travel details and creates unique itineraries so you can relax and enjoy your small-group vacation from start to finish.

 

Friendly camaraderie, cultural immersion, and casual comforts are the hallmarks of our vacations. Discover delightful people, beautiful hotels, foreign cultures, and fascinating lifestyles that will enrich your life and provide memories for years to come.

What they’re known for
VBT Cycling are renowned for offering exceptional guided and self-guided bicycle tours worldwide.

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Logistics

Accommodation

6 nights in 4 and 5-star authentic masserie

Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Meals Included

12 meals: 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners

Age Requirements
13 to 80 years
Additional Information

What to Expect This tour offers easy terrain on low-traffic country roads and is ideal for beginning cyclists. For more avid cyclists, several days offer longer mileage options. All cyclists will thoroughly enjoy the scenic routes along the coast. Our VBT support vehicle is always available for those who would like assistance along the road.

Daily Mileage: 4 - 41 miles| Biking: 1 - 5 hours| Group Size: 22

Trip ID
vbt-vbt-ItPu

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