Southern Italy - Basilicata & Apulia

The Ancient City of Stone.

Arrive in Matera, one of Southern Italy's most extraordinary and atmospheric cities, and settle into your hotel. This afternoon, join an included two-hour guided walking tour through the remarkable Sassi di Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993.

Wander through a maze of narrow lanes, stone stairways and terraces carved into the ancient ravine, discovering rock-hewn churches, cave dwellings, ancient cellars and homes carved directly into the limestone. Some of these remarkable spaces were inhabited continuously from medieval times until as recently as the 20th century.

This evening, experience Matera's unique atmosphere over dinner in a traditional cave restaurant, where the setting is every bit as memorable as the local cuisine.

Overnight: Matera

Journey to the Capital of Trulli.

 Terrain: Easy to Moderate.

Receive your bike handover and tour briefing before setting off for Apulia. Ride through the picturesque agricultural villages of Gioia del Colle and Noci before arriving in Alberobello, the UNESCO-listed capital of trulli. Check into your unique accommodation: an authentic historical trullo dating back to the 1600s.

Overnight: Alberobello

The Whitewashed Itria Valley.

 Terrain: Easy to Moderate.

After your bike handover and tour briefing, leave Matera behind and begin your journey into Apulia. Ride through the peaceful countryside and agricultural landscapes around Gioia del Colle and Noci, where vineyards, olive groves and traditional farmsteads create a quintessential southern Italian backdrop.

Continue towards Alberobello, the enchanting UNESCO World Heritage town famous for its extraordinary collection of trulli—whitewashed limestone dwellings topped with distinctive conical roofs.

Your accommodation tonight is part of the experience itself: settle into an authentic historic trullo dating from the 17th century, giving you the rare opportunity to spend the night inside one of Apulia's most iconic architectural traditions.

Overnight: Alberobello

The Land of the Ravines.

 Terrain: Easy to Moderate.

Leave the trulli of Alberobello behind and cycle south into the province of Taranto, following quiet country roads through a landscape of vineyards, olive groves and fertile farmland.

As you approach Mottola and Palagianello, the scenery becomes increasingly dramatic as you enter the Land of the Ravines. Here, the limestone plateau is carved by deep, spectacular gorges, with sheer canyon walls plunging more than 100 metres into the valleys below. Keep an eye out for ancient cave settlements and rock-hewn churches hidden among the cliffs.

Continue towards the Ionian coast, where you can finish the day with the sea breeze at Castellaneta Marina. Alternatively, your overnight stay may be at a peaceful agriturismo along the Bradano River, surrounded by the countryside.

Overnight: Castellaneta Marina or Bradano River

Abbeys and Farm Estates.

 Terrain: Easy to Moderate.

Follow the winding Bradano River through fertile countryside, where orange groves, vineyards and fields create a peaceful rural landscape. The route gradually climbs towards Montescalgioso, a historic hilltop town overlooking the surrounding valleys.

Take time to explore the town's impressive Benedictine Abbey of San Michele Arcangelo, one of Basilicata's most important monastic complexes, before enjoying the descent back into the valley.

Tonight, experience the authentic countryside of Southern Italy with a stay at a working agriturismo, set among vegetable fields and farmland. Relax by the swimming pool and savour the slower pace of rural life.

Overnight: Agriturismo near Montescalgioso

Roman Roads and Valley Views.

 Terrain: Easy to Moderate.

Today is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Relax by the pool at your agriturismo, soak up the peaceful countryside, or set out on a scenic loop ride along one of Italy's most historic roads.

The cycling option follows sections of the ancient Via Appia, the celebrated Roman road that once connected Rome with the south of Italy. Continue to the charming hilltop village of Miglionico, where panoramic views stretch across the surrounding valleys and rugged Basilicata landscape.

After exploring the village, return by bike to your agriturismo and enjoy another relaxing evening in the countryside.

Overnight: Agriturismo near Montescalgioso

Park of the Rock Churches.

 Terrain: Easy to Moderate.

Set out towards Matera, cycling along the edge of the extraordinary Park of the Rock Churches, where rugged limestone landscapes, deep ravines and ancient cave settlements define the countryside.

After approximately 12 km, leave your bikes behind and continue on foot into the spectacular Gravina canyon. Follow the trail through this dramatic landscape to Cristo La Selva, an ancient rupestrian settlement hidden among the caves and cliffs. This remarkable site offers a fascinating glimpse into the region's centuries-old tradition of living, worshipping and farming within the rock.

Return to your bikes and continue towards Matera, arriving in time to enjoy a free afternoon. Explore more of the Sassi, relax at your hotel, or simply wander through the atmospheric streets of this extraordinary city.

Overnight: Matera