Cycling from Matera to Lecce, splendours of southern Italy

Arriving in Matera is an unforgettable experience. 
Make sure you take the time to explore on foot the "Sassi", troglodyte dwellings occupied since the Palaeolithic and rock churches in the historic part of town. You'll be able to appreciate just how much work went into this extraordinary urban achievement.

You'll meet our local partners in Matera for a briefing. They will provide you with your bikes and GPS navigators.

Dinner on your own. Overnight and breakfast in an agriturismo, bed & breakfast or 3-star hotel.

 60 km to 70 km stage

Today's route takes you to Putignano -or Castellana- through some of Puglia's most beautiful scenery. 
After crossing the Matera countryside, you arrive at Gioia del Colle, famous for its "Fior di latte" mozzarella and "burrata", gastronomic delights. After a break, you're back on the bike for another 23 km before entering Putignano, a circular town that has become famous over the years for its picturesque carnival.
Once there, we recommend you lose yourself in its historic center, once protected by massive walls.

Dinner on your own. Overnight and breakfast in an agriturismo, bed & breakfast or 3-star hotel.

61 km stage 

Today's ride takes you to these charming little towns south-east of Bari, along the dramatic Adriatic coast: Polignano al Mare, with its beach set between cliffs, Monopoli, where you can wander through the shady lanes to reach a stunning beach just outside the town. The sea is crystal-clear. Finally, you pass through Castellana, where you have an opportunity to visit some astonishing caves. Today, it's also the road between Polignano and Castellana that will be fascinating: Fringed with pines and cypresses protecting centuries-old olive groves planted on red earth, which creates a unique landscape.

Dinner on your own. Overnight and breakfast in an agriturismo, bed & breakfast or 3-star hotel.

35km/41km/45km stage

You'll tackle the Itria Valley on small roads dotted with a mediterranean vegetation of cypresses and olive trees.

You first pass through Noci, a small town famous for its gastronomy, which makes an ideal first stop for a coffee break. The following hills lead you peacefully to Alberobello, a unique village built entirely with Trulli - there are 1,500 of them - modest beehive-shaped houses with conical roofs, the oldest dating back to the 15th century. Alberobello is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique architecture. 

Dinner on your own. Overnight and breakfast in an agriturismo, bed & breakfast or 3-star hotel.

Stage 70km /60km

Today is the longest stretch of your stay in Puglia. It takes you to Manduria, in the Salento region: you'll notice the change of scenery that progresses with you throughout the day. Your first stop could be Locorotondo, a dazzlingly white town perched on a hill, or a little further on to Martina Franca, whose historic center, with its Baroque and Rococo facades, is a true beauty. A stopover in Ceglie Messapica will give you the occasion to taste its famous bread in one of the oldest bakeries. In Francavilla Fontana, you can visit the minor Basilica of the Holy Rosary and the Palazzo dell'Argentina. The next stop is Oria, the "town of witches".

You'll spend the night in a farmhouse in the Avetrana countryside (or in a bed & breakfast).

45km stage 

Today you'll pedal towards the coast, bordered by the dunes of Torre Colimena, where you'll have a stroll through the Salina dei Monaci, an ornithological reserve. Heading north along the shore, you'll reach San Pietro in Bevagna, where a sandy beach - completely deserted in spring and autumn - lets you bathe in the emerald waters of the Ionian Sea. Finally, you'll proceed to Manduria, one of Puglia's oldest towns, and explore its Messapica archaeological site as well as the Primitivo Museum, a powerful, full-bodied, velvety and particularly aromatic local red wine. 

Dinner on your own. Night and breakfast in an agriturismo, bed & breakfast or 3-star hotel.

60 km stage 

On this last day, you'll make your way to the "Florence of the South": Lecce. The route takes you through the "Salice Salentino", whose vineyards produce a wine appreciated the world over. You'll pass through a number of small villages where, throughout the year, the squares are occupied by the elderly, who discuss politics or agriculture, for whom time has stood still. Later in the afternoon, you'll reach your destination, the city of Lecce.

This architectural gem is home to churches, lively squares and palaces of all periods, creating one of Italy's most harmonious urban landscapes.

Dinner on your own. Night and breakfast in an agriturismo, bed & breakfast or 3-star hotel.

Prenez le temps de flâner dans le centre magnifiquement restauré,  gôutez la somptueuse Foccacia en découvrant cours et les galeries avant de vous poser à la terrase d'un café pour cloturer ce séjour fascinant.