Grand Tour Puglia (157164),Holiday Packages to Bari, Bitonto, Andria

Package Overview

With this tour you will discover the apulian treasure trove of art, history, and nature. From golden beaches and crystal clear waters to the uncontaminated realm of nature made of great valleys and gentle hills covered with olive trees, vineyards, and luxuriant forests, as well as some surprising Mediterranean gravine (ravines). In addition to this exceptional heritage, you will visit three Unesco World Heritage Sites: Castel del Monte, the mysterious fortress of Fredrick II; the Trulli of Alberobello, characteristic drystone huts, unique in the world; the Sassi of Matera, unique urban settlement in the harsh territorial area of Murge.

Castel del Monte
The Basilica of St. Nicola in Bari
The Cathedral of Ruvo di Puglia and Trani
Castel del Monte, the fortress of Frederick II
The historic centers of Spinazzola and Minervino
Gravina di Puglia with its caves and ravines
Sassi of Matera
Grottaglie and its ceramics, manduria and its famous red Wine "Primitivo"
The town of Gallipoli
The Basilica de finibus terrae and Art Nouveau buildings
of Santa Maria di Leuca
The Aragonese Castle and the cathedral with its impressive rose window in Otranto
The Basilica of Santa Croce and the amphitheater in Lecce
Frederick's castle in San Vito dei Normanni
The cathedral Ostuni
The Trulli of Alberobello
Caves of Castellana

Tour type: Self-guided Tour
Duration: 15 days / 14 nights
Departures: any day in the week all year long.
Participants: Minimum of 2
Level of difficulty: medium / easy - 750 kilometers
Bikes: Hybrid Bike
Offered Service: Bed and Breakfast
Luggage Transportation: Your luggage will be delivered to your next accomodation every day.

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Day wise Itinerary

Day 1 :

Individual Arrival in BARI. We suggest you to visit the city, cultural crossroads since ancient times. Bari is an ideal starting point, a city where two souls meet: the old town, surrounded by an imposing wall and crossed with narrow streets that lead to the discovery of its rich heritage; and the modern city, built at the beginning of the 19th Century and having endured several changes over time. Don't forget to visit the Basilica of San Nicola, a wonderful example of Apulian Romanesque. Overnight stay in Bari.
Day 2 :

Bike and road map delivery, route description. Today you will discover the beauty of the Apulian Romanesque cathedrals cycling toward the towns of BITONTO, TERLIZZI, RUVO DI PUGLIA and TRANI, your final destination. Trani's cathedral, regarded by some as the 鈥淨ueen of cathedrals in Puglia鈥�, exhibits a finely decorated portal with a marvellous bronze door work of Barisano da Trani, comprising of 32 panels each portraying a biblical character. (About 68 Km). Overnight stay in Trani.
Day 3 :

Today you'll cycle across the Apulian inland. Your first stop is ANDRIA, where you can enjoy the famous Burrata (mozzarella that's formed into a pouch and then filled with soft, stringy curd and cream). Then you'll continue for about 10 kilometers reaching the Alta Murgia National Park. Among hills, pastures, olive trees and vineyards, on a hill of the Murge Plateau, you'll finally get to the most important example of Swabian architecture: Castel del Monte (UNESCO World heritage site). (About 55 Km). Overnight stay in MINERVINO MURGE/Area.
Day 4 :

Today you are still in the Murgia Plateau: Expanses of grassy terrain is broken up by the whiteness of the rocks, while a dense woodland changes color according to the seasons, and a network of canals through which creeks once ran are today marked by expansive, cultivated fields. Your destination for the day is GRAVINA IN PUGLIA, a land of natural galleries, caves and ravines carved out by an underground river and used as human dwellings in centuries past. (About 65 Km) Overnight stay in Gravina in Puglia.
Day 5 :

Leaving Gravina, you will ride up to ALTAMURA. The town can be spotted on a spur overlooking the plateau, with the Cathedral towers standing out against the sky. Don't miss the chance to taste the famous Altamura bread and Focaccia. At the end of the stage your tour will lead you to another famous UNESCO world heritage site: MATERA. Famous for its Sassi and stunning landscapes, Matera, located on the border of Basilicata and Puglia, is not only breathtaking, but fascinating. (About 45 Km). Overnight stay in Matera.
Day 6 :

Leaving Matera, you will cycle towards San Basilio and the Gravina Nature Park, characterized by gorges of karst origin, formed by water erotion of streams that gush out from the Murge Upland and flow into the sea. In the evocative rocky villages, churches, crypts and sanctuaries often feature beautiful icons in Byzantine style, depicting the Virgin, Christ Pantocrator, saints and martyrs. The considerable depth of the ravines, as well as the particular microclimate enabled the preservation of an estremely varied flora, fauna and microfauna habitat. Final destination: MARTINA FRANCA (about 80 Km). Overnight stay in Martina Franca.
Day 7 :

Today's adventure will lead you first to GROTTAGLIE, town of ceramics, and then to MANDURIA, town of Primitivo, local red wine, (about 55 Km). Overnight stay in Manduria .
Day 8 :

This stage is dedicated to the west coast of Salento, where you'll cycle towards Campo Marino, Porto Cesareo, up to GALLIPOLI. The island heart of Gallipoli is home to numerous impressive Baroque churches and aristocratic palazzi, testament to the town's former wealth as a trading port. A labyrinthine weave of narrow streets all eventually lead to the broader sea-front promenade with its wonderful views, (about 65 Km). Overnight stay in Gallipoli.
Day 9 :

Leaving behind Gallipoli you'll cycle along the Ionian coast headed to Torre San Giovanni, Torre Mozza, Lido Marini. Here the crystal clear sea will tempt you鈥ut it鈥檚 time to get back on your bike! A short detour will take you inland to see the small towns of UGENTO and SPECCHIA, one of the most beautiful 'BORGHI' of Italy. Then you will continue your ride for another 35 km reaching SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA, where the Ionian and the Adriatic Sea meet; this is the southernmost point in Salento, striking the visitor鈥檚 eye for its colors and unreal silence, (about 55 Km). Overnight stay in Santa Maria di Leuca.
Day 10 :

Today you'll start riding northward along the beautiful coastline of the Adriatic Sea. Crossing the marinas of Tricase Porto and Castro Marina, you'll finally get to one of the most amazing city of Salento: OTRANTO. If you want you can have a delicious seafood dinner and take a walk throughout the historic centre and maybe buy some souvenirs from the local little shops, (about 55 Km). Overnight stay in Otranto.
Day 11 :

In the morning, if you want, there's time to visit the city. Otranto is best appreciated in its amazing cathedral, where the bones of 813 martyrs are displayed in a glass case behind the altar. Less macabre is the cathedral鈥檚 other jaw-dropper, its medieval mosaic floor, which rivals the famous early Christian mosaics of Ravenna in its richness and historical significance. Cycling along the Alimini Lakes, you鈥檒l finally reach the seaside village of TORRE DELL鈥橭RSO: don't miss the opportunity to swim in the suggestive Grotta della Poesia. Before arriving in LECCE you will meet ACAYA, a perfect stop for an authentic Italian espresso or for a drink at sunset in front of the castle, (about 56 Km). Overnight stay in Lecce. (We suggest you an extra stay in Lecce, one of the most interesting cities in the region for its baroque architecture, typical of the 17th Century).
Day 12 :

Leaving Salento, you will cycle north to SQUINZANO. Along the route you have the possibility to see the Abbey of Santa Maria di Cerrate of the 16th century. Then you will continue towards the castle of MESAGNE. Finally you will reach your destination: SAN VITO dei NORMANNI, (About 60 Km). Overnight stay in San Viti dei Normannni.
Day 13 :

Today you will ride over the hills dominating the Itria Valley: Trulli (traditional drystone huts) enclosed by vineyards and olive groves stretch as far as the eye can see. The panorama is filled with a timeless magic, in the heart of which lie the fascinating white towns of OSTUNI, CISTERNINO, and LOCOROTONDO. Finally you'll get to ALBEROBELLO universally-known as the capital of the Trulli, distictive, small, dry-stone buildings with a conical roof. There are about 1500 trulli scattered in Monti and Aia Piccola districts, both listed as World Heritage by UNESCO in 1996, (about 50 Km). Overnight stay in Alberobello.
Day 14 :

The final step will take you towards CASTELLANA GROTTE, known for its intriguing underground caves. Amazing stalactites and stalagmites give shape to a fascinating and mysterious scenery, provided with an evocative play between light and shade. Then you'll start the downhill run towards the sea, until you'll reach POLIGNANO A MARE, a shining gem on the coast of the Valle d鈥橧tria, perched atop a 20 metre-high limestone cliff above the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic, (about 40 Km). Overnight stay in Polignano a Mare.
Day 15 :

End of Services and goodbye PUGLIA.

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Inclusions

Hotel
Sightseeing

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Terms & Conditions

Payment Terms & Methods :
* Some Advance Percentage of total booking amount
* Airfare/Transport fare to be paid full at one time in advance.

Cancellation & Refund Policy :
* Upon cancellation, refund will be made after deducting the Retention Amount.
* Retention Amount varies as per the number of days left before your package start date.

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