1.
Ten
(10)
Day
Self-­‐Guided
Trip
2011
This
is
a
beautiful
Southern
Visions
ten
(10)
day
self-­‐guided
cycling
trip
through
the
region
of
Puglia,
Italy,
which
lies
in
the
heel
of
the
boot,
along
the
sun-­‐drenched
Adriatic
Sea.
Puglia
offers
access
to
the
freshest
seafood,
crowd-­‐free
open
spaces,
irresistible
desserts
and
pastries,
distinct
wines,
and
the
50
million
olive
trees
that
make
Puglia
the
world’s
leading
producer
of
olive
oil.
Come
to
Puglia
and
hear
the
voices
of
the
past
call
out
over
the
trulli
houses…we
promise,
once
you
discover
it,
Puglia
will
leave
a
lasting
impression.
Trip
Highlights
• Exceptional
cycling
routes
that
pass
through
fishing
villages,
country
lanes,
ancient
olive
groves
and
vineyards,
hidden
coves,
golden
beaches,
and
the
unparalleled
Itria
Valley
• A
trip
to
the
UNESCO
World
Heritage
Site
of
Alberobello
with
its
ancient
trulli
houses
• Optional
guided
walking
tours
of
Monopoli,
Alberobello,
and
Lecce
• Insider
look
at
the
region’s
hidden
treasures
• All
luggage
transfers
2011
Flexible
Trip
Dates
• Guests
may
choose
to
start
their
trip
any
day
from
Monday
to
Saturday,
during
the
months
of
March,
April,
May,
June,
September,
October
and
November
2011.
At
the
beginning
of
your
trip,
a
Southern
Visions
team
member
will
meet
you
at
the
Monopoli
train
station
at
a
predetermined
time.
You
will
find
your
representative
holding
a
Southern
Visions
sign.
(If
you
choose,
we
can
provide
optional
shuttles
from
and
to
the
Bari
or
Brindisi
airport
or
train
station
for
an
additional
fee
–
ask
a
Southern
Visions/Active
Cultures
representative
for
details.)
After
we
meet,
we
will
have
a
briefing,
custom
fit
you
to
your
bikes,
and
provide
you
with
proprietary,
exceptional
maps
and
route
notes
to
help
you
navigate
your
way
along
the
countryside
and
find
special
hidden
gems
to
stop,
explore,
and
dine.
(Guests
are
expected
to
make
their
own
travel
arrangements
to
Puglia.
See
the
end
of
this
itinerary
for
recommendations
on
arriving
to
and
departing
from
the
area).
Prior
to
arrival
we
will
send
you
a
very
a
brief
guide
on
the
region
of
Puglia,
which
we
suggest
you
read
thoroughly.
Welcome
to
Puglia!

2. Day
1:
Arrive
in
Monopoli
Cycling:
Monopoli-­‐Egnazia
loop
35km/22mi
(optional)
Lodging:
Tenuta
Chianchizza
www.tenutachianchizza.it
You
will
be
met
at
the
Monopoli
train
station
and
led
to
your
first
hotel,
Tenuta
Chianchizza,
for
your
briefing.
Your
trip
starts
with
a
perfect,
easy,
flat,
circular
ride
heading
south
from
Monopoli,
past
ancient
olive
groves
and
along
the
Adriatic
coast
to
the
archaeological
site
of
Egnazia,
once
the
location
of
a
Greco-­‐Roman
town
dating
as
far
back
as
the
4th
century
BC.
Guests
can
choose
to
visit
the
local
museum
and
archaeological
park
or
explore
the
nearby
beach.
We
will
make
several
suggestions
on
stops
along
the
route
for
dining
and
exploration.
Have
a
great
first
day!!
Day
2
Cycling:
Monopoli
to
Conversano
29km/18mi
Lodging:
Hotel
Corte
Altavilla
www.corte-­‐altavilla.com
Today,
you
will
embark
on
a
charming
route
along
stunning
the
Adriatic
coastline
from
Monopoli
to
Conversano.
We
will
suggest
a
stop
en
route
to
visit
the
small
but
vibrant
fishing
village
of
Polignano
a
Mare,
idyllically
perched
on
the
side
of
the
rocky
limestone
cliffs.
Pay
attention
to
your
route
notes,
as
we
will
suggest
a
stop
at
one
of
the
great
gelato
shops
in
the
region,
Il
Supermago
del
Gelo
–
the
Super
Magician
of
Ice!
You
will
continue
through
the
quaint,
picturesque
village
of
San
Vito,
with
its
multi-­‐
coloured
boats
moored
up
in
the
tiny
port,
and
finish
your
journey
in
the
sleepy,
beautiful
little
town
of
Conversano,
set
amid
a
landscape
of
olive
and
cherry
trees,
with
its
rambling
alleyways
and
sun-­‐baked
piazza
dominated
by
the
Norman
castle
and
Romanesque
cathedral.
Wow,
what
a
day!!
Day
3
Cycling:
Conversano
to
Alberobello
38km/24mi
Lodging:
Trulli
e
Puglia
www.trulliepuglia.com/en/index.htm
Today,
you
will
leave
Conversano
and
cycle
towards
the
Valle
d'Itria,
or
Itria
Valley,
and
the
old
town
of
Alberobello
with
its
plethora
of
unique
trulli
houses,
the
most
famous
architectural
symbol
for
which
this
region
is
known.
Pedal
through
rolling
countryside
savouring
the
sweet
aroma
of
mint
that
grows
by
the
roadside
and
stop
to
enjoy
the
little
towns
of
Putignano
and
Noci,
with
their
characteristic
whitewashed
houses
and
narrow
alleyways.
On
arrival
in
Alberobello,
you
will
meet
local
superstar
Mimmo,
who
will
guide
you
to
your
own
private
trullo
in
the
centre
of
town.
Well
done
on
today’s
activities!
Day
4
Cycling:
Alberobello-­‐Locorotondo-­‐Martina
Franca
loop
49km/31mi
(optional)
Lodging:
Trulli
e
Puglia
www.trulliepuglia.com/en/index.htm
Spend
today
roaming
around
the
historic
centre,
navigating
your
way
through
narrow
streets,
browsing
in
kitsch
souvenir
shops,
and
tasting
local
products
or
maybe
visit
the
museo
del
territorio
to
discover
the
history
of
this
unique
UNESCO
World
Heritage
Site.
We
also
suggest
riding
a
circular
route
(49km/31mi)
deep
into
the
Itria
Valley
to
visit
stunning
Locorotondo
-­‐
nicknamed
“città
del
vino”
for
its
excellent
dry
white
spumante
(sparkling)
wine
made
from
local
Verdeca
grapes.
Here
in
Locorotondo,
meander
the
atmospheric
alleyways
bedecked
with
geraniums
and
citrus
plants.
Continue
on
to
Martina
Franca
–
a
must-­‐see
town
for
its
marvellously
intact
historic
centre,
beautiful
Baroque
architecture,
and

3. stunning
palazzi;
a
jewel
splendidly
positioned
on
the
hillside
with
wonderful
panoramic
views
across
the
Itria
Valley.
Day
5
Cycling:
Alberobello
to
Pezze
di
Greco
43km/27mi
Lodging:
Masseria
Salamina
http://www.masseriasalamina.it/eng/index.uk.html
Today,
you
will
leave
the
lovely
town
of
Alberobello
and
our
friend
Mimmo
and
cycle
to
Pezze
di
Greco,
pedalling
down
beautiful
scenic
country
lanes
lined
with
weathered
stone
walls.
After
progressing
over
some
rolling
hills
to
the
edge
of
the
plateau,
you
will
enjoy
a
long
downhill
run
with
panoramic
views
of
the
Adriatic
coastline
and
the
lower
fertile
plains.
This
incredible
descent
will
bring
you
down
to
Capitolo
and
south
along
an
ancient
farming
road,
finishing
through
a
patchwork
of
almond
orchards,
olive
groves,
vineyards,
and
gloriously
coloured
fields
of
fresh
tomatoes
and
peppers.
Your
home
for
the
next
two
nights
will
be
the
pastoral
farmhouse
Masseria
Salamina,
situated
only
7
km
from
the
sea
with
natural
food
and
old-­‐time
charm.
Day
6
Cycling:
Pezze
di
Greco-­‐Cisternino-­‐Ostuni
loop
65km/40mi
(optional)
Lodging:
Masseria
Salamina
http://www.masseriasalamina.it/eng/index.uk.html
Today,
you
ride
from
the
Masseria
Salamina
to
Cisternino,
one
of
the
most
lovely
and
chic
hilltop
towns
in
Puglia.
Here
you
will
soak
in
sweeping
views
of
the
Itria
Valley
below
and
see
firsthand
why
this
town
is
starting
to
gain
some
serious
international
repute.
We
will
then
ride
past
olive
groves
and
rock-­‐strewn
fields
to
the
stunning
“città
bianca”
or
“white
city”
of
Ostuni.
Here
you
can
enjoy
a
fabulous
lunch
on
your
own
while
breathing
in
the
clean
air
from
the
sea
just
6km
away.
Then
you
will
pedal
back
down
to
Pezze
di
Greco
and
your
lovely
Masseria
home.
Day
7
Cycling:
Squinzano
to
Otranto
68km/42mi
Lodging:
Relais
Valle
dell’Idro
http://www.otrantohotel.com/hotel/en/home.html
Today
you
will
catch
the
train
to
Squinzano
and
then
cycle
along
the
beautiful
Salento
coast
to
Otranto.
Along
the
way
you
can
have
a
lovely
local
lunch
in
the
picturesque
castle
town
of
Acaya.
From
there,
you
will
ride
through
numerous
olive
groves
and
nearly
empty
roads
to
reach
the
coast
before
pedaling
into
one
of
the
best
jewels
of
all
Puglia:
Otranto.
Here
you
will
lodge
in
the
gorgeous
Relais
Valle
dell’Idro.
Thanks
to
its
unique
location,
you
will
enjoy
a
panoramic
view
of
all
Otranto,
including
the
sea
with
its
pristine
beach,
the
old
town
centre,
architectural
beauties
such
as
the
Martyrs’
Cathedral
and
the
Byzantine
Church
of
Saint
Peter,
and
much
more.
There
are
numerous
options
for
a
lovely
dinner
as
well
as
one
of
Puglia’s
best
pizza
joints
right
in
the
giant
main
piazza.
Welcome
to
Otranto!
Day
8
Cycling:
Otranto-­‐Santa
Maria
de
Leuca
loop
(optional)
55
or
110km/34
or
68mi
Lodging:
Relais
Valle
dell’Idro
http://www.otrantohotel.com/hotel/en/home.html
We
have
saved
the
best
ride
for
last!
You
will
pedal
along
the
coast
south
and
west
of
Otranto
where
you
will
see
the
easternmost
and
southernmost
points
of
Puglia
both
on
the
same
day.
You
can
also
visit
the
Castel
di
Salve
winery
on
your
way
to
the
city
of
Santa
Maria
de
Leuca,
which
appears
gleaming
white
as
you
approach
from
the
sea
and
is
known
for
its
position
as
De
Finibus
Terrae
(“the
end
of
the

4. earth”).
You
can
make
today
as
relaxing
or
as
challenging
as
you
like,
as
your
route
notes
cover
a
loop
of
110km
but
also
make
it
easy
for
you
to
turn
around
and
head
back
at
any
time.
Or
you
can
cycle
to
Santa
Maria
di
Leuca
and
then
catch
a
shuttle
back
(must
be
pre-­‐arranged).
And,
of
course,
whatever
option
you
choose,
it
will
be
easy
to
find
places
to
stop
for
food
and
sightseeing
along
the
way!
Day
9
Cycling:
Otranto
to
Lecce
37km/23mi
Lodging:
Palazzo
Rollo
http://www.palazzorollo.it/palazzorollo/
Today,
you
will
head
down
to
the
wonderful
town
of
Lecce,
choosing
to
be
shuttled
by
Southern
Visions
staff
or,
if
you
still
have
energy,
take
one
final
ride
on
your
bike.
If
you
opt
to
cycle
to
Lecce,
known
as
the
Florence
of
the
South,
you
will
find
the
terrain
is
mostly
flat,
passing
among
endless
olive
orchards.
Your
ride
will
lead
you
through
the
small
enchanting
villages
of
Borgagne,
Melendugno,
Castri’
di
Lecce
e
Lizzanello...
all
villages
in
which
time
seems
to
have
stopped.
So,
be
sure
to
stop
and
smell
the
olives
.
Your
final
hotel
destination,
the
Palazzo
Rollo,
is
a
charming
bed
and
breakfast
located
in
a
17th
century
palace
in
the
heart
of
Lecce’s
historic
centre.
This
beautiful
structure
is
just
steps
from
some
of
Lecce’s
most
amazing
Baroque
masterpieces.
No
matter
how
you
choose
to
spend
the
day,
be
sure
to
stop
for
a
coffee
and
the
amazing
pastry
known
as
Pasticciotto
Leccese
(filled
with
yummy
custard
cream).
Take
in
all
that
Lecce
has
to
offer
on
this,
the
last
day
of
your
Pugliese
cycling
holiday!
Day
10
You
will
depart
for
your
flight
home
or
next
destination.
Your
hotel
is
within
walking
distance
of
the
Lecce
train
station,
where
there
are
frequent
trains
that
will
lead
to
all
points
in
Italy.
The
Southern
Visions
team
can
also
shuttle
you
back
to
Monopoli
(upon
request)
or
help
you
extend
your
stay
in
the
Puglia
area.
We
are
sure
that
your
time
in
this
region
will
have
changed
your
life
for
the
better,
as
it
has
all
of
ours!
WHAT
YOU
GET!!!
• An
outstanding
adventure
travel
experience
• Peace
of
mind
that
you
are
with
the
most
professional
cycling
company
in
Puglia
• 9
nights
lodging
at
3-­‐
and
4-­‐star
hotels
and
Bed
&
Breakfast-­‐style
establishments
• 9
breakfasts
• All
luggage
transfers
• Use
of
the
finest
and
best-­‐maintained
bikes
in
Southern
Italy
• Welcome
drink
and
snack
• Thorough
briefing
and
bike
fitting
• Exceptional,
detailed
maps
and
route
notes
• Local
city
maps
and
dining
suggestions
$2299
per
person
based
on
double
occupancy
$900
single
supplement
Services
available
at
additional
cost
• Optional
shuttles
from/to
Bari
or
Brindisi
airport
or
train
station
• Room
upgrades
• Rental
of
prepaid
local
cellular
phone

5. • Cooking
classes
• Alberobello
walking
tour
and
tasting
with
native
guide
• Mozzarella
making
demonstration
and
tasting
with
local
cheese
artisan
Arrival
and
Departure
Logistics
After
reviewing
the
following
information,
please
inform
us
of
your
arrival
and
departure
plans.
Please
be
sure
to
note
these
important
contact
numbers,
in
case
you
need
assistance
before,
during,
or
after
your
trip
–
Puglia:
+39
340
264
4128
or
+39
392
185
7704;
USA
+1
800
737
5760.
Flight
arrangements
We
recommend
flying
into
Milan
or
Rome.
You
can
catch
a
flight
to
Bari
(airport
code:
BRI)
or
Brindisi
(airport
code:
BDS)
from
either
city.
Or,
if
you
prefer
to
see
the
countryside
and
perhaps
enjoy
a
pre-­‐
tour
stay
in
another
Italian
destination,
you
can
make
your
way
to
Puglia
by
train.
The
trip
from
Rome
takes
about
5
hours;
from
Florence,
it’s
about
7
½
hours;
from
Milan,
expect
approximately
8
½
hours
of
travel.
Transportation
between
the
Bari
airport
and
train
station
A
taxi
ride
between
the
airport
and
train
station
takes
25-­‐30
minutes
and
costs
around
€20.
An
Autolinee
Tempesta
bus
takes
approximately
30
minutes
and
costs
€4.15.
Booking
Italian
train
travel
You
can
purchase
Italian
rail
tickets
from
any
train
station
in
Italy.
Many
stations
are
equipped
with
automatic
ticket
machines,
from
which
you
can
purchase
tickets
and
reservation
coupons
for
travel
throughout
Italy
and
for
principal
cross-­‐border
routes.
The
machines
accept
cash,
credit
card,
or
ATM
card
with
PIN.
There
are
sometimes
unpredicted
system
outages
in
the
smaller
stations,
so
we
recommend
booking
your
entire
journey
in
advance
of
your
trip
(see
below)
or
at
a
major
train
station
at
the
start
of
your
trip.
For
more
information
on
train
travel
in
Italy,
visit
www.trenitalia.com.
There
you
can
purchase
tickets
and
make
seat
reservations
with
your
credit
card.
There
is
also
a
great
website
called
www.raileurope.com
where
you
can
purchase
individual
rail
tickets
as
well
as
rail
passes.
Another
option
is
to
purchase
tickets
and
make
reservations
through
your
own
travel
agent.
If
you
travel
on
one
of
Italy’s
faster
trains,
such
as
Eurocity,
Intercity,
or
Eurostar,
you’ll
be
charged
a
supplemental
fare
in
addition
to
the
regular
ticket
price.
If
you
travel
on
one
of
these
trains
without
a
supplemented
ticket,
you’ll
be
fined.
Don’t
panic,
though;
it
is
almost
impossible
not
to
get
the
proper
ticket
nowadays,
especially
if
you
buy
online
or
from
a
machine,
where
the
supplement
is
automatically
included
in
the
cost.
Intercity
and
Eurostar
trains
require
a
seat
reservation.
Reserving
a
seat
is
not
mandatory
on
other
trains;
however,
you
may
want
to
pay
the
extra
charge
for
a
guaranteed
seat,
especially
if
you
travel
during
a
peak
period
or
local
holiday.
Otherwise,
you
risk
having
to
stand
for
a
part
or
all
of
your
trip.

6. On
Italy’s
slower
trains
(Rapido,
Espresso,
Regionale,
Inter
Regionale,
and
Locale),
reservations
and
supplemental
tickets
are
not
necessary.
Boarding
the
train
The
platform
number
will
be
listed
at
least
10
minutes
prior
to
departure
on
the
small
TV
screens
and
larger
schedule
boards
in
the
main
station
area.
If
you
are
traveling
without
a
seat
reservation,
you
will
need
to
validate
your
“open”
ticket
by
stamping
it
at
one
of
the
small
yellow
machines
located
on
each
train
platform
(the
machine
stamps
the
date
and
time
on
the
open
ticket
to
prevent
multiple
uses).
If
you
forget
to
stamp
your
ticket
before
boarding,
tell
the
on-­‐board
inspector
immediately
to
avoid
a
supplementary
fee.
WHERE
TO
STAY
BEFORE
&
AFTER
YOUR
TOUR
BARI
PALACE
HOTEL
HOTEL
ADRIA
Via
Francesco
Lombardi
13
Via
Zuppetta
10
70122
Bari
70121
Bari
Tel
+39
080
521
6551
Tel
+39
080
524
6699
www.palacehotelbari.it/eng/index.html
www.adriahotelbari.com/english/hotel.php
GRAND
HOTEL
LEON
D’ORO
HOTEL
BOSTON
Piazza
Aldo
Moro
4
Via
Piccinni
155
70122
Bari
70122
Bari
Tel
+39
080
523
5040
Tel
+39
080
521
6633
www.grandhotelleondoro.it/e_index.php
www.bostonbari.it/index.php?&lang=en
HOTEL
VILLA
ROMANAZZI
Via
Giuseppe
Capruzzi
326
70124
Bari
Tel
+39
080
542
7400
www.villaromanazzi.com
MATERA
LA
CASA
DI
LUCIO
HOTEL
RIDOLA
Via
San
Pietro
Caveoso
66
Via
Morelli
13
75100
Matera
75100
Matera
Tel
+39
083
531
2798
Tel
+39
083
531
8811
www.lacasadilucio.it/en/
www.hotelridolamatera.it/index.php?lang=en
HOTEL
SANT’ANGELO
ALBERGO
DEL
SEDILE
Piazza
San
Pietro
Caveoso
Recinto
Sedile
4
(Piazza
del
Sedile)
75100
Matera
75100
Matera
Tel
+39
083
531
4010
Tel
+39
083
533
3436
www.hotelsantangelosassi.it/en/
www.albergodelsedile.it

7. LOCANDA
DI
SAN
MARTINO
HOTEL
IN
PIETRA
Via
Fiorentini
71
Via
San
Giovanni
Vecchio
22
75100
Matera
75100
Matera
Tel
+39
083
525
6600
Tel
+39
083
534
4040
www.locandadisanmartino.it/en/hotel/
www.hotelinpietra.it/page/home_e.php
ALBERGO
ITALIA
Via
Ridola
5
75100
Matera
Tel
+39
083
533
3561
www.albergoitalia.com/eng/
LECCE
HOTEL
PATRIA
PALACE
GRAND
HOTEL
TIZIANO
Piazzetta
Riccardi
Viale
Porto
d'Europa
73100
Lecce
73100
Lecce
Tel
+39
083
224
5111
Tel
+39
083
227
2111
www.patriapalacelecce.com/eng/index.htm
www.grandhoteltiziano.it/index_en.asp
HOTEL
DELLE
PALME
B&B
PALAZZO
ROLLO
Via
Leuca
90
Via
Vittorio
Emanuele
II
14
73100
Lecce
73100
Lecce
Tel
+39
083
234
7171
Tel
+39
083
230
7152
www.hoteldellepalmelecce.it
www.palazzorollo.it/palazzorollo/