Self-Guided Bicycle Tours in Italy: By Bicycle in Puglia - The Best of Southern Italy Tour Itinerary

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Day 1: Arrive in Monopoli and test ride to ruins of Egnazia

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Highlights: Byzantine and Norman towns; Castle of Charles V; Egnazia Roman ruins
Arrive in Monopoli this afternoon at our Masseria, a typical Apulian farm with lodging just outside town. Your host meets you to fit your bikes and to discuss your tour. They'll suggest an orientation ride along the Adriatic coast to Egnazia, with some of the best Roman ruins in the region. Enjoy Monopoli with its charming mix of Norman, Venetian-Byzantine and Arabic architecture. Daily mileage: optional 30 km (19 miles).

Day 2: Cycle to Conversano

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Highlights: Highlights: Charming coastal town of Polignano, including dry gorges and beaches (the Lama, Grotta Palazzese and Rondinelle); the town of Conversano
Before you leave Monopoli be sure to visit the main food market with its fresh fish, fruit and vegetables. You bike north-west following the coast towards Polignano this morning, a small and vibrant fishing village surrounded by clear blue waters. This is a good stop for lunch or for ice cream. The small little hamlet of San Vito is another great stop along the sea with plenty of great picture opportunities. Your destination tonight is inland in the small town of Conversano, where you'll enjoy your resort hotel. We'll provide a list of several restaurants in town. Daily mileage: 29 km (18 miles)

Day 3: Ride to Alberobello the city of trulli

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Highlights: Small villages, beautiful riding, and a final view on the trulli (limestone conical house)
This morning you bicycle to beautiful Alberobello and its unique trulli. Trulli are cone-shaped dwellings made of dry limestone, traditionally stacked without mortar. Trulli are the most widely recognized symbol of Puglia and are unique to a small area around Alberobello. This ride is one of the most spectacular of the trip. You pedal through small villages, past fairy-tale landscapes with finely trimmed vineyards and conical trulli. Stop anywhere in this enchanting landscape for a picnic. Your destination is Alberobello, the heart of the trulli region! Daily mileage: 38 km (24 miles)

Day 4: Loop ride around Alberobello to Locorotondo

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Highlights: Locorotondo (wine town), Trulli landscape, Medieval town of Martina Franca
Sleep in today or get up early for a long ride as you'll be back in your same lodging tonight. Our routes follow winding roads among almond and olive trees. Your first stop is the village of Locorotondo perched as if a natural balcony overlooking the Itria Valley with its trulli and carefully kept vineyards. Locorotondo is like a typical town in the Greek Islands with its whitewashed houses, cul-de-sacs and small squares. Your next stop is the rich, 16th century baroque town of Martina Franca, also overlooking the Itria Valley. We suggest lunch in Martina Franca. If you would like to add kilometers to your ride, head off to Grottaglie (a great descent going down but be prepared to pedal back up!) You are back in Alberobello tonight. Daily mileage: 48 km (30 miles)

Day 5: From Alberobello to Pezze di Greco

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Highlights: Stone lined country roads, olive oil tasting and olive grove stroll, eat and sleep in a traditional farmhouse
Country lanes lined by weathered stone walls take you off the Murgia plateau you've been on for three days. Coast downhill while enjoying the breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside. 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 colored fields of fresh tomatoes and peppers. Your destination is a Masseria which still harvests olives and produces its own olive oil. Enjoy a walk through centuries old olive groves. Daily mileage: 43 km (27 miles)

Day 6: Final loop ride to Ostuni

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Highlights: Cisternino and Ostuni the "white town"
If it's not too early or late in the season relax and enjoy the pool this day if you are not up for a loop ride! Today's ride takes you back to the Murgia on a slow ascent before taking you into the village of Cisternino. This is a good lunch spot as you can stroll along the promenade with superb views of the valley and glimpses of the Adriatic coast. Your route from here continues along a beautiful ridge road to Ostuni, an impressive "white city" spanning three hilltops. Take a stroll in the center to admire the cobblestone streets and picture-perfect whitewashed houses before heading back to your hotel. Daily mileage: 66 km (41 miles).

Day 7: Tour ends in Pezze di Greco

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Highlights: Continue traveling or return home
Your bike tour of Puglia finishes today; you can take atrain to Bari or Lecce to continue your exploring. If you can't get enough of the biking, see our longer version of this tour, which spends another night in Ostuni and then heads south to finish in Lecce.