PUGLIA, ITALY Sample 6-Day Cycling Tour

Transcription

1 PUGLIA, ITALY Sample 6-Day Cycling Tour

2 TOUR SUMMARY PUGLIA, ITALY Italy s Sundrenched Heel TOUR LENGTH 6 Days / 5 Nights In the heel of Italy, Puglia is undiscovered and untouched relative to the rest of the country. The people are warm and authentic with life here fitting around slow, pastoral rhythms unique to Italy s deep south. The whitewashed villages and emerald waters of the Adriatic are reminiscent of Greece. Indeed, the Greeks, Romans, Venetians, Turks and Spanish have all left their marks on the region s architecture, the culture and the cuisine. A network of quiet country lanes and gentle terrain make this a great destination for beginner and intermediate riders. SERVICE HIGHLIGHTS Private transfer from your hotel with full route briefing and bike fitting at the start of your ride Accommodation and breakfasts On-call roadside assistance and guide available via phone Optional transfers along the routes GPS units, maps, directions and a comprehensive guidebook Expert guides delivering superior service Challenge* Epic * There is limited riding for Challenge riders - typically combining two rides. START & END Bari BEST TIMES TO VISIT April to October NOTE: August can be quite warm OPTIONAL EXTRAS Alternative start/end location at Bari Airport Cooking classes Customize your route DAY-BY-DAY FLOW Day 1 Bari to Alberobello Day 2 Alberobello Loops Day 3 Alberobello to Ostuni Day 4 Ostuni Loops Day 5 Ostuni to Monopoli Day 6 Monopoli to Bari BIKES AVAILABLE Hybrid Road ebike Premium Road See Bike Choices page for bike rental rates 2

3 ABOUT US WHY LIFECYCLE ADVENTURES OUR SELF-GUIDED TOURS At the start of your tour, your guide transfers you from your hotel, does your bike fitting, and gives you a full route briefing. They then take care of all the behind-the-scenes logistics while you guide yourself along the routes; riding at your own pace and choosing the ridelevel that best suits you. Our support vans are nearby should you need extra support. Your detailed guidebook tells you about the towns you will visit, sights along your route, and suggests places to eat and we are happy to help with reservations. This support and insight helps make our self-guided tours some of the most personalized and wellsupported in the industry. Feature LifeCycle Adventures Typical Group Tours Dates & Duration Fully flexible Fixed Accommodation A range Set Group Size Just your group 12 to 24+ Routes Up to four levels Some choice Ride Briefings Ride Support Lunches & Dinners Day 1 in person Daily by phone Van on call Not included (Help with reservations) Daily in person Van(s) trailing and guide on bike Some included (No choice) OUR COMPANY For 14 years, our unique blend of custom itineraries and personal service has been creating perfect cycling vacations for those who want to explore on their own terms. From the moment you contact us until the end of your trip, you will find us responsive, attentive and totally focused on ensuring you have the perfect cycling vacation. Our expert guides live in the areas in which they operate. They have the passion and dedication to deliver superior service and exceptional insight. As a company, we donate 10% of our profits to bicycling advocacy and other community causes. 3

4 DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY DAY 1 Bari to Alberobello The ride starts with a van transfer to Castellana Grotte; a town famous for its spectacular limestone caves. Your route starts out over rolling farmland with vibrant green fields in spring and golden wheat fields in the summer. The network of tiny byways, bordered with drystone walls, makes this ideal cycling territory for those who like to explore at a gentle pace. With a mid-morning start you will easily reach Noci for lunch. Noci is an attractive and relatively undiscovered town. The small, historical center is a maze of winding cobbled streets and small courtyards. Noci is also famous for its mozzarella and there are several good cheese shops in the town. From Noci, it is back onto the small lanes for a gentle ride on to your overnight destination of Alberobello. The ride starts in Noci and then follows the intermediate route described above. The Challenge starts at the coast in Polignano a Mare. This adds 10 miles and some extra climbing. Nothing quite prepares you for the bizarre wonder of the Zona di Trull in Alberobello 10 miles 500 feet of climbing 20 miles 1,000 feet of climbing Challenge 40 miles 1,950 feet of climbing OVERNIGHT TOWN Alberobello The Zona di Trulli is a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the heart of this pretty provincial town. The zone is a dense mass of hundreds of beehive-shaped cottages built from flat stones without mortar. This is an exceptional example of a building technique that has survived from prehistoric times. DAY 2 Alberobello Loops You could spend several contented days in and around Alberobello and its UNESCO World Heritage Site. The surrounding countryside is also full of fascinating villages and sites. There are two good intermediate rides. The first ride heads to the spectacular towns of Locorotondo and Martina Franca. Locorotondo is a sparkling white city on a hill. The old town is bedecked with blood-red geraniums set against the whitewashed walls. Martina Franca makes a great lunch stop it is famous for its local cuisine and has impressive Baroque architecture. The ride follows the above route but loops back from Locorotondo. The second ride heads east to Savelletri on the coast. This charming fishing hamlet has a couple of great seafood restaurants clustered around the small harbor. The coast here is spectacular with rocky cliffs and small coves. The Challenge ride combines the two intermediate routes. Locorotondo is a sparkling hilltop city bedecked with red geraniums set against whitewashed walls 15 miles 600 feet of climbing 20 miles / 950 feet of climbing 35 miles / 2,300 feet of climbing Challenge 55 miles 3,250 feet of climbing OVERNIGHT TOWN Alberobello The Zona di Trulli is a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the heart of this pretty provincial town. The zone is a dense mass of hundreds of beehive-shaped cottages built from flat stones without mortar. This is an exceptional example of a building technique that has survived from prehistoric times. 4

5 DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY DAY 3 Alberobello to Ostuni Today you leave the fanciful world of Trulli and head to the gleaming white city of Ostuni. The route meanders past centuriesold olive trees to the slow-paced city of Cisternino designated borghi più belli (one of Italy s most beautiful towns). The town is also famous for its fornello pronti meat grilled by butchers that you eat at a table right in their store. Very tasty and perfect for a picnic lunch. After lunch you enjoy an easy ten-mile ride to Ostuni across craggy limestone terrain with expansive views down to the Adriatic. For many, the arid, Mediterranean terrain and whitewashed villages are as reminiscent of Greece as they are of Italy. riders will take a van transfer to start their ride in Cisternino. Challenge riders will add on a loop ride down to Ceglie Messapica after arriving in Ostuni. In Cisternino eat fornello pronti meat grilled by butchers that you eat at a table in their store 10 miles 650 feet of climbing 25 miles 1,000 feet of climbing Challenge 45 miles 2,100 feet of climbing OVERNIGHT TOWN Ostun Ostuni is one of the most stunning cities in southern Italy. The city gleams on its hilltop as you approach it. Inside, the streets crisscross on multiple levels all linked together by staircases and cobbled alleyways. At every other turn, there are spectacular views down to the sparkling Adriatic. DAY 4 5 Ostuni Loops Ostuni has enough to entertain for several days and the old section of the city rewards those who wander without purpose. There are also several good bike rides into the hinterland. The first ride is to the Torre Guaceto nature reserve: one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in Puglia with sandy bays and clear water. The nearby town of Torre Santa Sabina has a couple of good seafood restaurants overlooking the small harbor. The route is via a network of bike paths that pass olive trees that are thought to be over two thousand years old. The ride follows this route but turns around at the walled city of Carovigno before the coast. The second ride is inland to Ceglie Messapica. The city dates back to Messapian times (500 BCE) but most of the visible buildings are merely 14th century. The sleepy city is a fine lunch stop with pleasant piazzas, Baroque balconies and a medieval castle. Ceglie Messapica is also something of a gastronomic capital in the region with a surprising number of excellent restaurants. The Challenge ride combines the coastal and the inland routes. Torre Guaceto is one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in Puglia with sandy bays and clear water 15 miles 660 feet of climbing 30 miles / 1,200 feet of climbing 20 miles / 1,100 feet of climbing Challenge 50 miles 2,300 feet of climbing OVERNIGHT TOWN Ostun Ostuni is one of the most stunning cities in southern Italy. The city gleams on its hilltop as you approach it. Inside, the streets crisscross on multiple levels all linked together by staircases and cobbled alleyways. At every other turn, there are spectacular views down to the sparkling Adriatic.

6 DAY-BY-DAY ITINERARY DAY 5 Ostuni to Monopoli Today you head up the Adriatic coast to the ancient port-city of Monopoli. The ride starts with a gentle 10- mile descent to the Dune Costiere National Park: an unspoiled stretch of sand dunes and beaches. From here, you ride up the coast alongside a series of small sandy beaches and rocky coves. In several places you are riding just yards from the emerald waters of the Adriatic. You pass through small fishing villages with great seafood restaurants: notably Savelletri and Capitolo. Shortly before Monopoli, you reach the Greco-Roman ruins of Egnazia perhaps the most important archaeological site in Puglia. riders will take a van transfer to Torre Canne on the coast and join the ride there. Challenge riders will do a loop ride via Conversano and Polignano after arriving in Monopoli. Ride past small sandy beaches and rocky coves - just yards from the emerald waters of the Adriatic 10 miles 310 feet of climbing 25 miles 350 feet of climbing Challenge 50 miles 1,200 feet of climbing OVERNIGHT TOWN Monopoli Monopoli is a charming walled port city. The old town is a maze of alleyways and there is an interesting cathedral which dates back to the 12th century. DAY 6 Monopoli to Bari - Last Day There are a couple of choices today depending on how much time you have. Either have a relaxing day in town or ride north up the coast to Polignano. Today s ride takes you north up the coast to Polignano a Mare via the inland town of Conversano. Conversano is off the beaten track which is part of its charm along with rambling alleyway and sunbaked piazzas a perfect place for a late-morning cappuccino. From Conversano you descend to Polignano on the coast. Polignano is a small port with a whitewashed medieval center perched precipitously on the edge of limestone cliffs. There are several good restaurants on the edge of these cliffs overlooking the sea. This is a great place to enjoy lunch before being met by your guide for the transfer back to Bari. The ride heads directly up the coast to Polignano. Alternatively, enjoy a relaxed morning in Monopoli exploring the narrow streets and small harbor before being met back at your hotel by your guide for your transfer back to Bari. Polignano is a medieval city perched precipitously on limestone cliffs overlooking the Adriatic 5 miles 200 feet of climbing 25 miles 960 feet of climbing OVERNIGHT TOWN None As this is the last day of your tour, there is no overnight accommodation unless explicitly requested on booking. 6

7 ACCOMMODATION LUXURY Alberobello: Le Alcove In the heart of the old town, this is a charming luxury resort set among the trulli of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Each room is unique and many of them are in the beautifully-renovated 16th century building. Breakfast is served in a tranquil courtyard. A peaceful retreat yet walking distance to all the main sites and restaurants. Ostuni: Relais La Sommità This exclusive refuge is discreetly hidden away in the highest part of Ostuni. The hotel comprises 15 suites and rooms which ooze discreet luxury. The property s terraces have outstanding views across ancient olive groves down to the sparkling waters of the Adriatic. Their restaurant, Cielo, is the only one in Ostuni with a Michelin Star. Monopoli: Don Ferrante Dimore di Charme This small, luxury hotel with modern facilities is located in a refurbished 16th-century castle overlooking the Adriatic. The comfortable rooms have vaulted ceilings and limestone floors. A terrace overlooks the sea and an outdoor pool. The property is in the heart of the old town so all the sites and restaurants are easy to walk to. ACCOMMODATION NOTES Properties in our Luxury category are some of the nicest full-service hotels in the area. They typically include spa facilities and a good restaurant. See page 2 for prices. Mix & Match You can choose accommodation in different categories in different towns. Please ask for prices. Tips & Notes The Don Ferrante hotel provides a free shuttle to Lido Sabbiadoro: a private beach 7 KM south of Monopoli. There is a charge at the beach of 40/couple. 7

8 ACCOMMODATION CLASSIC Alberobello: Tipico Resort in Trulli The guestrooms of this resort are in trulli buildings scattered around the center of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Tastefully converted, rooms are several trulli connected via large open arches. Furnishings are simple but tasteful, walls are exposed stone or whitewashed. Many rooms have separate sitting areas. Ostuni: Hotel Monte Sarago A newly built hotel located just outside of the historic old town on a ridge. The rooms are clean, bright and spacious. The hotel also has a pool along with a terrace with fantastic views of the old town. The hotel is a one-kilometer walk from the center of the old town. Monopoli: Palazzo Indelli This chic, newly refurbished hotel is housed in a converted palace at the corner of a bustling piazza in the heart of the city. Rooms are tastefully decorated with polished wood floors and high ceilings. Rooms at the front of the hotel have balconies overlooking the square great for atmosphere but can be noisy. ACCOMMODATION NOTES Properties in the Classic category are typically smaller hotels or luxurious B&Bs with very personal service sometimes including wine tasting or evening hors d oeuvres. See page 2 for prices. Mix & Match You can choose accommodation in different categories in different towns. Please ask for prices. Tips & Notes The Palazzo Indelli hotel can sometimes impose a 3-night minimum in high-summer that requires guests to choose a hotel in another category. 8

9 ACCOMMODATION BUDGET Alberobello: Hotel Silva An unpretentious, family-run hotel towards the edge of this small town. The owners are very friendly and helpful and well-informed about the area. This is not a luxurious hotel but clean, simple and modern. Similarly, breakfast is nice but basic. It is a 10-minute walk to the center of town. Ostuni: i 7 Archi Guest House A series of small apartments clustered into the old town. The rooms are basic, clean and characterful but by no means luxurious. Some have their own terraces, and many have views over the rooftops. You are located right in the heart of the old city. The owners are friendly, welcoming and well informed. They also deliver breakfast right to your door. Monopoli: Casa Cimino This family-run B&B is in an old fisherman s house in the center of the old town close to all the main restaurants and sites. Rooms are clean and simple with tiled floors and private bathrooms. The property has a shaded roof terrace with views across rooftops to the Adriatic a perfect place to relax, read or just soak in the atmosphere. ACCOMMODATION NOTES Properties in our Budget category are typically simpler B&Bs and more modest inns or hotels. However, all the properties are well-kept with en suite facilities. See page 2 for prices. Mix & Match You can choose accommodation in different categories in different towns. Please ask for prices. Tips & Notes 9

10 BIKES BIKE CHOICES HYBRID BIKE Hybrids bikes are a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike. They have a relaxed riding position and are great for beginners and intermediate riders. A typical model is the Trek 7.3 FX with Shimano components and high-pressure road tires for better cycling efficiency than your typical hybrid. ROAD BIKE Our road bikes are a racing style bike with drop handlebars. The road bikes are faster bikes than the hybrids with less upright riding position. A typical model is the Émonda ALR 5 with aluminum frame, carbon forks, and Shimano 105 components. (NOTE: Some of the smaller roads in Puglia can be a little rough making a hybrid bikes a better choice for some riders.) ebike Our ebikes are designed to give you a little extra assistance when climbing hills. The ride position is very similar to our hybrids. We typically rent Scott E-Sub equipped with a 250W E-drive Bosch motor. If one rider in a couple is stronger than the other, an ebike can be a great choice for the less-strong rider. YOUR BIKE If you have a favorite bike, we can help you get it to your destination as well as set it up once it is there. Please ask about options for bike shipping and assembly. BIKE RENTAL RATES Bike Per Day Per Week Hybrid $30 $180 Road $45 $270 ebike $55 $330 OPTIONAL EXTRAS Receiving & Assembly $100 per bike charge to receive bike from shipper, assemble the bike and repack it and deliver it to a shipper at the end of the tour. Bike Boxes $100 a per box charge for the extra logistics needed to handle bike boxes during a tour. Note: this fee can be avoided if you leave your box with your start/end hotel. Tandem Bike $100 a per bike fee for the extra logistics to handle a tandem bike that is brought by a guest. 10

11 INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS SERVICES & OPTIONS THE TRIP PRICE INCLUDES: GPS units, cycling maps, directions and a custom guidebook; one set per couple. Private transfer from downtown Bari. Detailed map briefing and bike fitting at the start of your tour. Accommodation for each night of your tour with breakfast the following morning (unless breakfast is explicitly excluded in the accommodation description earlier). Prices quoted are per person but assume there are two people sharing a room. Please ask about single supplements. We book standard rooms unless an upgrade is requested and then extra charges may apply. Accommodation is subject to availability at the time of booking. Guide available via phone 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. On-call roadside assistance 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM for mechanical issues. Luggage transported between lodgings and wine collection service. Transfers along all or part of the route to coincide with luggage moves to be arranged at least 24 hours in advance. NOTES: THE TRIP PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE: Lunches and dinners. Our guidebooks are full of great recommendations and we are pleased to help with reservations. An on-bike guide. Activities such as wine tours, cooking classes, and spa treatments. We are pleased to make reservations on your behalf. Transfers to wineries or sites to which it is not practical to ride. We are pleased to arrange for such transfers for a fee. OPTIONAL EXTRAS: Transfers from Bari Airport Typically, we collect guests from their hotel in downtown Bari. There is a $100 charge per couple, per transfer for pick-ups or drop-offs at Bari Airport. Cooking Classes The best overnight town for a cooking class is Ostuni. Courses start from $100 per person. Please ask for more details. Wine Tours Please ask for details if you are interested in arranging any personal wine tours. Route Customization If you would prefer alternative routing staying in different overnight towns or with more or fewer loop days we would be pleased to customize this itinerary. 11

12 THE AREA ABOUT PUGLIA WHERE TO STAY BEFORE THE TRIP Guests typically stay in Bari before and/or after their trip. We have had good feedback for the following hotels and B&Bs: Bari Hotels Grande Albergo delle Nazioni Palace Hotel Hotel Oriente CLIMATE The Southern-Mediterranean climate means that it is possible to ride in Puglia throughout the year. However, the best months to visit are April through mid-july and September through to the end of October, when the temperatures are pleasantly warm and the risk of rainfall lower. For some, August is a little too warm though there is usually a cooling sea breeze. Early spring and late fall are also great times to ride as there are few other tourists but you do need to be prepared for some rain. Winter temperatures are similar to those in San Francisco. The charts to the right show the monthly average temperatures (in Fahrenheit) and rainfall (in inches) for Ostuni. ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE INFORMATION Bari has a medium-sized airport with flights to many European cities including Amsterdam, Frankfurt, London, Paris, and Rome. There are no direct flights from the U.S. If we are not collecting you at the airport, the easiest way to get into Bari from the airport is by taxi. Bari also has a railway station (Bari Centrale) with direct services to and from Rome. The fast trains (Frecciargento) take about four hours.. 12

13 THE FINE PRINT TERMS & CONDITIONS PAYMENT A payment of 10% of the total price is required to secure a reservation. Payment of the balance is due 60 days prior to the start of the trip. BOOKING FORM Once your deposit is paid, we will send you a booking form requesting details such as bike rental requirements, dietary restrictions, and an emergency contact. The booking form includes a Cycle Tour Accident Waiver and Release of Liability. A copy of this form can be found at Guests who fail to provide a signed waiver prior to the start of a trip will not be allowed to take part in the trip and the cancellation policy will apply. CANCELLATION POLICY We give a full refund less a $150 administration fee for any trip canceled over 90 days before the start of the trip. After this date, refunds are made according to the following schedule: From 61 to 90 days: 90% of the full trip price is refunded unless you choose to rebook a trip with a start date within 18 months of the original start date in which case your current payments will be applied to the new trip less an administration fee of $150. From 15 to 60 days of the start of the trip your choice of EITHER a 50% refund or 75% of the trip price applied towards a future trip with LifeCycle Adventures. The latter option only applies when the canceled trip has been paid for in full. Within 15 days of travel: sorry, no refund. We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance to cover you in the event of having to cancel your trip. Unless other arrangements are mutually agreed upon, the failure of a participant to be present at the start of the trip at the time and location agreed in the booking process will be treated as a cancellation and the cancellation policy will apply. Leaving your trip early for any reason will be treated as a cancellation and no refund will be given. TRAVEL INSURANCE In signing the Cycle Tour Accident Waiver and Release of Liability form you certify that you either have insurance to cover you in the event of needing medical treatment and to cover any losses associated with participation in the trip or you are prepared to cover these costs yourself. We recommend checking with your current insurance providers to understand your coverage. Should you choose to purchase travel insurance, the following sites aim to compare travel insurance policies and might be helpful: and ITINERARY CHANGES We reserve the right to make route, accommodation, date, and bike model changes as caused by circumstances beyond our control or unforeseen circumstances. If such changes become necessary, we will make like-for-like substitutions to ensure quality is maintained. In the event that we cancel a trip for any reason other than Force Majeure, you will be given a full refund that will constitute full settlement. We will not reimburse you for any personal expenses such as airline tickets, hotels or other travel expenses. We shall not be liable for any refunds or compensation in the event we cancel your booking due to reasons of Force Majeure. Examples of Force Majeure include Acts of God (including fire, flood, earthquake, storm, hurricane or other natural disaster), epidemics, health risks and pandemics, government orders or actions, civil disturbances, war or threat of war, acts of foreign enemies, or terrorist activities. 13