Italy Coast to Coast by E-bike: Puglia to Amalfi Coast
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on an unforgettable 8-day journey through Italy's enchanting southern regions. This multi-day tour offers a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, taking you from the historic coastal city of Monopoli to the breathtaking Amalfi Coast. Cycle through ancient olive groves, explore UNESCO-listed towns, and marvel at the architectural wonders of Alberobello and Ostuni. Discover the fascinating city of Matera, the picturesque village of Castelmezzano, and the stunning landscapes of the Basilicata Apennines. Visit the largest monastery in Italy in Padula, and unwind in the serene surroundings of Cilento National Park. Finally, immerse yourself in the captivating allure of the Amalfi Coast, ending your journey in the vibrant resort town of Sorrento.
Included
All breakfasts and four dinners are included.
A typical hotel breakfast consists of toast/bread with jam or honey, cereal, cheese and ham, served with coffee, tea, milk, orange juice, fruit, cake and yoghurt. Lunches are normally arranged as picnics or taken in small cafes along the route. Four dinners are included on this trip and they normally consist of a three-course menu with a choice of regional specialities. Vegetarians and people with special dietary requirements can be catered for but please inform us prior to travel.
Transfers to and from the airport will be by private vehicle (normally minibus). On Day 7, we take a train from Paestum to Salerno. While cycling, the vehicle will carry your baggage and be on hand with assistance or if you choose to sit out a section of the ride. A guide cycles with the group.
We spend six nights in different three- and four-star hotels and one night in a traditional agriturismo – a beautifully converted farmhouse in Cilento National Park. The hotels have been chosen for their warm hospitality and their typical Italian character. Some have a swimming pool or beach nearby, which will be greatly appreciated in summer. Most of the hotels have restaurants serving typical regional cuisine and delicious local produce.
List of hotels normally used:
Monopoli: Palazzo Indelli
Matera: Hotel Italia
Castelmezzano: Becco Della Civetta
Padula: Grand Hotel Certosa
Bellosguardo: Agriturismo Villa Vea
Paestum: Hotel Villa Rita
Sorrento: Hotel Ulisse or Hotel Crisitina
The group will generally be between six and 16 people. There will be a local cycling leader and an assistant leader driving the support vehicle.
Stroll through the Unesco-listed Sassi district of Matera, home to ancient cave dwellings
Visit the well-preserved Greek temples of Paestum
Stay in mountainside Castelmezzano, one of the prettiest villages in Italy
Cycle the Amalfi Coast, one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Monopoli - Alberobello - Ostuni
- Monopoli
- Alberobello
- Ostuni - Arrival day
- More
Begin your journey in the historic coastal city of Monopoli. Depending on your arrival time, take a leisurely walk through the city's quaint alleys and along the Adriatic shore. We recommend arriving a day or two early to explore the regional highlights, including the UNESCO-listed town of Alberobello, known for its traditional stone huts with conical roofs, and Ostuni, the 'White City' famed for its whitewashed old town.
Day 2 – Day 2: Monopoli - Matera
- Matera
- More
Today, we cycle from the coast into the heart of southern Italy, heading for Matera, one of the region's most captivating cities. Traverse through fennel fields and ancient olive groves, stopping at several Apulian villages along the way. As we enter the Basilicata region, we follow the historic Appian Way, arriving in Matera in the afternoon. Explore the UNESCO-listed Sassi district, home to ancient cave dwellings, and unwind with an aperitivo in one of the city's charming squares.
Day 3 – Day 3: Matera - Castelmezzano
- Murgecchia
- More
Prepare for our longest ride today, but the destination is well worth the effort. We start with a downhill ride towards the Lake of St Giuliano, passing through several historic villages, including Tricarico. The highlight of the day is the steep climb to Castelmezzano, a stunning village nestled on a sandstone mountain. Rated as one of Italy's prettiest villages, Castelmezzano offers breathtaking mountain views, making it a perfect reward for our long ride. Explore the village and the Norman steps before enjoying dinner at the hotel.
Day 4 – Day 4: Castelmezzano - Padula
Day 4: Castelmezzano - Padula
Today, we venture west into the Campania region, crossing the National Park of the Basilicata Apennines, a wilderness area boasting stunning mountain scenery and historic villages. After a challenging climb, we reach the ridge between Basilicata and Campania, descending into the Vallo di Diano, a fertile high plain dotted with beautiful medieval towns. We end the day in Padula, a charming village where we will spend the night.
Day 5 – Day 5: Padula - Cilento National Park
- Trentinara
- More
- Path of the Seven Stones
- More
Today's ride is shorter, allowing us time for sightseeing. We start with a visit to the Padula Charterhouse, Italy's largest monastery and a UNESCO World Heritage site. We then cycle into the heart of Cilento National Park, following a route that takes us through the Vallo di Diano and up the Sentinella pass. We settle into our homely agriturismo in the park, where we enjoy a lunch of local specialties prepared with organic produce.
Day 6 – Day 6: Cilento National Park - Paestum
- Paestum
- More
- Archaeological Park of Paestum
- More
Today, we cycle in the shadow of the Alburni Mountains, making our way to the Tyrrhenian Sea. By early afternoon, we arrive at the well-preserved Greek temples of Paestum. Our hotel is nearby, so there's ample time to explore this impressive archaeological site or relax by the pool. The sea is just a short bike ride away, offering the chance for a refreshing swim in the late afternoon.
Day 7 – Day 7: Paestum - Sorrento
- Salerno
- Amalfi
- Sorrento
- Cetara
- Positano
- Naples
- More
We start the day with a train ride to Salerno, where we begin our final cycle along the stunning Amalfi Coast. After a short climb to Vietri, we follow the coastal route to Cetara and continue uphill to the dramatic viewpoint of Capo d'Orso. We then head towards Amalfi for a short stop before riding past Positano and crossing the ridge to Sorrento. Here, we celebrate our accomplishment with a dip in the Bay of Naples and a leisurely stroll in the historic centre.
Day 8 – Day 8: Sorrento
- Sorrento
- Amalfi - Departure day
- More
Our journey ends today in Sorrento. If you wish to extend your stay and explore more of this beautiful region, please speak to your sales representative about adding extra nights in Sorrento or the Amalfi Coast.
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