Overview
6 full days of motorcycle touring zapping between the coast and delightful inland villages in a unique, multi-faceted journey, including 1 rest day. A motorcycle tour in Puglia, in the deep south of Italy, is a treat for the eyes and the heart. With its 940 kilometers of sandy, rocky coastline and high cliffs, it will fascinate you with its deep blue crystal clear sea. A tour where scenic coastal roads will be interspersed with continuous forays inland in the footsteps of history, in search of the archaeological parks of the Magna Graecia and the Roman Empire to which are added the fascinating ancient villages and castles left by the Normans, Swabians and others to protect this extremity of the Italian peninsula. A concentrate of history, nature, and sea where the culture of the land and the sea still reigns supreme, where the old villages, castles, and fortresses are nothing more than a
Highlights
- Starts and ends in Bari
- Make a stop to visit the old town of Lecce
- Explore the most beautiful coastal areas of Puglia
- Discover fascinating underground sites and then the magnificent Matera
- Visit the most suggestive and beautiful castle in Puglia
- See the splendid cliffs of white limestone of Puglia
- Ride along the beautiful coastline north of Bari
- 8 nights accommodation
Itinerary
Day 1: Bari
Today is the individual arrival of all participants in the beautiful city of Bari, the capital of Puglia / Apulia, where you must visit the historic center, rich in remains of countless foreign domination over time. Better yet, dedicate it at least a full day. You meet at the hotel late afternoon to go together to pick up any rental motorbikes. Right after, you’ll have a briefing to give everyone a few simple rules for a greater safety for all. Finally before dinner, you’ll begin to build the group through a Italian aperitif. - Overnight in Bari - Included meals: Dinner
Day 2: Bari - Vieste (200 kilometers / 124 miles)
You get on the bikes and the tour can begin along the beautiful coastline north of Bari admiring the pink flamingos of the salt pans of Margherita di Savoia. You continue through the woods and along the cliffs of the Gargano national park in the far north of Apulia. It is in picturesque, white Vieste that you stop for the night. - Overnight in Vieste - Included meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 3: Vieste - Matera (225 kilometers / 140 miles)
After spending a good part of the morning on your bikes in the woods of northern Apulia, you head inland to visit the most evocative and beautiful castle in Apulia, classified a UNESCO site since 1996. Then you get back on your bikes and the tour continues over immense Roman bridges and discovering fascinating underground sites before arriving in unique and amazing Matera for the night. - Overnight in Matera - Included meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4: Matera
The motorbike tour of Apulia stops for a rest day in the capital of Basilicata: Matera. It will be wonderful to stroll through the surreal scenery of Matera, nominated UNESCO European Capital of Culture 2019, famous for its 2 very picturesque districts called Sassi, made up of dwellings carved out of stone. - Overnight in Matera - Included meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 5: Matera - Gallipoli (180 kilometers / 112 miles)
Back in the saddle and head south, back in Apulia, to explore the most beautiful coastal towns and roads in Puglia that have earned its fame and pride. Your journey will take you to old Taranto, rich in history and real beauties to admire, before you discover the most beautiful beaches and seaside resorts of the region. You shall spend the night in the area of Gallipoli. - Overnight in Gallipoli - Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 6: Gallipoli - Lecce (150 kilometers / 93 miles)
Your motorbike tour of Puglia continues on to the tip of Italy at Santa Maria Leuca. On the coast, you will discover two beautiful seaside villages before stopping to visit the historic center of Lecce. Overnight in the same area. - Overnight in Lecce - Included meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 7: Lecce - Ostuni (150 kilometers / 93 miles)
Between history and coastal landscapes of great beauty, natural parks and marine reserves, the day will pass too quickly. To amaze you in particular will be the splendid cliffs made of white limestone of Puglia, the beautiful coastal villages, often chosen as movie sets, and city centers of undoubted baroque beauty. Overnight in the delightful white Ostuni. - Overnight in Ostuni - Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 8: Ostuni - Bari (150 kilometers / 93 miles)
Although it will be the last riding day of this discovery tour of Puglia, it will be a pretty full, spent first on the fascinating inland roads lined with characteristic 'trulli' that will accompany you up to Alberobello, one of the most amazing inland villages and the very symbol of Puglia. From there, you’ll continue along the rugged coastline to discover another very famous fishing village before returning to our departure city, Bari, where you drop off the rented motorcycles before concluding this trip together with a lavish farewell dinner. - Overnight in Bari - Included meals: Breakfast,
Day 9: Farewells in Bari
Their services end with breakfast. You are free to either go home or extend your stay further to enjoy the magic of Italy. They are at your disposal if you would like them to arrange your holiday further. - Included meals: Breakfast
Ride Details
- Bike
- Personal bike - rental bike available on request
- Mileage
- 1,055 kilometers / 656 miles
- Daily rides
- 150 - 225 kilometers / 93 - 140 miles
- Riding gear
- CE-compliant helmet (mandatory)
- Meals
- 8 buffet breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 5 dinners
What's included
- Assistance, medical, and luggage insurance
- Italian guide leading the way on his own bike
- 8 nights accommodation
- 1 typical Italian welcome aperitif on the first day
- Daily buffet breakfasts, 2 lunches, 5 dinners
- Registration fees, branded tee-shirt, and pictures of the tour
Not included
- Motorcycle rental - as required (please ask for a quote)
- Entrance fees to monuments, archaeological, or natural sites, etc. (all visits are optional)
- Unmentioned meals and all drinks
- All the city taxes and extras in hotels (room upgrade available on request)
- The transfers to and from the hotel at your arrival and departure (please ask for a quote)
- Motorcycle expenses and all personal expenses
- Anything not specified in "What's included"
- Technical clothing
Accommodation
You will stay in en-suite accommodations in a standard room in four-star charming hotels in central / panoramic locations.
Food
The tour includes 8 buffet breakfasts, 2 lunches in typical restaurants, 5 complete dinners, and 1 typical Italian welcome aperitif on the first day. All meals are chosen à la carte by the customer, no fixed menu.
Getting There
Puglia, the heel of the boot, is a little-known area in the deep south of Italy. It’s a province of high contrast between wealth and poverty, yet it's beautiful and still authentic (which also means lacking maintenance, in places), offering a complete change of scenery. With a prevalent Baroque architecture, its unique “trullo” houses, and its turquoise sea; riding in Puglia offers a feast for the
