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BASILICATA
& APULIA:
the "Sassi" and "Trulli" Tour
A lovely week of cycling
around the two wonderful UNESCO sites
of Alberobello and Matera,
gained
international fame for its ancient town, the "Sassi di Matera.
Leaving from Matera 'Sassi'
with its rock caves and stone houses, you will reach the Itria
Valley, a karstic land also called the Valley
of the 'Trulli' due to the thousands of these trulli, limestone
dwellings that are remarkable examples of drywall constructions offering
a prehistoric building technique which is still in use in Apulia. All
around you there is an explosion of colour, olive trees and ancient
farmhouses. Back to the mysterious
land
of
Basilicata
,
a slow ride from the rolling hills of the
Bradano
Valley,
to the natural oasis of San Giuliano
Lake and back to
Matera
.
The South of Italy's natural
beauty, ancient culture, deeply-rooted local traditions, genuine
Mediterranean food and above all the warmth and hospitality of its
people, will capture you and leave you with an unforgettable feeling.
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Programme
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Day
1
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Arrival at Matera and
transfer to your hotel
Matera has gained international fame for its ancient town,
the Sassi di Matera ( stones of Matera), The Sassi originates
from prehistoric settlement and are houses dug into the tuff
rock itself, which is characteristic of Basilicata and Apulia.
Many of these houses are really only caverns.
In the afternoon there will be a guided tour around the Sassi
with its small streets and squares, caves, rock churches and
cellars. We suggest that you have dinner in one of the Sassi's
typical restaurant.
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Day
2
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From Matera to
Alberobello (64 km / 40 miles)
After breakfast: distribution of the bicycles, route briefing
and departure for Alberobello. You will pass through small
villages such as Gioa del Colle and Noci and then you continue
for Alberobello, the capital town of trulli, an UNESCO world
heritage. A Trullo is a traditional Apulian stone dwelling with
a conical roof.
Overnight stay in the historical centre in a trullo dating
from 1600
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Day
3
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Alberobello
- Cisternino – Martina Franca-Alberobello
(45 km / 28
miles)
Departure in the
direction of the
Itria
Valley, a karstic depression
filled with thousands of olive trees. You will pass through Cisternino, one of the whitewashed villages in the valley. A climb
over the hill dominating the Itria
valley
will bring you to Martina
Franca, a real Baroque gem. Back to Alberobello and
overnight stay in your trullo.
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Day
4
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Alberobello -Castellaneta Marina: the day of the Ravines (66 km / 41 miles)
Taranto province, you will cycle along deserted roads and among
vineyards. You will pass through the Land of the Ravines and the
villages of Mottola and Palagianello. The Ravines are deep
precipices, often more than 100 metres deep, similar to canyons.
You continue cycling to Castellaneta Marina, birthplace of
Rudolph Valentino,
on the Ionian Sea.
Overnight stay in Castellaneta Marina
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Day
5
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Castellaneta
Maria-Montescaglioso:
the day of the
Fruit
gardens (40 km / 25 miles)
Today you will continue to
cycle along the Bradano
River
among vineyards and orange trees. After a light ascent on the
Montescaglioso
hill (a visit to the Benedictine Abbey is a must), back to the
valley again and overnight stay at a holiday farm specialized in
producing vegetables. Relax in the swimming pool.
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Day
6
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Montescaglioso: a rest day or a
circular route
Today you have time to enjoy
a circular cycle in the valley or relax in the swimming pool.
Cycle
option n. 1:
The Ancient Via Appia (35 km / 22 miles)
Riding along
the ancient "Via Appia" (an old Roman road), you will
pass through the charming
village
of
Miglionico,
with a nice view on the valley. Back to your holiday farm for
relax and dinner. Back to your holiday farm for some relax.
Cycle
option
n. 2:
San Giuliano Lake and the
Matera
hills (40 km / 25 miles)
This route will take you along the wonderful, deserted road
around the San Giuliano Lake, a peaceful natural oasis, the
destination of many migratory birds from Africa.
We suggest you take some time to enjoy bird watching, spotting
grey herons, cormorants, storks and fish hawks. Optional stop to
the Crypt of Original Sin (with the oldest frescoes in the
area). Back to your holiday farm for some relax.
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Day
7
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Back to
Matera
(25 km / 15,5 miles)
The route will take you
back to
Matera
skirting again the Park of Rock Churches. After
12 km
. you’ll leave your
bikes to reach the Gravina canyon walking. Picnic in the caves
of Cristo La Selva, an amazing Rupestrian village in the hearth
of the Park. Head on to
Matera
and get situated at your
hotel. Free afternoon.
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Day
8
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Departure after
breakfast
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The
individual
tour includes:
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7
overnight stays with breakfast: 3 nights in *** hotels
and 4 nights at holiday farms
-
luggage
transportation
-
guided
tour in Sassi of Matera
-
road
book in English or Italian
-
technical
and emergency service
-
insurance
The
group
(min. 8 persons) tour includes:
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7
overnight stays (comfort) with breakfast
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7
dinners
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6
picnic lunches or tasting
-
cycling
tour guide
-
guided
tour in Sassi of Matera
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Minivan
assistance
-
luggage
transportation
-
technical
and emergency service
-
road
book in English or Italian available
-
insurance
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Period
individuals
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Every
Saturday from April till June and from September till November
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Dates
group tours
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17/03; 07/04; 12/05; 25/08; 01/09;
07/10 (or free dates on request with min 8 persons)
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Level
2/3
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A
hilly landscape. The
steeper climbs are short and the longer ones not too steep. The
daily distances are restricted to between 25 km / 15,5 miles and
65 km / 40 miles. Total length: 330 km / 205 miles
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Participants
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minimum
two persons (
a single person on request)
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Price
p.p. individuals 2012
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Per
person in a double room € 650,00
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Supplement
single room € 140,00
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Supplement
Half Board € 150,00
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Comfort
(**** accommodation) per person in double
room € 766,00
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Comfort single
supplement € 185,00
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6 days
Hybrid bike rental € 75,00
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Transfer
Bari Airport - Matera (min 2 persons) €
35,00
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Group
price
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per
person in double room € 1.150,00
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