Castles and Wine

Introduction
Puglia/Basilicata Italy

A trip into the silence, light and history of Southern Italy.
Leaving from the Alta Murgia plateau, you will visit Trani, with its port and enchanting cathedral, Castel del Monte that boasts a mysterious octagonal-shaped medieval castle, Venosa, an ancient Roman city, and Melfi. After passing through the Vulture vineyards, you will head south, cycling along roads surrounded by golden hills and the final leg of the tour is in Matera with its Sassi.
Every day you will discover local art treasures and sample the cuisine and products of these lands. You will often have the impression of travelling back in time.

Duration: 7 nights
Grade: Easy/Modarate
Self guided

Accomodation

Lodings are arranged - 2 nights in a 3* hotel, 5 nights on holiday farms.
All breakfast and 4 dinners are included. Additioanl 3 dinners can be pre-arranged for you.

Riding

Itinerary

Day 1  Your journey starts from the Alta Murgia countryside not far from Castel del Monte, where you will get situated in a Tenuta (a quiet estate 50 min. from Bari airport) specialized in producing wine and olive oil. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 2 – the Trani route
Your first route is a loop going to Trani, an old town facing the Adriatic Sea. There is a lovely historical centre, Romanesque Cathedral, castle, gardens and old port where we suggest you have lunch, choosing from the fish menu at one of the small restaurants. On demand is possible to arrange a wine tasting in one of the local cellars producing red wine. Back to your hotel, dinner and overnight stay.
Length: Approx. 56 km    Grade: Easy
Day 3 - Venosa
The route passes through the olive fields on the A- 170 with a stop-off in Castel del Monte, a UNESCO site and example of medieval architecture as built by the emperor Frederick II. After visiting the castle, which offers a wonderful view of the “Alta Murgia” plateau, you will cycle on to Venosa, the town of Horatio, the Latin poet of Carpe Diem. To be visited: the Trinity church with its tombs of Norman kings and valuable frescoes. Dinner and overnight stay at holiday farm.
Length: Approx. 55 km    Grade: Easy with short slopes
Day 4 – REST DAY or cycle into the Vulture area and the Castles of Federico II
This is the land of Aglianico wine (known since the Roman Empire) and of top-rate olive oil. In Melfi you can visit the big Norman Castle with its seven towers and museum. A ride through a chestnut wood will bring you to a local wine store where you can stop off for tasting. Back to Venosa across the hills and the wine cellars located around Barile and Ginestra. Free dinner and overnight stay.
Length: 45 km    Grade: Easy
Day 5 – The Bradano river
Transfer by van from Venosa to Irsina, a genuine village on the hills around Matera. After a visit to the nice historical centre and its Cathedral, you will find time to buy your picnic in a bakery. Your ride will go down in the Bradano river valley, surrounded by vineyards and small villages with a typical southern atmosphere: Grassano, Grottole. Head on to the Bufalara hill. The colours of the landscape, its silence and the warm welcome from the local people are still able to enchant any visitor. Stop off at an authentic holiday farm, dinner and overnight stay.
Length: 40 km    Grade: Easy
Day 5 – alternative route in the Bradano Valley
A gentle ride through the Bradano river valley, surrounded by vineyards and small villages with a typical southern atmosphere: Palazzo S. Gervasio, Banzi, Genzano di Lucania. At times it will feel like you are back in the last century. Once in Genzano you will meet our van to be transferred to Bufalara hill. The colours of the landscape, its silence and the warm welcome from the local people are still able to enchant any visitor. Stop off at an authentic holiday farm, dinner and overnight stay.
Length: 40 km    Grade: Easy
Day 6 - San Giuliano Lake and the Matera Hills
A ride along the wonderful, deserted road around 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. Continue to Matera and overnight stay in one of the hotel in the Sassi district.
Length: Around 45 km with a short final climb.    Grade: Easy
Day 7: The Rock Churches Park
Cycle along the valley of the Chiese Rupestri (rock churches) Park, stopping off for a picnic and to use the pool at the Orto di Luciana on the way. After an optional further 5km uphill, you will reach the hill-top town of Montescaglioso, dominated by its enchanting 11th-century Benedictine abbey before returning to Matera.
Length: Around 40 km with a short final climb.   Grade: Easy
Day 8
Breakfast and end of tour.

You can extend this tour with 2 extra nights to visit Alberobello and Valle d’Itria set among trulloes and olive fields.

Level: 6 days by bicycle on hilly terrain of easy to medium difficulty
Total length: 286 km
Legs of 40 to 65 km to be done in 3 – 6 hours within the day.

Bikes: Hybrid bike rental with 24/27 speed (Shimano Alivio/Deore gears) equipped with rear pack frames and side bags

Rates and Dates for Castles and Wine

Dates Note: Every Saturday during Spring and Fall

Other Info
Meeting: Castel del Monte
Airport: Bari
Transfer: from Bari to Trani - from Matera to Bari

Climate: