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Introduction

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n the heel of Italy, Puglia is undiscovered and untouched relative to the rest of Italy. The people

are warm and authentic with life here fitting around slow, pastoral rhythms unique to Italy’s deep south. The whitewashed villages are reminiscent of Greece. Indeed, the Greeks, Romans, Venetians, Turks and Spanish have all left their marks on the 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. Trip highlights include:

- Timeless pastoral beauty with groves of 1,000-year-old olive trees - A rugged coastline where blue skies meet the deep emerald waters of the Adriatic - Unique cuisine – generous antipasti, fresh seafood, and pasta - The UNESCO World Heritage Site at Alberobello with its iconic stone trulli

The warm climate means there is great biking from as early as March to the end of November. In crafting your itinerary, our aim is to

match your dates, your accommodation preferences and your riding style.

I hope you like this itinerary but please tell us how we can change it to make it closer to your ideal trip – custom itineraries and personal service is what we are all about.

Once you are happy with your itinerary, we would be delighted to

help with restaurant reservations. We look forward to welcoming you and

sharing one of our favorite places to ride a bike.

Tony Blakey

Founder

I Introduction


WHY LIFECYCLE ADVENTURES

Our unique blend of custom itineraries and personal service creates the perfect cycling vacation 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.

HOW ARE WE DIFFERENT FROM THE COMPETITION?

LIFECYCLE ADVENTURES THE COMPETITION

FEATURE GROUP TOURS SELF-GUIDED TOURS

ITINERA

RIES

Routes Customized Some choice Some choice Dates and Duration Flexible Set Fixed Accommodation A Range Set Some choice Lunches and Dinners We Make Reservations reserve

Set On your own

SERVIC

E Group Size Your Group 12 to 24 Your group Ride Briefings Day 1 in person Daily by phone Daily in person None On-Route Support Van on call Van(s) trailing and guide on bike Limited Pre- and Post-Trip Transfers Yes Sometimes No

“LifeCycle Adventures gives you the freedom, flexibility and

knowledge to enjoy a more authentic travel experience.”

Itinerary


Day 1 – Bari to Alberobello our trip starts with a van transfer to Castellana Grotte; a town famous for its

spectacular limestone caves. This is also a great place to start your bike tour of Puglia. 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 but 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. As you approach your overnight destination of Alberobello, you pass whitewashed cottages and small clusters of distinctive trulli – iconic round cottages with conical roofs. However, nothing quite prepares you for the bizarre wonder of the Zona di Trulli – a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the heart of this pretty 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. Those wanting more miles will start a little nearer the coast outside of Polignano a Mare. This adds 10 miles and some extra climbing. For even more cycling, you can add a loop ride to Martina Franca.

Ride Options Highlights Easy 10 miles Intermediate 20 miles with 1,000 feet of climbing Longer 40 miles with 1,950 feet of climbing

Limestone caves at Castellana Grotte Whitewashed village of Noci Zona di Trulli – a UNESCO World Heritage site in Alberobello

Y Itinerary


Day 2 – Alberobello Loop Day ou could spend several contented days in and around Alberobello. The town

itself – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is worth taking time to explore. The surrounding countryside is also full of fascinating villages and sites. To visit the coast, you will ride east via the elegant city of Fasano to Savelletri. 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. You ride out and back along small country lanes that pass ancient olive groves and fruit orchards. Today’s inland ride is to the spectacular towns of Locorotondo and Martina Franca. Locorotondo is a sparkling white city on a hill – literally: round place. 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. It also has impressive Baroque architecture and grand palaces among a maze of narrow alleyways. Those looking for a longer ride can combine the two routes. You stay overnight in Alberobello.

Ride Options Highlights Easy (Locorotondo) 15 miles Intermediate (Locorotondo & Martina Franca) 20 miles with 950 feet of climbing Intermediate (coast & Savelletri) 35 miles with 2,300 feet of climbing Longer 55 miles with 3,000 feet of climbing

Zona di Trulli – a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Alberobello Lunch by the small harbor in Savelletri Sparkling white city of Locorotondo Outstanding cuisine in Martina Franca including Capocollo (sausage) and Bocconotto (cake).

Y

Itinerary


Day 3 – Alberobello to Ostuni oday you leave the fanciful world of Truli and head to the gleaming white city on a

hill that is Ostuni. After some 15 miles passing centuries old olive trees you reach 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 tables in their stores. 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 more reminiscent of Greece than Italy. A feeling that intensifies as you reach the outskirts of Ostuni: your overnight destination. Those wanting to add more miles will do a loop ride down to Ceglie Messapica after arriving in Ostuni. Ostuni is one of the most stunning cities in southern Italy; set upon a hill, this “white city” gleams in the afternoon sun. Inside the city walls is just as impressive with the city built on multiple levels all linked together by staircases and cobbled alleyways. At every other turn there are spectacular views across the surrounding countryside and down to the sparkling Adriatic. An impressive 15th Century cathedral sits at the center of the historic old town.

Ride Options Highlights Easy 15 miles (with van transfer) Intermediate 25 miles with 1000 feet of climbing Longer 45 miles with 2,100 feet of climbing

Centuries-old olive trees Fornello Pronti – grilled meats Views down to the Adriatic White city on the hill: Ostuni

TItinerary


Day 4 – Ostuni Loop Day stuni is another city that has enough to entertain for several days. Surrounded

by limestone walls, the old section of the city rewards those who wander without purpose. There are also several good bike rides into the hinterland. For those looking to visit the seaside, the Torre Guaceto nature reserve is 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. You can be sure the food is fresh as you can watch the fish being brought off the boats from your table. Your route is via a network of bike paths that pass some of the oldest olive trees on the peninsula. Some have been carbon dated to be over two thousand years old; with their gnarled and twisted trunks, you can believe it. For an adventure inland, you will ride 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. Those looking for a longer ride will combine the coastal and the inland routes to create a 50-mile adventure. You stay overnight in Ostuni.

Ride Options Highlights Easy 15 miles Intermediate (Torre Guaceto) 30 miles with 1200 feet of climbing Intermediate (Ceglie Messapica) 20 miles with 1100 feet of climbing Longer 50 miles with 2,300 feet of climbing

Ostuni Torre Guaceto Nature Reserve The medieval city of Ceglie Messapica – a gastronomic delight

O

Itinerary


Day 5 – Ostuni to Monopoli oday you head up the Adriatic coast to the ancient port-city of Monopoli.

After a gentle 10-mile descent, you reach the coast at 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. You also pass through small fishing villages and seaside towns. In several places you are riding just yards from the emerald waters of the Adriatic. Savelletri makes a good lunch stop – with a couple of excellent seafood restaurants overlooking the small harbor. Or head a little further north to Capitolo to a Bourbon-era fish hatchery converted into an excellent restaurant right over the water. Just before Monopoli you reach the archeological park of Egnazia (also Egnathia or Gnathia) – perhaps the most important archeological site in Puglia. Here you can see the ruins of a Greco-Roman town that dates back to the 4th century BCE. You can still see the outlines of the city walls, homes, an amphitheater and a necropolis. The onsite museum has a stunning mosaic of the Three Graces. From Egnazia, it is an easy ride into Monopoli – your overnight destination. Those wanting to add more miles will do a loop ride via Conversano and Polignano after arriving in 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.

Ride Options Highlights Easy 15 miles (with van transfer) Intermediate 25 miles with 250 feet of climbing Longer 50 miles with 1,200 feet of climbing

A 15-mile ride alongside the Adriatic Greco-Roman ruins of Egnazia The port city of Monopoli

TItinerary


Day 6 – Monopoli Loop Day here are several great choices today. Have a relaxing day in town, ride north up

the coast via Conversano, or simply head to the beach. If you didn’t visit the Greco-Roman ruins of Egnazia yesterday, it’s an easy 15-mile in-and-out ride south down the coast. There are numerous little coves en route for a picnic and a paddle. Even if Roman ruins aren’t your thing, the local burrata may tempt you (a specialty of Egnazia in which still-warm mozzarella is formed into a pouch which is then filled with scraps of leftover mozzarella and fresh cream before closing). Alternatively, head north up to 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 the 5-mile spin back to Monopoli. Your ride ends at Monopoli. This is also where your guide will meet you for your transfer back to Bari. As this is the last day of your tour there is no overnight accommodation unless explicitly listed in the logistics page above.

Ride Options Highlights Easy (Egnazia) 15 miles Intermediate 25 miles with 900 feet of climbing Longer 40 miles with 1,500 feet of climbing

Fresh burrata The sunbaked piazzas of Conversano Polignano perched atop the limestone cliffs above the Adriatic Exploring the rambling, whitewashed alleyways of Monopoli

T

Accommodations


e spend much of our time visiting and revisiting accommodations. We then choose the properties with the best facilities and warmest welcome across a range of prices. The

Prices section explains how the star rating determines the cost of the trip. We typically book standard rooms with upgrades available on request. 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 with many of them in original building of the 16th century – yet beautifully renovated. Breakfast is served in a beautiful courtyard. A peaceful retreat yet walking distance to all the main sites and restaurants.

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. A great opportunity to really experience these unique, conical buildings.

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. Breakfast

W Accommodations


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.

Hotel Monte Sarago

A newly build 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. NOTE: the hotel is 1 KM walk from the center of the old town. While the hotel does have a restaurant, we would recommend the short walk to one of the local eateries.

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.

Accommodations


Monopoli Don Ferrante Dimore di Charme

This small, luxury hotel with modern facilities located in a refurbished 16th-century castle overlooking the Adriatic. The comfortable rooms feature vaulted ceilings and limestone floors. There is also a terrace overlooking 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.

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. The rooms are tastefully decorated with a minimalist flare with polished wood floors and high ceilings. Rooms at the front of the hotel have balconies overlooking the square – great for atmosphere but the square can also be quite busy, even late at night. The staff is friendly and very helpful.

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 also has a shaded roof terrace with views across the rooftops and out across the Adriatic – a perfect place to relax, read or just soak in the atmosphere.

Prices & Services


Prices Our prices vary according to the duration of the trip and the standard of lodging you choose. The table below shows you the price per person for two people sharing accommodations.

Package 3 Days $1,310 $1,440 $1,550 4 Days $1,670 $1,860 $2,030 5 Days $1,930 $2,170 $2,380 6 Days $2,160 $2,460 $2,720 7 Days $2,330 $2,680 $2,990

* As accommodation costs are higher on weekends, there is a $75/person supplement for Friday and Saturday nights.

Ins & Outs The trip price includes: Private transfer from downtown Bari or other location as listed in Your Logistics

earlier. Detailed map briefing and bike fitting at the start of your tour. Accommodation for each night of your tour and breakfast the following morning

unless explicitly excluded in the accommodation description earlier. Guide available via phone 24/7 and on-call roadside assistance 9:00 AM to 4:00

PM. 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. Detailed maps, directions and a personalized guidebook.

The trip price does not include: Lunches and dinners. Our guidebooks are full of great recommendations and we would be happy to make reservations for you.

An on-bike guide. Activities such as wine tours, balloon flights and spa treatments. However, we

would be pleased to make reservations on your behalf. Transfers to wineries or sites, to which it is not practical to ride. We would be

pleased to arrange for such transfers for a fee – see Optional Extras below.

Prices & Services


Bike Rental As many of our guests bring their own bikes, we quote separately for bike rental. We rent three styles of bikes. As with many aspects of our trips, choose which best suits you.

Bike Per Day Per Week Hybrid Bike $25 $125 Road Bike $40 $240

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 a more aggressive riding position and will be enjoyed by intermediate and experienced riders. We typically rent the Wilier Izoard XP with an aluminum frame, carbon front forks and Shimano Ultegra Compact drivetrain with 50/34 - 11/28 gearing.

Optional Extras Extra Guidebooks We supply one set of guidebook, maps and directions per two riders. Please let us know if you would like extra copies of the maps and directions – there is no charge for this. There is a $50 charge for extra copies of the guidebook as these are created individually. Airport Transfers Typically, we collect guests from their hotel in downtown Bari or Bari Railway Station. We are also pleased to collect you from Bari Airport. There is a $100 supplement for pick-ups or drop-offs at the airport.

Other Information


Guidebooks & Maps Our proprietary cycling maps now cover over 24,000 square miles. We have over 3,000 miles of mile-by-mile directions, and our guidebooks are written specifically for the pace and intimacy with which cyclists travel. We live and ride in the areas we operate and have spent years consolidating our knowledge into these guidebooks, maps and directions. Our aim is to help you explore routes unseen by most people who visit the area.

If you live in the Continental U.S., you can choose to have your guidebook shipped to you or collect it at the start of your tour. For shipping to Canada, there is a $35 charge. For all other international destinations, there is a $50 charge.

Other Information


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 below show the monthly average temperatures (in Fahrenheit) and rainfall (in inches) for Siena.

Temperatures Rainfall

Where to Stay Before the Trip Guests typically stay in Bari before and after their trip. If you would like us to make reservations, just let us know. If you are making your own arrangements, we have had good feedback from past guests for the following hotels and B&Bs: Bari Hotels Grande Albergo delle Nazioni

http://www.piazzadispagnaview.it/en/grande-albergo-delle-nazioni/ Palace Hotel http://www.palacehotelbari.com/en/ Palazzo Calo http://www.palazzocalo.it/

30405060708090

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Average Low

Average High

00.5

11.5

22.5

33.5

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Other Information


Arrival & Departure Information You will be met at the time and place listed in Your Logistics earlier. If you would like to change this, please let us know. 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.

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 https://www.smartwaiver.com/v/lifecycle/. 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 cancelled 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 cancelled 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 specified in this itinerary 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: www.squaremouth.com and www.insuremytrip.com.

Terms & Conditions


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 history of the company, we have never cancelled a trip. 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.

Contact Details


Go Ahead, Make My Day! Don’t leave me hanging; let me know what you think of this itinerary I prepared for you. To make it easy, here are some choices!

A. I loved it, but the timing’s not quite right. B. Some minor tweaks and we’ll be ready to go. C. It’s perfect, how do I book? D. Richard Branson just called to invite me to his

private island for a month – all expenses paid. So, maybe next year!

Just let me know how I can help!

LIFECYCLE ADVENTURES www.lifecycleadventures.com

[email protected]

U.S. & Canada: 1-888-669-2453 Other Countries: +1-415-366-3806

Stacey Royce Head of Sales and Co-Owner LifeCycle Adventures

6 days puglia - pug - v0 - · pdf fileohiw wkhlu pdunv rq wkh dufklwhfwxuh wkh fxowxuh dqg...

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