Apulia and Basilicata Bicycle Tour: Trip Report by Jim Johnson

BikeTours.com President and Founder Jim Johnson toured Apulia and Basilicata in Italy in 2011. He details below how cyclists who visit the area are in for a treat!

“I was impressed on all levels.”

The route

The routes were well-selected for scenery with low (or no) traffic and generally easy to follow (other than some quickly corrected wrong turns in a couple cities). It had its share of rolling hills but nothing especially long and steep, and your route should generally be a tad flatter than mine.

Accommodations and scenery

The overnight locations were all interesting and, for a tour in a fairly small area, remarkably varied. We rode through vineyards and olive groves, through small towns and villages, remote countryside, deep forests, and along the Adriatic Coast.

Likewise, the lodging was varied–living in Sassi (renovated millennia-old caves) in Matera, in centuries-old traditional trulli (traditional stone “huts” with all the comforts of home) in Alberobello, in a medieval hotel in Ostuni, and in a renovated farmhouse in Otranto.

Gastronomy

The food was fantastic. We had one meal pre-ordered and included, it featured course after course of appetizers, pasta dishes, and main meat courses came out family style, followed by delightful desserts. That was at the beginning of the tour, and it only got better!

Rental bikes and local operator

Rentals bikes were high-quality and well-maintained. The tour company was responsive, attentive and professional.

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