PUGLIA & MATERA MOTORCYCLE TOUR

10 DAYS - OR OPTIONAL 7 DAY TOUR THROUGHOUT PUGLIA

Green Italy’s Guided motorcycle trip is a memorable & fully guided holiday through UNESCO World Heritage sites, beautiful olive groves, and country roads that are  thrilling to ride 

DAY #1: ARRIVAL IN BARI & TOUR OF MATERA

We will meet at Bari airport or train station, pick up our motorcycles and ride for about one hour to Matera where we will stay at the famous Sextantio hotel with its magic atmosphere and its unique rooms carved from the rock.  Matera has many similarities with Jerusalem, and has been the setting for a number of well-known films including Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ.   It is also the home of director Francis Ford Coppolla.  Once you are settled into your room we will do journey into the town on foot.

Lunch at “Falco Grillaio” in the old town and afterwards a visit to the famous “Sassi” (ancient cave dwellings) and Rupesterian churches allowing you to step back in history. In addition, we will have free time to explore the city at our leisure.

Day #2: THE CAVE OF THE ORIGINAL SIN AND THE NATURAL PRESERVATION AREA

After breakfast, we will ride our motorcycles out of Matera exploring the unique landscape of a natural preservation area. The site is a calcareous highland plateau characterized by deep ravines with ancient cave churches and monasteries, shepherd tracks, wells and fortified farmhouses. The plateau shows evidence of human settlement for over 3000 years. After lunch we will ride 30 minutes to visit the “cave of the original sin” showing scenes from the old and new testament in a cycle of frescoes dating from the 9th century AD.

After a full day we will head back to Matera in time for a memorable dinner at “Abbondanza”.

DAY #3: THE TRULLI OF ALBEROBELLO & BEAUTIFUL POLIGNANO A MARE

After breakfast we ride our motorbikes from Matera to Alberobello, another Unesco world heritage site built entirely of trulli, circular shaped buildings with conical roofs made of stone held together without mortar.

We then ride to Polignano a Mare on the Adriatic cliffs - home town of singer Domenico Modugno, where many artisans still work metal, glass and stone artifacts. From the many balconies we can see the sea crashing to the rocks below.

Lunch at incredible Chichibio. After lunch you will have for some free time by the pool at your hotel Borgobianco to enjoy the spa, one of the largest and best equipped in the area, or to enjoy the town of Polignano.  Dinner will be enjoyed at the wonderful hotel restaurant.

*** Let us know if you would like us to book an optional boat tour to visit the sea caves! ***

DAY #4: VISITING LA CITTA BIANCA - OSTUNI

Today we ride from Polignano to Ostuni through Monopoli, along the coast road with wonderful views of the Adriatic coastline and olive groves. As we approach Ostuni, a Medieval fortified hilltop town, named "The White City", we will see the dome of the cathedral. The town has a beautiful historic center with whitewashed buildings, narrow winding streets and a magnificent Cathedral.

During your time in Ostuni you will be staying in the amazing Masseria Cervarolo.  This beautifully renovated masseria is one of our favorite hotels, boasting wonderful architectural details and an expansive pool. Dinner will be enjoyed at Osteria del Tempo Perso.

DAY #5: A RIDE TO MARTINA FRANCA AND A DAY AT THE ADRIATIC SEA

Today we will climb back in the saddle and head to Martina Franca, another beautiful Medieval hilltop town with attractive narrow streets decorated with flowers and interesting shops.  Then we ride downhill toward the sea to enjoy the spectacular views of the stunning countryside.

In the afternoon we will return to Masseria Cervarolo and you can enjoy a great dinner made by their in house chef.


DAY #6: LOCOROTONDO & CISTERNINO

Today we will ride to Cisternino and Locorotondo, two picturesque hilltop towns whose Greek influence is apparent in their whitewashed exteriors. Along the route we will ride through the Valley d'Itria, meandering through groves of olive trees and we will also see both old and renovated trulli in their natural surroundings.  Optional dinner in the old town of Ostuni if you are interested.  


DAY #7: OTRANTO & CASTRO 

After breakfast, we will shuttle down to the heel of the boot to Otranto, one of Puglia’s most vibrant towns. Otranto overlooks a beautiful harbor on the turquoise Adriatic coast and is the eastern most city in all of Italy. There are fanciful tales that King Minos was here and that Saint Peter celebrated the first Western Mass here. In 1480, 18,000 Turks led by Ahmet Pasha besieged the town.  The Cathedral in town - with its beautiful mosaic floor and altar dedicated to the martyrs of Otranto is a must see.  

From Otranto we will ride via winding coastal roads overlooking the sea to charming Castro. Sip cool drinks and dip your toes in the crystal clear aquamarine waters of the Adriatic. When we reach the tip of the boot, we’ll feast at either “Hosteria del Pardo” in Santa Maria di Leuca or “Grotta del Conte” in Castro on fresh, traditional Pugliese cuisine such as mussels, fish, local cheeses, fresh-baked bread, and pasta. After lunch we’ll tour the centuries old Castel Di Salve winery that brings together wines produced from four of their vineyards which, though geographically very close, actually fall into four distinct microclimates and soil environments. You’ll have a chance to taste them all!

You will be staying in the Relais Basiliani in Otranto, with an optional dinner your hotel.

DAY #8: GALLIPOLI & NARDÒ

Today we will enjoy beautiful views of olive groves and the sea as we will enjoy a memorable ride along the coast, from Otranto to Santa Maria di Leuca and Gallipoli. We will also pass the natural preservation area of Porto Selvaggio. We can stop for a swim at Tricase’s crystal waters.   Gallipoli, from the Greek Kallipolis meaning beautiful city, is a fishing village on the coast of southern Puglia (not to be confused with the other Gallipoli in Turkey). Gallipoli's Old Town, built on an island now connected to the mainland by a bridge, is picturesque and a nice place to stroll through its maze of alleys. The 17th century Baroque Sant' Agata Cathedral is in the center of the town. We will have lunch at fantastic Puritate one of the best fish restaurant in Italy, visit an ancient oil mill, Palazzo Granafei, its fantastic baroque cathedral as well as an award winning winery in Nardò.  Optional dinner in the old town of Otranto.


DAY #9: MAGLIE & LECCE - "THE FLORENCE OF THE SOUTH" 

We will ride one hour to Lecce with a coffee break in the quaint town of Maglie. We will have lunch at Castello Acaya. After lunch visit the castle and finish the ride to Lecce where we will visit the this beautiful town known as the Florence of the South, famed for its Baroque architecture.

You will be staying in the Hotel Patria Palace, and we will share our farewell dinner at Le Zie.


DAY #10: ARRIVEDERCI!  HEADING BACK TO BARI 

It is the last day of our incredible journey together.  After breakfast, we will ride back to Bari with a coffee break in Monopoli or Brindisi. We will return our motorcycles in Bari and transfer to the airport or train station depending on what your next destination will be.


PRICING:

10 DAYS/9 NIGHTS: €4,350 per person (minimum 2 participants)

  • Includes hotel accommodations 
  • All lunches 
  • Four dinners 
  • Motorcycle rental
  • Transfers (with luggage)
  • Two wine tastings


7 DAYS/6 NIGHTS: from €3,650 per person double occupancy (minimum 5 participants)

  • Includes hotel accommodations 
  • All lunches 
  • Three dinners 
  • Motorcycle rental
  • Transfers (with luggage)
  • Wine tasting


 *** For the 7 day tour we will work with you to customize your experience and pick from the events you are most  interested in that are listed in the above 10 day tour ***