Siciclando » Matera/Basilicata

Basilicata: Forests and Ravines Biking

mark — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 23:14:13 +0000

Untouched. Uninterrupted. Indescribable.

Basilicata charms you slowly. This tour begins with the Sassi of Matera, old dwellings and rock churches carved centuries ago out of the steep cliffs. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bike through the varied landscape of Basilicata with ancient forests, rolling hills covered with grain or grapes, sweet villages, and the calanchi hills. Each day is a different experience with climbs and descents, hills and valleys, prairies and forests. Enjoy the pace of life: slow, genuine, and simple.

Cost: € 1670 – € 2030 ($) see PRICING details below
Duration: 8 days/7 nights
10 days/9 nights (Pollino extension)
Start/End: Matera/Viggianello or Maratea
2012 Start Dates: May 21, September 25

Highlights of the Forest and Ravines bike tour of Basilicata

Discover the ancient and fascinating historical center of Matera, with a tour of the Sassi, cave dwellings inhabited for centuries until 1950 – now a UNESCO World Heritage site the dwellings are being renovated and occupied again.
View Matera’s beautiful churches carved out of the rock and decorated with frescos.
Bike through the diverse landscape of the Basilicata; ravines, gorges, forests and canyons
See, Aliano, a “land of exile” for Carlo Levi who wrote Christ stopped in Eboli
Enjoy biking through the Park of Gallipoli Cognato and the Little Dolomites of Lucane
Explore the cobblestoned hill top village of Rabatana, a peaceful Arab borough of the 9th century, which has been virtually abandoned until recent years
Visit sanctuary of Santa Maria d’Anglona
Bike through the Pollino National Park – a beautiful route
Sample the excellent and simple cuisine in the Lucanian tradition

Reserve Now ~ Email Siciclando ~ Call Us at 1-800-881-0484

Itinerary
Accommodations
Photos
Maps
Notes
Pricing

Day 1 – Welcome to Matera!

Arrival in Matera with time on your own. In the afternoon, join us for a guided tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Sassi cave dwellings and churches.

Day 2: The Bradano river valley and the Via Appia (37.6 miles/62.7 km)

Today we leave Matera to reach an authentic agriturismo, farm hotel. After a picturesque stretch along San Giuliano Lake, an oasis for fauna and a resting place for migratory birds coming from Africa, we will enter the Lucanian countryside.

Day 3: Thick forests and stone villages (30.5 miles/50.8 km)

Today we enter the heart of the tour. We will approach the mountainous heart of Lucania, reaching the Park of the Little Dolomites of Lucane. We will see what remains of the ancient thick oak forests which were so abundant centuries ago.

Day 4 – Pietrapertosa loop (31 miles/51.6 km)

A loop ride that is challenging but rich in panoramic views as you climb to the picturesque town of Pietrapertosa. Then an awe-inspiring route through the dense oak forests.

Day 5 – Accettura and the calanque hills (47.5 miles/79.2 km)

Today we move from the thick forests around Accettura to the arid landscape of the calanques, a fascinating landscape with hills created by erosion of the cream-colored soil.

Day 6 – Journey through the Pollino National Park (51 miles/85 km)

Today’s trip will take us to the Pollino National Park. We will first cross the arid region of the calanques, its harsh beauty will make a strong impression. After a brief stop at the oldest Marianist sanctuary in the region, Santa Maria d’Anglona, we will enjoy a long stretch over rolling terrain that will take us to the lovely town of Terranova del Pollino.

Day 7 – Pollino Park and Viggianello (29 miles/48.3 km)

Immersed in the lush Pollino Park, we will reach the town of Viggianello. A stretch which is initially challenging and then softens into a wonderful winding decline. We will pass through an amazing variety of landscapes before we reach our destination.

Day 8 – Departure or optional extension (37.1 miles/61.8 km)

Standard tour: Departure with pre-arranged transfers (if included in the tour package).

Extension: Loop in Pollino National Park

Day 9 – Maratea (48.2 miles/80.4km)

A long ride as we head to Maratea along the Tyrrhenian Sea. Biking over rolling terrain, with more emphasis on the downhill.

Day 10 – Departure Day

Departure with pre-arranged transfers (if included in the tour package). Ciao!

Actual tour itinerary may vary slightly due to unforeseen circumstances.

Click on any photo to enlarge it.

Siciclando carefully chooses every aspect of a tour, including the accommodations.

Our choices are based on comfort and quality. We often choose hotels that are family-owned and operated because they provide a richer experience and because it is important to us to support the efforts of these individuals. We have developed relationships with many wonderful hotel operators. Here is a sample of the hotels on this tour.

Tour accommodations will be based on availability and the time of year. Once you have made your final payment for the tour, we will send you a confirmation letter that includes daily accommodations and contact information.

Level of difficulty: Moderate: The orography of Lucania in which the tour is taking place, that is the valleys of the Bradano, Basento, Salandrella and Agri rivers, is characterized by rolling hills and results in a steady stream of climbs and descents.The tour overall is considered to be one of moderate difficulty, enjoyable for cyclists who have at least a fairly good level of fitness. For the more serious cyclists, the loop rides of days four and eight will be particularly appreciated.Throughout the week, the tour will gradually increase in difficulty, as we ride through the four aforementioned valleys and move southeast, towards Pollino Park and eventually skirting Calabria.The average daily distance is about 64 km over paved roads, with brief unpaved sections. The day we ride to Pollino Park is the longest day at 85 km.
Travel Notes: Airports for the tour include Bari for arrival and Naples or Lamezia Terme for departure.

Group tour price

4-5 people € 2030 per person
6-7 people € 1790 per person
8+ people € 1670 per person

Pricing philosophy

Additional options and fees

High season surcharge – € 150 (effective July 1– August 31)
Pollino extension – € 190 (includes two nights in a bed and breakfast)
Private room – € 235 (€ 270 in case of a person traveling alone on a self guided tour)
Bike rental – € 100 (€ 15 each additional day), which includes 1 bike pannier per bike, helmets and a cycle computer.
GPS rental – € 35 Garmin E-Trex Venture HC
Solo traveller (referred to Self guided option) – € 120,00
Transfer rates (per person)
- Bari-Matera: € 35
- Viggianello-Maratea: € 70
- Viggianello-Naples: € 160
- Viggianello-Rome: € 300

Included

One English-speaking trip leader
Seven nights in three-star hotels, all rooms with en suite bathroom
Seven breakfasts and five dinners
Baggage transportation between hotels
Detailed route information and maps
Van support

Not included

Admission to museums and archaeological sites
Tickets for trains or any public transportation
Wine or beverages
Airfare
Transfers to the starting point or from the finishing point unless specified; we can assist you in planning and arranging for any necessary shuttles
Transport of bike case (for guests who bring their own bike)
Personal expenses (laundry, personal supplies, phone calls, etc.)
Gratuity

Self-guided option

This tour is also available as a self-guided optionat a cost of € 1235 per person. This option includes:

Seven nights in three-star hotels, all rooms with en suite bathroom
Seven breakfasts and five dinners
Welcome meeting (tour explanation)
Baggage transportation between hotels
Detailed route information and maps
Telephone assistance

Tour code

Sassi of Matera and Apulia Easy Biking

mark — Wed, 25 Feb 2009 19:19:29 +0000

Meander through a magical place.

We are currently upgrading our Apulia tour. Itinerary changes will appear soon. Contact us for more details.

Bike Apulia, Italy with Siciclando. This bike tour explores the “Heel of the Boot,” an area less traveled by most. Enjoy this easy bike tour with shorter routes that take you along picturesque fields, through ancient olive groves, and beside the sea. Here you will discover a variety of unique towns beginning with the spectacular Sassi cave dwellings of Matera, the charming fairy-like homes of Alberobello, the beautiful baroque architecture of Lecce, and the seaside villages of Ostuni and Otranto. Each day is a new biking adventure as you immerse yourself in the sweetness of Italy.

This Italian bike tour will begin in the neighboring region of Basilicata in the town of Matera where you will discover the Sassi and the Park of Rupestrian Churches. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sassi are dwellings – both residential and religious – carved out of the rocky cliffs over centuries. They were inhabited until the 1950’s and then abandoned. They are now being renovated and occupied again. See the rugged beauty of this place. You will never forget it.

Cycle through the Murge Plateau, a territory that includes an astonishing variety of landscapes including caves, defensive strongholds, churches, and rock settlements. You will stay in the Itria Valley, characterized by groves of flourishing olive trees surrounded by stone walls typical of this area.

You will fall in love with the fairy-like trullo; round, conical shaped houses made completely of stone without mortar. They are centuries old and are lovely whether they appear solo in the fields or grouped together in the villages.
Our bike routes will also take us by the Apulian Coast, laced with long, sandy beaches, dunes and protected natural reserves. There are several traces of old Messapi civilizations where you will see rock settlements, watch towers, and castles.
You will head south to Salento and experience the sun and sea. The natural setting is striking with the land balanced between two seas. The cities and inland towns are charming expressions of the baroque style. The language, songs and feasts of this area still show the culture of Magna Graecia. Discover Grotta Zinzulusa, “the pearl of caves” with its name rooted in the word zinzuli (rags), used by fishermen referring to its beautiful stalactites and stalagmites.

Cost: € 2190 – € 2530 ($) see PRICING details below
Duration: 8 days/7 nights
Start/End: Matera/Otranto
2012 Start Dates: May 3, May 13, June 3, September 15, September 22, October 4

Highlights of this Apulia bike tour

Discover the Sassi of Matera, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with centuries-old cave dwellings carved out of the steep rock cliffs and beautifully rugged rock churches with frescoes dating back to the 9th through 17th centuries.
Visit the San Giuliano Lake, a peaceful natural oasis that has become the destination of many migratory birds from Africa. We suggest you take some time to enjoy bird watching — grey herons, cormorants, storks and fish hawks.
Encounter the Crypt of Original Sin (with the oldest frescoes in the area). This is also called the “Sistine Chapel” of Rock Churches.
Experience the magic of the Itria Valley and the round stone fairy-like trullo buildings in the fields as you reach the capital of trulli architecture, Alberobello.
Bike Apulia along the breathtaking Adriatic Coast, through medieval hill towns, and among centuries-old olive groves.
Explore Ostuni, the White town, and Lecce, the capitol of Baroque style in Apulia.
Enjoy the charming town Otranto and the medieval mosaic in the Cathedral.
Taste the local wines from Murgia and Salento.
Enjoy local cuisine including fresh seafood, wonderful bread of Matera, Apulian olive oil, buttery local cheeses, and incredible pastries. Our picnics on this tour capture the food of this region.
Watch some video highlights from this Apulia bike tour.

Reserve Now ~ Email Siciclando ~ Call Us at 1-800-881-0484

Itinerary
Accommodations
Photos
Maps
Notes
Pricing

Day 1 – Welcome to the Apulia Tour!

Arrival to Matera is on your own. Once in Matera, you will take an afternoon tour of the UNESCO Sassi districts with one of our guides. For dinner you might look for one of the several restaurants carved out of the rock in the Sassi. Enjoy the flavors of regional cuisine in a unique setting. Overnight stay in Matera.

Day 2 – San Giuliano Lake and the Matera hills (22 miles/35 km)

This route will take you along a wonderful, peaceful road around the San Giuliano Lake. Stop at the Crypt of Original Sin with the oldest frescoes in the area. Back to Matera (pedalling or by van) and a free afternoon. Dinner on your own and another night in Matera.

Day 3 – Matera to Noci (39 miles/64 km)

We will leave Matera and head east towards the coast. Enjoy the beautiful pastures along the way. Accommodations will be in Noci at a beautiful trulli hotel – an old farm converted into a lovely, comfortable hotel with a relaxing pool. Enjoy!

Day 4 – On to Alberobello and Ostuni “the White Town” (28 miles/45 km)

Our route today will take us through the charming town of Alberobello, the capital town of trullo architecture and a UNESCO World Heritage site. After a self-tour of the town, we will continue through the Selva (forest) near Fasano, then along the Adriatic Coast to Ostuni. This town is an architectural jewel commonly referred to as “the White Town” because of its white-painted walls and buildings. We will stay overnight here to allow time to explore.

Day 5 – Transfer to Lecce (relaxing day/no biking)

Today, a little bit of pampering as we transfer to the beautiful Baroque town of Lecce. Enjoy a guided walking tour where we will taste puccia (local bread filled with salami or vegetables) or a pasticciotto (delicious pastry). Take time, at your own pace, to continue exploring the charm of this town – with many lovely buildings and churches. Relax with a massage at our five-star hotel.

Day 6 – Bike to Otranto (26 miles/42 km)

Bike along the coast towards our final destination of Otranto. This is a charming city surrounded by walls that protected the people and a castle. Be sure to visit the cathedral, a Romanesque-style building with mysterious mosaics. Overnight stay in Otranto.

Day 7 – Loop ride: Otranto – Porto Badisco –S. Cesarea – Otranto (22 miles/35 km)

Our sunny bike route will take you to the wild, eastern rocky coast of Southern Italy. It is a unique place where Turks and Greeks landed centuries ago. We will visit the Caves of Zinzulusa, stunning caves that face the clear waters of the Ionian Sea. The caves are known for unusual, twisted, limestone formations that hang from the ceiling. Back to Otranto for our final night and a farewell dinner together.

Day 8 – Departure Day

End of the tour.

Ciao!