CALL 1-866-563-4248 ITALY - Puglia - Biking Tours RESERVATION FORM

TRIP DETAILS

Trip Length
6 Days / 5 Nights

2010
Dates & Prices

Trip Hotels
Choose
Premium Inns
or Classic Inns

Trip Meals
All breakfasts,
2 lunches and
all dinners but one

What's Included

Start - Finish
Brindisi - Bari
ITALY

Trip Activity Level
Moderately easy to
Moderate

Rated Ideal for Everyone !

NEED MORE INFO ?
Speak to a
Club Toscana
Senior Trip Leader

Click on Image for
TRIP MAP


Biking along the Adriatic Coast in Italy's Sunny South

Discover the best of Italy's sun splashed southern landscapes, from the undiscovered Salento coast with its crystal clear waters to the mysterious cone shaped "trulli" farmhouses sprinkled throughout Puglia's interior. Cycle to whitewashed hilltop villages first colonized by ancient Greeks. Puglia, sometimes referred to by its ancient Roman name, Apulia, is a quiet region along the "heel" of Italy's southern coast. This land is best known for its whitewashed cone shaped peasant houses, narrow country lanes bordered by low stone walls and its sea of olive trees, some over a thousand years old. On our Puglian adventure, we will visit small towns and villages where an ancient culture has been formed by centuries of eastern Mediterranean influences. The gentle disposition of the Puglian people and the rich agricultural heritage of this region blend to create a masterpiece of healthy living and an appreciation for a more leisurely pace. On our southern Italian adventure, we will explore deep into this region following along the Adriatic coast and venturing inland to visit its "trulli" houses, Baroque palaces, rich farmland and the relaxing landscapes of Puglia's vibrant countryside.

Day 1 - Otranto - Meet at your hotel in Brindisi or at the train station for trains from Bari.Private transfer and the start of your Puglia biking adventure with a ride through the Salento countryside to the Adriatic coast.Walking tour and welcome lunch overlooking the harbor of Otranto, a fortified ancient town dramatically perched along the limestone cliffs of the Adriatic seashore.Take an afternoon spin on an undulating route along the dramatic Salento coast.Discover the unique food specialties of the Salento at a dinner "al fresco".

Day 2 - The Salento's Southern Coast - Embark on one of Italy's best rides, along the southern coast of Puglia, a dramatic route along limestone cliffs, pirate towers, small fishing villages, and beach resorts, drawn by the azure colors of the southern Adriatic Sea.Visit the southern tip "Puglia's Lands End" at the Monastery of Santa Maria di Leuca.Join the locals for their evening "passeggiata" walk among the Medival streets and boardwalk promenades of Otranto.

Day 3 - Lecce - Ride among the sand dunes and seaside villages of the Salento Peninsula.Stop at a quiet cove where local Italians enjoy "La Dolce Vita" while relaxing in the Italian sun.Casual guided tour of Lecce, regarded as the "Florence of the South" for its baroque palaces and Roman artifacts.Dine on Leccese "cucina povera" traditional recipes prepared by a renowned restaurant that is a Club Toscana guest favorite.

Day 4 - The Val d'Itria - From Grottaglie, a ceramics center, ride quiet sideroads into the beautiful Itria valley, a fairytale land of green pastures, vineyards, fruit farms, narrow laneways with stone walls bordered by flowering cactus and photographic clusters of Puglia's unique trulli houses.Stop by Martina Franca, known for its Baroque architecture and a great lunch spot in one of its limestone covered squares.Visit Alberobello, a World Heritage Site and heart of the Trulli district.Ride throught the Murge, a vantage point with views extending over the thousands of acres of olive trees growing along the Adriatic coast, before a long downhill ride to the coast.

Day 5 - Ostuni - Early morning visit to a local cheese maker for a mozzarella making demonstration.Roll along a scenic route to Cisternino, a little known village with spectacular views of the Val d'Itria.Discover Ostuni, an ancient whitewashed hilltop town appearing like white sugar cubes against the warm Puglian sun. Take a casual tour of this Greek influenced historic town.Ride along the coast with its sand dunes and quiet fishing villages.Meander the 5th-century B.C. Greek / Roman ruins at Egnazia.Celebrate your Puglian biking adventure with a dinner overlooking the sea in a local fishing village.

Day 6 - Bari - Homeward bound.Bid a final farewell to the Puglian landscapes and take a private transfer to Bari to your post trip hotel, the train station, or the airport.As always, we would be more than pleased to help you with any of your post-trip travel planning.
Arrivederci and Buon Viaggio !


"We really appreciated your personal attention & service.
You went above & beyond the call of duty"
- Mimi and Tim, Jacksonville FL


Our Italian Travel
Specialists are Ready
to Help you with
All Your Travel Needs

  • Convenient pick up at your Brindisi hotel and drop off in Bari

  • Discovering Puglian wines, olive oils and food specialties in Otranto

  • Riding the spectacular sea side coast of the Salento

  • Touring Lecce, the "Florence of the South"

  • Riding through the verdant landscapes of the Val d'Itria

  • Meandering among the trulli houses in Alberbello

  • Visiting a family run mozarella cheese maker

TRIP DATES & PRICES
Please click here to see if your preferred travel dates below have been sold out.

Dates
2010
Premium Inns Guided
US $ Price p.p. dbl. occ.
Single Room
Charge
Classic Inns Guided
US $ Price p.p. dbl. occ.
Single Room
Charge
Self-Guided
Trips
March 29 - April 3
April 5 - 10
April 12 - 17
April 19 - 24
April 26 - May 1
May 3 - 8
$ 3,798. $ 1,020. $ 3,398. $ 610. Premium Inns Trips
Save $ 400. p.p.

Classic Inns Trips
Save $ 300. p.p.

May 10 - 15
May 17 - 22
May 24 - 29
May 31 - June 5
June 7 - 12
June 14 - 19
June 21 - 26
June 28 - July 3
$ 3,898. $ 1,130. $ 3,398. $ 610. Premium Inns Trips
Save $ 400. p.p.

Classic Inns Trips
Save $ 300. p.p.

July 5 - 10
July 12 - 17
July 19 - 24
July 26 - 31
$ 4,198. $ 1,390. $ 3,398. $ 610. Premium Inns Trips
Save $ 400. p.p.

Classic Inns Trips
Save $ 300. p.p.

Aug 30 - Sept 4
Sept 6 - 11
Sept 13 - 18
Sept 20 - 25
$ 3,898. $ 1,130. $ 3,398. $ 610. Premium Inns Trips
Save $ 400. p.p.

Classic Inns Trips
Save $ 300. p.p.

Sept 27 - Oct 2
Oct 4 - 9
Oct 11 - 16
Oct 18 - 23
Oct 25 - 30
$ 3,798. $ 1,020. $ 3,398. $ 610. Premium Inns Trips
Save $ 400. p.p.

Classic Inns Trips
Save $ 300. p.p.

TRIP PRICE REDUCTIONS (above itinerary only)
When booking 4 people together, reduce your trip price by $ 200. per person
When booking 5 - 8+ people together, reduce your trip price by $ 400. per person

Price Guarantee - Please note that if your booked trip (name, version and departure date) receives a price reduction from your original booked price, we will automatically give you the new reduced trip price. Additionally, as always with Club Toscana, once you have booked a trip (name, version and departure date), we guarantee that you will not have to pay any potential trip price increases above your original trip combo price before your departure.

Reduce your Trip Price - We accept Visa, MasterCard and American Express for all your trip payments. Club Toscana offers a reduction of 2% off your trip payments when you pay by check, money order or bank transfer.

Trip Prices - Price variations (if above) are a reflection of seasonal hotel rates. All trip prices are per person based on a room with double occupancy. Single room charges are additional for guests traveling solo wishing a double room all to themselves. Self-Guided prices are listed as a savings per person off the Guided Trip Prices. Self-Guided trips require a minimum of 4 participants to reserve space on any of the above trips except dates highlighted above.

Featured Trips when highlighted above, have additional space available and include guaranteed departures hosted by one of Club Toscana's Senior Trip Leaders.

Other Trip Dates - to find other trips with space available on your preferred travel dates, click on our 2010 Calendar.


PREMIUM INNS HOTEL SELECTION

Masseria Montelauro - Otranto (2 nights) - an historic fortified farmhouse impeccably restored into a luxurious hotel, incorporating an appealing blend of Mediterranean and Italian furnishings complimented with a welcoming pool.
Other selected Premium Inns: Tenuta Centoporte, Palazzo Papaleo

Patria Palace Hotel - Lecce (1 night) - an 18th-century aristocratic palace and Starwood Luxury Collection hotel located in the heart of Lecce's historic center with remarkable views of Santa Croce, the most famous baroque church in the region.
Other selected Premium Inns: Tenuta Monacelli, Risorgimento Resort

Masseria Torre Coccaro - Savelletri (2 nights) - a 16th-century masseria surrounded by an immense cultivation of secular olive, almond and carob trees. This retreat brings authentic rustic charm and five-star luxury together, with a tapered garden pool, a private golf course, a renowned restaurant and a spa located in an underground cave.

OTHER PREMIUM HOTELS - As an alternative to Masseria Torre Coccaro (above), we can include one of the following hotels; additional charges may apply:

Masseria Torre Maizza - Savelletri (2 nights) - is set in an antique palace, built in the 16th-century. Surrounded by a private 9-hole golf course, this 5-star Masseria is a luxury boutique hotel known for its elegance and comfort. Guests have the option of taking in a treatment at their Aveda spa.
Masseria San Domenico - Savelletri (2 nights) - a fortified villa dating back to the 15th century when it was used by the Knights of Malta as a watchtower. It has been lovingly restored into a 5-star boutique-style hotel with a sea-water swimming pool encircled by rocks and plants standing amidst 100 hectares of olive groves and orchards. Spa treatments can be had at the hotel's Spa-Talasso.
Masseria Il Melograno - Monopoli (2 nights) - a 17th century "Masseria" or fortified farmhouse built originally as a defence against Saracen and Byzantine invaders. This luxurious five star Relais & Chateaux hotel, nestled in a sea of olive trees bent by breezes from the Adriatic and gnarled by the passing centuries offers superior comfort with shaded courtyards and a welcoming pool.
Relais Villa San Martino - Martina Franca (2 nights) - an ancient masseria turned into a countryside villa in the 18th-century, this 5-star hotel is surrounded by landscaped gardens and a natural park with oak, eucalyptus, pine and olive trees, and a terrace pool. This elegant residence, is an impressive pink-and-white terra-cotta building with interiors decorated with local antiques including Louis XVI style pieces, ancient paintings, sophisticated silks and beautiful prints overlooking its terracotta floors.

Please note: The above selected inns are subject to accommodations availability upon trip request. As there are many beautiful Premium Inns located along our route, if we need to choose another of our selected Premium Inns, it will meet or exceed the above selection in ratings, settings, amenities and views. For some of our other selected Premium Inns, additional rates may apply.

Have another favorite hotel or seen a recommendation in a travel magazine or internet site, or have you received a glowing recommendation from a friend. We can include any hotel located along our trip route to make your vacation experience customized to your specifications. Give us a call to see how we can include your favorite hotels into your trip. Some additional charges might apply to cover changes in hotel rates.


CLASSIC INNS HOTEL SELECTION

Otranto - (2 nights) - a 15th-century country house perched on a hill with lovely views of the Adriatic and the Salento cape from its terrace pool.


Lecce - (1 night) - placed in the square of the stunning Basilica Santa Croce is a refreshingly stylish accommodation within a historic building. The dynamic and creative owner’s intentions are clear: kind hospitality and personalized service within a historic home that has a contemporary touch of interior design.


Pezze di Greco - pictured (2 nights) - resting in an olive grove just a few miles from the Adriatic, this charming 18th-century manor house masseria offers spacious guest rooms and a tranquil garden with a pool.


Please note: The above selected inns are subject to accommodations availability upon trip request. As there are many charming Classic Inns located along our route, if we need to choose an alternative lodging, it will meet or exceed the above selection in ratings, settings, amenities and views.


TRIP START AND FINISH INFORMATION

Trip Start - Brindisi, Italy
As a convenience to our guests, we will meet you at your hotel in Brindisi at 9:00 am. or by special arrangement, the main train station or airport. Some guests prefer to spend the evening before their trip in Bari, then take an early morning express train down to Brindisi to meet the trip's leaders at the Brindisi main train station.

Brindisi is located about 6 hours by EuroStar fast train south east of Rome or 1 hour & 20 minutes south of Bari. Brindisi is also served by inter-European flights to its regional airport. We would recommend spending your pre-trip evening in Brindisi, or in Bari, taking an early morning train down to Brindisi. Our reservations office can make all your pre- & post-trip hotel, flight and train travel arrangements.

For Italian train information and online tickets, please go to the Italian FS National Train Schedules web site.

For pre-trip accommodations, we suggest a visit to Tripadvisor.com for a list of the most recommended hotels based on visitor reviews.

Trip Finish - Bari, Italy
On the final trip day, we would be pleased to drop you off at your post trip Bari hotel, the Bari train station for fast train service to Rome (5 hours) or the Bari International Airport. For train information, please visit the link above. Please allow 1 hour for the transfer to Bari.

For Italian train information and online tickets, please go to the Italian FS National Train Schedules web site.

For post-trip accommodations, we suggest a visit to Tripadvisor.com for a list of the most recommended hotels in your destination city based on visitor reviews.


TRIP ACTIVITY LEVEL

THIS TRIP IS DESIGNED FOR ALL ABILITIES - Though rated moderately easy to moderate, we have designed this trip to be suitable for everyone, from the casual or occasional biker with other travel and site seeing interests to the experienced biking enthusiast looking for that extra challenge. Since your preferred biking pace and your biking interests might vary from day to day, we have a daily list of optional routes, distances and route terrain to give you exactly the kind of cycling you would like to experience. To learn more about how we rate the activity levels on our trips, please go to our Activity & Terrain Levels web page.

TRIP DAILY DISTANCES & BIKING TERRAIN
DAY 1 (30 kms. - 18 miles) - Easy to moderately easy on flat side roads with a rolling coastal route.
DAY 2 (53 kms. - 33 miles) - Easy to moderate riding along an undulating route (with a 50 km. / 30 mile return option).
DAY 3 (54 kms. - 33 miles) - Easy along a flat seaside route and small quiet sideroads in an agricultural plain.
DAY 4 (64 kms. - 39 miles) - Easy to moderate riding with 1 moderate uphill section and one long downhill to the sea.
DAY 5 (62 kms. - 38 miles) - Easy to moderately easy riding along a flat coastal plain with one moderate uphill climb to a ridge.

Each of the above daily distances are typical on quieter, smooth surface paved roads and can be increased or decreased to suit your individual biking style, endurance and interests. Your Club Toscana trip guide and vehicle are always available to offer assistance including lifts up hills or to bypass any difficult sections.


Please note that the above itinerary and it's routes are typical for this trip and can be adjusted to accommodate different hotel choices, your choice of optional routes, optional shorter or longer daily distances, your personal daily biking pace and interests, and special local events that you might wish to join. Weather conditions and unannounced road repairs, etc. can also alter the routes, distances and daily schedules.

In an effort to enhance this itinerary and to help you get the most out this destination and your traveling experiences with Club Toscana, we are continually in the process of researching additional local routes, accommodations, dining establishments and interesting places to visit. Some of these "new finds" could be included in your specific trip.


WHAT'S INCLUDED ON YOUR CLUB TOSCANA BIKING TRIP

Convenient pick-up directly from your pre-trip hotel's front door.

Over 20 years of European adventure travel experience.

Cheerful, professional and trusted bilingual trip leadership with intimate knowledge of this trip's travel area, its culinary secrets, art history and cultural distinctiveness.

All transportation from trip start to finish.

Exclusive lodging with private amenities in wine & olive oil estates, charming country inns and historic town houses.

All buffet breakfasts, 2 lunches and 4 dinners featuring regional favorites and local specialties.

Private support vehicle for shuttles (throughout the trip), for welcome lifts (to bypass that extra effort or for a quick short cut to your hotel), bicycle repairs and on-board refreshments.

Special events, private tours, local experts and entrance fees to historical sites and museums, and other events or tours listed on the itinerary.

Use of a professionally maintained, fully equipped 24-27 speed aluminum TREK road bike or TREK hybrid bike with gel seat & suspension, an insulated rear rack bag, a Pro bike helmet and a new personal water bottle.

Detailed trip maps, route directions with options and a complimentary Club Toscana T-shirt.

All baggage transportation from rendezvous to final drop off.

Convenient drop-off directly to your post-trip hotel or the nearby major rail station, airport or rental car agency.

Unsurpassed customer service to compliment one of Italy's great biking vacations.


TOP REASONS WHY NEW GUESTS CHOSE CLUB TOSCANA & WHY OUR PAST GUESTS HAVE CHOSEN TO TRAVEL WITH US AGAIN

Since our beginnings, Club Toscana has prided itself in producing active vacations that are the closest thing to a private trip, complete with the sort of comforts and camaraderie that comes from visiting old friends.

We have spent over two decades designing itineraries that take in the most interesting countryside destinations, the most stimulating mix of history and culture, the best selection of terrain from flat to invigorating, and the region's most characteristic accommodations -- always with an eye on exceeding your expectations.

The Personal Touch - Many Club Toscana guests have traveled in large groups with some of our industry's major outfitters and have found traveling in those larger groups a little less convenient and relaxed compared with Club Toscana. These outfitters' somewhat inflexible rendezvous and trip drop-off locations, scheduled group meeting times and fixed dining locations & times are good for some, but perhaps a little too rigid for our guests.

Flexibility - We adapt every one of our trips to the interests and abilities of the guests that are booked on that particular trip. We design our daily routes and itineraries for maximum flexibility so you can have as much or as little activity as you would like each day -- with us you never need to follow the schedule. We are ready to go when you are ready to go, we are waiting at the start of every hill just in case you need a lift and we adjust each trip to your specific interests and time schedule.

Service - We take care of everything -- from making sure your luggage is safely transported to the next hotel, to always having a refreshment or a welcome lift when needed, to pointing out that special wine or antique shop, and always allowing you as much free time as you would like to get the most out of your European active vacation.

Knowledge - Traveling with Club Toscana is about discovering beautiful locations, its people, history and culture, all in a private-group-like setting -- the ideal vacation experience. After over 20 years traveling in this trip's location, we know the trip area intimately.

Trip Leadership - Our pleasant natured, well organized and informative North American trip guides individually have at least 20 years of experience guiding active travelers throughout every region visited by Club Toscana. We maintain a guest ratio of 8 guests to 1 guide plus a dedicated trip vehicle to ensure your comfort and security.


NEED MORE TRIP INFORMATION?

E-mail our office at travel@clubtoscana.com or call our professional travel advisers at
Club Toscana Reservations at 1-866-563-4248 toll free 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (EST) Mon. to Fri., 8:30 am to 1:00 pm Sat.
They are ready to answer your trip questions and arrange all your pre and post-trip travel needs for a truly all-inclusive European Active Vacation.



Royal City Travel / American Express Travel Services
10 Paisley Street, Suite 8, Guelph, Ontario, Canada, N1H 2N6
North America Toll Free 1-866-563-4248
travel@clubtoscana.com

Copyright © Club Toscana, Inc.