CALL 1-866-563-4248 ITALY - Puglia - Premium Inns Biking Tour RESERVATION FORM

PREMIUM INNS
TRIP DETAILS

Trip Length
6 Days / 5 Nights

FEATURED TRIP

May 12 - 17

Special Trip Price
$ 4,198.

Featured Itinerary

2008
Dates & Prices

Premium Trip Hotels

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

What's Included

Other Trip Versions
Self-Guided Trips
Classic Inns

Start - Finish
Bari - Lecce
ITALY

Trip Activity Level
Moderately easy to
Moderate

Rated Ideal for Everyone !

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


Premium 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 - Polignano al Mare - Rendezvous in Bari.Start your Puglia biking adventure with a ride along the Adriatic coast.Welcome lunch in Polignano a Mare, a fortified Medieval town dramatically perched along limestone cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea.Take an afternoon spin on an undulating route along quiet countryside lanes and into the gentle slopes surrounding MonopoliDine on the best of Puglian cuisine.

Day 2 - The Val d'Itria - Ride quiet sideroads into the beautiful Itria valley, a fairytale land of green pastures, vineyards, fruit farms, narrow stone wall bordered laneways and photographic clusters of Puglia's unique trulli houses.Visit Alberobello, a World Heritage Site and heart of the Trulli district.Spin past Martina Franca, known for its Baroque architecture.Cycle to Locorotondo, a circular white hilltop town built of polished limestone. Drop in on its cooperative wine producer.

Day 3 - Ostuni - Tour the 5th-century B.C. Greek / Roman ruins at Egnazia.Visit a local cheese maker for a mozzarella making demonstration.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.Roll along a scenic route to Cisternino, a little known village with spectacular views of the Val d'Itria.

Day 4 - Otranto - Ride among the sand dunes and seaside villages of the Salento.Stop at a quiet cove where local Italians enjoy "La Dolce Vita" while relaxing in the Italian sun.Stop at the old city of Otranto, surrounded by a moat, for a casual tour of its Medieval castle, narrow winding cobblestone streets and its Renaissance cathedrale with a 12th-century mosaic floor and crypt.

Day 5 - The Salento Coast - Embark on one of Italy's great rides, along the southern coast of Puglia, a dramatic route along limestone cliffs, 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.Celebrate your great Puglian biking adventure with Salentino specialties complimented with fresh seafood and garden fresh herbs.

Day 6 - Lecce or Brindisi - Homeward bound.Morning visit and casual guided tour of Lecce, regarded as the "Florence of the South" for its baroque palaces and Roman artifacts.Bid a final farewell to the Puglian landscapes and take a train to Rome, or continue to the international airport in Brindisi.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

  • Exploring the pre-Roman ruins at Egnazia

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

  • Meandering among the trulli houses in Alberbello

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

  • Touring Lecce, the "Florence of the South"

  • Riding the spectacular sea side coast of the Salento
Click on Image for
TRIP MAP

More Club Toscana
Biking Trips

TRIP DATES & PRICES

Dates Premium Inns Guided Single Room Availability Detailed Itinerary Self-Guided
2008 Price pp dbl. occ. Add for sgl. occ. printer version Version

March 31 - April 5 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
April 7 - 12 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
April 14 - 19 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
April 21 - 26 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
April 28 - May 3 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
May 5 - 10 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
May 12 - 17 $ 4,198. $ 1,575. Featured Trip Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
May 19 - 24 $ 4,398. $ 1,575. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
May 26 - 31 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
June 2 - 7 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
June 9 - 14 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
June 16 - 21 $ 4,398. $ 1,575. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
June 23 - 28 $ 4,398. $ 1,575. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
June 30 - July 5 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
July 7 - 12 $ 4,398. $ 1,575. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
July 14 - 19 $ 4,398. $ 1,575. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
July 21 - 26 $ 4,398. $ 1,575. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
July 28 - Aug 2 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
Sept 8 - 13 $ 4,398. $ 1,575. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
Sept 15 - 20 $ 4,398. $ 1,575. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
Sept 22 - 27 $ 4,398. $ 1,575. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
Sept 29 - Oct 4 ---------- ---------- Sold Out ! ---------------- -------------------
Oct 6 - 11 $ 4,398. $ 1,575. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
Oct 13 - 18 $ 4,398. $ 1,575. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
Oct 20 - 25 $ 4,398. $ 1,575. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.
Oct 27 - Nov 1 $ 4,398. $ 1,575. Space Available Trip Itinerary Save $ 400. p.p.

Other Trip Dates - to find other trips with space available on your preferred travel dates, click on our 2008 Calendar.

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 with single occupancy. Self-Guided prices are listed as a savings per person. Once you book a trip, your trip price will not change.

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

OTHER TRIP VERSIONS

Classic Inns Trips - the above information represents our Premium Inns trip.
Click here to view trip prices and itinerary details for the Classic Inns version of this trip.

Self-Guided Trips - the above information represents our Premium Inns Guided trip.
The Self-Guided version of this trip uses the same itinerary as above with the exception that only breakfasts are included, with the rest of your meals "on your own" with our well researched recommendations list, paid site admissions are not included allowing you more trip flexibility and trip guiding is provided on a limited basis.
A minimum of 4 participants are required to reserve space on any trip except any featured dates highlighted above.
For additional exempted dates, please e-mail or call our office.
For more information on the differences between our Guided and Self-Guided trips, please click here.

PREMIUM INNS SELECTION

Masseria Torre Coccaro - Fasano (2 nights) - brings authentic rustic charm and five-star luxury together, with a tapered garden pool, a renowned restaurant and a spa located in an underground cave.


Masseria Il Melograno (pictured) - Monopoli (1 night) - a 17th-century fortified farmhouse impeccably restored into a luxurious five star Relais & Chateaux hotel, nestled in a large grove of centuries-old olive trees with citrus gardens and a welcoming pool.


Patria Palace Hotel - Lecce (2 nights) - an 18th-century 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.


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 an alternative lodging, it will meet or exceed the above selection in ratings, settings, amenities and views.

TRIP START AND FINISH INFORMATION

Trip Start - Bari, Italy
As a convenience to our guests, we will meet you at your hotel in Bari at 10:00 am. or by special arrangement, the main train station or airport.

Bari is located about 5 hours by fast train south east of Rome. Bari is also served by inter-European flights to Bari Palese Airport. We would recommend spending your pre-trip evening in Bari. 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 - Lecce, Italy
On the final trip day, we would be pleased to drop you off at the Lecce train station for fast train service to Rome (6 hours). For train information, please visit the link above. Also available are transfers to the Brindisi Airport for flights to Rome, etc. For EuroStar fast train service to Rome, trains leave Lecce around 6:00 am. (special early morning transfer to Lecce) or 2:00 pm. (after our casual morning town visit) with stops in Bari. For transfers to Brindisi Airport, please allow 1 hour for travel.

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 sections 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.

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

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.

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

TOP REASONS WHY TRAVELING WITH CLUB TOSCANA IS SO REWARDING

Since our beginnings, Club Toscana has prided itself in producing active vacations that are the closest thing to a private trip complete with all the comforts and companionship 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 best accommodations -- always with an eye on exceeding your expectations.

Flexibility - 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 group.

Service - We take care of everything -- from meeting you at your pre-trip hotel, to making sure your luggage is taken care of, to always having a refreshment or a welcome lift when needed, 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.

Trip Leadership - Our pleasant natured, well organized and informative North American trip leaders individually have at least 20 years of experience guiding active travelers throughout every region visited by Club Toscana.

NEED MORE TRIP INFORMATION?

Click here for a fully detailed trip itinerary (printer version), e-mail our office 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
Contact Us      info@clubtoscana.com

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