The Heel of Italy: Puglia 2025

† Explanation of BAC Ride Fee – This fee is not included in the Estimated Cost and is non-refundable once submitted. The Ride Fee for US and Canada is $85 and $100 for all other countries, both are per participant.

Ride Description

OVERVIEW
Puglia, Italy’s southern region forms the heel of the “boot,” and is famed for a spectacular Mediterranean coastline enclosing whitewashed hill towns, centuries-old farmlands, and an abundance of vineyards & olive groves.  This popular BAC tour is organized through Bike and Hike Italy, a company who has supported BAC tours in this region for several years. The tour begins in Matera, a UNESCO Cultural Heritage site famed for its extensive cave-dwelling districts (the Sassi), and ends in the baroque-styled town of Lecce, frequently referred to as “Florence of the South”. This 15 day/14 night tour has two nights in Matera before criss-crossing the “heel” as we travel the Puglian towns of Locorotonda (2), Polignano a Mare (1), Pezze de Greco/Fasano (2), Mesagne (1), Gallipoli (2), Otranto (2) and Lecce (2). 

The tour kicks off with two nights in Matera allowing time for bike fittings, a guided walking tour of Matera, and a welcome dinner with traditional music performers. Departing Matera, our route includes a mid-day respite at a traditional farm for a cheese-making demonstration and lunch.  Arriving in the white-washed village of Locorotonda for 2 nights, we have the chance to visit Aberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage site featuring Trulli, the fairy-tale like traditional circular stone houses with conical roofs. Next up, Polignano a Mare, a wonderfully romantic village perched on a cliff over the Adriatic Sea, offering delightful sea-side cycling. Turning inland, we stay at a tranquil Massaeria (centuries-old working farm) located in the Pezze de Greco area for a couple nights. A single night in Mesagne is followed by two nights in Gallipoli, a peaceful seaside town known for beaches and seafood cuisine.  Otranto is our last two night stop before we finish in Lecce where the tour wraps up with a bonus day to include a guided tour of Lecce.   

Given that this tour offers a two-night stay at most locations, participants have the opportunity to cycle most days as well as enjoy the beautiful locations.  Puglia offers not only some of Italy's loveliest beaches but also a sublime climate, a series of fascinating towns, a number of important archaeological sites and, last but certainly not least, an excellent culinary tradition bristling with local specialties!

RIDE RATING
The itinerary is rated 1B!. The mandatory riding days average 40 miles and 1130 feet of elevation gain. Those outside the 1B rating are in bold: D3 52mi/2575ft; D5 36/1339ft; D6 25mi/788ft; D8 42mi/1628ft; D9 58mi/1690ft; D11 38mi/1002ft; D13 33mi/1065ft; Optional riding days: D4 33mi/2057ft; D7 22mi/1903ft; D10 32mi/571ft; D12 38mi/1377ft; D14 42mi/803ft.  The “!” rating is due to the need for riders to be comfortable with traffic as entry to some towns are on busier roads.  Also, pavement quality can vary in this part of Italy and some routes include short gravel sections.  Road bikes with a minimum of 28mm tires are recommended. Hybrid and touring bikes are perfect for this tour. Check with Ride Leader if you desire to bring a tandem.  Optional longer rides will be available on some days.

Prior to the tour, Hike and Bike Italy will provide links to the GPX files of our cycling routes.  Cue sheets are not provided and participants should be prepared to navigate using a GPS device or the Ridewithgps app on their phone.

WEATHER
Puglia in late September, early October averages in the low 70’s and is ideal for cycling.  The summer heat of the southern Italian sun means the sea remain warm for swimming even into October. Still, one should pack a rain jacket in the event of an occasional shower.

LODGINGS AND MEALS
This tour Includes 14 nights in a mix of 4 & 5 star hotels, all breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 7 dinners. Due to hotel restrictions, happy hours will be cash bar with limited snacks. 

LOGISTICS
The tour begins at Hotel Italia in Matera at 6pm on September 29, 2025.  The most convenient airport is Bari (BRI), from which you can take an airport bus to Bari Centrale Station and take an FAL train to Matera (journey time approx. 1 hour).  There are good train connections to Bari from Rome and Naples. It is possible to take a direct bus from Naples to Matera.

The tour ends at the Risorgimento Resort in Lecce after breakfast on October 13, 2025.  The most convenient airport is Brindisi (BDS).  There are frequent trains from Lecce to Brindisi from where you can catch an airport bus (15 minutes journey time – every 30 minutes). A private shared transfer from our Lecce hotel to Brindisi Airport (around 45 minutes) is a more convenient option. There are good train connections from Lecce to Rome, Naples, and Matera.

Rental bikes (hybrid, road and electric bikes) will be available through Hike and Bike Italy. Those wishing to rent should liaise directly with Hike and Bike Italy – more information about this will follow. (Hybrid or Touring bike 250Euro; Road bike 350Euro; Electric bike 400Euro). For those bringing their own bikes, bike boxes will be collected for storage in Matera and transferred to our hotel in Lecce on the afternoon of October 12, 2025.

EUROPEAN TRAVEL AND INFORMATION AUTHORIZATION SYSTEM (ETIAS) 
In 2025 travellers to Europe must complete the new mandatory pre-screening security questionnaire ETIAS. Without ETIAS approval, travellers from the US, Canada, and many other countries will not be able to book travel into Europe. Approvals can be issued quickly and once issued are valid for 3 years. ETIAS applications can be completed online:  https://etias.com/etias-application

COST AND ADMINISTRATION
The cost of the tour is based on an exchange rate of $1.18 to the Euro. Included in the tour price are 15 days/14 nights lodging, all breakfasts, 1 lunch, and 7 three course meals, luggage transport, gpx routes, two city tours, gratuity for guides, and a 5% contingency.  The price is subject to adjust based on the exchange rate and will be reviewed in April 2025. Depending on currency exchange rates, an adjustment in the amount of the final payment is possible. The initial deposit of $2000  plus the $100 BAC tour fee is due immediately.  The final payment of $2500 is due on May 1, 2025.

SOLO & SINGLES POLICY
A “solo” is a member who signs up and does not wish to share a room. A “single” is someone who shares a room with someone not on their BAC membership.  It is recommended that singles who want a roommate try to find their own. However, after receipt of the initial deposit, a single without a roommate will be placed on the ride and given until April 1, 2025 to find a roommate. If they are unable to find a roommate, they will have the option to receive a full refund (minus the BAC fee and payment processing fee) or pay the solo supplement $1000 and stay on the ride. If a single pays the supplement, they may continue to seek a roommate, but must plan to participate without a roommate if necessary. The Ride Leader will assist by attempting to match singles who apply for the ride, but singles must ultimately make their own rooming decision.  

Solo supplement payments need to be received in the BAC office by April 1, 2025 by one of the methods below:  

1.   A check made out to “BAC” with a notation of the tour name included on the check mailed to: Bicycle Adventure Club, PO Box 23998, San Diego, CA 92193.

2.  Zelle payment transfer using the following instructions: a) In your bank's website, add Bicycle Adventure Club as a new recipient with the email address treasurer@bicycleadventureclub.org b)  Initiate a payment c) In the message block, enter the name of the ride. NOTE: Only solo supplement payments may be paid via Zelle. All other tour payments must be made by credit card through the BAC website.

CANCELLATION POLICY
The BAC ride registration and payment processing fees are not refundable unless the entire tour is cancelled due to participation below stated minimum requirements.  Refunds of tour payments will depend upon whether a replacement rider signs up, and on costs that can be recouped.  The amount refunded will be based on the principle that the tour’s remaining participants will not incur any additional cost as a result of cancellations.  If the cancelling participant is replaced, a refund will be made at that time.  If the cancelling participant can't be replaced, any refund will be determined after the ride and final expense report are completed.  If a single participant cancels and another roommate cannot be found, in addition to other costs that cannot be recouped the cancelling roommate may also be liable for the single supplement fee of the roommate remaining on the tour.  BAC encourages members to purchase trip cancellation insurance.     

For cancellations for which a replacement is not found, the Hike and Bike Italy cancellation fee policy is as follows and are additional to any BAC cancellation costs:
90+ days – 10% of Tour fee  
30-90 days – 30% of Tour fee
0-30 days – 100% of Tour fee
The above fees will be deducted before any refund is calculated.

HEALTH AND SAFETY
Vaccinations for Covid are recommended but not required. Participants are expected to come to the tour in good health and ready to ride. Should someone's health become compromised and the group’s health and safety placed in jeopardy, a plan will be developed by the Ride leader and communicated to all individuals. The expectation is for the group to work together to mitigate any spread of infection or illness to ensure the tour can continue as planned. 

RIDE PARTICIPANT RESPONSIBILITY
Please remember that BAC Ride Leaders are volunteers, and that successful tours depend on participants providing much of their own support. Participants are expected to come to the ride well trained, in good health and ready to accomplish the required daily riding using well-maintained bicycles.    All participants should accept responsibility for a safe and enjoyable tour. We encourage you to read the ride description carefully and respond to requests from Ride Leader. While on the ride, support your Ride Leader.   Please keep the Ride Leader informed of any special request you may have and respect the Ride Leader’s decisions.

INSURANCE
Before participating in any BAC tour, you should assess whether your medical and travel insurance coverage is sufficient. BAC maintains insurance that covers expenses related to accidents, medical emergencies such as sudden and unexpected sickness, and repatriation. This coverage applies when touring outside the US and your home country, regardless of your nationality. It will cover you door-to-door for a maximum of 90 days but will expire if you make a side trip not related to the BAC tour for more than 7 days before or after. There is limited coverage for a family member to join a covered person in an emergency. The policy covers the cost of treatment for Covid and other unexpected illnesses, but not quarantine. You should ensure that your vaccinations are up to date. Coverage is subject to a $1,000 deductible.

SIGN-UP
To register for this ride, use the sign-up links just above the Ride Description. After preliminary acceptance, you will be moved to the pending list and receive an email requesting you to go back to the BAC site to digitally accept the terms of the Release of Liability (ROL), and pay the Tour Deposit and the non-refundable BAC Ride Registration Fee by credit card.. As soon as your deposit has been processed, your name(s) will be added to the Participant List. BAC members with questions may contact the Ride Director by "clicking" the name at the top of this Ride Description