1.
Seven
(7)
Day
Premier
Guided
Cycling
Trip
2011
This
is
a
luxurious
Southern
Visions
seven
(7)
day
premier
guided
cycling
trip
through
the
region
of
Puglia,
Italy,
which
lies
in
the
heel
of
the
boot,
along
the
sun-­‐drenched
Adriatic
Sea.
Puglia
offers
access
to
the
freshest
seafood,
crowd-­‐free
open
spaces,
irresistible
desserts
and
pastries,
distinct
wines,
and
the
50
million
olive
trees
that
make
this
region
the
world’s
leading
producer
of
olive
oil.
Come
to
Puglia
and
hear
the
voices
of
the
past
call
out
over
the
trulli
houses…we
promise,
once
you
discover
it,
Puglia
will
leave
a
lasting
impression.
Trip
Highlights
• Professionally
guided
cycling
each
day
• Walking
tours
of
Bari,
Alberobello,
and
Lecce
• Pugliese
cooking
demonstration
• Several
DECADENT
dinners
at
famous
local
establishments
• Farewell
party
with
local
band
2011
Trip
Dates
• April
22-­‐28
(featuring
Masseria
Torre
Coccaro
www.masseriatorrecoccaro.com/en/home
in
place
of
Masseria
Torre
Maizza)
• June
11-­‐17
(featuring
Tenuta
Cento
Porte
www.tenutacentoporte.it/
in
place
of
Masseria
Montelauro)
• September
10-­‐16
(featuring
Tenuta
Cento
Porte
www.tenutacentoporte.it/
in
place
of
Masseria
Montelauro)
• Custom
dates
also
available
Day
1
We
will
meet
in
the
lobby
of
Bari’s
Palace
Hotel
at
9:30
a.m.
You
will
find
your
guide
holding
a
Southern
Visions
sign.
Guests
are
expected
to
make
their
own
travel
arrangements
to
Puglia.
We
suggest
you
arrive
no
later
than
the
night
before
the
start
of
your
tour.
Please
see
the
end
of
this
itinerary
for
information
on
arriving
to
and
departing
from
the
area,
as
well
as
Bari
hotel
recommendations.
Bari
walking
tour
Pugliese
cooking
demonstration
&
buffet-­‐style
lunch
Cycling:
Polignano-­‐San
Vito-­‐Conversano
loop
30km/19mi
Dinner
&
Lodging:
Polignano
–
Borgo
Bianco
Resort
and
Spa
www.borgobianco.it/en/favicon.ico

2.
Your
adventure
begins
with
a
walking
tour
of
beautiful
downtown
Bari,
which
may
be
Italy’s
most
underrated
and
vibrant
urban
center.
We
will
then
immerse
you
in
the
art
of
flavor
and
freshness
that
is
Pugliese
cuisine
with
a
cooking
demonstration
and
buffet-­‐style
lunch
at
Bari’s
signature
culinary
education
facility.
After
lunch,
we
will
shuttle
you
to
the
absolutely
stunning
brand-­‐new
five-­‐star
Borgo
Bianco
Resort
and
Spa,
where
you
will
have
time
to
settle
into
your
sublimely
appointed
room
before
joining
us
for
a
custom
bike
fitting
and
magical
first
ride
up
to
beautiful
Conversano,
the
city
of
artists.
There,
you
will
have
time
to
explore
the
ancient
Aragon-­‐style
castle
and
enjoy
your
first
espressino
(Puglia’s
signature
coffee
drink).
A
leisurely
ride
downhill
and
along
the
sea
will
bring
us
back
to
Borgo
Bianco
for
a
well-­‐deserved
elegant
dinner
at
the
hotel’s
lovely
sea-­‐view
restaurant.
Day
2
Cycling:
Polignano-­‐Castellana
loop
50km/31mi
(long
option
to
the
Grottoes
70km/43mi,
pro
option
to
Noci
90km/56mi)
Afternoon
wine
tasting
&
talk
Dinner:
Pasha
in
Conversano
Lodging:
Polignano
–
Borgo
Bianco
Resort
and
Spa
www.borgobianco.it/en/favicon.ico
Today’s
ride
will
take
us
into
the
northern
reaches
of
the
Itria
Valley,
filled
with
ancient
olive
groves
and
distinctive
trulli
houses
hidden
among
nut
and
cherry
trees.
We
will
begin
with
a
slight
climb
back
towards
Conversano
before
turning
to
Putignano
and
continuing
to
Castellana
Grotte,
where
we
will
offer
an
optional
tour
of
the
amazing
caverns
and
give
you
some
time
for
lunch.
Afterwards,
those
desiring
a
relaxing
afternoon
can
return
to
the
hotel
to
hit
the
pool,
take
a
nap,
or
even
indulge
in
some
fabulous
spa
treatments.
Meanwhile,
our
more
ambitious
riders
can
continue
to
the
beautiful
town
of
Noci
before
heading
home.
Our
group
will
rejoin
in
the
early
evening
for
a
guided
tasting
with
a
local
winemaker
or
sommelier.
Then
we
will
shuttle
into
Conversano
for
dinner
at
Pasha,
one
of
the
most
fabulous
restaurants
in
all
of
Puglia.
Wow,
what
a
day!
Day
3
Alberobello
walking
tour
Lunch:
Il
Poeta
Contadino
www.ilpoetacontadino.it/
Cycling:
Polignano-­‐Monopoli-­‐Alberobello-­‐Locorotondo-­‐Savelletri
60km/37mi
(long
option
to
Martina
Franca
80km/50mi)
Dinner
&
Lodging:
Savelletri
–
Masseria
Torre
Maizza
www.masseriatorremaizza.com/index.php?id=0|1&lang=en
Our
first
big
moving
day
features
some
seriously
great
riding!
We
will
head
inland
around
the
western
side
of
Monopoli
(the
home
base
for
Southern
Visions
in
Puglia!)
and
than
uphill
through
the
forests
toward
the
UNESCO
World
Heritage
Site
of
Alberobello.
This
ride
will
take
us
a
little
time,
as
we
must
navigate
through
an
amazing
array
of
ancient
olive
trees
and
medieval
dolmens
and
around
the
occasional
Ape
(traditional
Italian
three-­‐wheeled
farm
truck).
As
you
approach
the
1500+
trulli
(whitewashed
buildings
with
conical
stone
roofs
unique
to
Puglia)
that
make
up
the
historic
center
of
Alberobello,
it
will
become
readily
apparent
why
this
town
is
the
postcard
capital
of
the
region.
Here,
we
will
meet
local
superstar
Mimmo,
who
will
guide
us
in
an
exploration
of
the
region’s
history,
culture,
and
artisanal
products
and
set
our
appetites
in
motion
for
a
feast
at
Il
Poeta
Contadino,
a
singular
restaurant
known
for
its
use
of
grass-­‐fed
meats
and
local
produce.
After
an
amazing
lunch,
we
will
continue
toward
the
Cummerse
buildings
(rectangular
with
pitched
stone
roofs)
of
Locorotondo,
which
is
also
known
for
its
light
white
wine
and
beautiful
views
of
the
entire
Itria
Valley.
From
here,
our
group

3. will
diverge,
as
the
more
energetic
riders
head
for
the
town
of
Martina
Franca
on
the
next
hilltop,
and
the
others
dive
down
toward
the
sea.
Either
way,
your
journey
will
end
at
the
spectacular
Masseria
Torre
Maizza,
where
you
can
relax
in
absolute
luxury
while
your
dinner
is
prepared
in
their
renowned
kitchen.
Day
4
Cycling:
Savelletri-­‐Cisternino-­‐Ostuni
loop
55km/34mi
(long
option
along
the
sea
to
Torre
Canne
75km/47mi)
Dinner:
La
Peschiera
www.peschierahotel.com/?lang=eng
Lodging:
Savelletri
–
Masseria
Torre
Maizza
www.masseriatorremaizza.com/index.php?id=0|1&lang=en
This
morning
begins
with
a
lovely
climb
into
the
chic
and
beautiful
hilltop
town
of
Cisternino,
where
you
will
enjoy
sweeping
views
of
the
Itria
Valley.
You
will
have
time
for
a
coffee
or
gelato
to
recharge
your
batteries
before
continuing
your
lovely
ride
along
the
ridge
to
La
Città
Bianca
(the
white
city)
of
Ostuni,
a
stunning
hilltop
jewel
with
breathtaking
sea
views.
In
Ostuni,
you
will
have
many
options
for
a
delicious
lunch
on
your
own,
including
the
opportunity
to
sample
one
of
many
preparations
of
the
ubiquitous
orecchiette
(little
ear-­‐shaped)
pasta.
The
long
option
today
will
reward
diligent
cyclists
with
a
gorgeous,
breezy
ride
along
the
sea
before
they
make
their
way
back
to
the
hotel.
The
evening
will
begin
with
a
refreshing
white
wine
aperitivo
followed
by
a
memorable
seafood
meal
at
La
Peschiera,
where
the
very
best
of
the
day’s
catch
is
prepared
with
grace
and
aplomb.
La
Peschiera
will
offer
an
amazing
finish
to
your
journey
through
the
heart
of
the
Itria
Valley.
Day
5
Transfer
to
Salento
(the
heel
of
the
heel)
Lunch
at
the
lovely
Trattoria
Acaya
Cycling:
Squinzano-­‐Acaya-­‐San
Foca-­‐Otranto
35,
50,
or
70km/22,
31,
or
43mi
Lodging:
Otranto
–
Masseria
Montelauro
www.masseriamontelauro.it/en/default.asp
After
a
lovely
last
breakfast
at
Torre
Maizza,
we
will
shuttle
you
to
the
beautiful
Masseria
Melcarne,
the
starting
point
for
an
amazing
day
of
cycling
through
the
stark
and
contrasting
beauty
of
the
Salento
area,
home
to
Puglia’s
best
wines.
With
the
warm
sun
overhead
and
the
sea
almost
always
in
view,
this
is
one
of
the
coolest
days
to
be
on
a
bike!
We
can
stop
for
a
swim
at
one
of
the
amazing
beaches
along
the
route
before
hopping
back
on
our
bikes
and
continuing
our
journey.
We
will
also
stop
in
the
famous
castle
city
of
Acaya
for
a
walk
around
and
a
killer
local
lunch.
Our
destination
is
the
ancient
city
of
Otranto,
a
must-­‐see
that’s
one
part
beach
resort,
one
part
Middle
Eastern,
many
parts
Italian,
and
every
part
enjoyable!
We
will
stay
in
the
beautiful
four-­‐star
Masseria
Montelauro
in
the
peaceful
silence
of
the
countryside
just
two
kilometers
from
the
city
center.
After
checking
into
our
hotel,
we
will
bring
you
into
Otranto
for
a
stroll
by
the
sea
and
dinner
on
your
own
(we
highly
recommend
the
pizza
in
Otranto).
Day
6
Cycling:
Otranto-­‐Santa
Maria
di
Leuca
50km/31mi
(long
option:
loop
back
to
Otranto
100km/62mi)
Farewell
party
with
Maneka
Folklore
Band
Dinner
&
Lodging:
Otranto
–
Masseria
Montelauro
www.masseriamontelauro.it/en/default.asp
At
Southern
Visions,
we
save
the
best
rides
for
last!
Breathtaking
sea
views,
natural
hot
springs,
hills,
and
pine
forests
make
this
one
of
Italy’s
most
memorable
rides.
We
will
ride
down
to
Santa
Maria
di
Leuca,
which
the
Romans
called
Finnibus
terrae
(the
end
of
the
earth).
Here
you
can
stand
on
the

4. southernmost
point
of
Puglia
and
gaze
out
to
the
inviting
sea.
On
the
way
down,
we
will
stop
for
a
lovely
cave
tour
and,
as
always,
for
coffee.
Wine
tastings
and
beach
visits
are
also
options
today.
The
serious
rider
who
wants
a
challenge
can
cycle
back
to
Otranto
and
enjoy
the
feeling
of
accomplishment
that
comes
with
completing
a
full
100km
ride!
Those
of
more
relaxed
persuasions
can
take
the
shuttle
back
to
the
hotel.
Whichever
option
you
choose,
your
day
will
end
with
an
amazing
Pugliese-­‐style
farewell
party
featuring
a
fabulous
local
band
playing
rousing
rhythms
and
a
memorable
dinner
hosted
by
your
guides.
Day
7
Morning
walking
tour
of
Lecce
Farewell
from
the
Southern
Visions
Team
After
breakfast,
we
will
shuttle
to
Lecce,
known
as
the
Florence
of
the
South,
for
a
walking
tour
highlighting
its
amazing
architectural
gems.
We
will
also
enjoy
a
cappuccino
and
Pasticciotto
Leccesse
(a
signature
local
pastry
filled
with
yummy
custard
cream)
at
Caffè
Alvino,
the
oldest
coffee
bar
in
the
region.
We
will
finish
up
around
12:00
p.m.
and
guide
you
to
the
Lecce
train
station,
shuttle
you
to
the
Brindisi
airport,
or
help
you
extend
your
stay
in
the
area.
We
hope
your
time
in
Puglia
will
have
changed
your
life
for
the
better,
as
it
has
all
of
ours.
WHAT
YOU
GET!!!
• An
outstanding
adventure
travel
experience
• Peace
of
mind
that
you
are
with
the
most
professional
cycling
company
in
Puglia
• Local
guides
with
insider
knowledge
of
the
region’s
secrets
and
mysteries
• 6
nights
lodging
at
4-­‐
and
5-­‐star
hotels
and
resorts
• 6
breakfasts
• 3
lunches
• 5
dinners
• Daily
snacks
and
happy
hours
• Guest
shuttles
and
all
luggage
transfers
• Use
of
the
finest
and
best-­‐maintained
bikes
in
Southern
Italy
• Thorough
briefing
and
bike
fitting
• Exceptional,
detailed
maps
and
route
notes
• 3
professional
walking
tours
Services
available
at
additional
cost
• Optional
shuttles
from/to
Bari
or
Brindisi
airport
or
train
station
• Room
upgrades
• Rental
of
prepaid
local
cellular
phone

5. Arrival
and
Departure
Logistics
After
reviewing
the
following
information,
please
inform
us
of
your
arrival
and
departure
plans.
Please
be
sure
to
note
these
important
contact
numbers,
in
case
you
need
assistance
before,
during,
or
after
your
trip
–
Puglia:
+39
340
264
4128
or
+39
392
185
7704;
USA
+1
800
737
5760.
Flight
arrangements
We
recommend
flying
into
Milan
or
Rome.
You
can
catch
a
flight
to
Bari
(airport
code:
BRI)
or
Brindisi
(airport
code:
BDS)
from
either
city.
Or,
if
you
prefer
to
see
the
countryside
and
perhaps
enjoy
a
pre-­‐
tour
stay
in
another
Italian
destination,
you
can
make
your
way
to
Puglia
by
train.
The
trip
from
Rome
takes
about
5
hours;
from
Florence,
it’s
about
7
½
hours;
from
Milan,
expect
approximately
8
½
hours
of
travel.
Transportation
between
the
Bari
airport
and
train
station
A
taxi
ride
between
the
airport
and
train
station
takes
25-­‐30
minutes
and
costs
around
€20.
An
Autolinee
Tempesta
bus
takes
approximately
30
minutes
and
costs
€4.15.
Booking
Italian
train
travel
You
can
purchase
Italian
rail
tickets
from
any
train
station
in
Italy.
Many
stations
are
equipped
with
automatic
ticket
machines,
from
which
you
can
purchase
tickets
and
reservation
coupons
for
travel
throughout
Italy
and
for
principal
cross-­‐border
routes.
The
machines
accept
cash,
credit
card,
or
ATM
card
with
PIN.
There
are
sometimes
unpredicted
system
outages
in
the
smaller
stations,
so
we
recommend
booking
your
entire
journey
in
advance
of
your
trip
(see
below)
or
at
a
major
train
station
at
the
start
of
your
trip.
For
more
information
on
train
travel
in
Italy,
visit
www.trenitalia.com.
There
you
can
purchase
tickets
and
make
seat
reservations
with
your
credit
card.
There
is
also
a
great
website
called
www.raileurope.com
where
you
can
purchase
individual
rail
tickets
as
well
as
rail
passes.
Another
option
is
to
purchase
tickets
and
make
reservations
through
your
own
travel
agent.
If
you
travel
on
one
of
Italy’s
faster
trains,
such
as
Eurocity,
Intercity,
or
Eurostar,
you’ll
be
charged
a
supplemental
fare
in
addition
to
the
regular
ticket
price.
If
you
travel
on
one
of
these
trains
without
a
supplemented
ticket,
you’ll
be
fined.
Don’t
panic,
though;
it
is
almost
impossible
not
to
get
the
proper
ticket
nowadays,
especially
if
you
buy
online
or
from
a
machine,
where
the
supplement
is
automatically
included
in
the
cost.
Intercity
and
Eurostar
trains
require
a
seat
reservation.
Reserving
a
seat
is
not
mandatory
on
other
trains;
however,
you
may
want
to
pay
the
extra
charge
for
a
guaranteed
seat,
especially
if
you
travel
during
a
peak
period
or
local
holiday.
Otherwise,
you
risk
having
to
stand
for
a
part
or
all
of
your
trip.
On
Italy’s
slower
trains
(Rapido,
Espresso,
Regionale,
Inter
Regionale,
and
Locale),
reservations
and
supplemental
tickets
are
not
necessary.

6. Boarding
the
train
The
platform
number
will
be
listed
at
least
10
minutes
prior
to
departure
on
the
small
TV
screens
and
larger
schedule
boards
in
the
main
station
area.
If
you
are
traveling
without
a
seat
reservation,
you
will
need
to
validate
your
“open”
ticket
by
stamping
it
at
one
of
the
small
yellow
machines
located
on
each
train
platform
(the
machine
stamps
the
date
and
time
on
the
open
ticket
to
prevent
multiple
uses).
If
you
forget
to
stamp
your
ticket
before
boarding,
tell
the
on-­‐board
inspector
immediately
to
avoid
a
supplementary
fee.
WHERE
TO
STAY
BEFORE
&
AFTER
YOUR
TOUR
BARI
PALACE
HOTEL
HOTEL
ADRIA
Via
Francesco
Lombardi
13
Via
Zuppetta
10
70122
Bari
70121
Bari
Tel
+39
080
521
6551
Tel
+39
080
524
6699
www.palacehotelbari.it/eng/index.html
www.adriahotelbari.com/english/hotel.php
GRAND
HOTEL
LEON
D’ORO
HOTEL
BOSTON
Piazza
Aldo
Moro
4
Via
Piccinni
155
70122
Bari
70122
Bari
Tel
+39
080
523
5040
Tel
+39
080
521
6633
www.grandhotelleondoro.it/e_index.php
www.bostonbari.it/index.php?&lang=en
HOTEL
VILLA
ROMANAZZI
Via
Giuseppe
Capruzzi
326
70124
Bari
Tel
+39
080
542
7400
www.villaromanazzi.com
MATERA
LA
CASA
DI
LUCIO
HOTEL
RIDOLA
Via
San
Pietro
Caveoso
66
Via
Morelli
13
75100
Matera
75100
Matera
Tel
+39
083
531
2798
Tel
+39
083
531
8811
www.lacasadilucio.it/en/
www.hotelridolamatera.it/index.php?lang=en
HOTEL
SANT’ANGELO
ALBERGO
DEL
SEDILE
Piazza
San
Pietro
Caveoso
Recinto
Sedile
4
(Piazza
del
Sedile)
75100
Matera
75100
Matera
Tel
+39
083
531
4010
Tel
+39
083
533
3436
www.hotelsantangelosassi.it/en/
www.albergodelsedile.it

7. LOCANDA
DI
SAN
MARTINO
ALBERGO
ITALIA
Via
Fiorentini
71
Via
Ridola
5
75100
Matera
75100
Matera
Tel
+39
083
525
6600
Tel
+39
083
533
3561
www.locandadisanmartino.it/en/hotel/
www.albergoitalia.com/eng/
HOTEL
IN
PIETRA
Via
San
Giovanni
Vecchio
22
75100
Matera
Tel
+39
083
534
4040
www.hotelinpietra.it/page/home_e.php
LECCE
HOTEL
PATRIA
PALACE
GRAND
HOTEL
TIZIANO
Piazzetta
Riccardi
Viale
Porto
d'Europa
73100
Lecce
73100
Lecce
Tel
+39
083
224
5111
Tel
+39
083
227
2111
www.patriapalacelecce.com/eng/index.htm
www.grandhoteltiziano.it/index_en.asp
HOTEL
DELLE
PALME
B&B
PALAZZO
ROLLO
Via
Leuca
90
Via
Vittorio
Emanuele
II
14
73100
Lecce
73100
Lecce
Tel
+39
083
234
7171
Tel
+39
083
230
7152
www.hoteldellepalmelecce.it
www.palazzorollo.it/palazzorollo/