About this trip.
The heel of Italy's boot
Puglia is the long, sun-bleached strip that forms the heel of Italy — a region the Greeks, Romans and Spaniards each ran in turn, and each left their fingerprints on. You feel it in the architecture of Lecce, the food, and in the Trulli houses scattered across the countryside like something out of a children's book. It is also, by Italian standards, still relatively unvarnished. The crowds that flood Tuscany in August do not really make it down here. This Saddle Skedaddle trip is a guided leisure ride graded 2-3 out of 5, eight days long, mostly flat and rolling, on quiet country roads.
From Lecce to Monopoli
The week starts in Lecce, sometimes called the Florence of the South — a baroque city of warm limestone, churches piled on churches, and trattorie that take their lunch service seriously. From there the route runs down the Adriatic coast, through Otranto and on to Santa Maria di Leuca at the very tip of the heel, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet. You loop back north along the Ionian side to Gallipoli, an old fishing port that doubles as a beach town in summer.
The second half leaves the Salento behind for the Valle d'Itria. Ostuni — the White City — is the first stop, all whitewashed walls stacked on a hilltop. Then it is cross-country riding through olive groves that have been producing for centuries, on lanes dotted with Trulli, the conical-roofed dry-stone huts particular to this corner of Italy. You spend an evening in Alberobello, a UNESCO site that is essentially a whole town built of them. The ride finishes in Monopoli, a port town set on limestone cliffs above the Adriatic.
The cycling itself
This is a leisure trip rather than a sportive. Most of the riding is gentle, with a few climbs scattered through the week — enough to earn lunch, not enough to dominate the day. Roads are quiet, the surface is generally good, and the coastal stretches are the kind of cycling people picture when they imagine cycling in Italy. E-bike hire is offered for anyone who wants a battery to take the sting out of the hills; pedal-assist riders join the group at the standard pace.
Practicalities
Prices start from £2,295 per person for the eight-day guided tour. Accommodation is in 3 and 4-star hotels in Apulian towns and villages — the kind of places where dinner is a long affair and the breakfast pastries come from the bakery round the corner. A self-guided version of the same route is also available for those who prefer to ride at their own pace without a group.
The trip suits competent leisure cyclists who want a week of fairly easy mileage in good weather, broken up by long lunches, swims off sandy beaches, and evenings in proper towns rather than purpose-built resorts. Trip notes and dates are available direct from Saddle Skedaddle on +44 (0)191 265 1110.
The shape of the trip.
What's typically in the price, what isn't.
A general guide for cycling holidays of this kind. Check the operator's booking page for the final inclusions on this specific trip.
Typically included
- ✓Hotel accommodation, double or twin en-suite rooms
- ✓Daily breakfast at each hotel
- ✓Luggage transfer between hotels on every riding day
- ✓Bike rental (usually a hybrid), helmet, and panniers
- ✓Detailed route notes with GPX files and emergency contacts
- ✓24/7 support line in English for the duration of the trip
Typically not included
- ×Flights to and from the country of travel
- ×Travel insurance with cycle cover (strongly recommended)
- ×Lunches and most evening meals — eat locally on the route
- ×E-bike or road-bike upgrades (usually a supplement)
- ×Repair kit consumables (tubes, chain lube) beyond what comes with the bike
- ×Any alcohol beyond wine included with set dinners
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard are the climbs?
Grading reflects daily distance, total climbing, and traffic. Moderate routes typically involve 40-60km a day with 300-600m of climbing, on quiet roads or well-surfaced bike paths. If you ride regularly at home and can manage a 40km weekend ride, you'll be fine. Check the daily elevation profile when the operator shares it.
Q2Is bike rental included?
It's usually included, with a hybrid as standard and an e-bike or road-bike upgrade available for a supplement. Helmets and panniers normally come with the rental. Check the operator's booking page for the exact inclusions on this trip.
Q3What if I get a puncture?
Rental bikes come with a small repair kit and a pump. If you can't fix it yourself, the operator's support line can arrange a replacement or a lift to the next hotel — times vary by location. Carry a phone and the support number at all times.
Q4Can I use my own bike?
Yes, most operators are happy for you to bring your own bike — you'll often get a small discount off the trip price in lieu of rental. Check with the airline on how to transport it, and bring basic spares (tubes, multi-tool).
Q5Can I do this solo?
Absolutely — self-guided cycling holidays work well for solo travellers. The route notes, GPX files, and 24/7 support are designed for confident independent riders.
Q6What if the weather is bad?
The route is rideable in rain if you're dressed for it, though some surfaces get slower. The operator's support line can reroute you onto a lower / flatter alternative or arrange a vehicle transfer for any stage if conditions are genuinely unsafe.
Q7How do I get there from the UK?
Fly into the nearest airport, then train or transfer to the start point. The operator will advise — some will book onward trains for a small fee. If you're bringing your own bike, check dimensions and dismantling requirements with the airline in advance.
Q8What about cancellation?
A deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance with cycle cover is strongly recommended.
Three cycling holidays, side-by-side.
Other cycling holidays on Mooch in the same spirit. All prices per person, from the operator.
