Itinerary
- Day 1
Monopoli
You'll arrive in Monopoli, the historic coastal city where this trip begins. If your flight gets in early enough, there's time to wander the narrow alleys and walk along the Adriatic shore before things get going. Around 6:30pm you'll meet your tour leader and the other cyclists for the first time, and then head out together for a welcome dinner to kick things off.
- Meals
- Dinner (Group dinner with tour leader)
Included Activities
- Group dinner
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Monopoli's narrow alleys
- Walk along the Adriatic shore
- Pre-tour visit to UNESCO-listed Alberobello (traditional stone trulli huts)
- Pre-tour visit to Ostuni (the White City with whitewashed old town)
Landmarks Monopoli Alberobello Ostuni 
- Day 2
Monopoli to Matera
The cycling starts today from the coast heading inland toward Matera. You'll warm up with a climb onto a rolling plateau, then pedal through fennel fields and ancient olive groves while passing through several Apulian villages with coffee and rest stops along the way. The route takes you across into Basilicata region along the Appian Way, an ancient Roman road that was critical to the empire. By afternoon you'll reach Matera, a UNESCO site, with time to walk through the Sassi district (ancient cave dwellings) and grab an aperitivo in one of the town squares.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cycling from Monopoli to Matera
- Stroll through the UNESCO-listed Sassi district of Matera
Optional Activities
- Coffee or refreshment stops in Apulian villages
Landmarks Matera Sassi District Appian Way 
- Day 3
Matera to Castelmezzano
Today's the longest ride of the trip, starting with an easy downhill through fields toward Lake of St Giuliano. You'll follow an old ridge road passing through historic villages including Tricarico, the old Byzantine capital, before seeing the Lucan Dolomites appear. There's a steep challenging climb to Castelmezzano, one of Italy's prettiest villages set on a sandstone mountain with great views (the support vehicle can help if you skip this final ascent). After a walk through the village and up to the Norman steps, dinner waits at the hotel.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at hotel restaurant)
Included Activities
- Cycling from Matera to Castelmezzano
- Walk through Castelmezzano village
- Walk up to the Norman steps
- Dinner at hotel restaurant
Optional Activities
- Skip the steep final climb via support vehicle
Landmarks Lake of St Giuliano Tricarico Lucan Dolomites Castelmezzano 
- Day 4
Castelmezzano to Padula
You'll head west into Campania today, crossing the National Park of the Basilicata Apennines through sparsely populated wilderness with mountain scenery and historic villages. After tackling a challenging final climb, you'll reach the ridge between Basilicata and Campania, then cycle down into the Vallo di Diano, a fertile high plain with beautiful medieval towns scattered throughout. The day ends in the charming village of Padula.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Cycling from Castelmezzano to Padula
Landmarks National Park of the Basilicata Apennines Vallo di Diano Padula - Day 5
Padula to Cilento National Park
This is a shorter ride day, which gives you time for sightseeing. Start with a morning visit to Padula Charterhouse, Italy's largest monastery and a UNESCO World Heritage site. From there you'll cycle into Cilento National Park on a mostly flat route through the Vallo di Diano, then climb the Sentinella pass at 3,058ft/932m winding high above the plain. After descending into the park, you'll reach a homely agriturismo with a pool for relaxing, or you can take an optional short ride to the ghost town of Roscigno, abandoned in the early 1900s after a landslide.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to Padula Charterhouse (largest monastery in Italy, UNESCO World Heritage site)
- Cycling from Padula to Cilento National Park
Optional Activities
- Short optional ride to ghost town of Roscigno
Landmarks Padula Charterhouse Cilento National Park Sentinella Pass Roscigno - Day 6
Cilento National Park to Paestum
You'll ride in the shadow of the Alburni Mountains down to the Tyrrhenian Sea, arriving early afternoon at the preserved Greek temples of Paestum with its three columned temples dedicated to Hera and Athena. Your hotel is close by, so you have options to either visit this important archaeological site or relax by the swimming pool. The sea is just a short bike ride away if you want a refreshing swim in the late afternoon, and dinner happens at the hotel tonight.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Cycling from Cilento National Park to Paestum
- Visit the Greek temples of Paestum
Optional Activities
- Relax at hotel swimming pool
- Refreshing swim in the sea
Landmarks Alburni Mountains Greek Temples of Paestum Tyrrhenian Sea 
- Day 7
Paestum to Sorrento via Amalfi Coast
After an early train to Salerno, you'll get on your bikes to cycle one of the world's beautiful coastlines, the Amalfi Coast. A short climb to Vietri leads into an undulating coastal route through Cetara and uphill to the dramatic viewpoint at Capo d'Orso. You'll continue toward Amalfi with a quick stop and stroll, then ride past Positano and cross the ridge down to Sorrento. The day wraps up with drinks at the beach, a swim in the Bay of Naples with Mount Vesuvius visible, a stroll through the historic center, and an optional last evening meal together.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch
Included Activities
- Train ride from Paestum to Salerno
- Cycling the Amalfi Coast from Salerno to Sorrento
Optional Activities
- Stop and stroll in Amalfi
- Drink at beach in Sorrento
- Swim in Bay of Naples
- Stroll in Sorrento's historic center
- Last evening meal (optional)
Landmarks Salerno Vietri Cetara Capo d'Orso Amalfi Positano Sorrento Mount Vesuvius Bay of Naples Amalfi Coast 
- Day 8
Sorrento Departure
The trip ends this morning. If you'd like to see more of this region, your sales representative can help arrange extra nights in Sorrento or along the Amalfi Coast.
Optional Activities
- Add extra nights in Sorrento
- Add extra nights in Amalfi Coast
