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Azure waters and gleaming white-washed villages herald the region of Puglia. This region of Southern Italy is a magical world with flavors of Greece, ancient traditions, and a touch of the exotic. Land and sea embrace in Puglia, full of wild beauty...imagine the stunning coastline of the deep blue Adriatic, fairy-tale like trulli, hidden sea caves, and elaborate Baroque cathedrals. This corner of Italy captures our imagination as we enjoy leisurely cycling through a sweet and peaceful land.
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• Focaccia making lesson and lunch at a masseria
• Views of the beautiful blue Adriatic
• Guided visits of Alberobello and Puglia's hidden sea caves
• Biking through winding farmlands dotted with trulli
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Day 1 & 2 Monopoli
Biking along the coast towards the narrow streets of Monopoli, a stark white coastal village, we see evidence of Puglia's rich past in the traces left by the Greeks, Romans, and Normans. Heading inland we cycle through a dramatic landscape of grove after grove of gnarled old olive trees and almond orchards. A welcome feast at our inn features orecchiette pasta, fatte in casa, and deep green olive oil pressed at our inn's centuries old estate.
• Two nights at Il Melograno, a lovely Relais & Châteaux property overlooking the orange groves.
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Day 3 & 4 Alberobello & Locorotondo
Framed by palms, pink bougainvillea and pomegranate trees our route leads through the Valle d'Itria. Here the countryside is dotted with trulli, whimsical cone-shaped limestone structures. Our private guide in Alberobello explains their humble origins and deciphers the mystical symbols painted on their stone roofs. On to Locorotondo, a picturesque hill town with views all around the valley that produces one of Puglia's best wines, a crisp white that merits a tasting.
• One night at Il Palmento, the 4 star truli experience.
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Day 5 & 6 Val d'Itria & Egnazia
Enjoy a unique ride through the contrade, or hamlets of trulli homes, brings us to a masseria, farmhouse, where Nicola teaches us to make airy focaccia bread during our cooking lesson. Our final ride takes us to the 6th c. Roman town of Egnazia where the ruins hint at one of the earliest civilizations to inhabit the coast.
• Two nights at Masseria Torre Coccaro or Masseria Torre Maizza, a magnificenty restored 5 star Masseria hotel near the coast.
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"I'm already dreaming about next year's trip."
Kitty Brooks
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Dates: Jun 15-20, Sep 14-19, Sep 28-Oct 3, Oct 5-10, Jun 7-12, 2009
See Puglia Guest Chef Biking for additional departures.
Length: 6 days/5 nights
Level: 1 B
Daily Mileage: 15-38 miles on flat to gently rolling terrain.
Cost: $3880
Single Supplement: $800
Meals: All breakfasts, all dinners but 1; picnic lunch.
Hotels: 16th c. masserie & a 5 star estate.
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