Amalfi Coast and South

Description

Read the day by day info and join us on this amazing ride.

Day 1: We set out of Rome and head for the Prenestini mountains. We ride the little Stelvio (21 switchbacks in 5 km), visit Subiaco, and reach Fiuggi for lunch. From here we ride towards the coast on a superb road and reach Sperlonga. A great place to be by the sea near Rome right on the beach.

Day 2: We follow the SS7 (Via Appia) and head directly to visit Pompei in the morning. We have a guided visit of this fascinating site and have lunch in Pompei. In the afternoon we have all the time we need to ride to Amalfi, our first double night stop.

Day 3: A full day to enjoy the Amalfi coast. We ride to the tip of the Sorrento peninsula to view Capri island. We have time to visit Positano, the small fiord of Furore, Ravello, and generally soak up the atmosphere of this amazing coastline blessed by the mountains that fall directly into the deep blue sea and which protect it from the northern winds.

Day 4: We complete the coastal ride reaching Vietri sul Mare and head inland across the mountains of Campania and Basilicata and reach Matera, culture capital of Europe in 2019, and home of the Sassi di Matera, ancient dwellings carved in the stone. Another two nights in a hotel right by these ancient dwellings. It’s an amazing experience.

Day 5: We have full day to ride to see the “Piccole Dolomiti Lucane”, the small dolomites of the south. Not far from Matera there’s a small area of amazing rock formations and badlands which make for an amazing day ride. We’ll also ride by the abandoned town of Craco, which was abandoned in the 60s as it started sliding away. Of course it’s a loop ride which also means you can take rest and explore Matera and its Sassi.

Day 6: Lasciamo Siracusa e ci dirigiamo verso “Mongibello”. From Matera we ride to Alberobello, the town of the cone shaped houses known as Trulli, and from there we head south to Taranto and ride the coastline with its white sandy beaches and reach Lecce, the capital of Salento, the heel of Italy. Lecce is a baroque city and well worth staying in with its lively historical centre.

Day 7: We ride the loop of Salento to Santa Maria di Leuca and back counter clockwise to enjoy being always on the side of the water. We stop at the second tallest lighthouse in Europe and for the fit ones you can climb to the top (234 steps), and enjoy the view of the surroundings from 102m above sea level. It’s claimed that one can see the Albanian mountains on a clear day. We return to Lecce via Otranto and enjoy and incredible bit of coastal road.

Day 8: We head back north visit Ostuni, the white city because of its white painted houses, cross the Murge area by Altamura, famous for its bread, and reach the famous octagonal castle of Fredrik II. This castle is unique in its shape and size and no one really know exactly what it was built for. Too small for defensive reasons and with its geometrical structure it suggests a place for esoteric purposes. A fascinating visit just before reaching Trani for the night with its amazing white cathedral by the sea.

Day 9: We ride north along the Adriatic coast and explore the spur of Italy’s boot, the Gargano peninsula. Many curves, incredible coastlines and an ancient forest, called the Foresta Umbra (umbra = dark). Lunch in Vieste and final destination Termoli in Molise, the small region of Italy no one (even Italians) ever remembers.

Day 10: Time to head back to Rome across Molise and southern Lazio. Rolling hills and relaxing scenery before reaching our starting point in Rome. Farewell dinner and arrivederci to the next adventure.