Matera To Puglia Ride

Our Clients’ Reviews

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It's the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you're interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

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  Cherry Shelton-Mills

  MATERA TO PUGLIA RIDE

  

  Written May 2013

  Perfect spring cycling, beautiful scenery, wonderful food 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Visiting the caves (sassi) in Matera, cycling through the countryside around Alberobello with fields of red poppies surrounding white trullis and groves of olive trees, the coast ride north of Leuca

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Michele is a really great guide: tireless and always cheerful, he couldn't do enough for us and even went to the trouble of preparing a local dish himself for our lunch at a bar on the beach on the last day. He knew the best places for views along the route and performed a dive from the cliffs into the sea - very impressive! He was also very flexible so we were able to stop at a beach and swim one very hot afternoon instead of continuing to ride.

  You can't go to Puglia and not try the local foods and he always had recommendations for us. Thanks to his thoughtfulness settling individual bills after meals was also very simple and quick.

  If anyone didn't want to carry on riding he and the driver Antonio were always ready to load the bike on the roof and never made anyone feel they were being difficult.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The bikes are good touring bikes with computer, pannier and a bag with map holder for the handlebars so no need to bring bike backpacks etc. Exodus also provided waterbottles. Bring padded shorts - the roads can be bumpy:-)

  Try to stay an extra night in Matera at the start - it is well worth it. I also stayed an exta night in Lecce and took the train back to Bari for just €18.

  You need good sun protection!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I'd wanted to visit this area for a while and it certainly lived up to my expectations.

  Cycling was really enjoyable - with the long winter here some of us were concerned about stamina for the long first day but it was all doable. The most uphill stretches were on day 5 but none were too hard and Italian car drivers are much more considerate of cyclists than British ones.

   
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  Anneliese Lindner

  MATERA TO PUGLIA RIDE

  

  Written April 2013

  This was a really enjoyable cycling holiday:  the roads chosen were predominatly little trafficked by cars, the countryside was a lush green, with roadsides and fields covered in masses of wildflowers, the villages and towns presenting aspects ranging from rural tranquility to urban liveliness and architectural interest.   

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Not a moment, but a few inspirational hours: the spectacular scenery of the Adriatic coast from Santa Maria de Leuca towards Otranto. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Michele did everything possible - and always with a smile and good humour - to make the holiday a good experience for everyone in the group.  He also ensured that we sampled the special/traditonal dishes of each region.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Make sure to take with you a good guide book for the region!

   
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  Karen Fitzpatrick

  MATERA TO PUGLIA RIDE

  

  Written April 2013

  This was a fabulous trip that really exceeded my expectations. I knew that the region would be very nice but it was just stunning and the countryside was beautiful to cycle through. The accommodation was really lovely also...especially in Matera 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The views mainly...The lovely little towns we visited were great but the real delight was the contrast between the countryside and the coastal paths

  What did you think of your group leader?

  we had an Italian guide Michele who was wonderful....very helpful (especially sorting out bills at the end of meals etc) and really organised to ensure we made the most of our trip

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  April/May was a wonderful time to visit....hardly any tourists.....I would just say Go before this region gets too busy

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  missed my little orange bike at the end of the trip.......