April 21, 2016Read time - 2 minutes"Don't tell anyone about how beautiful Lecce is – everyone will go there! There are white limestone cathedrals, old squares and little cobbled streets, but it's nowhere near as busy as somewhere like Rome."Matera at dusk Self-Guided Cycling in ItalyVenturing south to Italy's heel ticks all the Mediterranean boxes – scrumptious food and wines, sunny skies and time-old towns –with fewer crowds. For Cheryl Gooch and her family, cycling over gentle hills and past twinkling bays seemed the perfect way to catch up last summer."Cycling 50km a day, in southern Italy, with bikes supplied and all your baggage transported for you – I was sold! Our family's split across countries – my husband, teenage daughter and I live in Geneva – but our son's in the UK, so it would've been tricky to bring our own bikes.And, as there were five of us, we thought a self-guided trip would give us that extra bit of flexibility and the chance to go at a leisurely pace, chatting as we cycled along.Poppy fields Exodus gave us route notes about the area and suggested detours to the sights – castles, lighthouses, grottos. We only had to carry what we needed for the day; we left our bags behind in the morning and they magically appeared at our next hotel in the evening!We began the trip in beautiful Matera. Buildings staggered up a cliff, with a dramatic drop at the back of the town where caves are built into the rocks. Our next night's stay in a traditional trullo in Alberobello was a pleasant surprise too.Apulian Frisella with tomato Exploring PugliaEach day gave us a complete change of scenery. Puglia is one of the biggest olive-producing areas of Italy, so there are fields and fields of olive trees.There are also flat coastal paths, the chance to stand on the heel of Italy, and a breathtaking view of Leece as you approach the final leg of the trip.Not to forget dairy farming and mozzarella production, which worked out nicely for our midday picnics – although we didn't go over the top at lunch because there was always a delicious meal and a glass of red wine waiting for us in the evening.That's the brilliant thing about cycling in Italy – it's a great way to see the countryside, and you can eat and drink as much as you like!" Cheryl Gooch travelled on Puglia: Self-Guided Cycling in the Heel of ItalySee our self-guided cycling trips of Italy below and set off on your own adventure.
Contrasts of Puglia Cycling Explore Puglia's unspoilt villages, gently rolling hills with a backdrop of the clear, emerald Adriatic Cycling Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate Ages: 12+ 8 Days from £1,409 Self-Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Highlights of Puglia Cycling Explore Puglia's unspoilt villages, gently rolling hills with a backdrop of the clear, emerald Adriatic Cycling Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate Ages: 8+ 11 Days from £2,249 Self-Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Puglia - Cycling the Heel of Italy Cycle at your own pace through UNESCO historic Italian villages and idyllic coastline Cycling Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate Ages: 14+ 8 Days from £1,169 Self-Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Self-Guided Cycling through Baroque Sicily Explore Sicily's south east, renowned for its unspoilt coastline, spectacular Baroque architecture and cuisine Cycling Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate Ages: 13+ 9 Days from £1,829 Self-Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
A Taste of Tuscany Cycling Quintessential Tuscany - the landscapes, the food and the people Cycling Activity level: Moderate Ages: 13+ 8 Days from £1,459 Self-Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Cycling in Tuscany: Pisa to Florence Cycle through beautiful Tuscan landscape Cycling Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate Ages: 12+ 8 Days from £1,029 Self-Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Heart of Veneto Cycling This single centre cycling holiday is the perfect choice for a genuine Italian experience Cycling Activity level: Leisurely Ages: 8+ 8 Days from £1,039 Self-Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Barolo Gastronomic Cycling Scenic self-guided cycling in the UNESCO vineyards of Piedmont Cycling Activity level: Moderate Ages: 12+ 9 Days from £2,039 Self-Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Classic Chianti Cycling Explore unspoilt Tuscan countryside with the option to visit Florence and Siena Cycling Activity level: Leisurely / Moderate Ages: 8+ 11 Days from £1,969 Self-Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Venetian Villas and Vineyards Cycling Wonderfully easy hotel-to-hotel cycling route exploring the pretty villages, villas and castles of the Venetian countryside Cycling Activity level: Leisurely Ages: 8+ 9 Days from £1,329 Self-Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details
Secrets of San Gimignano Cycling Experience rich scenery, fantastically contrasting hotels, superb local cuisine and exceptional wines Cycling Activity level: Moderate Ages: 8+ 9 Days from £1,729 Self-Guided (Excl. Flights) View More Details