Italy Coast to Coast by E-bike: Puglia to Amalfi Coast

Begin your adventure in the historic coastal city of Monopoli. Depending on when the group arrives, we might have time for a relaxing stroll through the town’s narrow alleys and along the Adriatic shore. Around 6:30pm, say ciao to your tour leader and fellow travellers, when we gather as a group for the first time to get to know each other and learn more about the adventures ahead. Your tour leader then ensures a big Italian welcome by arranging a group dinner. We strongly recommend arriving a day or two early to visit some of the other regional highlights, including the Unesco-listed town of Alberobello, home to trulli (traditional stone huts with conical roofs), or Ostuni, known as the White City for its whitewashed old town. Secure pre-tour hotel nights through your sales representative.

Today we start cycling from the coast and go inland, heading for Matera, one of the most fascinating cities in southern Italy. A warm-up climb brings us onto a large rolling plateau, where we pedal through fennel fields and ancient olive groves. We pass several Apulian villages, where we stop to regroup, take a coffee or rest. As we cross into the Basilicata region for the last part of the route, we cycle through open fields and partly along the the Appian Way, an ancient Roman road that was strategically vital to the empire. We should reach the UNESCO-listed town of Matera in the afternoon with time for a relaxing stroll in the Sassi district, home to ancient cave dwellings, and for an aperitivo in one of the beautiful squares.

Today will be our longest ride but the destination will be more than worth the effort. We start with an easy downhill through fields towards the Lake of St Giuliano. We then follow an old road along a ridge, encountering several historic villages, including the old Byzantine capital of Tricarico, before arriving in sight of the Lucan Dolomites, known as the Dolomites of the South. We have a downhill ride and gather strength for the challenging but rewarding steep climb to Castelmezzano, a beautiful village clinging to a sandstone mountain. The support vehicle is available if you would prefer to skip this last ascent. Castelmezzano, rated as one of the prettiest villages in Italy, is very remote and set in a breath-taking location with mountain views – a perfect reward for our long ride today. A short walk through the village and up to the Norman steps is a must before dinner at the hotel restaurant. Overnight in Castelmezzano.

Today we head west into the Campania region. In the morning, we cross the National Park of the Basilicata Apennines, a sparsely populated wilderness area of mountain scenery and historic villages. Towards the end of the afternoon, after a last challenging climb, we reach the top of the ridge between Basilicata and the Campania region. From here, we cycle down into the Vallo di Diano, a fertile high plain with several beautiful medieval towns. We settle into Padula, a beautiful village.

Today's ride is relatively short, allowing us time to sightsee. We first cycle down to Padula, where we recommend paying a morning visit to the Padula Charterhouse, the largest monastery in Italy and Unesco World Heritage site. After the visit, we get on our bikes again and cycle into the heart of Cilento National Park. First, we follow a mainly flat route through the Vallo di Diano and continue with a climb up the Sentinella pass (3,058ft/932m), which winds high above the plain. The last part of the route descends into Cilento National Park, where we settle into our homely agriturismo with a pool. We have lunch (if we arrive on time), after which we can relax or go for a short optional ride to the nearby ghost town of Roscigno, which was abandoned in the early 20th century after a landslide.

Today we ride in the shadow of the Alburni Mountains making our way down to the Tyrrhenian Sea. Early in the afternoon, we arrive at the excellently preserved Greek temples of Paestum. Our hotel is close, so we have time to visit this impressive archaeological site, home to three columned temples dedicated to the Greek gods Hera and Athena. Alternatively, you could opt to relax at the swimming pool. The sea is only a few minutes’ away by bike, so you can enjoy a refreshing swim in the late afternoon. Tonight, we eat at the hotel.

We start the day with an early train ride to Salerno. Here we get on our bikes and begin our final cycle along one of the most beautiful coastlines in the world: the Amalfi Coast. After a short climb up to Vietri, we follow the undulating coastal route to Cetara and continue uphill to the dramatic viewpoint of Capo d’Orso. We then head towards Amalfi itself, where we have time for a short stop and stroll. In the afternoon, we ride past Positano and cross the ridge to then wind down to the resort town of Sorrento. Here we can toast our accomplishment with a drink or two at the beach and a dive into the Bay of Naples in sight of Mount Vesuvius. Those who wish can opt for a stroll in the historic centre, or perhaps just a few hours of relaxation. In the evening, we gather together for a last evening meal (optional).