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Puglia: Italy's Undiscovered Coast 2008

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Journey by bicycle and discover Puglia, Italy’s best-kept secret, a hidden gem not yet overrun with tourists. Come explore this beautiful landscape of whitewashed villages, charming trulli, dazzling blue seas, ancient olive groves and endless beaches.   Detailed Itinerary

DISCOVER centuries-old, fortified country hotels called masseria EXPLORE the town of Otranto and its mysterious mosaic SAMPLE local delights and delicious regional cuisine during a home-hosted lunch at Il Frantoio CYCLE on peaceful country roads along the glimmering coast MEET a local family and learn how they make ‘sagne' pasta by hand TASTE freshly-made olive oil at an ancient mill VISIT prehistoric grottoes RELAX in wonderfully-restored farm hotels and a 5-star country resort LEARN to make your own sagne and orecchiette pasta by hand

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Air-Inclusive Tour Roundtrip international airfare 8 nights in 4- and 5-star hotels and authentic masserias 14 meals — 8 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners Transfers And the option to add our Low-Cost Trip Extensions: Pre-trip: Matera • 2 nights $395 Post-trip: Rome • 3 nights $495 Free use of our custom VBT bicycle and helmet Service of two bilingual VBT Trip Leaders FULL VAN SUPPORT Daily route directions and maps Sightseeing and cultural activities 5% Frequent Traveler Credit to use on your next VBT vacation Special Good Buy Discount Land-Only Tour 6 nights in 4- and 5-star hotels and authentic masserias 12 meals — 6 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 4 dinners Free use of our custom VBT bicycle and helmet Service of two bilingual VBT Trip Leaders FULL VAN SUPPORT Daily route directions and maps Sightseeing and cultural activities 5% Frequent Traveler Credit to use on your next VBT vacation Special Good Buy Discount

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Rating Level: Easy This tour offers easy terrain throughout the trip. Ideal for beginning cyclists. Full Van Support: Enjoy more flexibility and choice with full van support throughout your vacation. Group Size: 14-20 Daily Mileage: 15-35 miles Daily Cycling Times: 2-4 hours Avg. Daily High Temperature: Puglia: Feb 55° Mar 58° Apr 64° May 70° Jun 78° Sep 75° Oct 72° Nov 69°

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Hotel la Terra This 4-star hotel is a small, family-run property, well located in the quiet “Vecchio Borgo,” the most ancient part of Ostuni called “La Terra.” It is conveniently located for discovery of the area on foot. Once an ancient palace dating back to the 13th century, it has been completely restored. The hotel’s frescoed ceilings, rooms with beamed, sloping roofs, and a little bar carved out of an ancient underground cave make it particularly charming. website: www.laterrahotel.it Masseria Montelauro The Farmhouse, built in 1878, was restored with full respect for its original nature, retaining all the colors and fruits that have always characterized the countryside in the garden that surrounds it. The only modern touch: the swimming pool in the inner court surrounded by the orchard. website: www.masseriamontelauro.it Masseria Torre Coccaro Masseria Torre Coccaro is set in an ancient fortified masseria (farm), built in the 16th century, incorporating a watchtower and completely surrounded by century-old olive groves and carob trees. Today it keeps the simple and characteristic whitewashed look of old masserias but is a 5-star deluxe resort, a relaxing oasis of tranquility, where food is still finely prepared from local products grown on the property. website: www.masseriatorrecoccaro.com Palace Hotel Bari Palace Hotel Bari is the most important hotel in Bari and is internationally well-known for its high level of service and fine historical-center location. It has elegant furnishings and the exclusive restaurant, “Murat,” on the roof garden. The hotel has views of the sea. website: www.palacehotelbari.it Patria Palace Hotel The Patria Palace Hotel enhances the baroque scenery of the historical center of Lecce, called “the Southern Florence” thanks to its beautiful buildings, churches and squares. The hotel brings to life an 18th-century marquis palace. Each room is unique, personalized with original frescoes and equipped with all modern comforts. website: www.patriapalacelecce.com

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There are no extensions available for this tour

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Group Discount Program: You can earn a FREE VBT tour with our generous group discount program. Click here for details. Refer a Friend and Earn $100 Travel Credit: If you refer a Friend to VBT and they choose to travel with us, you earn $100 travel credit toward your next trip and your friend gets $50 off their first VBT trip. Click here for details. Good Buy Plan: The earlier you pay, the more you save. If you book early and pay in full by check, you can lock in your trip cost plus earn up to a 10% discount. 5% Frequent Traveler Credit: You will automatically receive a 5% travel credit good for your next VBT trip. This credit is good for one full year. Savings for Single Travelers: If you are on a bicycle tour where sharing is possible and you would like to share a room, we will do our best to match you with a roommate. We will charge you only 50% of the single supplement; if a match is available, we will refund you the single supplement after you return. If requested and available, single supplement is $445. Best Value Guaranteed: Click here for details. We reserve the right to correct errors. top