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Puglia: Italy's Undiscovered Coast 2009

What's Included | Rating | Accommodations | Extensions | Ways to Save

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. (visit the Hotel la Terra website) 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. (visit the Masseria Montelauro website) 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. (visit the Masseria Torre Coccaro website) 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. (visit the Patria Palace Hotel website)

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Matera 2009 2 nights for only $ 445 Two nights at Hotel Sant’Angelo • Daily breakfast • Full information packet • Airport transfers Make your own discoveries in Matera, an ancient city of rock-hewn buildings made famous by the movie, The Passion of the Christ. Walk the historic streets and steps to explore the more than 100 churches built into the rock. Look for the magnificent Greek and Byzantine frescoes, inspired by monks, painted inside these underground houses of worship. Visit the ancient quarters, or tour the Romanesque-Apulian Cathedral. Learn the fascinating history of this UNESCO World Heritage Site and prehistoric city. Available only with the Air Inclusive Package. Note: Single supplement for this extension is $ 135. top Rome 2009 (for Puglia) 3 nights for only $ 545 Three nights at Hotel Giulio Cesare • Daily breakfast • Full information packet • Airport transfers Discover the Eternal City at your leisure as you spend three nights in Italy’s timeless capital. History, art and architecture abound, from Greek sculpture to Roman ruins. Marvel at the grandeur of the Vatican, where St. Peter’s Basilica and the Sistine Chapel await. Stroll through the ancient ruins of the Roman Forum and the Coliseum. Take time to walk up the Spanish Steps, toss a coin in the Trevi fountain to ensure your return to Rome, or just spend a relaxing afternoon at a quiet outdoor café. Many attractions are within walking distance of your centrally located hotel. Only available with the Air Inclusive Package. Note: Single supplement for this extension is $ 235.

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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