Southern Italy Castles And Wines

Castles and Wines is a self-guided hotel-to-hotel tour from Trani on the Adriatic coast to Matera, crossing imperial Puglia and eastern Basilicata. It is an off-the-beaten-track route of medieval castles, vineyards and local wines, with five riding days of 40 to 73 km and a free day with an optional loop.

From Trani's Romanesque cathedral, the route crosses olive groves to Castel del Monte, Frederick II's octagonal castle, then enters Basilicata at Venosa, birthplace of the Latin poet Horace. Two nights here allow a loop through the Vulture to Melfi's Norman castle, chestnut woods and the Aglianico wine cellars of Barile and Ginestra.

The route then follows the quiet Bradano Valley through hilltop villages, skirts Lake San Giuliano and arrives in the Sassi of Matera, finishing with a loop to Montescaglioso's 11th-century Benedictine abbey. Nights are in 3 and 4-star hotels and a farmhouse.

Highlights

• Trani cathedral and Castel del Monte
• Roman ruins in Venosa and the unfinished "Incompiuta" church
• Melfi's Norman castle and museum
• Hills and vineyards around Venosa
• Castel del Monte, Aglianico and Primitivo wines
• The Sassi of Matera

Surface and Terrain
Sealed country roads through olive groves, vineyards and river valleys, on rolling hills with short slopes. Stages of 40 to 73 km; the optional 45 km Vulture loop is moderate to challenging, with a lighter 30 km loop also offered.

Weather
Mediterranean climate with warm, dry days in spring and autumn. Summers are hot, while the inland Vulture hills can be cooler and occasionally wet early and late in the season.

Suitable for
Riders comfortable with 40 to 73 km days on rolling hills, plus an optional harder loop. Rated Moderate by the operator. Ideal for wine lovers and history enthusiasts seeking quieter routes.