The Route of the Two Seas: a cycling trip through Puglia

First day

Old Bari
The meeting point is in the heart of Bari, among the alleys of Old Bari, when the city wakes up and the air smells of freshly baked bread and laundry hanging out to dry. Cycling through those alleys is like entering the living room of a large family: chairs being dragged around, laughter, the voices of women transforming dough into culinary gold, orecchiette. This is Puglia , and its embrace is warm and welcoming!

Second day

From the Adriatic coast of Polignano to the Castellana Caves
We cycle between the Basilica of San Nicola and the courtyards, breathing in theauthentic atmosphere of the South and letting ourselves be guided by the glare of the white stone towards the sea. We leave the city following a stretch of the Via Francigena, with the Adriatic Sea always nearby. The route is flat, ideal for warming up your legs. Arrival in Polignano a Mare is exciting: the cliffs overlooking Lama Monachile offer us one of the most iconic views in Puglia. It's the moment when you stop, take a deep breath, and understand why you set out on this journey. We leave the coast to enter the hinterland: here, the effort of the ups and downs is rewarded by wonderful landscapes with centuries-old olive trees and dry stone walls. We visit the spectacular Castellana Caves: an underground journey among stalactites and monumental cavities. Overnight stay in the city.

Third day

In the heart of the Itria Valley
We continue towards the Valle d'Itria, the rural heart of the region. Here, cycling is the perfect way to immerse ourselves in the silence of the countryside, among farms and vineyards. We enter the fairytale landscape of the trulli by visiting Alberobello, a UNESCO site famous for the Rione Monti. We cycle among conical roofs that seem to sprout from the red earth. We then reach Locorotondo, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, where white is the dominant color. The whiteness of the houses is so dazzling that we close our eyes, but we immediately reopen them with a glass of wine (also white) in our hands, accompanied by some excellent traditional tarallo. We continue our adventure through the countryside, where the sound of cicadas becomes deafening and celebrates summer. Puglia , we are not just visiting it, we are feeling it on our skin, we are breathing it in. In the afternoon, we arrive in Martina Franca, elegant and baroque, where we feel like lords among the noble palaces in the presence of the Basilica of San Martino.

Fourth day

Towards the Ionian Sea: arrival in Taranto
And then it arrives: the destination. The descent towards Taranto is liberating. You feel that the air is different, warmer, more enveloping; we are about to encounter another sea, the Ionian Sea. Entering Taranto is one of the most intense moments of the journey: when you cross the Ponte Girevole , you feel like you have accomplished an epic feat.
Taranto welcomes us with the power of its millennial history and a unique sunset over two seas that embrace each other. We can leave our bikes for a moment and visit the Aragonese Castle and the National Archaeological Museum of Taranto (MArTA), which houses treasures from Magna Graecia, or listen to the true story of the Count of Monte Cristo. Our mission is accomplished, let's all celebrate together!

Fifth day

It's time to say goodbye. How many things we loved: the smell of bread in the alleys of Bari, the intense blue of the Adriatic Sea, the underground wonders of Castellana, the silence of the Valle d'Itria among trulli and centuries-old olive trees, the glasses shared in the white villages. Now, in front of the sparkling profile of the Ionian Sea, we feel that this trip was not just a bike ride, but an experience made up of light, encounters, and little moments to cherish. We experienced the thrill of cycling in Puglia at a slow pace, respectful of the places as only cycling can teach. We carry in our hearts and legs much more than a few kilometers: we take home the memory of a true Jonas vacation.