Upcoming trip · Southern Italy Gravel & Culinary Experience
Breath 2027
Puglia, Basilicata & Calabria, Italy · 2027 · dates to be announced · 720 km · 55% gravel
Overview
A meridional crossing of Southern Italy
Breath 2027 is a premium hub-and-spoke expedition through the deep south of Italy — 14 days and 13 luxury nights across five exquisite bases, from the olive country of Salento through the canyons of Matera and the Lucanian Dolomites to the wilderness of Pollino and the cliffs of coastal Maratea. The tour is designed for discerning cycling enthusiasts seeking raw wilderness and high-altitude adventure, matched with unmatched hospitality.
Landing at Bari Airport, we are met by private executive transfers to reach our first base, and travel in total luxury from one exquisite accommodation to the next — bikes and luggage fully managed by the support team up to departure from Rome. Structured daily rides of 50 to 90 kilometers, about 55% of them on pristine gravel, leave plenty of afternoon time for culinary tours, massages, and relaxation, with a dedicated support van along every kilometer of the route.
14
Total days
13
Luxury nights
720
Total km
55%
Gravel ratio
Five bases, day by day
The journey
Days 1–5
Base 1: Salento Olive Country
Riding red earth & coastlines
Starting from Bari airport, we journey south to the scenic Salento peninsula. The initial riding features flat, fast gravel roads among ancient, monumental olive trees and seaside singletracks overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
- Day 1
Arrival at Bari (BRI)
Transfer to Salento, custom bike check & fitting.
- Day 2
Otranto coast
65 km · +450 m
Coastal ride around Otranto and rugged Adriatic cliffs.
- Day 3
The rural heartland
70 km · +300 m
Exploring historic dry-stone walls and medieval hamlets.
- Day 4
Sentinel towers & olive estates
60 km · +350 m
Dirt tracks through historic sentinel towers and vast olive estates.
- Day 5
Farewell Salento
Final morning Salento ride, followed by an afternoon transfer to Matera.
Days 5–8
Base 2: Matera & Canyons
Riding through canyons & history
We base ourselves in the ancient City of Stones. Here, the soil transitions to clay and the landscape opens into breathtakingly deep canyons carved by water over millennia, offering tech-packed gravel paths rich in archaeological allure.
- Day 5
Arrival in Matera
Afternoon arrival, check-in to historic cave dwellings, and short sunset ride.
- Day 6
The Murgia plateau
50 km · +650 m
Loop through the high Murgia plateau surrounding Matera.
- Day 7
Badlands & canyons
65 km · +800 m
Basilicata badlands and canyon trail expedition.
- Day 8
San Giuliano lake
70 km · +750 m
Scenic valley riding toward the San Giuliano lake reserve.
Days 8–10
Base 3: Lucanian Dolomites
Towering peaks & mountain passes
We ascend into the towering core of Basilicata. The spectacular Lucanian Dolomites frame pristine forest tracks and quiet high-altitude white roads, completely surrounded by silence and ancient woodland.
- Day 8
Into the mountains
Afternoon mountain transition, check-in to alpine-style lodges, and short forest spin.
- Day 9
Gallipoli Cognato & Mt. Impiso
55 km · +1,150 m
Epic traverse of the Gallipoli Cognato National Forest and Mt. Impiso.
- Day 10
Castelmezzano ridges
50 km · +1,200 m
Mountain wilderness trails linking Castelmezzano to high limestone ridges.
Days 10–12
Base 4: Pollino Wilderness
In the cradle of Italy's largest park
Pedal through forests home to the rare Bosnian Pines (Pino Loricato). Endless upland prairies resembling high steppes, free-roaming horses, dense beech forests, and gravel climbs rewarding with dual coast-to-coast ocean views.
- Day 10
Transfer to Campotenese
Afternoon executive transfer to our high-altitude base in Campotenese.
- Day 11
The high plains
60 km · +900 m
The high plains of Campotenese along pristine gravel trails.
- Day 12
Mt. Pollino
55 km · +1,300 m
Majestic climb under the canopy of ancient pines on Mt. Pollino.
Days 12–14
Base 5: Coastal Maratea
Sea breeze & coastal cliffs
Leaving the wild forests behind, we drop down to the spectacular Tyrrhenian coast of Basilicata. Maratea, with its iconic Redeemer statue watching over the Gulf, welcomes us with paved coastal roads and gravel tracks overlooking the cobalt-blue sea.
- Day 12
Arrival in Maratea
40 km · +800 m
Panoramic loop to the Redeemer statue high above the Gulf.
- Day 13
The cliffs to Acquafredda
45 km · +600 m
Coastal gravel ride along the cliffs to Acquafredda.
- Day 14
Old town & harbour
30 km · +400 m
Farewell loop through Maratea old town and harbour.
Non-riders welcome
Companion hiking & extra programs
Signature hiking trails
- Salento: Otranto Cliff Hike — a scenic coastline trek along rugged limestone cliffs, leading to Palascia Cape Lighthouse and the emerald Bauxite Lake (6 km, easy)
- Matera: Canyon Suspension Bridge — descend into the scenic Gravina gorge, cross the pedestrian suspension bridge, and climb up to the caves of Murgia Timone (7 km, moderate)
- Dolomites: Path of the Seven Stones — a narrative trek connecting the vertical mountain villages of Castelmezzano and Pietrapertosa, framed by spectacular pinnacles (6 km, moderate)
- Pollino: The Pine Giants Trail — journey into the high karst plateau of Campotenese to witness the ancient, wind-swept Pino Loricato (Bosnian Pine) trees (8 km, moderate)
Exclusive extras
- Salento: Masseria pasta making — a hands-on morning cooking lab with a local nonna, shaping regional orecchiette pasta from scratch, paired with an organic olive oil sensory tasting
- Matera: Sassi cave craft & bake — the secrets of the iconic Matera bread inside an ancient cave bakery, plus a private clay sculpting masterclass
- Dolomites: Oak forest truffle hunt — a guided search through secret mountain woodlands with a seasoned cavatore and trained Lagotto Romagnolo dogs, ending with a truffle-infused tasting
- Hotel & resort wellness — companion guests enjoy unlimited access to the pool, sauna, and premium spa treatments at our hotels every morning
Where we stay
Masserie & gastronomy
The luxury of less packing: thanks to the hub-and-spoke design, you will unpack your bags just five times, leaving more time to enjoy pools, spas, and the complimentary rapid evening laundry service.
- Restored country estates — carefully selected boutique historic masserie and luxury cave suites showcasing outstanding architectural heritage
- Fine local dinners — daily gourmet menus accompanied by premium local wines and guided olive oil tastings curated by master chefs
Seamless travel
Airports & transfers
Arrival: Bari Airport (BRI)
Karol Wojtyła Airport
The official rendezvous point for the Breath tour. Dedicated staff wait at the passenger exit for a personalized meet & greet, followed by a private, direct group transfer straight to our first Salento base.
Departure: Rome Airport (FCO)
Leonardo da Vinci Airport – Fiumicino
A relaxed, premium journey home after the final coastal riding days — a private, scheduled group transfer in executive vans straight to Rome FCO, with on-site professional mechanics to safely pack and box personal bikes.
Premium bicycle logistics: bikes travel in purpose-built, closed, padded, weather-proof trailers during all inter-base and airport transfers, with professional washing, inspection, and tuning every afternoon so your bike is always in race-ready condition.
Executive passenger service: all group transfers between bases and airport hubs are operated in luxury Mercedes-Benz V-Class vans or equivalent premium coaches — dual-zone climate control, reclining leather seats, individual USB power outlets, and a fully stocked cooler with fresh water and premium local snacks.
The details
What's included
Included in your package
- 13 nights in premium accommodation (twin share)
- Full board — breakfast, lunch, and dinner
- High-performance professional bike rental (if chosen)
- On-road support with dedicated guides & vehicle
- Daily professional mechanical assistance & bike wash
- Nutritional on-road snacks, hydration & supplements
- Complimentary custom technical daypack
- Daily express laundry service for cycling kit
- Group transfers (arrival, departure, and in between)
Not included
- Domestic & international flights
- Personal travel & medical insurance
- Alcoholic beverages outside of included meals
- Personal coffee stops along the route
- Personal hotel incidentals & extras
- Local hotel city tourist taxes
Pricing
Tour pricing & bike options
€6,250
Own bikeBring Your Own Bike
Unpack, professional custom build, setup and fine-tuning handled on arrival by certified support staff. Includes full tour maintenance and safe packing at departure.
€6,850
Rental includedScott Addict 2025
Rent a premium carbon road racing bike, precisely configured to your personal fitting measurements — fast handling, maximum efficiency, and performance.
€7,150
E-bike includedScott eRide
Rent a top-tier Scott carbon e-gravel bike with quiet, powerful natural motor assistance — level out the steep Lucanian climbs with ease and extra range.
Rental bikes may vary based on availability, while always maintaining the high-end quality proposed. The group is limited to 15–17 guests.
Returning riders save: 2nd-time clients get a 5% discount, 3rd-time 8%, and 4th-time 10% — the more you travel, the more you save.
Download the Breath 2027 PDF or get in touch for a full quotation.
Breathe deep in Southern Italy, 2027
We'll open bookings for this trip shortly — get in touch to be first in line.