More info? Contact us at info@madaboutitaly.com 

The Hotels - The Hotel Boston in Bari is a utilitarian business hotel with a great location in the heart of the city. It is conveniently close to the train station, the main shopping street, and the old port. You are there for one night. The Hotel Lanzillotta is a comfortable family-run hotel that has recently been completely renovated. It is located in an 18th century building in Alberobello's main square, so you can easily explore the village on foot. The Hotel Sant'Angelo in Matera is a unique four-star hotel situated amongst the historic "Sassi" district. The Sant'Angelo has both memorable rooms and unforgettable views. 


The Vespas - Seven new, bright red 125 cc Vespa scooters are used in the tour. They are lightweight, comfortable, and easy to ride, with an electric start and automatic transmission. The brakes are on the handlebars, like on a bicycle. You are provided with helmets. The 125 cc Vespa is powerful enough for two people to happily cruise through the Tuscan countryside. Top speed is 80 kph but the tour is at a slower, more comfortable and safe speed, usually not exceeding 50 kph (30 mph). Of course, couples can ride together on one Vespa (and save €100 for one person!). There are also two smaller 100cc Sym "Mio" scooters. Depending on availability, you will receive either the 125cc Vespa or the 100cc Mio.

Touring by Vespa is a wonderful way of exploring all that Puglia has to offer. You become a part of the environment rather than being sealed off from it. You can stop when and wherever you want, and parking is never a problem. Come and feel the thrill of cruising down the open road, under the Apulian sun!

NOTE: You must arrive at the start of the tour already a safe, competent rider. The tour operators are not a motorbike school. 

Note: Everyone who drives a scooters needs to have an international drivers license, which is easy to get (we can help organise this!).

Day 1 - Saturday: Independent arrival in Bari and check into the Hotel Boston. Formerly the domain of smugglers and brigands, Bari's quaint and atmospheric historic center has been revitalized during the past ten years. Cafés, wine bars, and trattorias line the labyrinthine medieval streets, all of which eventually lead to the remarkable Romanesque architecture of the 12th-century Basilica di San Nicola. Depending on your arrival time, the afternoon and evening are open for sightseeing or just relaxing after your journey. Dine independently tonight in one of the many local restaurants. All meals and transfer to Bari on your own. Hotel included. Dinner not included.      

Day 2 - Sunday: Meet your guide this morning at 9:00 in the hotel lobby and then transfer by van to the countryside just outside of Monopoli where everyone's scooters will be waiting. After a safety talk you will have time to get used to the scooter in a parking lot before heading out onto a very quiet road for more practice. When you feel comfortable on the scooter – and once we have assessed your ability to safely drive the scooter – the tour will begin and will head out to explore the beautiful countryside of Puglia. The ride takes the tour through ancient olive groves and past whitewashed cottages to the charming village of Locorotondo for lunch. Afterwards a short ride takes the tour to neighboring Martina Franca. Here you have free time to search out some gelato and admire the Baroque architecture of this quaint town. There's then a short ride to Alberobello, to check into the family-run Hotel Lanzillotta, located just off the main piazza. Your bags will have already been delivered by van. After checking in you have some free time before reconvening for an aperitivo and then dinner at the Michelin-starred "Il Poeta Contadino." This world famous restaurant was once named the best restaurant in Italy by Gault et Millau, and has received the Wine Spectator's "Grand Award" for it wine cellar. Overnight Alberobello. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included. 


Day 3 - Monday: Today begins with a gently sloping downhill ride to Monopoli, stopping along the way to admire the view over a sea of olive trees that seem to wash up against the Adriatic. The tour takes an ingenious side road to avoid traffic and ride right up to Monopoli’s imposing 16th century fortifications. You can then explore Monopoli by foot, but only after a mid-morning cappuccino! Then it's time to hop back on to the scooters to drop in on friend Ettore, who invites everyone into his masseria (fortified farm), which has been in his family for centuries. Ettore will show everyone around his lovingly maintained property and his olive mill. The mill's huge, 19th-century olive presses stand as silent testament to the former function of this once important estate. Afterwards, lunch will be in the cobbled courtyard. Let your belt out a notch as Zia Victoria spoils us with wonderful home cooking. The afternoon ride follows the coast road for about 12 kilometers before climbing back up to Alberobello. On the way you will see many whitewashed "masseria," imposing fortified manor houses that are the legacy of centuries of danger when corsairs raided the Pugliese coast. Free time this afternoon to wander through Alberobello's maze of trulli houses and cobbled streets and shop or simply enjoy a chilled glass of wine in the piazza. Speaking of wine, there will be an introductory wine tasting of the excellent regional wines of Puglia followed by dinner in a local trattoria. Overnight Alberobello. Hotel, breakfast, lunch and dinner included. 


Day 4 - Tuesday: After breakfast, the tour will head southwest through vineyards and orchards to the village of Mottola where everyone will stop to enjoy a coffee and some local pastries. There's then another hour's ride to stunning Matera, where you will have free time in the afternoon to explore the ancient village and/or the new town’s shops. Matera is another UNESCO World Heritage site and is truly an unforgettable place. Up until the late 1950's, many of Matera's inhabitants lived in stone dwellings partially excavated from the rock face of the two steep ravines that slice through the city. The "Sassi" fell into ruin in the 1960's when the city moved these "cave dwellers" into new government housing. Fortunately, however, the people from Matera began restoring the ancient village a decade ago and it is now a truly unique sight. The hotel for the next two nights, the four-star Hotel Sant'Angelo, has been central to the revival and restoration of the old town. Indeed, the hotel has lovingly restored a complex of buildings to provide its guests with a unique experience. You'll enjoy an aperitivo on the hotel terrace and watch the last rays of the sun play on the opposite wall of the gorge before walking to dinner. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included. 


Day 5 - Wednesday: This morning, there's a guided visit of Matera, giving a fascinating glimpse into the ancient peasant and Christian/pagan culture of the area. You can visit centuries' old frescoed rock chapels and monasteries, as well as some of the previously inhabited cave-houses. The tour then takes everyone into the heart of the province of Basilicata, one of Italy's most beautiful and least populated regions. The route takes follows wide open plains to perched hilltop villages. You will get a glimpse of authentic Italy and explore the rustic villages of Montescaglioso and Miglionico before returning to Matera. A fantastic dinner awaits you at the end of the day. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included. 


Day 6 - Thursday: This is the final day of scooting. Everyone will leave Matera for the village of Conversano which is a leisurely three-hour ride, stopping for a break along the way and have one last superb lunch at the "Carpe Diem" restaurant, located inside the walls of Conversano's 16th century castle. After lunch, there will be a van transfer to Bari to catch the 16:14 train to Rome (arriving at 22:05). However, should you wish to depart directly from Matera for Bari airport or train station for an earlier departure we can arrange a transfer for you at your own expense (a transfer for two costs about €90). Breakfast and transfer to Bari train station from Conversano included. 


IMPORTANT!! : QUALIFICATIONS 

You must be over 18 years of age, have a valid driver's license and an INTERNATIONAL driver's license to drive a Vespa. Of course anyone can be a passenger. To drive a Vespa, previous experience on a scooter or motorbike is advantageous and highly advised. If you have not ridden or scooter or motorbike before then you should do so before you do this trip.  Rent a scooter locally, and learn how to ride it before coming on the trip. U.K. residents can try Vroom by the Sea, a scooter rental in Brighton.  

THE TOUR OPERATOR IN ITALY WILL NOT TEACH YOU HOW TO DRIVE A SCOOTER. YOU MUST ARRIVE AT THE START OF THE TRIP ALREADY A COMPETENT RIDER. In the past, some people have arrived to drive a scooter on public roads who have never ridden a scooter before and who are uncoordinated, un-athletic, and who can't drive a scooter safely. Please do not be one of these people. It would be funny if they were not endangering themselves and the lives of others. The Vespas are easy to ride, but a good sense of balance and coordination is required. The Vespas have a 125cc engine and an all-steel frame. They are lighter and easier to drive than a larger motorbike but they are also heavier than a moped and other smaller 50cc scooters (the Vespa weighs 110 kg, or about 235 lbs).

You will be driving a motor vehicle on public roads. You are responsible for your safety but also for the safety of other motorists, bikers and pedestrians. You must be able to control the Vespa and drive it competently. If the tour operator feels that your driving skills put you and others at risk they reserve the right to take the Vespa away from you. In the event that you cannot ride as a passenger on one of the Vespas, then an alternative mode of transport, either taxi, or rental car, can be arranged, but at your expense. 

Finally, age may be a factor. From experience, the tour operators have found that most people who are over 50 and who have never ridden a scooter or motorbike have problems riding the Vespa. If you have not used the “motorbike” part of your brain before the age of 50, then it may be too late to learn. We don't know why this is, but such are the mysteries of Life, Zen, and the Art of Vespa maintenance. So if in doubt, please take the time to try a scooter at home.  

The bottom line is that we just want everyone to have a safe and happy holiday!
 

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