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Puglia & Basilicata Vespa Tour

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  • Location: Italy
  • Duration: 6 Days/5 Nights
  • Departing from: Bari at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, Day 2
  • Tour finishes: Bari train station or airport on Day 6
  • Departures 2024: May 5 & 19, June 2 & 16, Aug 25, Sept 15, Oct 6 as well as private departures
  • Price 2024: €3,500 per person based on double occupancy and a minimum of 6 pax. €3,750 for 4–5 pax. €4,100 for 2 - 3 pax. Single supplement: €350. Pillion passengers receive €100 discount.

Hit the open road on this guided tour of Puglia (“Apulia” for the Brits), southern Italy’s hottest tourist destination.  Your guide will lead you along quiet backroads amongst olive groves and vineyards to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello, where we spend two nights. Alberobello is famous for its conically shaped “trullo” houses, which are unique to the region and impart a fairytale feeling to the landscape. Our last two days are in the fantastic city of Matera, also a UNESCO World Heritage site. Matera is cut in two by a spectacular ravine, creating cliffs that have been inhabited since prehistoric times. During the last thousand years, the locals excavated their houses, chapels, and shops from the soft tufa rock. The result is a fascinating and spectacular honeycomb of cave-hewn buildings.

Of course, it wouldn’t be Italy without great food and wine. Puglia is home to some of Italy’s most wonderful cuisine. Fresh seafood abounds as well as opulent arrays of antipasti offer roasted artichokes, delicious ricotta, savory vegetable pies, and the deliciously creamy burrata cheese.  What’s more, indigenous grapes such as Primitivo, Negroamarro, and Aglianico are being transformed by state-of-the-art wine-making techniques into elegant yet powerful wines that many now consider to be among the best in Italy.

Puglia and Basilicata Vespa Tour Includes

  • Accommodation: 5 nights in luxury 4 star hotels. (1 night Bari, 2 nights each Locorotondo and Matera);
  • Meals: 5 breakfasts, 2 lunches, and 4 dinners
  • Luggage: Bags are transferred from hotel to hotel and to the final drop off at Bari airport.  
  • Special events: Wine tasting in Matera, guided visit of Alberobello and Matera with licensed city guide.
  • Transport: Private van transfers as noted in the itinerary.
  • Scooters: 125cc Piaggio *Vespa™  LX scooter. Automatic gears and electronic start. Helmet and fuel Included.
  • Insurance: Third party liability insurance and third party property damage
  • Active days: 5 days of riding
  • Guides: One bilingual Scooterbella guide for groups up to 5 scooters, and two guides for more than 5 scooters.  
  • Max group size: Tours are capped at 14 people.

Scooterbella in the news: our tours have been featured in the travel section of The Guardian (UK), Jan 20th, 2007. Another article was published by The Observer on April 23rd, 2006. Our Tuscany trip was also featured in a 3-page full-color article in the London Telegraph, and in London’s The Times.

The Scooters – Traveling by scooter is fun and easy. We have a local scooter provider who supplies us with modern 125cc Piaggio Vespa™ LX scooters which feature electric start and automatic transmission. The brakes are on the handlebars, like a bicycle. We provide you with helmets. The 125cc scooter is also powerful enough for two people to happily cruise through the countryside. It’s the best way to get off the beaten track without working up a sweat! Of course, couples can ride together on one scooter (and save €100 for one person).

NOTE: A motorcycle license is NOT required to drive a scooter a 125cc scooter in Italy. A valid car license is required.

SCOOTER SAFETY & REQUIREMENTS - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!!

To drive a scooter, you must be over 18 years of age & have a valid driver’s license. Previous experience driving a scooter or motorbike is essential. You must arrive at the start of the trip already a competent rider, otherwise the risk of injury and hospitalization is too great. If you have not ridden a scooter before then you should take lessons or rent a scooter locally and learn how to ride it before coming on the trip.

Please note: We will not teach you how to drive a scooter. You must arrive at the start of the trip already a competent rider.

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 scooter and drive it competently. If we feel your driving skills put you and others at risk, we reserve the right to take the scooter away from you. In the event that you cannot ride as a passenger on the back of someone else’s scooter then we will help to arrange an alternative mode of transport such as a taxi or a rental car, but at your expense.

By making a booking, you declare to have a driving licence valid for the duration of the journey and for the vehicle used on this tour.

Puglia & Basilicata Vespa Tour itinerary Request full itinerary

Day 1

Independent arrival in Bari and check into a four-star boutique hotel which is centrally located and less than a ten-minute walk from the colorful and atmospheric old Bari where cafés, wine bars, and trattorias line the labyrinthine medieval streets. Not to be missed is the remarkable Romanesque architecture of the 12th-century Basilica di San Nicola. Dine independently tonight in one of the many local restaurants. Overnight Bari. Hotel included. Dinner not included. Overnight Bari. Hotel included. Dinner not included. 

Day 2

Meet your guide this morning at 9:00 in the hotel lobby and transfer by van to Polignano Mare, where our Vespa will be waiting. Perched atop a 20 metre-high limestone cliff above the shimmering waters of the Adriatic, Polignano a Mare is a stunningly beautiful starting point for our Vespa tour.  We'll do a practice ride in a parking lot to make sure everyone is  comfortable before heading out to explore the countryside. We gradually climb up to a vantage point for a view over a sea of olive  trees that seem to wash up against the Adriatic. We take a side road to avoid traffic and ride to Monopoli’s imposing  16th century fortifications. Explore Monopoli by foot and then enjoy a lovely lunch at a local trattoria. Then hop back  on your scooter and follow the coast road before climbing up to the hills. On the way you'll pass whitewashed masserie, the imposing fortified manor houses that are the legacy of centuries of danger when corsair  pirates raided the coast. We stop in Alberobello for a guided visit of the famous Trulli Zone with a local guide then  escape the crowds and ride to the lovely small town of Locorotondo. Your accommodation for the next two nights is  the lovely Masseria Grofoleo, a lovingly restored 18th Century “Manor House” that is an oasis of calm located in the countryside on the immediate outskirts of Locorotondo. We take over the whole complex and have a special dinner catered for us at the masseria. Your bags are delivered by van. Overnight Locorotondo. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

Day 3

Today begins with an hour's ride past a vast sea of olive groves to the Masseria Brancati, one of the oldest olive oil  farms in Puglia. Tour the historic masseria, which dates back to the Middle Ages, and then learn all about how this  precious oil is produced. From there we have a short ride to another spectacular hilltop town, Ostuni, where you  have time to explore on foot and stop for lunch. This afternoon we ride to the Baroque gem of Martina Franca to  have a look at its stunning architecture before heading on to a short wine tasting just a few minutes from our home  back in Locorotondo. Meet up again this evening for yet another delicious meal of local specialties. Overnight Locorotondo. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

Day 4

Head southwest this morning through vineyards and orchards to the village of Gioia del Colle, where we stop for a  coffee break and a visit to the imposing Swabian (yes, Swabian!) medieval castle. Then we have another hour’s ride to  lunch at the edge of Matera in an ancient sheep corral. After lunch, it's a short ride from there to amazing Matera,  where we have a visit with a local guide who will tell us all about the region’s Christian and pagan past. Visit centuries’- old frescoed rock chapels and monasteries, as well as some of the previously inhabited cave-houses. 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 rockface of the two steep ravines that slice through the city. The  “Sassi” fell into ruin in the 1960s when the city moved these “cave dwellers” into new government housing.  Fortunately for us, however, the people from Matera began restoring the ancient village a decade ago and it is now a  truly unique place. Our hotel for the next two nights, the four-star Corte San Pietro  (or similar), is a chic and modern reinterpretation on Matera’s traditional “Sassi” houses. 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. Overnight Matera. Hotel, breakfast, lunch and dinner included.

Day 5

Today's ride takes us deep into the heart of Basilicata, one of Italy's most stunning and secluded regions. We'll begin our journey at the Belvedere Murgia Timone, where you'll be treated to breathtaking panoramic views. From there, we'll ride across expansive plains and discover charming hilltop villages along the way. Our route includes a visit to the rustic village of Montescaglioso, offering an authentic taste of Italian life. We'll pause at Gran Caffè Roma for a leisurely break, where you can savor delicious coffee, brioche, refreshing lemonades, and exquisite gelato in a classic Italian café setting, before heading back to Matera for a delightful lunch at Grotta del Gusto, where local specialties await. In the afternoon, enjoy free time to explore the fascinating city of Matera at your own pace before gathering for dinner this evening. Overnight in Matera. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.

Day 6

After breakfast we have a 09:00 transfer to the Bari train station (travel time approximately 1 hour) to connect with trains for Florence and Rome departing after 10:29 and afternoon flights from Bari airport. Earlier departures are possible but at your own expense. Breakfast and one group transfer to the train station are included.

Please note: According to the departure date of your tour some details of the itinerary may change. This is because we make discoveries whenever we run a tour. Sometimes they are good, like a wonderful new wine bar that we want to take you to, and sometimes bad, like a road has been washed away. We, therefore, sometimes change our itinerary to improve it by adding something new or substituting something that is no longer up to our standards.  We always aim to provide you with the best possible experience because we want you to come back for another tour! We will let you know before departure of any changes to the original itinerary.

Note on Itinerary: Although we do our best to adhere to the schedule listed above, this itinerary is subject to change for numerous reasons beyond our control, such as the weather

Booking: e-mail us at info@scooterbella.com to receive a booking contract (or use the 'Contact Us' link at the top of this page), or click on the 'Book Now' button to the right.

Insurance: We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance. We recommend “Travel Guard” to our North American clients, just click on the logo below.  Australian, New Zealander, and British travelers, please consult your insurance brokers.

We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime!

We will be riding about 100 kms a day, at least, therefore you need to be a good rider. We aim to break up the rides so that we do not ride more than 45 minutes in one stretch.

Previous experience driving a scooter or motorbike is essential. You must arrive at the start of the trip already a competent rider, otherwise the risk of injury and hospitalization is too great. If you have not ridden a scooter before then you should take lessons or rent a scooter locally and learn how to ride it before coming on the trip.

Physical activity is limited to walking in the towns and villages. 

Getting There: the trip starts in Bari on Day 1 at our pre-booked hotel. You can arrive by train or plane.

Air: Bari Airport (see link at the bottom of this page) is well connected with other Italian cities and there are some flights from European hubs such as London. It is a 25-minute taxi ride from the airport to our hotel in Bari (about € 25). London, Milan, and Rome have multiple airports (one serving more international flights and the other domestic), so be careful when purchasing transfer flights on different companies!

Rail: There are several trains a day to Bari from the major Italian cities (for timetables please see the link below to the Italian railway website). Travel time from Rome and Milan by Eurostar train is about 5 hours and 8 hours respectively. The hotel is a 5-minute cab ride from the train station (a taxi is advised), and should cost no more than €15. See our section on Italian trains below for more information.

Getting Away at the End of the Trip: the trip ends in Bari for afternoon trains to Rome (either at 13:14 or 18:17). If you choose to leave earlier from Matera for the Bari airport or train station, we can arrange transport for you (at your expense, about €120).

If you book a trip with us you will receive detailed information about how to get to the start of your trip, or feel free to e-mail us with any specific travel questions.

5/5
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5 out of 5
Ratings based on 5 Verified Reviews



Average ratings
5
Guides
5
Quality of itinerary
5
Food quality & variety
5
Value for money
5
Right amount of activity
5
Overall satisfaction

Reviews
5
by Jim and Joan P
Posted Oct 02, 2019

This was a great tour (as always). Marco is a great guide - providing wonderful insight into the history and the culture of Puglia. The riding was fun, the views were spectacular, and the food was wonderful. Our only question now is which ScooteraBella tour we want to do next.

5
by Mac & Cheese
Posted Jul 08, 2019

Our tour of Puglia and Basilicata was everything we’d hoped for, and more. The routes and destinations were expertly planned and led by our affable guide, Marco. We loved our time on the Vespa scooters, riding through Adriatic breezes in Monopoli, quiet olive tree groves around Martina Franca, and mountainous heights to Montescaglioso. We loved our time off the scooters, too, enjoying delicious meals, informative local tours, and leisurely exploration of castles, cathedrals, and musea. Somehow Marco timed everything perfectly, so that the balance of riding and sightseeing was just right. We can't wait to take another tour next season.

5
by B Crawford
Posted Aug 23, 2015

A scooter is the perfect way to explore Puglia and Basilicata. Especially when you are in the hands of such knowledgable and fun guides. This was the first tour we did with Brett and Sara - and we have now done three! They make everything fun. Just the right pace, flexible, relaxed and just the best restaurants and hotels. We look forward to our next (4th) tour with our friends at Scooterbella.

5
by DBell
Posted Jun 22, 2015

This was the first group tour we have done and it proved to be a huge success for us. The scooters were a perfect way to see a little bit of Italy, having said that we felt we saw it all. The food and wine was great and every place we visited was well thought out. Brett and Sara were excellent guides, making sure we were well looked after. We enjoyed Our scooterbella experience so much we booked two years later for a similar experience on the Croatia scooter tour.

5
by Lynne V.
Posted May 26, 2015

My husband and I are independent travelers and don't typically take tours. But we loved this trip led by Brett & Sara. It felt like we were just out scootering each day with our friends. We went on backroads we never could have found on our own. We lunched at an olive farm and another day an organic tomato / sun dried tomato farm. We visited small towns and UNESCO World Heritage sites along the beautiful Adriatic. Brett and Sara go the extra mile to make this a unique and wonderful experience.



If you have any questions or specific requests about any of our tours, we’re here to help. You can fill in the form below, send us an email, or call us and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Contact us
info@scooterbella.com
Contact us by email

1-877-315-9053
Toll free Canada & USA 

(+64) 021 0711972
New Zealand

(+39) 0577 749198
Italian operations office

This was a great tour (as always). Marco is a great guide - providing wonderful insight into the history and the culture of Puglia. The riding was fun, the views were spectacular, and the food was wonderful. Our only question now is which ScooteraBella tour we want to do next.
by Jim and Joan P


Our tour of Puglia and Basilicata was everything we’d hoped for, and more. The routes and destinations were expertly planned and led by our affable guide, Marco. We loved our time on the Vespa scooters, riding through Adriatic breezes in Monopoli, quiet olive tree groves around Martina Franca, and mountainous heights to Montescaglioso. We loved our time off the scooters, too, enjoying delicious meals, informative local tours, and leisurely exploration of castles, cathedrals, and musea. Somehow Marco timed everything perfectly, so that the balance of riding and sightseeing was just right. We can't wait to take another tour next season.
by Mac & Cheese


Monopoli harbor x webpage
Matera x webpage
Alberobello x webpage
Puglia vespa 2018 3-2
Olive tree twisted trunk
Pax at dinner
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Platter x webpage
Puglia vespa 2018 blue vespas
Monopoli x webpage
Food fresh seafood
Trulli roofs 3
Loco street, balconies
Matera church and view
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Corte san pietro bedroom 2
Corte san pietro evening
Let's socialize




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