Trip
Overview
Lodging
Detailed Itinerary
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All meals included except 2 lunches and 1 dinner.
PERFECT FOR A PRIVATE TRIP
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Monópoli, Italy/Lecce, Italy
Cooking, Culture & History, Fine Wine & Cuisine, Romance &/or Honeymoon
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The map says Italy but there’s a distinctly Greek feel to Italy’s Puglia region, nestled between the spur and the heel of the country’s boot-shaped perimeter. Join Backroads on a bicycling journey along the rugged coastline and through the typical Pugliese countryside of endless olive groves and crumbling masserie (fortified farmhouses) and intriguing trulli structures. Evenings, dine on rustic Pugliese cuisine—an abundance of seafood and fresh vegetables—and overnight in authentic regional hotels.
You are viewing the Classic Casual Inns version of this trip.
View the Classic Premiere Inns Itineraries.
View other trips in Europe Italy
Meet in Monópoli 
A warm-up ride offers the perfect introduction to the region First head inland, then continue along the coast amid the low stone walls and agricultural fields that characterize the landscape of Puglia Passing groves of huge old olive trees, you’ll soon understand why Puglia is Italy’s premier olive oil producer.
Bike into the rolling hills of the Val d’Itria, a fertile patchwork of almond orchards, olive groves and vineyards Make your way up to the murge, an impressive limestone plateau dotted with trulli—unusual round stone buildings topped with conical gray slate roofs A visit to Puglia certainly wouldn’t be complete without an olive oil tasting and a demonstration of mozzarella making! Pedal to historic Ostuni, the “White City,” and wander its cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed houses.
Spin over undulating terrain toward Otranto, an important historic and artistic center perched at the easternmost point of Italy En route, delight in views of the azure Adriatic and the Salentine coastline, with its picturesque beach towns and rocky shoreline Before saying our goodbyes, we’re treated to a guided tour of Lecce, a city famed for its beautiful Baroque architecture.
Route Rating What's this? Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Each offers options for more or less activity, so you can decide exactly how much you want to do day by day.
Lodging What's
this? Our lodgings are divided into three different categories.
Premiere Inns:These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic
regional flair.
Casual Inns:These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the
areawith such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and
proximity to our activities.
Deluxe Camping:We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every
camp chore and perform culinary magic.
I've spent these last two days telling everyone that my Puglia trip was absolutely perfect. The leaders, were wonderful, extremely professional and yet lots of fun and engaging. I will always remember them telling us to "embrace the chaos" of Puglia and we did. I learned about Italy and also learned a great deal from my fellow travelers. I was traveling alone for the first time ever and the Backroads format made everything work--a great balance of group activities, the freedom to spend time alone and the opportunity to challenge myself physically--all in a beautiful environment.- Mill Valley, CA
For more than 29 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the Puglia tour experts. For biking tours in Europe Italy, trust our in-depth connections. To see all our Europe Italy biking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe Italy walking and hiking tours click here. For our selection of award-winning Europe Italy multisport tours click here.
Conversano (1 night): This restored hotel in the center of town is set in front of a beautiful Romanesque cathedral.
Pezze di Greco (2 nights): Resting in an olive grove just a few miles from the Adriatic, this simple 18th-century manor house offers spacious guest rooms and a tranquil garden.
Otranto (2 nights): A 15th-century country house perched on a hill with great views of the Adriatic and the cape.
You are viewing the Classic Casual Inns version of this trip.
View the Classic Premiere Inns Itineraries.
2 Route Options Available
3 Route Options Available
3 Route Options Available
3 Route Options Available
2 Route Options Available
1 Route Option Available
Trips For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Average Distance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biking | Walking & Hiking |
||
| 1 | 2-3 hours |
10-20 miles |
2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours |
21-30 miles |
5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours |
31-40 miles |
7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours |
41-55 miles |
9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours |
56-75+ miles |
11-13+ miles |
