
Puglia Biking
Days 1-2 monopoli
Meet in Bari
A sea of shimmery olive orchards confirms Puglia’s status as Italy’s largest producer of olive oil
The sun-bleached port town of Polignano a Mare, with its narrow winding streets, limestone cliffs and whitewashed buildings deserves a visit
Sample some of the region’s finest wines and olive oils with a local expert.
Day 3 Martina Franca
Follow rolling country roads lined with ancient stone walls up to the Murge, an impressive limestone plateau, and through the fertile Val d’Itria
Explore the hilltop town of Alberobello, a World Heritage site and home to thousands of curious round stone trulli
Enjoy a mozzarella-making demonstration before feasting on regional delicacies
Arrive in Martina Franca, rich in Baroque and medieval architecture.
Days 4-6 savelletri di fasano
Peaceful roads lead to Ostuni—la citta bianca, or the "white city"
Spanning three hilltops and crowned by a Gothic cathedral, Ostuni’s cobblestone streets and sun-splashed whitewashed houses invite exploration
Spin to Egnazia, ruins of a Roman port city dating to the 5th century B.C.
TRULY TEMPTING : Premiere Inns
Il Melograno (2 nights): Luxurious antique-filled guest rooms and renowned Pugliese cuisine await at this historic Relais & Châteaux lodging.
Relais Villa San Martino (1 night): This stylish new country resort features elegant guest rooms and a sparkling swimming pool.
Masseria San Domenico (2 nights): With views of the Adriatic Sea, this luxurious haven was once a 15th-century Knights of Malta stronghold and is now a member of Leading Hotels of the World.
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 2
2 Route Options Available
- 12, 16 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 2 to 3
3 Route Options Available
- 20, 32, 40 miles
- 500 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Levels 2 to 4
4 Route Options Available
- 17, 35, 40, 51 miles
- 1000 - 1500 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 2 to 4
3 Route Options Available
- 27, 34, 55 miles
- 500 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 5
- Levels 2 to 4
2 Route Options Available
- 30, 41 miles
- 500 - 2000 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1
1 Route Option Available
- 9 miles
- 0 - 500 feet elevation gain
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 | ||
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2008 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 5/20-25Price: $4398 pp dbl. occ., (+ $960 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel Change: We will stay at the Masseria Torre Maizza on Days 4 & 5. - 5/27-6/1Price: $4698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $960 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel Change: We will stay at the Masseria Torre Maizza on Days 4 & 5. - 6/3-8Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $960 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel Change: We will stay at the Masseria Torre Coccaro on Days 4 & 5. - 8/31-9/5Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $960 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/7-12Price: $4498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $960 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/23-28Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $960 for sgl. occ.)
The trip you have selected is different from the one displayed. Here's how:
Hotel Change: We will stay at the Masseria Torre Coccaro on Days 4 & 5. - 9/28-10/3Price: $4698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $960 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/12-17Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $960 for sgl. occ.)
Reserve early for the best available price. Prices may change during the course of the year--if they do change, the best prices are available earlier. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Trip praise
This was my 11th Backroads trip and it fulfilled all my expectations of what a great Backroads trip should be: relaxed, fun, moderate activity level, beautiful natural surroundings, lovely hotels, fantastic food, interesting local culture, and most of all, enthusiastic and knowledgable Backroads leaders.- Rochester, MN
This was my first Backroads trip and overall it was a fantastic experience! The countryside of Puglia is beautiful and the trip was extremely well planned. My husband (who was also on the trip) is Italian and it was lots of fun to explore a part of Italy that we had not been to together. It truly felt like a vacation and the only "work" was the peddling of the fabulous titanium bikes! I think I am addicted.- Boston, MA
This was just the perfect vacation. Biking through beautiful and peaceful countryside in the company of a fun and diverse group was relaxing and enjoyable. It was a great release physically and emotionally - a true get-a-way!- Cherry Hill, NJ
This was the best trip I have ever taken in my life. I wish I hadn't waited 47 years to do this. Absolutely will do a trip again. We are talking about getting a bigger group together of friends next year, and maybe some of the people that were on this trip and doing another trip. I feel so good!- Encino, CA
Wow! This trip was off the charts. The guides were fabulous, all of them. Having a local guide like Antonello, who knows the area so well and is so eager to please, was a major asset. He went above and beyond! The other guides were super helpful, fun, knowledgeable and always eager to please. The itinerary was wonderful with a good mix of activities and great food.- Montclair, NJ
My husband and I recently returned from our Backroads trip through the Puglia region of Italy. Of the 14 bicycle trips we have taken, this one was the absolute best in terms of accommodations, food, riding and, most importantly, the leaders. We plan to go on many more Backroads adventures until we can't bike any longer. Then we'll walk and hike!- Santa Barbara, CA
Puglia turned out to be a wonderful surprise. It had an interesting terrainchallenging, but not dauntingwas culturally unique and so different from other regions I've traveled to in Italy. The "backroads" were great and untrafficked, and I thought the cultural programs were stimulating and the food tasty. It was fun to be a visitor in a relatively undiscovered part of Italy.- Englewood, CO