It's just a complete contradiction. It reminds you of whitewashed coastal villages of Greece but it's distinctly Italian. There's an island-like easiness but it's part of the mainland. You'll ride along the deep blue waters of the Adriatic that are still one moment and dramatic the next. The people are welcoming and down-to-earth but the foods are explosive and even piccante (spicy) at times. Authentic farmhouses have been transformed into exquisite inns. Every turn on your adventure will feel familiar and foreign at the same time. Welcome to Puglia.
Days 1-2 Unbeatable views of ancient olive orchards, whitewashed villages and age-old farmhouses
Bike past fields of fennel and a sea of shimmery olive trees The sun-bleached fishing town of Polignano a Mare, with narrow winding streets and limestone cliffs, is yours to explore Join us for a sommelier-led tasting of full-bodied primitivo and other notable vini Pugliesi.
Day 3 Alberobello: a World Heritage site with 1,500 cone-roofed <i>trulli</i>
Embark on a walking tour with a local guide to learn about these unique stone buildings, constructed without mortar Pedal rolling country roads through the fertile Val d'Itria Get cooking with local Pugliese chefs during an unforgettable culinary lesson.
Day 4 Ride on quiet one-lane roads, cooled by sea breezes
under big blue skies Ever wondered how mozzarella is made? Learn how it's done at a visit to an agriturismo with a mozzarella master 
Visit the charming town of Monopoli, a labyrinth of narrow streets and a magnificent cathedral.
Days 5-6 Dine on organic homemade Pugliese dishes
Peaceful lanes lead to Ostuni, la città bianca (the white city), which spans three hilltops and is crowned by a Gothic cathedral Spin to Egnazia, ruins of a 5th-century B.C. Roman port city.
Trip Highlights
- Unbeatable views of ancient olive orchards, whitewashed villages and age-old farmhouses
- Ride on quiet one-lane orchard roads, cooled by sea breezes, under big blue skies
- A sommelier-led tasting of full-bodied Primitivo and other notable Pugliese vini
- The World Heritage site of Alberobello with 1,500 trulli
- Dine on organic homemade Pugliese dishes with a wine pairing at each course
Premiere Inns
Il Melograno (2 nights): A tastefully restored 17th-century masseria (fortified farmhouse) surrounded by orchards of olive trees. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa, tennis)
Relais Villa San Martino (1 night): A stylish and intimate country resort with expansive gardens and attentive service. A Relais & Châteaux member. (pool, spa)
Masseria San Domenico (2 nights): An Andrew Harper Grand Award recipient with "a winning combination of international comfort and refined rusticity," overlooking the Adriatic Sea. (pool, spa, tennis, golf)
Routes 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.
| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 15 | 300 | ||||||||
| 2 | 26* | 1000 | 33 | 1500 | 41 | 1600 | ||||
| 3 | 18* | 1400 | 34 | 1900 | 46 | 2200 | 46 | 1700 | ||
| 4 | 19* | 800 | 35 | 1000 | 55 | 1100 | 57 | 1000 | ||
| 5 | 20* | 800 | 25* | 1800 | 39 | 1900 | ||||
| 6 | 9 | 100 | ||||||||
* Includes a shuttle
2013 Dates & Pricing*
CLASSIC TRIPS
- 5/26-31 Price: $4698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.)
- 6/2-7 Price: $4698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.)
- 8/25-30 Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/8-13 Price: $4498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/15-20 Price: $4498 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/22-27 Price: $4698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.)
- 9/29-10/4 Price: $4698 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/13-18 Price: $4598 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/20-25 Price: $4298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.)
- 10/27-11/1 Price: $4298 pp dbl. occ., (+ $980 for sgl. occ.)
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Guest Trip Reviews
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
The best vacation I have ever taken. It was a great mix of exercise and fun. The trip was expertly run with no detail missed. The level of service was beyond my highest expectations. I'm looking forward to doing another Backroads trip.- Hoboken, NJ
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
Puglia turned out to be a wonderful surprise. It had an interesting terrain - challenging, but not daunting - was 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
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
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
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
Great hotels, great part of Italy, great food, but I have to say the leaders made the trip 10 times more educational, fun and relaxing!- Berkeley, CA