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Puglia Biking

Puglia Biking

The map says Italy, but there’s a distinctly Greek feel to the Puglia region, nestled between the spur and the heel of the country’s boot-shaped perimeter. Experience the Mediterranean Old World by biking with Backroads through quiet villages of whitewashed cottages, gently rolling hills and stretches of sunny Adriatic coastline, all wrapped in a relaxed pace of life. Amid acres of centuries-old olive groves and almond orchards you’ll discover Roman ruins, picturesque masserie (farmhouses) and intriguing trulli structures unique to the area. Evenings, dine on rustic and savory Pugliese cuisine - a bounty of seafood and fresh vegetables - and overnight in luxurious historic lodgings.

Days 1-2 Monopoli

Meet in Bari Feast your eyes on a sea of shimmery olive orchards, evidence that Puglia is Italy’s largest producer of olive oil Visit the sun-bleached port town of Polignano a Mare, with narrow winding streets, limestone cliffs and whitewashed buildings Taste some of the region’s finest wines with our local expert.

Day 3 Martina Franca

Follow rolling country roads lined with ancient stone walls up to the Murgia, 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 trulli, round white-stone buildings with conical roofs Join local Pugliese chefs for an unforgettable cooking demonstration Arrive in Martina Franca, rich in Baroque and medieval architecture.

Days 4-6 savelletri di fasano

Visit the home of Mino and Carol to see how mozzarella is made before sampling it and other regional delicacies Bike the slopes of the Murgia, then descend into Savelletri Pedal peaceful lanes to Ostuni, la città bianca (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 from the 5th century B.C.    

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TRULY TEMPTING: Premiere Inns

Il Melograno (2 nights): A historic Relais & Châteaux lodging with antique-filled guest rooms and renowned Pugliese cuisine.

Relais Villa San Martino (1 night): This stylish country resort features elegant guest rooms and a sparkling swimming pool.

Masseria San Domenico (2 nights): Overlooking 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
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6

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.

Activity Level Average Time Biking Average Walking Average
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
2010 DATES
CLASSIC TRIPS

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.
Margaret Weglinski - 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.
Susan Adler - 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!
Jane Kramer - 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!
Teresa Jacoby - 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.
Robert Bildner - 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!
Hazel M. Blankenship - Santa Barbara, CA

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.
Carolyn Asher - Englewood, CO

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!
Robert Madison - Berkeley, CA