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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. Join Backroads on a bicycling journey along rugged coastline and through typical Pugliese countryside of endless olive groves, picturesque masserie (fortified farmhouses) and intriguing trulli. Come evening, dine on tasty rustic cuisine, featuring an abundance of seafood and fresh vegetables, and overnight in charming authentic hotels.

Day 1 Monópoli

Meet in Bari  After a savory Pugliese picnic lunch, hop on your bike for a warm-up ride that offers the perfect introduction to the region Pedal alongside low stone walls on a relatively flat coastal route through Puglia’s beautiful and seemingly endless olive orchards  Visit the ruins of Egnazia, a Roman port city dating to the fifth century B.C.  Passing groves of huge old olive trees, you’ll soon understand why Puglia is Italy’s premier olive oil producer.

Days 2-3 Pezze di Greco

Bike into the rolling hills of the Val d’Itria, a fertile patchwork of almond orchards, olive groves and vineyards  Ride to Alberobello, a World Heritage site known for its trulli - unusual round stone buildings topped with conical gray slate roofs Enjoy and olive oil tasting Pedal to historic Ostuni, the "white city," and wander its cobblestone streets lined with whitewashed houses.

Days 4-6 Otranto

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 its picturesque white-sand beaches  Pedal to the "heel of the boot" on a spectacular seaside ride to the tiny village of Santa Maria Leuca  Take a final spin in the sunbaked hills near Otranto before the trip ends in historic Lecce, a city famed for its beautiful Baroque architecture.

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ADRIATIC REFUGES: Casual Inns

Il Trapetello (1 night): This ancient fortified farm, with its fascinating historic grottoes and a hypogeum, has been restored to provide modern comfort amid authentic surroundings.

Masseria San Martino (2 nights): Resting in an olive grove just a few miles from the Adriatic, this peaceful 18th-century masseria features spacious guest rooms, a tranquil garden and a pool.

Masseria Panareo (2 nights): A 15th-century country house perched on a hill, with great views of the Adriatic and the Cape of Otranto.

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

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.
Kate Gruen - Mill Valley, CA

This trip far exceeded my expectations. We had a blast. Even though I am a novice biker, I never felt like a novice. Our leaders were encouraging, and made sure that I was comfortable in whatever I choose to do.
Martha Custer - Lansdale, PA

We saw Puglia in a way that we would never have done on our own. Our leaders were awesome. Their primary goal was our comfort and enjoyment. They couldn't do enough for us.
Cathy DiBonaventura - Philadelphia, PA

The leaders really made this trip an exceptional adventure. The beauty of the countryside coupled with the leader's local knowledge and sincere concern for each of us to share and understand all that the region offers made this a lifetime experience.
Nancy Ceridwyn - Oakland, CA

This trip was unforgettable! Of course, the weather cooperated, but we had so much fun. The riding was sometimes challenging and I finally met a hill I couldn't walk (very well)! Celebrating my 69th birthday on a bike with great people, superb guides, and gorgeous scenery couldn't have been better! I am always hesitant to try a new bike, but these were beautifully maintained, very forgiving, responsive, comfortable, and easy to get used to. I had thought about bringing my own bike, but yours were better.
Emily Oetjen - New Haven, CT

Fabulous trip! The group was perfect and our leaders could not have been better. They were the greatest!! Their caring, compassion and knowledge was outstanding. They truly made our trip terrific! I so enjoyed learning about the area and meeting the people.
Kate Rau - Chicago, IL

You will love staying at the charming masserie typical of Puglia. Your efforts on your bike, along scenic inland and coastal routes, provide the ideal justification for you to indulge in the homemade pastas and local specialties of the region. Can you say fresh, fresh, fresh mozzarella! For the more adventurous, Puglia is an undiscovered jewel.
Kathleen Maich - Regional Manager, Italian Trip Operations

My husband and I have been fortunate to travel to Italy on several previous occasions but never have we so thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in every sense of the word. From our adorable and wonderful leaders, to the food and accommodations, to the beautifully exotic countryside of Puglia, we LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF OUR TRIP.
Beth Schmid - Charlottesville, VA

This trip was really a great one. I feel I had an opportunity to explore and experience a part of Italy that is not yet overrun with tourists. The routes were truly on Backroads with little traffic and beautiful scenery. Our trip seemed to be filled with extra experiences from exploring a sea grotto to olive oil tasting to dancing with a local band. I cannot think of one thing that I was unhappy.
Barb Tokunaga

This trip was definitely one of the best!!! The biking was great (many types of terrain,) the food was delicious and the scenery was simply breathtaking.Loved, loved, loved, the Barsento tour! What a gorgeous place and the lunch was beyond compare! Mimmo was a great addition to our schedule. He is like Audrey in that his love of Puglia is infectious. It is wonderful to see someone so proud of his country and hometown that he wants to share it with people. On a personal note, I have to add that Backroads has really become an integral part of my life. It only took one trip to get me hooked. I love the research and anticipation before the trip, meeting new people and experiencing so many different things.
Amy Bell – Charlotte, NC

This was my first Backroads trip, and it exceeded all my expectations. There was a wonderful balance of biking, cultural, and culinary activities...as well as ample time for relaxation. Each day was so full, and the week passed too quickly. Yet, it was the perfect trip length. The guide at Alberobello is perhaps the most memorable. Again, it is that love and passion for his home that comes through and makes the tour so enjoyable. That, and the limoncello, rosecello, meloncello, almondcello, etc that we got to sample!
Andrea Wang – Washington, DC