Puglia's Salento to Matera Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 1-4
Luxury Hotels
Puglia's Salento to Matera Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 1-4
Luxury Hotels
2026: Aug-Oct 2027: Apr-Jun, Aug-Oct
Coastlines, Hill Towns & World Heritage Sites
Majestic sea views. Whitewashed towns. Prehistoric cave dwellings. Pedal the backroads of Puglia and Basilicata in this master class on some of Italy’s most pristine landscapes.
Highlights
- Pedal from turquoise shores to the sun-kissed countryside where olive groves stretch to the horizon
- Stop at quintessential agriturismi for a peek into local farming traditions and a lunch of classic Pugliese dishes
- Ride along the coast and through enchanting seaside villages, chasing views of the shimmering blue Adriatic
- Go deep into this exceptional region’s past on tours of two World Heritage Sites, the troglodyte settlement of Matera and trulli-dotted Alberobello
- Watch as a local artisan shows us how to make fresh mozzarella and burrata (and shares tastes along the way)
Start Lecce
End Bari
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Days 1-2
Discover Puglia’s charms as you bike on quiet country lanes from one beach to the next • After lunch at a masseria (fortified farmhouse), head to our elegant hotel to luxuriate by the pool or rejuvenate at the spa • Pair panoramic vistas of the Adriatic Sea with an evening aperitivo for a perfect end to the day • Pedal an epic route along the eastern coast of Salento • Sample some of the region’s finest wines and cuisine over dinner at a local winery.
Nights 1-2
Set within a 16th-century aristocratic palace in the heart of Salento, Palazzo Ducale Venturi pairs historic architecture with a calm, contemporary atmosphere. Interiors feature Lecce stone vaults and original chianche stone floors, balanced with modern comforts throughout. A pool and spa provide a restorative place to unwind. (pool, spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
Days 3-4
Bike through acres of sunlit olive groves, then take a break to try local specialties in the “White City” of Ostuni • Learn about traditional olive oil making and sample oils grown and pressed locally at a working olive mill • Ascend the Murgia plateau for sweeping vistas of the Alberobello countryside • Immerse yourself in the history of this area and its 1,500 trulli (round stone buildings) on a walking tour • Explore the winding medieval streets of Monopoli.
Nights 3-4
Set just a short distance from the sea, this onetime refuge for pilgrims and the Knights of Malta offers unique guest rooms, each with its own private garden. (pool, spa)
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
Days 5-6
Ride toward the peaceful countryside of Basilicata • Lunch like a local at an agriturismo (Italian farmhouse) • Watch and learn as an artisan shares the age-old secrets of mozzarella making • See prehistoric caves in the World Heritage Site of Matera • Raise a glass to new friends and la dolce vita over a festive dinner.
Night 5
A unique experience awaits at this elegantly distinctive property, which claims to be the world’s only hotel set within prehistoric caves—indeed, the luxury rooms are literally caves with unfinished stone surroundings and little natural light.
Hotels may vary on select departures. Click View Dates and choose a departure to see any variations.
What's Included
See moreStraight Talk
We want to make sure you're on the trip that's right for you. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Roads in Puglia and most of Southern Italy are not always as well maintained as those found in other parts of Italy. Although our routes are quiet, you can expect some rough patches of road along the way. Also, litter can occasionally be part of the landscape, especially when approaching small villages. For most, these challenges are offset by Puglia’s beautiful countryside and warm hospitality.
The slower pace and relaxed approach to life in Puglia is one of the highlights of this spectacular region and is reflected in the hotels and restaurants on this trip. That said, service can lack a sense of urgency when compared with the service found in other parts of Europe.
We stay one night at Sextantio le Grotte della Civita, an elegant but simple hotel set within prehistoric caves in the World Heritage cave dwelling site of Matera. Although the hotel offers all the modern amenities and comforts you can expect from a Luxury Hotel, the rooms are quite literally caves with little natural light and unfinished stone surroundings. For the unique experience it offers, we believe this hotel is well worth the stay.
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates to see pricing, hotel or itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy, in USD.
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