It's so hard to pull one—or even several—specific parts of the trip because it was all so amazing! Truly a once-in-a-lifetime trip. We loved the mix of group time at lunches, dinners, and during tours with a go-at-your-own-pace vibe during the biking. We never felt pushed or rushed. The personal connections Backroads has in the towns on the trip made for experiences we could never have had on our own. The Puglia region was a wonderfully peaceful, authentic area without a heavy emphasis on tourism, which made it relaxing. We never felt like we were competing with other tourists, even in the mildly crowded areas. Each town felt like a movie set. The food was incredible. The leaders (Shoutouts to Italian Cristina, Spanish Cristina with support from Fillin' Dylan) were enthusiastic and engaged. It felt like they were enjoying the trip as much as the guests. Service and logistics were top-notch. The custom Backroads e-bikes were fantastic! We went in skeptical about the number of miles ahead of us, but were energized to keep going every day. We got so much history, beauty, experiences, and physical activity that it felt like multiple vacations in one! Visit this region of Italy before the tourists discover it! And don't go with anybody but Backroads.

Wonderful accommodations with spacious rooms and beautiful grounds. Trip leaders Matteo and Dylan, as well as support person Rebecca were very knowledgeable, encouraging and enthusiastic. So fun to be with them! The cycling routes were great with options of different distances. Riding amongst the olive trees was spectacular as well as riding on the coast of the Adriatic. Loved Puglia. Already looking to plan another Backroads trip!

Aside from the incredible countryside we biked through and the amazing inns and resorts we stayed at and the delicious meals we were served...one of the best things about this experience...our trip leaders! The energy and dedication they brought each day really made the trip even more memorable! I would highly recommend Backroads.

Absolutely amazing!!! This trip was beyond our expectations. The trip leaders led a seamless tour and were so helpful and fun. The biking was mind-blowing, sites and cultural opportunities were eye opening, and the food was perfection!!!

Who doesn't like Italy? Everyone likes Italy, but wading through the crowds in Rome, Sorrento and Capri can be a mixed bag. Riding through Basilicata, Puglia and Salento with Backroads is all good. The scenery is beautiful, the lodging delightful, the personal tours informative and moving, the guides a well-matched, well-informed and helpful pair, and the food--it's hard to image better food being put on the table anywhere. Plus, the biking was challenging without being too much. Backroads E-Bikes work so well to keep a group riding happily together, as everyone adjusts the power boost to their own needs. The whole tour was magical.

We found ourselves looking at each other several times over the course of this adventure and saying "this is the best trip we've ever taken." Exercising every day in beautiful scenery, hanging out with the coolest people, the incredible trip leaders, the FOOD - I could go on and on. Absolutely recommend!

I've traveled a lot in Italy, even spent a year in Rome when I was younger. But my recent Puglia to Basilicata bike tour with Backroads surpassed all my previous experiences, as well as the high expectations I had for this trip. Gorgeous rides through olive groves, hidden villages, and along the coastline. Authentic cuisine at every meal. Gorgeous hotels in historic dwellings. Every day offered a new perspective on a country I already loved. My favorite experience of the entire trip, I think, was the last full day, when our group scrambled down a rocky cliff face to jump into the Adriatic Sea. At that moment, we were all about eight years old. I will carry my memories of this spectacular trip for the rest of my life.

This was our fifth bike trip with Backroads. We traveled with a couple we met on another Backroads trip. The leaders were outstanding as usual as were the accommodations. The weather was perfect and the ride support great. Our leaders really worked with me to get the fit of my bike right. I love riding the Backroads road bikes with Di2 shifting.

The views of the Adriatic were spectacular. It was incredible biking through the small towns and villages. I was concerned about being on roads with lots of traffic and no bike lanes. I was pleasantly surprised at how respectful all of the Italian drivers were- they waited until it was safe to pass and went well around the bikers. The accommodations were superb, from small boutique hotels to a renovated castle! The leaders made the trip - met every need you could ever want.

Excellent riding, stunning scenery, amazing accommodations and food, and - as always - exceptional leaders. This is a less well-traveled part of Italy, and that makes visiting it all the more special. We couldn't have asked for a better experience!