Puglia to Basilicata Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Deluxe & Premiere Hotels
Puglia to Basilicata Bike Tour
Couples, Friends & Solos
6 days
5 nights
Activity Levels 2-4
Deluxe & Premiere Hotels
2024: Oct 2025: Apr-Jun, Sep-Oct
From Ancient Matera to Salento
The map says Italy. The "heel of the boot." Though you may feel you've strayed into Greece. And that's part of Puglia's appeal. Endless olive groves. A rugged coastline and the blue-green Adriatic. The people are welcoming and down-to-earth. The cuisine rustic and satisfying. Our Puglia bike tour is the perfect escape.
Highlights
- Visit the World Heritage sites of Alberobello and its 1,500 trulli, and Matera with a mesmerizing maze of prehistoric caves
- Taste exceptional regional wines, learn to make fresh pasta and enjoy delicious home-cooked Pugliese specialties
- Bike from coast to coast, from the Ionian to the Adriatic, with opportunities to relax en route over coffee and gelato
- Relish breathtaking coastal vistas and views of ancient olive groves, enchanting villages and traditional farmhouses
Start Bari
End Lecce
* Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Itinerary
Day 1
Bike through a remarkable scene of olive trees and age-old farmhouses • Journey to the World Heritage site of Matera, one of Italy's most fascinating towns • Some 9,000 years ago, humans inhabited the canyon’s caves, creating what UNESCO calls "the most outstanding example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean" • Soak up the authentic feel and intriguing history of this lost-in-time town.
Night 1
This beautifully renovated 18th-century palace offers unsurpassed views of Matera's sassi from its rooftop terrace.
Days 2-3
Ever wondered how mozzarella is made? It's your chance to learn • Explore the World Heritage site of Alberobello with 1,500 trulli, unusual round stone buildings topped with conical gray slate roofs • Bike into the surrounding landscape, an artist’s dream, with its vibrant palette of reddish brown soil, green grass and blue skies • Start the day off with an espressino freddo, Puglia's irresistible cold sweet coffee • Take in unbeatable views of ancient olive groves as you ride to historic Ostuni, known as the White City, which spans three hilltops and is crowned by a Gothic cathedral • Learn to make pasta and enjoy home-cooked Pugliese specialties at a local masseria (fortified farmhouse).
Nights 2-3
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)
Days 4-6
Enjoy bike rides through peaceful farmland and along scenic roads down the Adriatic coast • Along the way, admire the azure Adriatic and its picturesque white-sand beaches • Savor local produce, fresh seafood and regional wines • Get ready for superb coastal vistas, extraordinary grottoes and opportunities to swim in the blue sea • Take a final ride over undulating terrain toward Otranto • Delight in an evening of lively traditional music and folk dancing • The trip ends in historic Lecce, a city famed for its beautiful baroque architecture.
Nights 4-5
Perched on a bluff overlooking the Adriatic, this resort features a stunning infinity pool and walking path to the sea below. (pool)
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 and picturesque, 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.
Hotels
Adventure-Ready Hotels
Ideally located with ready access to trip activities, our Casual hotels are also known for their character and charm.
Hotels may vary based on departure. Any variations will be displayed when selecting a departure under Dates & Prices.
Night 1
*Deluxe Hotel
This beautifully renovated 18th-century palace offers unsurpassed views of Matera's sassi from its rooftop terrace.
Nights 2-3
*Premiere Hotel
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)
Nights 4-5
*Deluxe Hotel
Perched on a bluff overlooking the Adriatic, this resort features a stunning infinity pool and walking path to the sea below. (pool)
Gallery
Bikes
Choose Your Perfect Bike
Our bikes are designed and built with specific cyclists and riding styles in mind, so we can always offer you a perfect ride. Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Included in your trip price
- Ideal for avid cyclists
- Redesigned for 2024
- Next gen titanium frame with carbon wheels
- Responsive, efficient and comfortable
- Drop handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- Suited for a wide range of cyclists
- Comfortable ergonomic seat
- Long wheel base adds to the bike's control and stability
- Upright handlebars only
Included in your trip price
- One of the lightest e-bikes available
- Provides plenty of power and more than enough battery
- Lower top tubes for easier mounting and dismounting
- Upright handlebars only
- Limited availability on Unplugged Bike Tours; learn more
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
- $400 rental fee
- Hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed Cro-Moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train
- Custom upgraded wheelset
- Best for riders with some tandem experience.
Dates & Prices
Dates & Prices
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations (if any) and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy in USD.
Please Select a Group Size
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.