The map says Italy. The heel of the "boot." Though you may feel you've strayed into Greece. And that's a 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. You've found your perfect escape.
Day 1 Unbeatable views of ancient olive groves, whitewashed villages 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 of this ancient town, with its intriguing history and sublime views | Cap off your trip with a ride or a walk through Matera with a local expert.
Day 2 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.
Day 3 Start the day off with an espressino freddo, Puglia's delicious cold sweet coffee | Take in unbeatable views of ancient olive groves as you pedal to historic Ostuni, "the white city," which spans three hilltops and is crowned by a Gothic cathedral | Taste regional wines, learn to make pasta and enjoy home-cooked Pugliese specialties at a local masseria (fortified farmhouse).
Day 4 Enjoy a two-wheeled journey through peaceful farmland and scenic roads down the Adriatic coast | Along the way, delight in views of the azure Adriatic and its picturesque white-sand beaches | Savor local produce, fresh seafood and regional wines.
Days 5-6 Superb coastal vistas, extraordinary grottoes and opportunities to swim in the sea | Bike to the "heel of the boot" on a spectacular seaside ride to the tiny village of Santa Maria di Leuca | Take a final spin 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.
Great weather, people and biking- Austin, TX
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Accommodations may vary based on departure date. Any difference from what is listed below can be found by clicking on your desired date on the Dates & Prices tab.
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This beautifully renovated 18th-century palace offers unsurpassed views of Matera's sassi from its rooftop terrace.
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, golf)
Perched on a bluff overlooking the Adriatic, this resort features a stunning infinity pool and walking path to the sea below. (pool)
There's no better way to find out about Backroads than by hearing it from the people who have traveled with us. For more about the Backroads Experience, read our Guest Testimonials.
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REVIEW SNAPSHOT®
by PowerReviews(based on 15 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Reviewed by 15 customers
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Comments about Puglia Bike Tour:
Great weather, people and biking
Comments about Puglia Bike Tour:
As a first time Backroads guest I wasn't sure what to expect from the trip but it was absolutely perfect! There isn't a single detail of the trip that I would change. Puglia was beautiful, our trip leaders were fantastic and the food was over the top! I can't imagine a better way to see the world.
Comments about Puglia Bike Tour:
This trip was very special because my husband and I felt like we were experiencing a region less traveled. It was authentic, local, and real. As always our trip leaders were amazing; they thought of everything and more. Our bikes worked perfectly and the quiet roads that led us through olive groves and vineyards, past ruins, masserias, historic towns and along the dramatic coastline of the Mediterranean connected in a way that could never of found on our own. The hotels were wonderful and the food was incredible. Bravo Backroads!
Comments about Puglia Bike Tour:
I absolutely loved this trip! I'm an avid biker, but I also enjoy being on vacation and not riding hard every day. I was able to get everything I wanted out of this tour. I had never visited this region before and I loved riding along the coastline and amongst the olive trees. I especially loved the cultural stops amongst the Truli houses and fresh mozzarella making. Would go again!
Comments about Puglia Bike Tour:
Puglia was incredible. From back roads through old olive groves to twisting coastal rides, the scenery on this trip was stunning. The only thing that topped it was the amazing food. Can you say fresh burrata?
Comments about Puglia Bike Tour:
Biking was great, region was beautiful, the food was terrific, and the group was a lot of fun. Surprisingly, it included six backroads employees. The hotels were a mix of casual and premier inns and it was difficult to tell the difference--each one was first-rate. This was our fourth Backroads trip in the last four years and we couldn't have been happier. Very special as always.
Bottom Line Yes, I would recommend this to a friend
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Comments about Puglia Bike Tour:
This trip was a special treat. I was extremely impressed with all of the ways that Backroads attends to its customers. I was not disappointed with anything on the trip. I always felt taken care of and provided for. Thank you!
Comments about Puglia Bike Tour:
We just LOVED this trip! The leaders were all outstanding, and the folks we met on the trip were delightful. The bike trip was spectacular - small back roads with ancient olive trees, winding roads and the vistas of the sea, the sky and the light of Puglia. Just magical. We mostly biked in the mornings, had a great lunch with fabulous Puglian wines, and then hung out in the afternoons. Perfect trip!
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Comments about Puglia Bike Tour:
This trip was absolutely fantastic, and this is coming from an avid traveller! The guides were top notch and fun, the bike routes were challenging, the food and lodging were fantastic, and this part of the country was absolutely beautiful!!! Backroads consistently provides great travel experiences!!! I would recommend this trip without any hesitation!!!
Comments about Puglia Bike Tour:
The trip was fantastic. The leaders were amazing. The rides were fun and well mapped out. The meals were all beyond my expectations. I was so impressed at the level of planning and detail on this trip. I really did not have to think about anything but enjoying the experience. Thanks for a great trip!
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The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have and the lower your price. And you can always change your mind—you won't be charged to transfer to a different trip before your final payment is due.
Please click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
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AVAILABLE TO BOOKi GOING FASTi CONTACT USi PRIVATE TRIP - RESERVEDi
Interested in a Private Trip? Check out the Make It Private tab for private dates available, or call us at 800-462-2848.
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.
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| Daily Route Options | ||||||||||
| Day | EASYGOING | ACTIVE | AVID | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 | Level 5 | ||||||
| miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | miles | feet gain | |
| 1 | 13 | 1400 | 23 | 2400 | ||||||
| 2 | 30* | 900 | 39* | 1600 | 60* | 2000 | ||||
| 3 | 27* | 2300 | 48 | 2600 | 60 | 2800 | ||||
| 4 | 21* | 800 | 37* | 1100 | 51 | 1900 | ||||
| 5 | 27* | 1800 | 51 | 3600 | ||||||
| 6 | 12 | 500 | ||||||||
Note:
* Includes shuttle.
Learn more about how we determine our activity levels and fully support a range of abilities and interests.
Please note that our distance and elevation figures come from Ride with GPS. Other sources (such as Map My Ride and Garmin devices) may give differing elevation figures due to different GPS and mapping technologies. Readings from a Garmin or a smart phone are influenced by other factors such as air pressure.
We design and support our Puglia trips to suit mixed abilities and varied interests—so you can set your own pace, then change things up as the day unfolds. And all guests are free to do the same, traveling together or apart, with no one cramping anyone else's style. Which sounds easy in theory, but it's hard to pull off. Here's more on how we do it.
On our Puglia trips we have an extra leader supporting you along the road—for a total of three, compared to the industry standard two. So we can be in more places at once, giving personal attention to guests traveling at their own pace. Here's more on our Trip Leaders.
Backroads is the only active travel company providing two support vans in Puglia—because we know it's essential to ensure a truly great travel experience. It doubles our ability to be there when you need us to offer hydration, lighten your load or give you a lift if it's time to take a break. Read more on why two vans make all the difference.
Backroads has the best-qualified people to lead your trip in Puglia, and our guests back that up, rating our Trip Leaders an average of 9.75 out of 10 for all-around quality of performance. Get the facts (and no fluff) on how we recruit and develop the very best people for your trip.
Choose a Backroads Custom Titanium or Custom Electric Assist bike—both are included in your trip price. Maybe a Specialized carbon-fiber pro model is more your speed or go for double fun on a tandem. Our fleet is the best in active travel, so you don't have to roll the dice on this vital trip component. Learn why our titanium bikes are ideal for most riders. See the bike options for this trip.
Your ride comes equipped with a Garmin Edge Explore 1000, the best bike-touring GPS device on the market. This is a Backroads exclusive, and it's included with your bike in Puglia. If you prefer to bring your own device, we also have downloadable GPS files and of course, our good old paper directions are always available. Read more on why our navigation options are the best.
In addition to the ideal balance of comfort and hospitality in our choice of lodgings, this trip featuring Casual Hotels includes nearly all of your meals, plus everything from cocktail receptions to the best snacks along the road. So there's rarely a need to reach for your wallet – we've got you covered.
Thanks to our extensive connections in Puglia, Backroads takes you off the beaten track and deep into the region's culture in ways that traditional travel can never hope to do. We know the people and their customs, the legacy of art and architecture, the complex history and politic—and if we're not sure, our amazing local experts can fill in the blanks.
If we told you many companies' leaders can't actually speak the language where they lead trips, you'd say incroyable... ridicolo... không the tha thú. At Backroads, fluency in the local language is a given. Find out more on the best leader recruitment, training and development in the business. (And by the way, that was "unforgivable" in Vietnamese.)
Our Trip Leaders in Puglia live in the area and are deeply engaged in their communities, giving them unique inside knowledge they're happy to share in making your experience that much richer. They'll introduce you to people, customs and parts of town you'd likely never encounter on your own—and teach you a few local phrases to help break the ice.
In choosing the ideal experts to enrich your travel experience, we look for people with a wealth of local knowledge, but also the ability to convey their insights in English. Too often travelers find themselves smiling politely, not quite understanding what they're being told. Our experts share intriguing facts, anecdotes and inside stories that stay with you forever.
Our Trip Leaders combine deep local expertise with a firm grasp of North American expectations around quality of service. By the same token, we pair experienced Backroads leaders with local guides who know how to cater to your needs while cracking open the culture or natural history in ways that are meaningful, memorable and often magical.
Guests rave about our picnic spreads. Enjoy a welcome break in a scenic spot, or a quick refuel stop if you don't want to lose momentum. And because we have two vans, one can host lunch while the other is out providing support along the route.
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Gather your favorite people to share a Backroads adventure on a ready-to-book Private Trip - featuring all the legendary Backroads hallmarks from expert leaders to unforgettable activities. You can pick from the selection of dates below for your group of 8 or more. If your party has fewer than 8 guests, or your preferred date is not available, we'll create a departure just for you. Call or email us to reserve your date.
Click on a date below for specific pricing and possible itinerary variations.
8 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 8 OR MORE GUESTS 16 AVAILABLE TO BOOK FOR 16 OR MORE GUESTS RESERVED
Don't see your ideal travel date? Make a Date! i
Invite your family and friends on an adventure that's entirely your own - for your group of 8 or more. Find out more
I simply can't imagine a better way to immerse yourself in the life of a region, to explore hidden corners and appreciate nuances while enjoying the benefits and enormous satisfaction of traveling under your own power. These are experiences you cannot have behind the wheel of a car, or on a train or a tour bus. Active travel is, at its heart, a way of connecting more authentically with the world. Sure, Backroads provides amazing leaders, superb accommodations and meals, and opportunities you could never arrange on your own. But all of our comprehensive planning and support is aimed at something far simpler: bringing you the immediate, highly personal satisfaction of discovering a new world on your own terms.
— Tom Hale, Founder & President
