Travel Guides: Italy Travel Guide: Overview
In Southern Europe—right in the heart of the Mediterranean—lies a boot-shaped country stuffed to the brim with culture, history and fine cuisine.
Biking
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Dates for 2023 will be added soon.
Puglia to Basilicata Bike Tour - For Families with Older Teens & 20s
From Ancient Matera to the Adriatic Sea
One or more kids 17+ required (siblings 14+ ok) | Min age to ride e-bike 16+
Family — Older Teens & 20s
Activity Levels 2-4
Casual & Premiere Hotels
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. You've found your family's perfect escape.
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Puglia Italy Biking Tour
Italy
Start Bari / End Lecce
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Visit the World Heritage sites of Alberobello and its 1,500 trulli, and Matera, with a fascinating maze of prehistoric caves
- Learn to make fresh pasta with an expert and enjoy family dinners of irresistible 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 superb coastal vistas and unbeatable views of ancient olive groves, whitewashed villages and age-old farmhouses
Videos
Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
Casual & Premiere Hotels*
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Day 1
Description
As you ride, take in mesmerizing views of lost-in-time villages, olive trees and traditional farmhouses | Travel to Matera, a World Heritage site and one of Italy's most captivating towns | Humans inhabited this canyon’s caves some 9,000 years ago, creating what UNESCO calls "the most outstanding example of a troglodyte settlement in the Mediterranean" | Immerse yourself in the authentic feel of this remarkable town, with its intriguing history and spectacular sights.
Accommodations
Palazzo Viceconte
Matera
| Casual Plus Hotel This beautifully renovated 18th-century palace offers unsurpassed views of Matera's sassi from its rooftop terrace.
Days 2-3
Description
Master the art of mozzarella-making in a hands-on demonstration | Admire unusual round stone buildings topped with conical gray slate roofs in the World Heritage site of Alberobello | Bike into the surrounding landscape, where a vibrant palette of reddish brown soil, green grass and blue skies inspires | Savor a mid-ride espressino freddo, Puglia's delicious cold sweet coffee | Ancient olive groves line the way as you ride to historic Ostuni, known as the White City, which spans three hilltops and is crowned by a Gothic cathedral | Sip regional wines, learn to make fresh pasta and enjoy a family dinner of Pugliese specialties prepared at a local masseria (fortified farmhouse).
Accommodations
Masseria Torre Coccaro
Savelletri di Fasano
| *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)
Days 4-6
Description
Journey by bike through tranquil farmland and along scenic roads down the coast | Delight in views of the azure Adriatic and its postcard-perfect white-sand spiagge (beaches) | Sample local produce and freshly caught seafood | Unforgettable coastal vistas, extraordinary grottoes and opportunities to swim in the blue sea await | Ride to the heel of Italy's boot-shaped land | Arrive in the tiny hamlet of Santa Maria di Leuca | Bike one last time over undulating terrain toward Otranto | Celebrate with an evening of lively traditional music and folk dancing | Extend your family vacation in historic Lecce, a city famed for its beautiful baroque architecture.
Accommodations
Le Capase Resort
Villaggio Paradiso
| Casual Hotel Perched on a bluff overlooking the Adriatic, this resort features a stunning infinity pool and walking path to the sea below. (pool)
Dates & Prices
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. View cancellation policy
Click on dates for pricing, itinerary variations and to book your trip. Price is per person, double occupancy.
From our Guests
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#MyBackroadsTrip
Share your adventure #MyBackroadsTrip
Activity Level: 2-4
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of interests and fitness levels. Several routes and a range of levels are offered each day so you can choose how much or how little activity you want to do. Learn more about how we determine activity levels.
Daily Route Options
What's Included
- All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
- All breakfasts, 4 lunches, 4 dinners
- Expertise and services of our experienced Trip Leaders
- Snacks and beverages between meals
- Additional guides and experts from the region on many trips
- Van shuttles to support a variety of route options
- Comprehensive Travel Planner with detailed pre-trip information
- Private guided tours at museums, historic sites, wineries and other select attractions as noted in the Travel Planner
- All gratuities at hotels and restaurants
- Special events, including wine tastings and other select attractions as mentioned in the Travel Planner
- On biking and multi-adventure trips, use of fully equipped Backroads titanium bike plus helmet and accessories
- Trailercycles, carriers, and kid-sized helmets for Family Trips
- Equipment and experienced guides for kayaking, rafting, snorkeling, sailing and canoeing as described
- Park and other entry fees
- Fares for trains, ferries and other modes of travel as listed in the Travel Planner
- Select coach transfers
- Baggage transfers and porterage
Straight talk
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Biking in Puglia
Roads in Puglia and most of southern Italy are not always as well maintained as those found up north. 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 the beauty of Puglia's countryside and its warm hospitality.
We want to make sure you're on the right trip and that you have the best experience possible. Every Backroads trip is unique and this one is no exception.
Biking in Puglia
Roads in Puglia and most of southern Italy are not always as well maintained as those found up north. 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 the beauty of Puglia's countryside and its warm hospitality.
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