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.
One or more kids 20+ required (siblings 17+ ok)
Family — 20s & Beyond
6 days 5 nights
Activity Level: 2-4
Casual & Premiere Hotels
From: $4,599 pp dbl occ
($800 for sgl occ)
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 perfect family escape.
Start Bari / End Lecce
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Rides that bring remarkable views of whitewashed villages, olive trees and age-old farmhouses | Journey to Matera, a World Heritage site and 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" | Immerse yourself in the authentic feel of this captivating town, with its intriguing history and incredible vistas.
This beautifully renovated 18th-century palace offers unsurpassed views of Matera's sassi from its rooftop terrace.
Discover the secret to making mozzarella in a hands-on lesson | Explore World Heritage Alberobello with 1,500 trulli, unique 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 | Unbeatable views of ancient olive groves await as you ride to historic Ostuni | Known as the White City, this magnificent place spans three hilltops and is crowned by a Gothic cathedral | Sample local wines, learn to make pasta and enjoy home-cooked Pugliese specialties at a charming masseria (fortified farmhouse).
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)
Bike through peaceful farmland and along scenic roads down the Adriatic coast | Along the way, pause to admire the azure Adriatic and its picturesque white-sand beaches | Taste fresh local produce, just-caught seafood and regional wines | Superb coastal vistas, extraordinary grottoes and opportunities to swim in the blue sea abound | Ride to Italy's "heel of the boot" on a spectacular seaside route toward the tiny village of Santa Maria di Leuca | Take a final ride with your family over undulating terrain toward Otranto | Delight in an evening of lively traditional music and folk dancing | Complete the trip in historic Lecce, a city famed for its beautiful baroque architecture.
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 in USD.
Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
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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.
The key to a stellar day's ride is a bike that's perfectly in tune with your cycling style… Backroads has you covered with the best bike fleet in the world! Please note that bike requests are subject to availability and prioritized based on the date they're submitted.
Click the arrow to see all bike options.
Included in your trip price
This custom-designed titanium bike is lightweight and responsive, featuring Shimano Ultegra Di2 electronic shifting, 11-speed compact gearing, a premium Mavic Ksyrium Pro wheelset and a full carbon fork.
Included in your trip price
A proven classic, this custom-designed titanium bike is suited for a wide range of cyclists. It features a comfortable ergonomic seat and a long wheel base that add to the bike’s control and stability.
Included in your trip price
Keep pace or zip ahead, pedaling with an electric boost. This bike provides plenty of power to flatten the hills and more than enough battery range to cover the distance.
Min. age to ride e-bike: 16+
Ride like a pro with the top-of-the-line carbon Cannondale Synapse Hi-Mod Red ETAP AXS. Delivering phenomenal acceleration and handling in a light and powerful package.
$650 rental fee; subject to availability
This hand-built frame features Co-Motion's custom-designed cro-moly steel tubeset, powerful Avid disc brakes, Shimano Ultegra drive train, and a custom, upgraded wheelset. For experienced tandem riders.
$400 rental fee
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.
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 Puglia's beautiful countryside and warm hospitality.
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.
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