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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Puglia to Basilicata Bike Tour - For Families with Young Adults 20s & Beyond
From Ancient Matera to the Adriatic Sea
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.
Puglia Italy Family Biking Tour
Italy
Start Bari / End Lecce
Start/End locations may vary. Do not book flights until your trip details are confirmed.
Highlights
- Discover the World Heritage sites of Alberobello and its 1,500 trulli, and Matera, with a curious maze of prehistoric caves
- Savor exceptional regional wines, learn to make fresh pasta and enjoy delicious home-cooked Pugliese specialties
- Ride from coast to coast, from the Ionian to the Adriatic, with opportunities to relax en route over coffee and gelato
- Marvel at divine coastal vistas, old-world villages, traditional farmhouses and stretches of ancient olive groves
Videos
Itinerary
Accommodations may vary based on departure date.
6 Days Casual & Premiere Hotels*
Accommodations may vary based on departure.
Day 1
Description
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.
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
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).
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
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.
Accommodations
Tenuta Centoporte
Otranto
| Casual Hotel This luxury Mediterranean retreat is built from classic Italian dry stone walls and highlights the greenery of the Puglia countryside. (pool, spa)
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 in USD.
October 2023
Looks like you’re traveling with a smaller group
Our Private Trips are best for groups of 6 or more. We suggest joining a scheduled trip.
Please Select a Group Size
Group size is required to show per-person pricing. Your group size can be approximate and can change.
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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
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.
What's Included
Available Bike Options
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.
Backroads Performance Road Bike
Performance Road Bike
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.
Backroads Touring Bike
Touring Bike
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.
Backroads Electric-Assist Bike
Electric-Assist Bike
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+
Cannondale Synapse Pro Carbon Bike
Carbon Bike
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
Co-Motion Torpedo Tandem Bike
Tandem Bike
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
Also 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
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 Puglia's beautiful countryside and 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 Puglia's beautiful countryside and warm hospitality.
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