Discover the best of Italy's sun splashed southern landscapes, from the undiscovered Salento coast with its crystal clear waters to the mysterious cone shaped "trulli" farmhouses sprinkled throughout Puglia's interior. Cycle to whitewashed hilltop villages first colonized by ancient Greeks. Puglia, sometimes referred to by its ancient Roman name, Apulia, is a quiet region along the "heel" of Italy's southern coast. This land is best known for its whitewashed cone shaped peasant houses, narrow country lanes bordered by low stone walls and its sea of olive trees, some over a thousand years old. On our Puglian adventure, we will visit small towns and villages where an ancient culture has been formed by centuries of eastern Mediterranean influences. The gentle disposition of the Puglian people and the rich agricultural heritage of this region blend to create a masterpiece of healthy living and an appreciation for a more leisurely pace. On our southern Italian adventure, we will explore deep into this region following along the Adriatic coast and venturing inland to visit its "trulli" houses, Baroque palaces, rich farmland and the relaxing landscapes of Puglia's vibrant countryside.

Day 1 - Polignano al Mare - Rendezvous in Bari. Start your Puglia biking adventure with a ride along the Adriatic coast. Welcome lunch in Polignano a Mare, a fortified Medieval town dramatically perched along limestone cliffs overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Take an afternoon spin on an undulating route along quiet countryside lanes and into the gentle slopes surrounding Monopoli Dine on the best of Puglian cuisine.

Day 2 - The Val d'Itria - Ride quiet sideroads into the beautiful Itria valley, a fairytale land of green pastures, vineyards, fruit farms, narrow stone wall bordered laneways and photographic clusters of Puglia's unique trulli houses. Visit Alberobello, a World Heritage Site and heart of the Trulli district. Spin past Martina Franca, known for its Baroque architecture. Cycle to Locorotondo, a circular white hilltop town built of polished limestone. Drop in on its cooperative wine producer.

Day 3 - Ostuni - Tour the 5th-century B.C. Greek / Roman ruins at Egnazia. Visit a local cheese maker for a mozzarella making demonstration. Discover Ostuni, an ancient whitewashed hilltop town appearing like white sugar cubes against the warm Puglian sun. Take a casual tour of this Greek influenced historic town. Roll along a scenic route to Cisternino, a little known village with spectacular views of the Val d'Itria.

Day 4 - Otranto - Ride among the sand dunes and seaside villages of the Salento. Stop at a quiet cove where local Italians enjoy "La Dolce Vita" while relaxing in the Italian sun. Stop at the old city of Otranto, surrounded by a moat, for a casual tour of its Medieval castle, narrow winding cobblestone streets and its Renaissance cathedrale with a 12th-century mosaic floor and crypt.

Day 5 - The Salento Coast - Embark on one of Italy's great rides, along the southern coast of Puglia, a dramatic route along limestone cliffs, small fishing villages, and beach resorts, drawn by the azure colors of the southern Adriatic Sea. Visit the southern tip "Puglia's Lands End" at the Monastery of Santa Maria di Leuca. Celebrate your great Puglian biking adventure with Salentino specialties complimented with fresh seafood and garden fresh herbs.

Day 6 - Lecce or Brindisi - Homeward bound. Morning visit and casual guided tour of Lecce, regarded as the "Florence of the South" for its baroque palaces and Roman artifacts. Bid a final farewell to the Puglian landscapes and take a train to Rome, or continue to the international airport in Brindisi. As always, we would be more than pleased to help you with any of your post-trip travel planning.
Arrivederci and Buon Viaggio !

NEED MORE TRIP INFORMATION? E-mail or call our professional travel advisers at Club Toscana Reservations at 1-866-563-4248 toll free 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (EST) Mon. to Fri., 8:30 am to 1:00 pm Sat. They are ready to answer your trip questions and arrange all your pre and post-trip travel needs for a truly all-inclusive European Active Vacation.

Please note that the above itinerary is typical for this trip and can be adjusted to accommodate optional route daily distances & effort levels, your daily biking pace and interests, and special local events. Weather conditions and road repairs, etc. can also alter the routes.
In an effort to enhance this itinerary to help you get the most out this destination and your traveling experiences with Club Toscana, we are always in the process of researching additional local routes, accommodations and interesting places to visit.

Polignano a Mare - (1 night) - a sea side hotel with rooms overlooking the historic old center of Polignano.
Pezze di Greco - (2 nights) - resting in an olive grove just a few miles from the Adriatic, this charming 18th-century manor house masseria offers spacious guest rooms and a tranquil garden with a pool.
Otranto - (2 nights) - a 15th-century country house perched on a hill with great views of the Adriatic and the Salento cape from its terrace pool.

Note: The above Michelin rated hotels are subject to accommodations availability upon trip request. Alternative accommodations meet or excede the above selection in ratings, settings, amenities and views.