Puglia turned on its summer riding perfection during our recent Tour of Puglia.
Yes, it was warm but that’s summer in Italy….. eight beautiful days on the bike with clear blue skies, the jersey open and a light sheen of sweat on the arms, as we were kept cool by the delightful sea breeze from both sides of the peninsula, and as we rolled by seemingly endless rock wall lined roads, traversing this ancient land from one town to the next.
Puglia is a region where you can really get off the beaten track and explore the myriad of tiny back roads one day, and then hug the coast and be dazzled by the brilliant blue of the mediterranean sea the next.
While there is the riding challenge each day and the support of fellow riders to ensure we all give it our best on the diverse roads of Puglia, it’s also special to share the cultural immersion and myriad of new foods and flavours with new friends each night.
No summer holiday is complete without a visit to the beach and our Puglia cycling tour is no exception, with a couple of post ride afternoons spent enjoying the crystal clear and refreshing Ionian sea, as well as all the colour of the Italians by the sea on the Adriatic.
Saying that Puglia has a few olive trees is an understatement.
However, more than just any olive trees, what the Valle d’Itria area does have, are unique, monumental olive trees that are often over 2000 years old and still producing olives. Everyone who has the opportunity to see and touch these grand guardians of the land, are left mesmerised by their beauty.
The trulli and whitewashed towns of Puglia are unique and special. For riders and non-riders alike, a ride or walk amongst the trulli always brings a smile to people’s faces….and not just on first sight, but day after day. Learning about their history and architectural magnificence is always a highlight on our walking tour of Alberobello, the stunning town and home of Puglia’s trulli.
The produce, tastes and flavours of Puglia are sublime, in a region where seasonal freshness is king. While the myriad of vegetables, vines, olives and fruit trees do make the food landscape in Puglia different to other regions, it’s when this produce is paired with the fruits of the sea or land, that they are both elevated to taste sensations that will linger in your memory for years to come……… slow baked eggplants filled with pork and cherry tomatoes, and red prawns tossed with linguine and fresh pomodoro. Buonissimo!
Our non-riding partner program in Puglia takes us from olive groves and cooking experiences to tours of olive groves and towns, taking in the history, colour and culture of this special region.
If you would like more details of our cycling Tour of Puglia, click the link here.
If you’d like to join our Sicily Bike Tour in May, secure your booking here or contact us for any further information or questions you may have.
