Puglia

Benvenuti (Italian for welcome!) to Puglia, the “heel” of Italy. Also known as the “Vegetable Garden” of the Italian Peninsula, it is a region rich in flavors and history that has seen many empires seize control, from the Greeks to the Romans, Barbarians to Normans, French and Spanish to the present day with the united Italy.

About the Puglia Region

On and off the bike you will visit the must-to-see places of Puglia, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Alberobello (and Matera as well on our tour on foot). Other highlights include the city of Lecce, famous for its Baroque buildings, the towns of Ostuni, Polignano a Mare, and the quaint villages of Locorotondo and Otranto named one of “the most beautiful villages in Italy” (i borghi più belli d’Italia, a designation established in 2001 with the aim of preserving and maintaining villages of quality heritage).

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The region is 250 miles long, stretching from north to southeast, and about 40 miles wide. Almost two-thirds are surrounded by the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, hence it offers miles of coastline as well as natural reserves and countryside.

True to its nickname, the garden of Italy, you will be amazed by the variety of local recipes featuring fresh and seasonal vegetables and fruits, local fish and meat, mozzarella cheese, homemade pasta and all the simple ingredients of the world famous, UNESCO protected, healthy Mediterranean Diet.
Dotting the countryside are masserie (traditional fortified farms offering accommodation and food). This region is famous for its native grapes such as Negroamaro and Primitivo that you can find in full-bodied earthy reds from the Salento area, and Verdeca and Bianco di Alessano enjoyed in crispy whites from Locorotondo. Olive oil is another distinctive and important ingredient in the Pugliese cuisine, locally produced from trees that, in some cases, are centuries old!

Come get swept away in the Mediterranean magic and warm atmosphere with a full immersion into the local culture.

What are you waiting for? Ti aspettiamo! (We are waiting for you!) A presto! (See you soon!)

Puglia, the Veggie Garden of Italy & Matera

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Cycling Tour in Puglia

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