Puglia Chef on Wheels Bike Tour
Culinary Adventure in Italy's Valle d'Itria: Cooking Classes, Lunch with Mamma, and More
Tour Highlights
- Spend five nights in a luxury villa in the heart of Puglia’s verdant Valle d’Itria
- Learn the secrets of Pugliese ingredients and cuisine during market and farm visits and intimate evening cooking classes with chef Giuseppe Franco
- Ride through a sea of olives and grapes to arrive at the perched coastal village of Polignano a Mare for a well-earned gelato
- Meet Giuseppe’s mother for an incredible homemade lunch in the countryside
- Get a behind-the-scenes look at Puglia’s foodie Renaissance as we enjoy special access to Giuseppe’s network of local chefs, sommeliers, and small producers throughout the week
Eat
Artisanal olive oils, fresh seafood, orecchiette pasta, mozzarella cheese, grilled lamb and vegetables, and hand-crafted breads
Drink
Light, refreshing white wines like Fiano and powerful, regional reds including Salice Salentino and Primitivo
Itinerary
Print Itinerary- Day 1
Ciao, Puglia!
Meet your guides in Bari and transfer to Rutigliano, the sleepy hometown of Giuseppe Franco, our Chef on Wheels. Get fitted on the bikes before setting off on a ride through the Valle d’Itria: a lush, fertile plain above the Adriatic where miles of dry stone walls frame flocks of sheep and fragrant groves of citrus. We’ll reunite with Chef Giuseppe in the town of Martina Franca for an intimate lunch at his friend Michaelangelo’s hidden ristorante. Afterwards, continue riding or hop in the van for a lift to the luxurious villa we’ll call home for the week. Settle in and relax poolside with a glass of chilled Verdeca. Tonight, Giuseppe treats us to a dazzling welcome dinner, setting the tone for the delicious week ahead.
Meals: Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Rutigliano, Martina Franca
Accomplished: 22 miles / 35 km, elevation gain: 1,509 feet / 460 meters
Shorter Option: 16 miles / 25 km, elevation gain: 1,178 feet / 359 meters
Accommodations: Villa Vitale - Day 2
Caseificio and Cooking
Today’s ride takes us into the countryside surrounding the villa—a rich, agricultural tableau that illustrates Puglia’s unofficial designation as the breadbasket of Italy. Our first destination is a local caseificio, or dairy, where we’ll learn about traditional cheesemaking and sample fresh mozzarella. Continue cycling into Ostuni, a stunning hilltop town dubbed “La Citta Bianca” for its gleaming, whitewashed buildings. We’ll rendezvous with Giuseppe at the market and select ingredients for tonight’s dinner before heading to lunch at a local trattoria. After, complete the loop back to the villa and enjoy a refreshing swim. Later, we’ll roll up our sleeves for a convivial evening of cooking, eating, and drinking as Giuseppe shows us how to transform our market finds into a sumptuous Apulian feast.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Pascarosa, Ostuni, Casalini
Accomplished: 29 miles / 46 km, elevation gain: 1,928 feet / 606 meters
Shorter Option: 18 miles / 29 km, elevation gain: 840 feet / 256 meters
Accommodations: Villa Vitale - Day 3
Puglia's Architectural Treasures
Valle d’Itria’s fairytale scenery is the enchanting backdrop for this morning’s ride to Locorotundo, a charming ninth-century village named for its unique circular layout. Wander the honeycomb of streets and sip an espresso with the locals before continuing to Alberobello. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its artfully preserved trulli—ancient stone dwellings capped with cone-shaped roofs—the tiny town is arguably Puglia’s prettiest. Here, our friend Mimmo shares the secrets of these ancient structures before welcoming us into his family’s trullo for a hearty, homestyle lunch. Opt to transfer back to the villa or challenge yourself with some extra miles. This evening we’ll meet Giuseppe’s friend Angelo, a Michelin-starred chef, who hosts us at his elegant restaurant in a historic palazzo.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Locorotondo, Alberobello
Accomplished: 32 miles / 52 km, elevation gain: 1,797 feet / 548 meters
Shorter Option: 16 miles / 25 km, elevation gain: 1,050 feet / 320 meters
Accommodations: Villa Vitale - Day 4
A Joyful Homecoming
In Italy, there is no more meaningful gesture than an invitation to a family meal. Today we hit the jackpot, joining our chef’s mother for lunch. Our day begins with a scenic ride through an undulating landscape replete with olive trees and vineyards. At Giuseppe’s family home, his mamma awaits us with a bountiful country lunch lovingly prepared with produce from her garden. From there, our bicycles take us to Polignano a Mare, a picturesque seaside village perched atop limestone cliffs overlooking the Adriatic. Pop into Giuseppe’s favorite gelateria and stroll Polignano’s ancient streets before transferring back to the villa. Later, we’ll regroup to fire up the oven for a festive evening of pizza-making the Italian way.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: San Marco, Castellana Grotte, Polignano a Mare
Accomplished: 27 miles / 44 km, elevation gain: 1,814 feet / 553 meters
Longer Option: 36 miles / 58 km, elevation gain: 1,873 feet / 571 meters
Accommodations: Villa Vitale - Day 5
Riches of Land and Sea
Our route today takes us from Valle d’Itria’s verdant interior to its coastal plain. Stop at a local seafood market where Giuseppe introduces us to a trove of regional frutti di mare—fruits of the sea—and explains how he chooses the freshest catch for tonight’s dinner. From there, pedal through some of Italy’s oldest olive groves and pay a visit to our friend Lucia, an olive oil sommelier, at her 14th-century masseria. During a beautifully prepared lunch featuring classic Pugliese flavors, Lucia will guide us through a tasting of the farm’s award-winning oils. Tonight, gather for a final feast at the villa and prepare today’s seafood with Giuseppe as the sun sets on a spectacular week.
Meals: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner
Destinations: Fasano, Torre Canne
Accomplished: 27 miles / 43 km, elevation gain: 1,171 feet / 357 meters
Longer Option: 35 miles / 56 km, elevation gain: 1,430 feet / 436 meters
Accommodations: Villa Vitale - Day 6
Buon Viaggio!
Relax over a cappuccino, take a morning dip in the pool, or enjoy a stroll through nearby Cisternino. Your guides will transfer you to the Bari Airport as you head on to your next destination.
Meals: Breakfast
Destinations: Bari
DuVine itineraries may be subject to slight route changes, hotel substitutions, and other modifications.
Arrival Details
Airport City: Bari, Italy Pick-Up Location: Bari City Center Pick-Up Time: 9:00 am
Departure Details
Airport City: Bari, Italy Drop-Off Location: Bari Airport Drop-Off Time: 11:30 am
Arrival and departure details for 2025 + 2026 tours may be subject to change.
Meet the Chef: Giuseppe Franco
Born and raised in Puglia, Giuseppe Franco studied hospitality before working at acclaimed chef Alain Ducasse’s Michelin-starred Trattoria Toscano in Orbetello at the age of 19. From there, Franco went on to hone his skills at influential restaurants from Bordeaux to London, studying bread making, butchering, sauce making, and other foundational cooking techniques.
Franco then moved to Paris, where he served in the kitchens of La Table de Cybèle and the Eiffel Tower’s emblematic, two-Michelin star dining experience, Le Jules Vern, before becoming Chef de Cuisine at Denny Imboisi’s IDA. There, Franco shared his Apulian roots with the city’s fine dining crowd.
Today, Franco teaches at the prestigious L’École Ducasse in Paris. He also offers private dining experiences, cooking classes, and restaurant consulting through his newest project, Skarcio Paris.
Dates + Availability
Travel dates for this tour are not yet available. Check back soon or contact us for more details.
Inclusions + Details
Accommodations
- Thoughtfully selected accommodations that reveal the true character of the region
- Luggage transfers
Meals
- Daily breakfasts, all lunches, nutritious snacks, and après velo cocktails
- 5 gourmet dinners at our favorite local restaurants and renowned culinary establishments
- Carefully selected local wine, beer, or spirits with every meal
Activities
- Wine tastings and activities as outlined in the tour itinerary
- Entrance fees to historic sites, museums, parks, and all other exclusive events
- Gratuities for baggage, porters, and hotel service
Gear
- Top-of-the-line bicycle selection
- Bike helmet
- Complimentary DuVine gear including a custom cycling jersey, DuVine t-shirt, water bottle, and drawstring bag
- GPS in most destinations
Support
- Expert bilingual guides with extensive local knowledge
- Support vehicle that follows the day’s route, distributes refreshments, and offers lifts
- Pick-up and drop-off before and after your tour from predetermined meeting points
- Daily bike maintenance to ensure optimal performance
