Puglia bike & Yoga Retreat
Jun. 17-23, 2026 / Sep. 4-10, 2026
This retreat is the result of a special collaboration between Ride Your Life and two experienced yoga teachers: Carla Ricci and Valerie Griffiths. We have scheduled two retreat dates for the same program, each led by a different teacher: one with Valerie this coming June and the other with Carla in September. Both retreats follow the same thoughtfully designed program. Each is a wellness experience that blends gentle hiking, daily yoga sessions, mindful practices, and authentic Italian cuisine, all set within Italy’s inspiring natural and cultural landscapes.
Valerie Griffiths is an International Yoga & Wellness Retreat Leader, Somatic Breathwork Facilitator, and Vinyasa Yoga Instructor based in Rhode Island. As the owner of The Breathing Barn yoga studio in Portsmouth and a teacher at Newport Power Yoga, Valerie brings over two decades of personal practice and more than 500 hours of formal training through Live Love Teach into her work.
Carla Ricci is dedicating her life to the practice, study and teaching of yoga.
She began in 1985 with iyengar yoga, as part of her theatrical experience with Rena Mirecka, a collaborator of J. Grotowski .
Since 1987 she has been practising hatha yoga consistently under the guidance of Moreno Lupetti (Italian Yoga Federation), in the tradition of Swami Shivananda and Krishnamacharya.
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EXTRA SERVICES
BIKE RENTAL
Each bike is rented with the following equipment
Helmets: one size fits all
Road Bikes: 1 saddlebag
Hybrid Bikes: 1 rear bag or handlebar bag
E-bikes: 1 rear bag
Most bikes have 1 water bottle cage, some have 2
*Brand and models may vary in year or color, and an alternative bike of equal value may be provided if the preferred model is unavailable
TOUR ITINERARY
DAY BY DAY
Day 1Welcome to Apulia
A private group transfer is included today from Bari airport to Masseria Rauccio in the Salento area, south to Lecce.
Bike fitting and short warm up ride in the afternoon followed by a relaxing yoga session
MEALS: Welcome dinner is included
ACCOMODATION: Masseria RauccioDay 2Remote villages of the Salento
DISTANCE: 20 miles (34 km)
ELEVATION GAIN: 490 ft (150 m)
Start your day with a gentle morning yoga practice followed by a nourishing breakfast. Then, we hop on our bikes to explore the timeless beauty of Salento’s countryside.
Our ride includes the quiet village of Vanze, where life moves at a peaceful pace, Acaya, a walled Renaissance village with cobblestone streets and a majestic castle and Acquarica.
Back at the masseria, unwind with a restorative evening yoga session and enjoy a relaxing evening together.
MEALS: Breakfast, pic nic lunch and dinner are included
ACCOMODATION: Masseria RauccioDay 3Otranto
DISTANCE: 25 miles (41 km)
ELEVATION GAIN: 800 ft (246 m)
After our usual morning yoga session and breakfast, we’ll have a lovely ride from the Masseria to the historic seaside town of Otranto. The route leads us through olive groves and serene countryside, with traditional stone walls and the fragrance of Mediterranean flora accompanying our journey.
The ride back follows a gentle route back to the masseria, allowing us to fully appreciate the peaceful landscape. In the afternoon, we’ll enjoy a guided visit of Lecce. A private transfer will take the group to the town, where our local guide will lead a guided tour of this jewel of UNESCO-listed Baroque architecture in Southern Italy.
Dinner is included at one of our favorite “mamma-style” restaurants in town.
MEALS: Breakfast and dinner are included.
ACCOMODATION: Masseria RauccioDay 4Cooking class at the farm
DISTANCE: 32 miles (54 km)
ELEVATION GAIN: 1056 ft (322 m)
Today begins with a rejuvenating morning yoga session, setting a peaceful and energizing tone. Afterward, we’ll enjoy a gentle bike ride through the serene Apulian countryside.
In the evening, a hands-on cooking class invites us to prepare our own dinner based on authentic local dishes. The day concludes with a calming yoga session, a perfect moment to unwind and reflect.
MEALS: Breakfast, cooking class and dinner are included
ACCOMODATION: Masseria RauccioDay 5Gallipoli
DISTANCE: 16 miles (26 km)
ELEVATION GAIN: 426 ft (130 m)
Today’s ride begins with a head-start shuttle to the west coast of the Salento peninsula, followed by a relaxing bike ride back to the masseria.
The route offers a true taste of the region’s interior, with its quiet rolling terrain, sprawling olive groves, traditional stone walls, and ancient farmhouses.
MEALS: Breakfast and pic nic lunch are included:
ACCOMODATION: Masseria RauccioDay 6Final Ride Along the Apulian Coast
DISTANCE: 30 miles (49 km)
ELEVATION GAIN: 1575 ft (480 m)
The final day of the retreat offers another beautiful ride adventure, beginning and ending with the usual rejuvenating yoga sessions led by our yoga teacher.
After the morning yoga practice, we’ll set out on a bike ride that takes together coastline and inland landscape. The route is both scenic and invigorating, showcasing the natural beauty of Apulia’s coast.
Relaxing time in the afternoon before our last evening yoga session and farewell group dinner.
MEALS: Breakfast, light lunch and farewell dinner are included
ACCOMODATION: Masseria RauccioDay 7Arrivederci, Puglia!
After one last nourishing breakfast, it’s time to say goodbye to the peaceful rhythms of Puglia. A group transfer to Bari Airport is included, making your journey home smooth and stress-free.
We part ways feeling lighter, stronger, and inspired; carrying with us new friendships, soulful memories, and the vibrant energy of southern Italy.
MEALS: Breakfast is included


















