Puglia is genuine. Untouched. And there's no better way to experience it than by bike. Cycle past olive trees and seaside towns. Ride through a sunny paradise between the blue waves of the Adriatic and the flawless green of Basilicata. Share a table with the kindest people on the Italian peninsula. Welcome to Italy less traveled. Welcome to Puglia.

Sonoma County is a mecca for three different types of fanatics—foodies, wine aficionados, and bike fiends. I was lucky enough to grow up in this beautiful part of California's Wine Country and I'm forever indebted to it for instilling in me a love of cuisine, grapes and bicycles. Many Backroads guests on our Wine Country trips find themselves with a day or two to spare in my native land, and I (of course) think that I know how to spend it best. Allow me to share what I would do if I had a few days in Sonoma County.

Summer is so close you can almost taste it. It's the time of year for graduations, grilling on the porch and staying up late to catch fireflies. The whole world seems content in May, looking forward to the long days and warm nights of the summer ahead.

About an hour north of Milan, Italy's capital of fashion and design, a trio of stunning freshwater lakes are located within just a few hours of each other. They're surrounded by jaw-dropping mountains that feature nearly every shade of green, and perched along their shorelines are a continuous series of picturesque lakeside villages, villas and palaces. Lake Como, Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta each offer visitors a chance to experience the fusion of culture that exists between the Alps and the rest of Italy; an opportunity to experience the rich Italian culture in a new way. And the hiking here is spectacular!

The Lofoten Islands reach far out into the Norwegian sea and are connected by a network of bridges, winding narrow roads, tunnels, fjords, towering mountain peaks and one picturesque fishing community after another, with their humble red houses looking so striking against a backdrop of green hillsides and blue sea.

Long before roads crisscrossed the nations of Europe, it was the great rivers in Europe that served as the superhighways connecting all the diverse and enduring landscapes and cultures of the old world. Flowing from one historic European capital to the next, these picturesque waterways have witnessed the rise and fall of empires across the continent.

The Cinque Terre, which translates literally to "Five Lands," is a group of five villages along a six-mile stretch of the Ligurian coastline in northwest Italy. Evidence of civilization here dates back to the 11th century. These villages, along with their coastlines and hillsides, are part of Cinque Terre National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and a favorite destination for just about any traveler who has had the good fortune of visiting this magical destination.

March is the time of year for passionate renewal. As the cold winter draws to a close and the frozen earth begins to thaw, new life is triggered to embark on a timeless journey. Plants and flowers make their way through the darkness of the underworld to meet the nourishing rays of the springtime sun. For us, mere mortals, springtime arrives to rekindle within us an intense desire to connect with the beauty of the natural world.  And if you need a little nudge to get into that springtime mood, there's no better way than to pack your bags and hit the road. March is a great time to travel...where festivals, friendly weather and untouched trails await you in the far corners of the globe. Put a little spring in your step and get out there!

Unique welcoming hotels in Norway are one of the highlights of traveling with Backroads to this fascinating Nordic country.