I think that for cycling the best route is around the coast. The best nature is in the west coast but the night life in the east coast! :) Some routes less easy for a cycling but really beautifull are inside the country like in Tuscany.

It really depends; on how fit you are, how much luggage you're carrying, etc. Probably stick to the SS roads (Strada Statale) which are not as busy as the arterial highways, and more scenic. Paved roads in Italia are in very good condition, and the drivers know how to deal with cyclists; for two reasons. They've ridden bikes themselves and have always cooperated with cyclists. Unlike in North America. Use maps such as

www.viamichelin.com/viamiche...ePage.htm

and others which show topography, and look for routes which are relatively flat; you want to avoid having to climb up a steep hillside only to descend down the other side and be faced with another climb. You want to cycle through the valleys, although those routes are usually used by most of the vehicles as well as truck traffic.

Also, consider putting the bike on a train to quickly cover long-distance garbage miles; in other words, through heavily-congested areas with suburban sprawl and industrial land uses. Then take your bike on the quieter, scenic routes.

I'll confess, I don't cycle tour in Italia, I race road bikes and exclusively in Toscana (incl. Elba). I travel light and very, very fast. We ride into and over the mountains and enjoy suffering. We don't pace ourselves.

You might find the following website usefull: www.garganobike.it
It is near our place Casa Il Cantico, small naturist place-to-be. We have only a dutch website at the moment www.ilcantico.nl
Gargano is a wonderfull and very un-italian part of the country with beaulifull scenery. When you follow the eastcoast you 'll find it (and possibly us).
Happy cycling!
Arrivederci,
Guglielmo