Puglia Food & Wine
Italy Bike Tours
Gastronomy & wine-lover bike tour in Salento, the Heel of Italy!
- Tour Type
- Skill Level
- Length8 days
- Prices from€1524 Rates
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Overview
You are in for a treat on this bike tour in Salento, the "heel" of Italy, known for its ancient farmlands crisscrossed with stonewalls, small authentic villages, and hundreds of kilometers of coastline.
This is Apulia, the crossroads of civilizations and culture, the bridge between East and West, and a haven for those who love the sea. Tucked between the sparkling, azure waters of the Ionian and the Adriatic, this "sub-peninsula" showcases a varied coastline etched with glittering limestone precipices, outcroppings, and miles of first-class beaches, carved inland with lovely salt-water lagoons.
The fine harbors and fertile plains made this region particularly vulnerable to attack and many conquering invaders penetrated its barriers. Today, Puglia maintains its own distinct and authentic identity, an eclectic mix of cultures.
In a land where the cuisine is all-important, Puglia's cucina povera (peasant cooking) is legendary, featuring olive oil, grapes, tomatoes, eggplants, artichokes, peppers, mushrooms, olives, cheese, fresh seafood...and the wine is world renowned.
Enjoy your 'slow travel' immersion in this sun-kissed land!
Highlights
- The seafront jewels of Gallipoli and Otranto
- Baroque and sophisticated Lecce
- Luxurious Leuca
- Apulian landscape and seascape
- Simple but diverse cuisine and world-famous wines
- Local wine and product tastings
- True immersion in local arts, crafts, and family
- Optional cooking class at local agriturismo
If you are interested in biking Matera and Alberobello, take a look at our 8-day tour. If 8 days is too long, ask us for suggestions.
Check out all our bike tours in Italy.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Lecce
Day 2: Lecce - Otranto, 35 mi. (56 km)
Day 3: Otranto and surroundings, 18 mi. (29 km)
Day 4: Otranto – Leuca coast, 32 mi. (52 km)
Day 5: Leuca - Gallipoli, 39 mi. (63 km)
Day 6:
Self-guided: Gallipoli, surroundings, 38 mi. (61 km)
Guided, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 7: Gallipoli - Lecce, 33 mi. (52 km)
Day 8: Departure from LecceAll distances are approximate. Due to circumstances beyond control, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during your holiday. For example, along the way you may find temporary deviations/detours caused by roadwork, In this case, please follow the directions posted on site.
Day 1: Arrival in Lecce
If you have booked an airport transfer you will be met by our local representative. If not, please refer to our travel detail section for details on how to arrive in Lecce.Preferred accommodation:
- Re del sale B&B
- Orangerie d'Epoque: In the heart of Lecce, Southern Italy's jewel of Baroque architecture, L'Orangerie d'Epoque offers elegant accommodation in a 19th-century palazzo bordering the old walled city.
Day 2: Lecce - Otranto, 35 mi. (56 km)
A relatively flat route stretches before you today with many interesting cultural sights. First on the agenda is Acaya, a fortified city with a huge castle. The route descends then to “Le Cesine”, a World Wildlife Federation area, and a crossing point for many species of migratory birds. From here, you head towards the coast along the ruins of Roca Vecchia, an archaeological site located on the Adriatic coast from which excavations have uncovered some of the best-preserved monumental architecture of the Bronze Age (2nd millennium BC) and the largest set of Mycenaean pottery ever recovered west of mainland Greece. As well, you cycle to Alimini Lakes with its stunning white sand beach. This area is also a stopping point for various migrating birds such as white storks, flamingos, cranes, greylag geese, swans, and many others. The final destination is Otranto, a once-thriving Roman port. Highlights include the small domed church, San Pietro, with its Byzantine frescoes, the 15th century Aragonese Castle, and the 11th century Otranto Cathedral, with an ornate mosaic flooring. Stroll the ramparts overlooking the sea, meander the old walled historic center, with its intricate web of alleyways and whitewashed homes, and simply enjoy!Preferred accommodations:
- Basiliani Resort & Spa
- Masseria Bandino: A loving restored and transformed Masseria that is family owned and operated
- Hotel Vittoria Resort & Spa
Day 3: Otranto and surroundings, 18 mi. (29 km)
Riding along the little River “Idro”, the route leads to Casamassela, to Le Constantine foundation, an agriculture education center. This peaceful oasis is enclosed by olive tree groves and Mediterranean scrub. The weaving studio here creates textile products with ancient wooden looms. After a guided tour, you continue to Giurdignano, a beautiful town with ancient origins. Here you can find the remains of an imperial age necropolis from the II - III century as well as one of the most important sites where Megalithic findings were discovered. You will visit La Cutura botanical garden. The variety of plants, trees, and herbs will astound you, including the agaves, cacti, roses, myrtle, and much, much more. One of the highlights of the day will be a stop to have a product tasting of typical bread cheese prepared in a traditional stone oven.Preferred accommodations:
- Basiliani Resort & Spa
- Masseria Bandino: A loving restored and transformed Masseria that is family owned and operated
- Hotel Vittoria Resort & Spa
Day 4: Otranto – Leuca coast, 32 mi. (52 km)
Your route today leads along the wildest Salento coastal stretch. You visit the Palacia lighthouse, located at the easternmost point in Italy and the narrowest point of Strait of Otranto at the mouth of the Adriatic Sea. The lighthouse was built in 1867 and abandoned in the 1970s, however, was reopened in 2008. Your route continues following the coast, weaving amidst the cliffs above the sea, overlooking the Strait of Otranto. On a clear day, you can actually see the mountains of Albania and Greece. There is an opportunity to visit the Zinzulusa cave, a dramatic seafront cave system with colorful rock formations and teeming with marine wildlife. As you continue to cycle to Leuca, the day's destination, you will pedal through a typical landscape littered with boulders, Mediterranean scrub, lavender bushes, and laced with the high dry-stone walls and terraces typical of this area. As well, you can observe the ingenious devices of peasants to get arable land into barren and impervious areas. After crossing the bridge over the “ciolo”, a canyon, carved by the waters, you reach Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Ionian and the Adriatic Sea meet. The name of the village comes from the Greek "leucos", meaning light or luminous. Once a sleepy fishing village, it showcases a fascinating seascape and incredible panoramas. It became the summer residence of many aristocratic Pugliesi who built splendid villas, decorating the seafront with their varying styles.Preferred accommodation:
- Hotel l'Approdo: This lovely Mediterranean-style hotel is located in the port of Leuca. Its large and bright spaces, the splendid swimming pool surrounded by greenery, the terrace overlooking the sea, the typical and prestigious restaurant, and the new sushi bar, make it a magical and authentic "landing place". This establishment was built and has been owned by the same family for three generations.
Day 5: Leuca - Gallipoli, 39 mi. (63 km)
Today you discover Leuca Cape, the southern part of Apulia. In the 16th century, Emperor Charles V ordered the construction of a system of watchtowers along the entire length of the Puglian coast to protect citizens from constant invasions. The towers were built in strategic positions along the coast, close enough that each tower could communicate with the towers on either side of it. You will make a stop at one of the defense towers situated in the center of a small village. Next is Patù and the megalithic monument called Centopietre (100 stones), created from massive blocks of stone taken from Vereto. Next on the agenda is Leuca Piccola (Little Leuca), an important pilgrimage station that still maintains a vast underground area. Through olive groves lined by stone walls, the route leads to Ugento, where it is possible to visit its archaeological museum. In the afternoon, following the ionic coast once again, until St. Andrew’s Island and Punta Pizzo natural park. Final day's destination is Gallipoli, a beautiful seaside town, a mixture of old and new. The center of its ancient village is perched on an island, and connected to the mainland and the new city by a twentieth-century arched bridge.Preferred accommodations:
- Punta Cutierie: Cutierie was a term used in ancient times by sailors and fishermen to have a reference point in maritime coordinates and today, as then, this term has not lost its value. The B&B Punta Cutieri, located along the ancient walls of the historic center of Gallipoli, will be your eference point, your home, during your time in the Ionian Pearl.
- Una Finestra sul Mare: a "window" overlooking the sea
- Relais Corte Palmieri
Day 6: Gallipoli’s surroundings
Self-guided: 38 mi. (61 km)
This is a day dedicated to Gallipoli's surroundings. The first stop is in Sannicola to discover its underground oil mill, then Tuglie with its amazing “rural culture museum”. You will then go to Galatone to visit its beautiful Baroque old town and the Norman castle of Fulcignano. In the afternoon you will reach Galatina where you can admire the church of Santa Caterina, totally painted with frescoes in Giottesco style, and then visit the beautiful historical center of the town. If you prefer, you can enjoy a local cooking class and lunch. Fee is payable on the spot. See pricing.
Guided: 22 mi. (35 km)
You will start in the morning from Gallipoli. After just a few kilometers, you reach Alezio (ancient Messapian city, where there is an interesting museum on pre-Roman civilizations) and then Sannicola. The route then leads to "Tenuta mamma Anna" - a family-run “agritourism” where a cooking class will be offered. The products are harvested directly from the family garden so a true farm-to-table experience. You will prepare "pitta di patate" (a kind of potato gateau, with a stuffing of tomatoes, olives, capers, onion, and tuna), "pittule" (some fried dough balls), filled with tomatoes and capers, or plain to taste with honey) and hand-made orecchiette (a typical local pasta). The "pasticciotto cake" (a cake made with shortcrust pastry, filled with chantilly cream) tops off your culinary experience. After you enjoy your creations, you return to Gallipoli.Preferred accommodations:
- Punta Cutierie: Cutierie was a term used in ancient times by sailors and fishermen to have a reference point in maritime coordinates and today, as then, this term has not lost its value. The B&B Punta Cutieri, located along the ancient walls of the historic center of Gallipoli, will be your eference point, your home, during your time in the Ionian Pearl.
- Una Finestra sul Mare: a "window" overlooking the sea
- Relais Corte Palmieri
Day 7: Gallipoli - Lecce, 33 mi. (52 km)
You will not want your bike tour to come to an end but alas, today is your last cycling day in this beautiful land. You will pass many 19th century fortified farmhouses and villas on your way back to Lecce. You stop in Nardò to visit its baroque style historical center and then Copertino to discover its impressive Norman castle. Some km before Lecce, you can make a stop at a local establishment, a traditional pottery workshop, the Martina brothers, skillful keepers of this ancient art.Late afternoon arrival in Lecce and in the evening, farewell dinner in one of the best restaurants in town.
Preferred accommodations:
- Re del sale B&B
- Orangerie d'Epoque: In the heart of Lecce, Southern Italy's jewel of Baroque architecture, L'Orangerie d'Epoque offers elegant accommodation in a 19th-century palazzo bordering the old walled city.
Day 8: End of tour
You will be offered a guided walking tour of Lecce that will end around 11:30 AM. Alternatively, your tour can end after breakfast.Looking for more? View all our featured bicycle tours, specials, & news, or look at our full list of tours in Europe & beyond.
Hotels & Bikes
You will be accommodated in mainly 4-star villas, resorts, farmhouses, or B & B’s. On each day’s details, you will find listed the preferred hotels for this tour. If you would like your final confirmed hotel list sent to you, please request this at time of tour confirmation. Otherwise, you will receive this with your final travel information approximately one month before your tour date.
Bicycles
Men’s and Women’s Touring Bikes
Please note that we will do our very best to accommodate specific bike requests but we cannot always guarantee your preference.
Bianchi Spillo Onice
- Light aluminum men or women's frame
- 21 speed Shimano Deore gearing
- 28-inch wheels
- Front suspension
- Royal Freeway saddle
Specialized Crosstrail
- Light aluminum frame
- 24 speed Shimano FD-M191 & SL-M310 gearing
- Specialized Trigger Sport 700 x 38c tires
- Front suspension
- V-brake, linear-pull
- Body Geometry Targa Sport saddle
Specialized Sirrus
- Light aluminum frame
- 24 speed Shimano Altus gearing
- Nimbus 2 - 700 32 c tires
- V-brake, linear-pull
- Body Geometry Targa Sport saddle
Velo De Ville (L 100)
- Aluminum frame
- 24 speed Shimano Acera gearing
- Schwalbe Tyrago tires
- Shimano disc brakes
- Medicus trekking saddle
All bikes are equipped with rear racks, pannier bags, spare inner tubes, repair kit, and first aid kit.
Electric bike
Please note that we will do our very best to accommodate specific bike requests but we cannot always guarantee your preference.
EY559 Rebel Jet
- Sport hybrid alloy frame
- Shimano XT 10 speed
- Schwalbe Big Apple 28" tires
- Hydraulic disc brakes
- Frame-mounted 500 Wh battery
- Yamaha PW-SE engine
EY419 Rebel City Wave
- City Wave Alloy Frame
- Shimano Acera 8 speed
- Kenda K192 700 x 42c tires
- Rear mounted 400 Wh battery
- Yamaha PW-SE engine
EY319 Rebel Street
- Street wave alloy frame
- Shimano Acera 8 speed
- Shimano MT200 brakes
- Rear mounted 400 Wh battery
- Yamaha PW-TE
Inclusions
What’s Included
Self-guided
- 7 overnight stays in villas, resorts, farmhouses, or B & B
- 7 breakfasts
- 5 dinners
- Tastings at local producers as schedule allows (wine, cheese, & local products)
- Luggage transfer
- GPS with preloaded tracks
- Roadbook with cultural information & tips about the route
- 24-hour assistance
- Bike rental with accessories, including helmet
- Local hotel taxes
- 7 overnights in villas, resorts, or farmhouses
- 7 breakfasts
- 7 dinners or lunches with wine
- Tastings at local producers as scheduling allows (wine, cheese, & local products)
- 1 homemade pasta cooking class
- Bike rental (21 speed) with accessories
- Luggage transfer
- Cycling guide
- Local hotel taxes
- 7 overnights in villas, resorts, or farmhouses
- 7 breakfasts
- 7 dinners or lunches with wine
- Tastings at local producers as scheduling allows (wine, cheese, & local products)
- 1 homemade pasta cooking class
- Bike rental (21 speed) with accessories
- Luggage transfer
- Cycling guide for 3 days & self-guided riding for 3 days
Fully Guided (minimum of 6 people)
Partially guided
What’s Not Included
- Meals not mentioned as included
- Beverages with dinners
- Cycling guide (self-guided)
- Gratuities (guided tour)
- Airport transfers
- Bike protection
- Travel Insurance
Dates & Pricing
Dates
2023
Self-Guided
Departures every Friday & Saturday from March 17 until July 8 (last departure) & from September 1 until December 30, 2023 (last departure)
Other tour start days are possible for a supplement. See pricing.
Guided or Partially Guided*
April 22, May 20, June 10, September 16, October 21, & November 11, 2023
*Minimum number of participants for fully guided tour: 6
Please Note
- Rates are based on double occupancy
- Tour prices are based on the fuel costs at time prices are set, often months or years in advance. In rare cases, additional fees may apply for fuel cost increases.
- Information to read before you book
- We recommend purchasing trip insurance
- Please see our FAQ
Pricing
2023
Self-Guided
Twin/double: $ 2380 £ 1364 $ 2,255 € 1524 ₪ 5786 NZ$ 2609 NOK 16703 kr 17389 $ 1,693 Single supplement: $ 412 £ 236 $ 391 € 264 ₪ 1002 NZ$ 452 NOK 2893 kr 3012 $ 293 Solo traveler supplement (no charge if starting Friday or Saturday): $ 156 £ 89 $ 148 € 100 ₪ 380 NZ$ 171 NOK 1096 kr 1141 $ 111
Guided
Twin/double: $ 2633 £ 1509 $ 2,495 € 1686 ₪ 6401 NZ$ 2886 NOK 18479 kr 19238 $ 1,873 Single supplement: $ 361 £ 207 $ 342 € 231 ₪ 877 NZ$ 395 NOK 2532 kr 2636 $ 257
A fully guided tour will take place with a minimum of 6 participants. If the group is smaller, the tour will be conducted as a semi-guided tour.
Extra Options
2023
High season supplement (June 16 to September 16): $ 281 £ 161 $ 266 € 180 ₪ 683 NZ$ 308 NOK 1973 kr 2054 $ 200
Tour start on day other than Friday or Saturday (self-guided): $ 156 £ 89 $ 148 € 100 ₪ 380 NZ$ 171 NOK 1096 kr 1141 $ 111
Cooking class (self-guided, lunch included, payable on arrival): $ 130 £ 74 $ 123 € 83 ₪ 315 NZ$ 142 NOK 910 kr 947 $ 92
Electric bike (self-guided): $ 172 £ 98 $ 163 € 110 ₪ 418 NZ$ 188 NOK 1206 kr 1255 $ 122
Electric bike (guided): $ 189 £ 108 $ 179 € 121 ₪ 459 NZ$ 207 NOK 1326 kr 1381 $ 134
Extra night in Lecce
Twin/double: $ 130 £ 74 $ 123 € 83 ₪ 315 NZ$ 142 NOK 910 kr 947 $ 92 Single room: $ 172 £ 98 $ 163 € 110 ₪ 418 NZ$ 188 NOK 1206 kr 1255 $ 122Extra night in Bari
Please askAirport transfers, one way:
Brindisi Airport to Lecce Hotel $ 94 £ 54 $ 89 € 60 ₪ 228 NZ$ 103 NOK 658 kr 685 $ 67 (1 person) $ 55 £ 31 $ 52 € 35 ₪ 133 NZ$ 60 NOK 384 kr 399 $ 39 (2-3 people) $ 47 £ 27 $ 44 € 30 ₪ 114 NZ$ 51 NOK 329 kr 342 $ 33 (4 or more people) Bari Airport to Lecce Hotel $ 281 £ 161 $ 266 € 180 ₪ 683 NZ$ 308 NOK 1973 kr 2054 $ 200 (1 person) $ 141 £ 81 $ 133 € 90 ₪ 342 NZ$ 154 NOK 986 kr 1027 $ 100 (2 people) $ 117 £ 67 $ 111 € 75 ₪ 285 NZ$ 128 NOK 822 kr 856 $ 83 (3-4 people) $ 94 £ 54 $ 89 € 60 ₪ 228 NZ$ 103 NOK 658 kr 685 $ 67 (5 or more people) Transfers are payable on arrival.
Extra Info
Skill Level — Easy–Moderate
This is a tour that focuses on "slow travel", a mindset that encourages you to soak in your environment giving yourself permission to truly experience new things. This tour is rated easy to moderate with the average daily distance of 34 mi. (55 km). Please see the day to day itinerary for daily mileage and note that you do have some longer days. You will cycle on a varied terrain ranging from coastal flatlands to some hills inland. Traffic is almost nonexistent in Apulia except during the high holiday season. Entering and exiting towns will entail more traffic. The route includes very beautiful stretches on the coast.
Total vertical up: average 250 m daily
Terrain: 95% tarmac, 5% unpavedAirport Info
One major airport close to your tour start in Lecce is Brindisi - Salento Airport (BDS), 51 km from the center of Lecce. Another option is Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) at 166 km distance.
Local Travel
Brindisi Airport
You have a couple of options for arrival to the first hotel.- From the Brindisi Airport, air shuttle to Lecce. Upon arrival, you can take a taxi to your first hotel. Cost is about €10
- Bus from the airport to Brindisi train station and then train to Lecce. Total travel time about 1 h 30 m to 2 h. hour. Cost, €8. Your first hotel is within walking distance of the train station.
- Private transfer is available. See pricing.
Bari Airport
- Direct train from Bari airport to Bari Central station and then train to Lecce. Total travel time is 2 h 30 m to 4 h total, depending on the time of travel and train type (there are high-speed train options.) Once you arrive at Lecce train station, you can walk to first hotel.
- Private transfer is available. See pricing.
Rome Airport
- For those who would like to do some sightseeing in Rome before their tour, there is a direct train from Rome to Lecce that takes about 5 h 30 m and costs from €30 - €70. Your first hotel is within walking distance of the train station.
Climate
The region of Puglia experiences a Mediterranean climate. Spring comes early here is with temps around 68 ° F (20 ° C) by the end of April. Summer arrives in May and lasts through to the end of September. July and August are the hottest months with temperatures reaching 86° F. October and November are lovely and temperatures in the 70s remain. Winter in Puglia is mild and therefore, still conducive for cycling. We advise checking local conditions before your arrival.
Important to know
Travel Documents
It is each traveler's responsibility to ensure that you are in compliance with the country or countries you plan to visit. This includes and is not limited to passport validity, visa requirements and acquisition, blank passport pages required for your destination (s), etc.
US citizens: A good website to research the requirements of the Schengen Agreement and entry into other countries is travel.state.gov.
Non-EU and EU residents: Please research the requirements of your country of residence for international travel and your destination country or countries.
*Important note: Please check on the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) status as once implemented, this will be required to visit any of the 26 Schengen-member countries for tourism, business, medical, or transit. This is an additional check on security rather than a visa.Covid-19 Info
Country Entry Requirements
Due to the changing requirements for entry, it is imperative that you stay up to date on requirements set by the country/countries that you are visiting. Please visit our Travel Restrictions Tool page and the country/countries government webpage for this information.
Extra Stay
If you are interested in biking Matera and Alberobello, take a look at our Matera to Lecce, 8-day tour. If this is too long, just ask. We may be able to come up with other options for you.
Tour Operator
This tour is run by Salento Bici.
We value the strong relationship we have with our local partners and the services we provide.
We are not a broker.
We do not inflate tour prices.
We are simply travelers helping travelers.Would you like to learn more About Us? How about What Makes Us Different than other companies?
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