Puglia Food & Wine

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 Lecce

All 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.

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