Puglia - Heel of Italy

Day-To-Day Itinerary

9 day self-guided

Day 1: Arrival in Lecce
Day 2: Lecce -  Otranto, 35 mi. (56 km)
Day 3: Otranto and surroundings, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 4: Otranto – Leuca coast, 32 mi. (52 km)
Day 5: Leuca - Torre Suda, 26 mi. (41 km)
Day 6: Gallipoli and the Ionic Coast, 24 mi. (38 km)
Day 7: Gallipoli Surroundings, 30 mi. (48 km)
Day 8: Gallipoli - Lecce, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 9: Departure

All distances are approximate.

Day 1: Arrival in Lecce
You will be met at your first hotel by our local representative for tour briefing and bike fitting. 

Day 2: Lecce -  Otranto, 35 mi. (56 km)
A relatively flat route stretches our 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, creanes, greylag geese, swans, and many others. 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 white washed homes, and simply enjoy! Dinner based on seafood in one of the best restaurant of the town.

Day 3: Otranto and surroundings,  19 mi. (30 km)
Riding along the little River “Idro”, the route leads to Casamassela, to “Le Costantine” 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 beatiful 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 wine and cheese tasting in a local wine cellar. 

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 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 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. 

Day 5: Leuca - Torre Suda, 26 mi. (41 km)
Today you discover Leuca Cape, the southern part of Apulia. In the 16th century, Emporor 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 which 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. You will sepend the night in a beautiful "masseria" (farmhouse), overlooking the sea. Dinner will be served here.

Day 6: Gallipoli and Ionic Coast, 24 mi. (38 km)
In the morning you will head towards the coast for a dip in the sea off St. Andrew’s island and Punta Pizzo natural park. Once you arrive in Gallipoli, you can enjoy a rich aperitif. .Gallipoli, a beautiful seaside town, a mixture of old and new. The center of its ancient village is perched on a island, and connected to the mainland and the new city by a twentieth century arched bridge. After a delicious ice cream, you ride again toward the San Mauro church, one of the hidden treasure of this country, hosting an ancient Byzantine frescoes cycle. Enjoying the sunset, you cycle to Santa Caterina, a quiet village on the borders of Porto Selvaggio Natural Park. In the afternoon optional kayaking in the Park of Porto Selvaggio. Dinner served in Villa or in a nearby restaurant (depending on the size of the group). 

Day 7: Gallipoli's Surroundings, 30 mi. (48 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”. Then you ride through Neviano, to visit the ruins of Macugno abbey, and then Cutrofiano, where you can step in the “fossil park. Organic lunch at “Piccapane” a little farm house, where Giuseppe will cook the vegetables you will have picked yourself! In the afternoon it is offer to Galatina where you can contemplate the church of Santa Caterina, totally painted with frescoes, in Giottesco style, and then visit the beautiful old town. Later, you stop in the winery “Santi Dimitri”, to discover the secrets of oil and wine making…followed by a wine and cheese tasting, of course! 

Day 8: Gallipoli - Lecce, 26 mi. (42 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 and dinner in one of the best restaurants in town.

Day 9: Departure

8 day guided:

Day 1: Arrival in Lecce
Day 2: Lecce -  Otranto, 35 mi. (56 km)
Day 3: Otranto and surroundings, 19 mi. (30 km)
Day 4: Otranto – Leuca coast, 32 mi. (52 km)
Day 5: The Iconic Coast to Galiipoli,  38 mi. (61 km) 
Day 6: Gallipoli’s surroundings, 19/37 mi. (30/60 km)
Day 7: Gallipoli - Lecce, 26 mi. (42 km)
Day 8: Onward travel  

All distances are approximate.

Day 1: Arrival in Lecce
You will be met at the airport by our local representative and transferred to your first hotel for  tour briefing and bike fitting. Meeting in Lecce. 

Day 2: Lecce -  Otranto, 35 mi. (56 km)
A relatively flat route stretches our 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, creanes, greylag geese, swans, and many others. 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 white washed homes, and simply enjoy!

Day 3: Otranto and surroundings,  19 mi. (30 km)
Riding along the little River “Idro”, the route leads to Casamassela, to “Le Costantine” 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 beatiful 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.  

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 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 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. 

Day 5: Leuca - Gallipoli, 38 mi. (61 km) 
Today you discover Leuca Cape, the southern part of Apulia. In the 16th century, Emporor 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 which 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 a island, and connected to the mainland and the new city by a twentieth century arched bridge.

Day 6: Gallipoli’s surroundings, 30 mi. (48 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”. Then you ride through Neviano, to visit the ruins of Macugno abbey, and then Cutrofiano, where you can step in the “fossil park. Organic lunch at “Piccapane” a little farm house, where Giuseppe will cook the vegetables you will have picked yourself! In the afternoon it is offer to Galatina where you can contemplate the church of Santa Caterina, totally painted with frescoes, in Giottesco style, and then visit the beautiful old town. Later, you stop in the winery “Santi Dimitri”, to discover the secrets of oil and wine making…followed by a wine and cheese tasting, of course! Guided cyclists will enjoy a farewell dinner.

Day 7: Gallipoli - Lecce, 26 mi. (42 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, a long farewell dinner in one of the best restaurants in town.

Day 8: End of tour
You will be offered a guided walking tour of Lecce.

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• Puglia - Heel of Italy