Puglia - Heel of Italy

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 Gallipoli,  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. 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 to Lecce. 

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. 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!

Day 3: Otranto and surroundings,  19 mi. (30 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.  

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 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. 

Day 5: Leuca - Gallipoli, 38 mi. (61 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 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 an 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)
Self-guided:
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:
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.

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, 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. This will end around 11h30. Alternatively, your tour can end after breakfast.

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You will be accommodated in mainly 4 star villas, resorts, farmhouses, or B & B’s