The best way to discover Salento is riding a bicycle! A cycling Puglia tour along the perimetre of the Mediterranean peninsula to be pampered by the warm light of the sun and to relax pedaling along picturesque corners of coastline and nature reserves, through historic port towns and Baroque art centres.

Highlights

• Lecce, the Florence of the South
• Gallipoli and Underground Oil Mills
• Santa Maria di Leuca, the tip of Puglia
• Bays and Cliffs between Castro and Santa Cesarea Terme
• Otranto and its Pirate stories
• Rustico, Pasticciotto and other goodies

Day 1 - Lecce

Welcome to Salento, Land between two seas.
You will stay in a lovely B&B inside the Old town of Lecce, the capital of Baroque art in Salento. The city, first Messapian and then Roman, contains within its walls proper historical and architectural jewels: a clear example is the great and well-preserved Roman amphitheatre.

Day 2 - Lecce – Gallipoli (about 50km)

After breakfast you will cycle between country roads reaching Copertino, the city of St. Giuseppe, and then Nardó which preserves the most beautiful Baroque square of southern Italy. Afterwards you will reach the coast where is the Park of Porto Selvaggio, authentic green lung of this part of the Ionian coast. Finally, following the coast you will get to Gallipoli, final destination of this beautiful day.
A suggestion: enjoy the sunset on the small beach of “Purità”, located in the village.

Day 3 - Gallipoli – Leuca (about 50km)

Before leaving the “Città Bella” you should visit the Museum in the underground oil mill at Palazzo Ganafei: ancient rooms dedicated to lamp oil production.
From Gallipoli you will cycle along the road parallel to the coastline until you reach Punta Ristola, the extreme edge of Salento peninsula, the heel of Italy.
From the promontory, where the Devil’s Cave is, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the harbour of Leuca and, even further, of Punta Melisso.
To end the day we recommend a boat trip to discover the many sea caves.

Day 4 - Leuca – Otranto (about 55 km)

An old local legend recommends to visit the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Leuca. Hence sometimes the horizon mingles with the various shades of blue from sky and sea.
Leaving Leuca today you will proceed on a scenic stretch of road overlooking the sea. Among gentle ups and downs you will arrive at the Ciolo canyon, then at the small Bay of Acquaviva, at the Castro of Virgilio, at the thermal baths of Santa Cesarea, always looking at the endless beauty glimpses of sky and sea.
Finally you will reach Otranto, the most eastern city of Italy. Here you can get lost in the little old town looking for the connection points between this small town and the great Byzantium, today Istanbul.

Day 5 - Otranto – Lecce (about 55km)

You can not get away from Otranto without visiting the Norman Cathedral, which preserves the largest and most complex paved Mosaic in southern Italy. This work contains so many ancient mysteries: you can see King Arthur, the Puss in Boots, the Calendar, the Board, the three-headed Dragon, and many others.
After riding along the coast, you will reach the Natural WWF Park “Le Cesine”: last piece of coastal marsh that once stretched up over Brindisi.
Before returning to Lecce you will cross Acaya, the most important Renaissance fortified town in southern Italy, built by Giangiacomo of Acaya in defense of the city of Lecce and commissioned by Emperor Charles V.

Day 6 - Lecce

After breakfast end of services.
And if you still have some time to spend in this beautiful town, you should visit the archaeological Museum Faggiano in the historic centre.

What’s included

• 5 nights BB in 3 * Hotels/Masseria
• Bike rental
• Luggage transportation hotel to hotel
• Roadbook and information material
• Phone assistance 8am-9pm

Not included

• Airport transfers
• Meals and drinks
• Entrance fees and tips
• Hotel tourist taxes
• Insurance and everything not listed as Included