South Italy by bike : wine and gastronomy in Puglia
Go on a cycling trip to discover the Italian gastronomy in Puglia.
This trip has been designed to discover the places and people of Salento, but also its culinary tradition.
This is based on the Mediterranean diet with its products of the earth (olive oil, flour, legumes), seafood and cheese.
Almost every day there is a stop at local producers to learn about their history and taste their products such as cheese, wine, olive oil, bread and vegetables marinated in oil.
The daily routes are between 40 and 60 km and pass through villages and hidden beaches. In the evening, you can dine guilt-free in the best restaurants of the area. During this Apulia cycling tour, you will stay in villas, farmhouses, historic palaces and charming hotels.
Highlights of the trip:
- tasting of local products
- discovery of the Italian gastronomy
- the landscapes of Puglia
- hidden villages and beaches
- the megalithic garden of Giurdignano
- Capo di Leuca
- the Ionian coast
DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN LECCE
You are expected in Lecce in the afternoon. Our local partner will give you the bikes and you will enjoy a briefing on the route.
Night in Lecce.
DAY 2: FROM LECCE TO OTRANTO - 58 km
This first stage takes place on flat ground in a very rich natural and cultural setting. You will cycle down to the protected oasis 'Le Cesine' where the scrubland and marshland are home to many species of migratory birds.
Following the indented coastline of this last tip of the Adriatic, you reach the Alimini Lakes and beautiful beaches. Along the way, you will visit the walled town and castle of Acaya, the Bronze Age ruins of Roca Vecchia and the ancient town of Otranto. In its narrow streets, you can admire the frescoes of the Byzantine church of S. Pietro, the cathedral and its mosaic floor. Your cycling day in Puglia ends with a walk on the sea bastions. Fish dinner in one of the best restaurants in town.
Night in Otranto.
DAY 3: THE Hinterland of Otranto - 29 km
Today you will explore the Otranto hinterland. Driving along the small river "Idro" ("water"), which gave its name to the town, you will be able to observe ancient looms restored by the foundation "Le Costantine" before reaching and visiting the megalithic garden of Giurdignano with its dolmens and menhirs of the Bronze Age. Afterwards we will visit the most characteristic ovens of the area and a wine and cheese tasting in a cellar. Return to Otranto and free dinner at the end of the day. You will have the opportunity to go for a horseback ride during the day.
Overnight stay in Otranto.
DAY 4: THE COAST FROM OTRANTO TO LEUCA - 54 km
You leave Otranto to ride along the wildest coast of Salento where you can admire the lighthouse of Punta Palascìa, the easternmost point of Italy. Make a stop to observe the small lake emerging in an abandoned bauxite quarry. The rest of the route follows the Otranto canal. On this road, looking at the horizon you can see, in the clearest mornings, the mountains of Albania and the nearest Greek islands.
Continue with a visit to the Zinzulusa cave penetrating up to about 200 meters into the bowels of the earth. On the next part of the journey, you can see the terraced cultivations and the dry walls, ingenious works of the peasants designed to obtain agrarian areas in a barren and inaccessible territory. Before reaching Leuca, you will cross the Canalone del Ciolo, a small canyon carved by the waters and characterized by its rare and rich flora. At the end of the day, you arrive in Leuca where you can visit the sanctuary, in the footsteps of the ancient pilgrims. Dinner in the best restaurant in town.
DAY 5 : FROM LEUCA TO UGENTO - 47 km
Excursion to discover Capo di Leuca, the southernmost point of the Salento peninsula. Here the Ionian Sea meets the Adriatic. After the defense tower of Salignano, you can visit the ancient oil press of Castrignano carved into the rock. You will drive to Patù before stopping at Centopietre, an enigmatic funerary monument made of large stones from Vereto, an ancient pre-Roman city. Then you can visit Leuca piccola ("little Leuca"), an important place of pilgrimage. You will cross olive groves to reach a farm and taste organic products. The cycling tour ends in Ugento where you can visit the archaeological museum. You will have dinner and spend the night in a fantastic "Masseria" in the countryside with a view of the sea.
DAY 6 : From Ugento to Galatone / Santa Maria al Bagno (40/45 Km)
In the morning, you will cycle to the Ionian coast, the island of Saint Andrew and the natural park of Punta Pizzo. The next stop is Gallipoli, where you will be expected for an aperitif. Located on an island, this small fishing village will surprise you with its light, narrow streets and fish market. In the evening, you can see the small Byzantine church of S. Mauro and visit S.Caterina, a quiet village on the edge of the Natural Park of Porto Selvaggio.
DAY 7: Around Galatone / Santa Maria al Bagno / Optional cooking course - 45/30km
This day's cycling tour takes in Galatone, an ancient Baroque town where you can admire the Fulcignano Castle.
In the afternoon, you'll reach Galatina, with its church entirely frescoed in the Giottesque style of S. Caterina d'Alexandria, and its historic center. Take the opportunity to sample local produce in a "bottega" with Salvatore, the owner, who will be delighted to welcome you.
You can also take an Italian cooking class with mamma Anna in her country house, which you'll reach by bike in the morning.
DAY 8: THE ROAD BACK TO LECCE - 42 km
Last day of your cycling trip in Puglia towards Lecce. You will be able to admire the numerous masserie (ancient fortified buildings used as farms) and villas of the XIX century before reaching Nardò and its remarkable historical center in baroque style. The road to Lecce passes through a landscape rich in vineyards. You can then stop in Copertino to discover its castle. A few kilometers from Lecce, the traditional terracotta workshop of the Martina Brothers, guardians of this ancient art, is worth a visit. Your last stop is in Lecce, where you can return your bike. Last dinner in one of the best restaurants of the city!
DAY 9: DEPARTURE
Your cycling trip in Italy ends after breakfast.
