Meeting point in Lecce for bikes and GPS navigator collection and briefing about the itinerary.

Route is flat with many interesting cultural and naturalistic sights. First stop is Acaya, a fortified city with a huge castle, and then you move on to “Le Cesine”, a WWF protected area, crossing point for many species of migratory birds. From there you head towards the coast, along the ruins of Roca Vecchia, an ancient Bronze age city, and the Alimini Lakes. After a few more kilometres, you will reach Otranto, where narrow streets reveal wonders at every corner, such as St Peter church with its Byzantine frescoes, a walk along the ramparts overlooking the sea and finally the cathedral with its paved mosaic, a sort of figurative Middle Age encyclopedia.

Meals: Breakfast

Riding along the little river “Idro” (“water”), which gave the name to the city, you´ll get to Casamassela, where old looms are still being used in “Le Costantine Foundation". After the guided tour, you´ll move towards Giurdignano, crossing a Bronze age megalithic park containing huge stones called “dolmen” and “menhir”. Afterwards, you´ll enjoy a traditional products tasting in a local bakery. Return to Otranto and free time.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel

This ride will take you along the wildest Salento coastal stretch. You´ll see Punta Palascìa lighthouse (easternmost point of Italy) and a small red lake surfaced in a disused bauxite quarry. You´ll keep cycling along the coast: nestled among the cliffs above the sea, this road is a huge balcony overlooking Otranto Strait. With a little bit of luck you will able to see the mountains of Albania and Greece. You can stop at the marvellous ‘Zinzulusa’ seacave and then continue through terraces and dry walls to the Ciolo, a small canyon carved by the waters and rich in rare flora, and finally reaching the sanctuary of Santa Maria di Leuca (Shrine of Our Lady de Finibus Terrae).

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel

You´ll explore Leuca Cape, the southernmost part of Apulia. After an astonishing defense tower located in the center of a small village, you´ll visit an ancient mill and an enigmatic funerary monument made of big stones (its name “centopietre” means “hundred stones”). Finally, you´ll reach Leuca Piccola (little Leuca), an important pilgrimage station that still maintains a vast underground area. Through olive groves and dry stone walls, you´ll reach Ugento, where you may visit its archaeological museum. In the afternoon you will cycle again along the Ionian coast towards St. Andrew’s island and Punta Pizzo natural park. Once in Gallipoli, a fisherman village located on a peninsula, you can enjoy an aperitif on a terrace overlooking the sea.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel

The first stop is Sannicola where you´ll discover its underground oil mill. Then you´ll move to Tuglie and the amazing “rural culture museum” to move on to Galatone and its beautiful Baroque old town with the Norman castle of Fulcignano. In the afternoon you´ll get to Galatina old town and Santa Caterina church, which is totally painted with frescoes in Giotto style.

Meals: Breakfast

Accommodation:

• Mid-Range Accommodation: 3* Hotel

On your last day, you´ll admire several 19th century fortified farmhouses and villas. You´ll visit Nardò baroque old town and discover Copertino with its impressive Norman castle and its stories about St Joseph, the saint of flights. Some km before Lecce, you´ll explore a traditional pottery workshop and finally reach Lecce where you´ll return your bikes.

Meals: Breakfast

Last day of your trip in Lecce.

Meals: Breakfast