Itinerary
- Day 1
Lecce
You'll meet up in Lecce where you get your bike fitted with a GPS navigator. The team walks through the route plan so you know what to expect over the coming days. This is when you get a feel for your bike and any adjustments you might need before heading out.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Bicycle delivery with GPS navigator
- Route briefing
Landmarks Lecce - Day 2
Lecce to Otranto
Today's ride follows a flat route through the region's cultural and natural sites. You'll cycle to Acaya to see its fortified castle, then head through Le Cesine wildlife area and check out Bronze Age ruins at Roca Vecchia. After that, you pass Alimini Lakes on your way to Otranto. Once there, you'll walk through St. Peter church to see the Byzantine frescoes, climb along the ramparts for sea views, and visit the cathedral to see its medieval mosaic floor.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Acaya fortified city and castle
- Explore Le Cesine WWF protected area
- Visit Roca Vecchia ancient Bronze Age city ruins
- Visit St. Peter church Byzantine frescoes
- Walk along Otranto ramparts
- Visit Otranto cathedral and mosaic floor
Landmarks Acaya Le Cesine Roca Vecchia Alimini Lakes St. Peter Church, Otranto Otranto Cathedral - Day 3
Otranto
You'll ride out from Otranto following the Idro river toward Casamassela. At Le Costantine foundation, you'll see traditional looms and textile work. From there, cycle to Giurdignano to explore a Bronze Age megalithic park with dolmen and menhir stones. La Cutura botanic garden comes next, where you can see an exceptional collection of European cacti. Later there's a bread and cheese tasting at a traditional stone oven. You'll head back to Otranto by evening and have dinner on your own in the historic center.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Guided tour of Le Costantine foundation with traditional looms
- Visit Bronze Age megalithic park with dolmen and menhir
- Tour of La Cutura botanic garden
- Typical bread, cheese and baker product tasting at traditional stone-made oven
Landmarks Casamassela Giurdignano La Cutura botanic garden - Day 4
Otranto to Santa Maria di Leuca
This ride takes you along Salento's wildest coastal stretch with dramatic sea views throughout the day. You'll reach Palaccia lighthouse at Italy's easternmost point and stop by a red lake in an old quarry. The route follows cliff-edge roads overlooking the Otranto Strait, and on clear days you might see Albania and Greece from here. There's an optional detour into Zinzulusa cave if you want to go nearly 200 feet underground. You'll pass ancient terraces and dry walls, then finish at Santa Maria di Leuca where you visit the sanctuary following historic pilgrim routes.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Palaccia lighthouse
- Ride along coastal cliff-edge roads with sea views
- Visit Santa Maria di Leuca sanctuary
Optional Activities
- Visit Zinzulusa cave
Landmarks Palaccia Lighthouse Zinzulusa Cave Santa Maria di Leuca Sanctuary - Day 5
Leuca Cape to Gallipoli
You're cycling through Apulia's southern tip at Leuca Cape today. Stop by a defense tower in a small village, then check out an ancient mill carved into rock. The mysterious Centopierre funerary monument is next, followed by Leuca Piccola, which is an important pilgrimage site with extensive underground areas. As you cycle through olive groves and dry stone walls toward Ugento, there's an optional museum if you're interested. Later you'll reach the Ionic coast and St. Andrew's Island natural park. The day finishes in Gallipoli where you can have an optional seaside aperitif and wander this striking fishing village on an island with narrow alleys and a working fish market.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit defense tower at Leuca Cape
- Explore ancient mill
- Visit Centopierre funerary monument
- Visit Leuca Piccola underground areas
Optional Activities
- Visit Ugento archaeological museum
- Aperitif at Gallipoli seaside terrace
Landmarks Leuca Cape Leuca Piccola Ugento St. Andrew's Island natural park Punta Pizzo natural park Gallipoli 
- Day 6
Gallipoli
Starting in Sannicola, you'll discover an underground oil mill, then cycle to Tuglie to see its rural culture museum. Galatone comes next with its beautiful Baroque old town and the Norman castle at Fulcignano. In the afternoon you'll reach Galatina where you can admire the frescoed church of Santa Caterina and walk through its historical center. If you prefer, there's an option to return to Lecce by train instead of cycling.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit underground oil mill in Sannicola
- Visit Tuglie rural culture museum
- Visit Galatone Baroque old town
- Visit Norman castle of Fulcignano
- Visit church of Santa Caterina in Galatina
- Explore Galatina historical center
Optional Activities
- Return by train
Landmarks Sannicola Tuglie Galatone Fulcignano Norman castle Church of Santa Caterina, Galatina Galatina - Day 7
Gallipoli to Lecce
Your final cycling day takes you back to Lecce. You'll pass 19th century fortified farmhouses and villas along the route. Stop in Nardò to see its ornate Baroque historical center, then continue to Copertino where you'll explore an impressive Norman castle and learn some local stories about flight history. Before reaching Lecce, there's a stop at a traditional pottery workshop run by the Martina brothers where you can watch this ancient craft. You'll arrive in Lecce late afternoon and return your bike.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Nardò Baroque historical center
- Visit Copertino Norman castle
- Visit Martina brothers traditional pottery workshop
Landmarks Nardò Copertino Castle Lecce - Day 8
Lecce
You're heading out from Lecce today, finishing up your tour.
