Cycling holiday in Puglia: Lecce, Bacchus and Baroque

Gallipoli and the west coast

about 50km

After a healthy and rich breakfast your Cycling holiday in Puglia begins.
Today we will reach Gallipoli, "beautiful city" in ancient Greek.
From Lecce we will cycle inland discovering the towns of Copertino, the city of the Saint who flies, and Nardò, popular thanks to its wine cellars and its beautiful historic center. Here visit and wine tasting.
From Nardò we will continue towards the Porto Selvaggio Reserve, and then it will be all along the coast up to today's destination of this first bicycle excursion in Salento: Gallipoli.
Its old town is enclosed in a rocky island that is accessed by an 18th century bridge. The village is a real “gallery” in Baroque style adorned with Neapolitan and Apulian paintings. Hence the use of local stone, carparo, did not allow the same decorations that the stonecutters were able to make in Lecce. So Gallipoli has its own Baroque, whitewashed and painted gold on precious wood in Rococo style.
Clean facades of the many churches hide sumptuous and magnificent interiors. The history of this town is tied to its green gold and you will discover it in one of the many oil mills that the old town still preserves under its palaces.
In the afternoon, return to Lecce with a private transfer.

On the Via Francigena

about 45km

After breakfast we will leave Lecce by bike following Via Vecchia Frigole.
First stop will be at “Lu Furnu” in Masseria Giammatteo, big agricultural centre during the Second World War. Here you can have excellent bread, sweet and spicy lace, cakes and, above all, the unbeatable pittule, very good especially if still hot.
After having enriched the palate, we will continue towards Santa Maria in Cerrate, medieval Abbey commissioned by Count Tancredi and now reassessed by the Italian National Trust, the FAI.
Today's pedaling is then enriched by a stretch of dirt road inside the Rauccio Natural Park, following roads once traveled by pilgrims headed to the ports of Otranto or Leuca, from where they embarked in the wake of the Holy Land.
"Compulsory" stop at the sea and return to Lecce in the afternoon.

Lecce

Last day in the "baroque living room" of the beautiful Lecce.
For a "final study" on typical delicacies we recommended a last brunch at the historic Bar Alvino in Piazza Sant'Oronzo ... and if you want to bring with you something of the typical Apulian food and wine, here is a short and simple recipe collection.

Tour programme variations
Due to organizational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday.