D1: Arrival in Alberobello, the town of trulli

Individual arrival in Alberobello, a typical Pugliese town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and world-famous for its characteristic cone-shaped houses, the trulli.

Hotel accommodation

D2: Alberobello to Ostuni

Cycle through the Apulian countryside, past ancient villages. Leave the town of Trulli behind as you ride through the Murgia region and enjoy the beautiful rural scenery. Just in time for a coffee break, you’ll arrive in Locorotondo, one of Italy’s most beautiful villages, circular in shape and characterized by the cummerse, the sloping roofs of its rectangular houses. After a short distance, you’ll reach Cisternino: a tough climb will take you there, but you’ll be rewarded by the unique tangle of this historic center that resembles a beehive. You’ll have plenty of time to stop and rest, and perhaps fill up on snacks with the excellent local taralli and friselle, or even enjoy a nice dish of orecchiette pasta. Today’s night will be spent in Ostuni, also known as the “white city”: a beautiful village perched on a small hill overlooking the sea.

Shortening the stage: You can shorten the stage by taking a train from Alberobello to Martina Franca, or to Locorotondo.

Accommodation hotel / Meals breakfast / Bicycle 45 km / Ascent (m) + 355 – 560

D3: Ostuni to Manduria

Today you leave Ostuni and the Murgia hills to enter the Salento region. You’ll ride through an enchanting landscape, dominated by the green leaves of the olive trees and the characteristic red of the earth. Along the way, you can stop to visit the town of Oria, with its beautiful historic center and castle built by Emperor Frederick II. The day’s cycling ends in Manduria, the capital of Primitivo wine.

Accommodation hotel / Meals breakfast / Cycle 60 km / Ascent (m) + 250 – 375

D4: The enchanting Salento coast and overnight in Gallipoli

Today’s stage follows the beautiful Salento coast, dotted with ancient towers and sandy beaches. You’ll reach Porto Cesareo, where we recommend a hearty lunch of fresh fish. Today’s destination is Gallipoli, an authentic pearl of the Ionian Sea and one of Salento’s most beautiful towns. Don’t miss a stroll through the old town and a visit to the underground oil mill.

Accommodation hotel / Meals breakfast / Cycle 70 km / Ascent (m) + 350 – 425

D5: Southern charm to Santa Maria di Leuca

A whole day dedicated to the sea, with all the colors and scents that this Mediterranean coast has to offer: pines, myrtles and junipers against the backdrop of the deep blue Ionian Sea, which presents itself with a thousand coves, beaches and inlets. The stage is flat, with only a few short ascents and descents at the end. A few kilometers from Gallipoli, we recommend a detour to Punta della Suina and a walk along the coast that will also take you to Lido Pizzo. Just before arriving at your destination for the day, stop off at Punta Ristola, with its beautiful caves. Finally, at the point where the land ends and the two seas (Adriatic and Ionian) meet, Santa Maria di Leuca (from the Greek “leukos”, meaning white) awaits you, where you’ll settle in for the night. A sunset toast in the Sanctuary square is a must!

Accommodation hotel / Meals breakfast / Cycle 50 km / Ascent (m) + 215 – 215

D6: Coastal scenery, relics of the past and arrival in Otranto

Today, you’ll ride along one of the world’s most picturesque roads, undulating all the way, past small fishing villages with whitewashed houses, cliffs surrounded by Mediterranean scrub and the deep blue of the Adriatic, indulging in fantastic natural coves and bays. Don’t miss the Romanelli and Zinzulusa caves, where fish thought to be living fossils have been discovered. Pass through the spa towns of Santa Cesarea and Porto Badisco, the legendary landing place of Aeneas in Italy, before arriving in Otranto, Italy’s easternmost city and your destination today. Don’t miss a stroll through the old town, with its cobbled streets, cathedral and famous Aragonese castle.

Accommodation hotel / Meals breakfast / Cycle 50 km / Ascent (m) + 615 – 620

D7: Last day of cycling and sea and arrival in Lecce

Today you’ll cycle up the Adriatic coast, passing through the Alimini lakes and their characteristic Mediterranean scrub, as well as small coastal towns with sandy beaches. For a relaxing break by the sea, you can stop at Sant’Andrea, Torre dell’Orso or Roca Vecchia. You’ll then arrive at the Le Cesine nature reserve, where an incredible number of birds from Africa and Asia rest between migrations. You’ll have the chance to visit the small town of Acaya, an example of a 16th-century fortified town in southern Italy, with orthogonal streets. Finally, you’ll reach Lecce, a splendid Baroque town and capital of Salento.

Accommodation hotel / Meals breakfast / Cycle 55 km / Ascent (m) + 220 – 175

J8. End of Lecce tour

Services end after breakfast.

If you need to return to Alberobello or Bari or Brindisi airports, you can book a private transfer or take the train.

Those who can afford a little more vacation time are encouraged to take the opportunity to let themselves be surprised by the capital of Salento. Lecce is distinguished by the richness and exuberance of its 17th-century Baroque churches and palaces, built in Lecce stone. The basilica of Santa Croce is a must-see.