Arrival

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Matera

Meeting and route briefing in Lecce. Delivery of bicycle and GPS navigator.

Matera

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Gioia del colle

Pedaling towards Alberobello, the first town you come across is Gioia del Colle, known for its mozzarella and its burrata: definitely worth a stop to sample these delicious cheeses, as well as to visit its twelfth-century castle.

Gioia del colle

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Alberobello

Moving on from Gioia del Colle, you enter the Valle d’Itria, characterized by the unique architecture of the Trulli- peculiar stone buildings with conical roofs. Next stop is Noci, wandering through the narrow streets of the old town you can bask in the light of the sun reflected off its lime-white roofs. In the afternoon, you’ll arrive in Alberobello, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, thanks to its 1,500 Trulli.

Alberobello

A day spent discovering the Valle d’Itria. Leaving Alberobello the first stop is Martina Franca. Less touristy than Alberobello it has retained its own particular charm. The old town is surrounded by stone walls with Baroque gateways, leading to the main square. You can visit the Ducal Palace or taste the famous Capocollo of Martina Franca part of the Slow Food movement. Leaving behind Martina Franca you will find yourself back in the gently undulating countryside, heading towards the ‘Pomona’ botanical gardens: preserving biodiverisity, a sanctuary with hundreds of fruit trees from all over the Mediterranean (including an amazing collection of more than 400 varieties of figs). Next stop is Locorotondo, which has been nominated one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, charming for its architecture and famous for its wine - white and slightly sparkling. Walk through the picturesque old town and admire `the cummerse´ a style of architecture: the rectangular buildings with sloping roofs made of chiancarelle. Moving from Locorotondo, crossing vineyards dotted with Trulli, you will find yourself back in Alberobello.

Alberobello

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Avetrana

The longest section of the trip will take you up to Avetrana, crossing the border between the Valle d’Itria and Salento: you will notice the change in the landscape around you during the day. Passing by Martina Franca, you’ll travel along a short section of the ‘Aqueduct Cycleway’, a path along the aqueduct of Puglia (which brings water from Campania all the way down to Salento). Then you’ll go on to Ceglie Messapica, a city known for its bread, where you can try one of the oldest bakeries in the city, located in the old town. In Francavilla Fontana you can visit the Basilica Minore of the Holy Rosary and Argentina Palace. Next stop is Oria, ‘the city of witches’. Leaving Oria and passing by Erchie, you’ll have your overnight stay at a farm in the countryside of Avetrana (or in a B&B).

Avetrana

The journey to discover the surroundings of Avetrana will take you towards the sea, the long seaside bordered by the dunes of Torre Colimena, where you will have the chance to visit the Salina dei Monaci and also, if you like, do some birdwatching. Cycling along the coast heading north, you will reach San Pietro in Bevagna, visit a white sandy beach – totally deserted in the spring and autumn – where you can sunbathe and swim in the emerald waters of the Ionian Sea. From San Pietro in Bevagna you’ll head to Manduria where you can visit an ancient archaeological site of the Messapica era and the Primitivo Museum (primitivo is a high-alcohol red wine). You’ll return to Avetrana in the afternoon.

Avetrana

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Lecce

On this, the final day, you’ll head towards the ‘Florence of the South’: the city of Lecce. Along the way, you pass through the fascinating ghost town of Monteruga, founded in the 1920s and completely abandoned in the 1980s. This is the area of ‘Salice Salentino’, whose vineyards produce a DOCG wine very popular around the world. You’ll go through a few small villages where, all year round you’ll find the squares filled with elderly residents, hats pulled down against the sun, discussing politics and agriculture, and it seems that time has stood still. Later in the afternoon you’ll reach your destination, the City of Lecce.

Departure

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Lecce

End of tour.