Bike & Camp

A journey meant for the most audacious! Armed with tents, sleeping bags, stoves and a great desire to be together we will cross the heel of Italy, staying overnight s in campsites and cottages.
A slow travel of one week-long, in kinetic energy between the towns, the villages, the countryside and the sea of Salento. Slow pace, lots of stops, guided tours about the natural and cultural beauty of this land.

DAY 1: WELCOME!
Appointment in Lecce  to get to know the group and the tour leader.
Briefing about the trip and welcome aperitif.
Accommodation in a hostel, in a dormitory. (Possibility of overnight in B&B in double room - with supplement)
 
DAY 2: READY TO GO: FROM LECCE - OTRANTO (48 KM)
Today's itinerary is completely flat.
After visiting the fortified city and the 16th-century castle of Acaya, we cross the WWF protected oasis 'Le Cesine', a crossing point for numerous species of migratory birds.
In the late morning we reach the Grotta della Poesia, for a long stop at the sea (the more curious can explore, from land or sea, the remains of Roca Vecchia, an ancient city of the Bronze Age).
In the afternoon, passing by the Alimini Lakes, we reach Otranto - the easternmost city in Italy.
Overnight in camping.
 
DAY 3: BETWEEN SEA AND COUNTRYSIDE: FROM OTRANTO TO PORTO BADISCO (29 KM)
Day dedicated to discover Otranto hinterland.
Going up along the banks of the small river Idro, which gives its name to the city, we visit an ancient Byzantine crypt from the 13th century and then you arrive at Casamassella where we see ancient looms put back into production by the 'Le Costantine' Foundation.
In Giurdignano, we cross the megalithic garden, closely observing its dolmens and menhirs, ancient prehistoric monuments.
Tasting lunch based on KM0 products in one of the best bakeries in the region, where a farming family, decided to transform ancients wholegrain into baked products, recalling ancient flavor.
Immediately after, with a gentle descent, we reach the bay of Porto Badisco where we spend the afternoon (at sea) and the night (in camping)
Overnight in camping.
 
DAY 4: THE PARK ROAD: FROM PORTO BADISCO TO LEUCA (45 KM)
Today we cycle along one of the most beautiful coastal stretches of the region: nestled among the cliffs above the sea, this road is a huge balcony that looks onto Otranto’s strait; with a little bit of luck, we might be able to see the mountains of Albania and Greece island.
Along the way (dotted with various stops in the most beautiful bays) we admire the skillful terraces and dry stone walls, an ingenious work of the farmers to obtain arable areas in a barren and inaccessible area.
We spend the night in the small village of Gagliano del Capo, where we make our traditional barbecue (based on local meat, but with options for pescetarians and vegetarians)
Overnight in camping.
 
DAY 5: CAPO DI LEUCA: FROM GAGLIANO TO ALLISTE (40 KM)
A day dedicated to the discovery of the are known as “Capo di Leuca”, the southern part of Apulia, one of the less know area, but the most suggestive of Italy.
Within few kilometers we pass by small hamlets, each one with its little treasure: in Salignano,  an astonishing defense tower situated in the center of a small village, in Castrignano we visit an ancient mill, dug into the rock, and then an enigmatic funerary monument made by big stones, in Patú, (its name “centopietre”, means “hundred stones”), with byzantine frescos inside; then, you cross Giuliano with its ruined castle and finally, we visit Barbarano - or Leuca Piccola -  ('little Leuca'), an important pilgrimage station which still maintains a vast underground area, used as recovery place for piligrims and their animals.
Full of culture and history, let's scatter them among the waves of the "Maldives of Salento", a long beach of golden sand.
In the afternoon, after having consumed a good homemade ice cream, we reach the countryside of Ugento.
Overnight in camping.
 
DAY 6: THE IONIAN COAST: FROM ALLISTE TO GALLIPOLI (29 KM)
Day entirely dedicated to the sea, in fact, we immediately reach the Ionian coast, and climb it up to the beach of "Punta della Suina", located in the "St Andrew Island and Punta Pizzo coast regional natural reserve”

In the afternoon, calmly, visit Gallipoli, with its dozens of churches, its alleys and its fish market.
Before reaching the campsite, there is an aperitif on the walls with a sunset view.
Accommodation in camping in Gallipoli.
 
DAY 7: WAY BACK FROM -  GALLIPOLI TO LECCE (52 KM)
Last day of this bike vacation!
We still go up the Ionian coast, until we reach the "Natural Reserve of Porto Selvaggio", last but not least of our trip. We will stop there for a swim break.
Although it is difficult to leave, we do it in the afternoon, when we return to the countryside where we can admire many 19th century fortified farmhouse and villas that characterized the landscape of this area until we, then, reach Nardò to visit its remarkable baroque style historical center.
Then, cycling up to Copertino to discover its imposing castle of Norman origin and the stories of the patron saint: St. Joseph, "the Saint of flights".
In the late afternoon, arrival in Lecce and final dinner.
Accommodation in a hostel, in a dormitory. (Possibility of accommodation in B&B in double room - with supplement)
 
DAY 8: BYE BYE SALENTO!
Breakfast together, exchange of photos, telephone numbers, addresses…. and departure!
See you soon!