Puglia biking Tour – Locorotondo Lecce
Self-guided – 8 days
All the Puglia highlights combined with under-the-radar places, connected by an unspoilt itinerary just for you! From the Trulli area to the Ionian Coast dominated by Gallipoli, “the beautiful town” (in ancient Greek). One night in the baroque town of Lecce to top off your cycling holidays.
Itinerary
DAY 1: LOCOROTONDO
Arrival in Locorotondo and check-in. Welcome briefing and bike fit with a member of Puglia Cycle Tours crew. Take your time to explore Locorotondo, rewarded as one of the “Borghi più belli d’Italia” !
DAY 2: (LOOP) LOCOROTONDO
+/- 50 km
Explore the so called Itria Valley: the very heart of Apulia region famous for its countryside, dry stone walls, “masserie” (fortified farmsteads) and moreover “trulli”, our iconic rural dwellings with conic roof. You will pass by the baroque town of Martina Franca and Alberobello, the capital of the Trulli and UNESCO site. Have a stroll in this fairy-tale town before getting back to Locorotondo.
DAY 3: LOCOROTONDO – GROTTAGLIE
+/- 52 km
Today you ride on a stretch of the main Apulian cycle route: the “Ciclovia dell’Acquedotto”, running on the maintenance track of a more than a century-old Aqueduct. In the last kilometres the trulli start to thin out, but you will still be surrounded by a lush countryside while cycling down to your daily destination Grottaglie, the famous Apulian town of the ceramics.
DAY 4: GROTTAGLIE – MANDURIA
+/- 55 km
During this route you’ll explore the plateau of the Murge Tarantine, in the east side of the province of Taranto: you will cross little villages like Monteparano, Roccaforzata (on the top of Serra Sant’Elia, the highest hill of the area) and Faggiano (at the foot of the hill): enjoy the view and smell the scents of the Mediterranean scrub, all your way down to the Ionian coast! You will be surrounded by lots of vineyards that announce your imminent arrival to Manduria, the town of the Primitivo DOC wine, where you will stay for the night.
DAY 5: MANDURIA - GUAGNANO
+/- 60 KM km
From Manduria to Guagnano town, plunged in the most famous wine production areas of Puglia region. This area is known as capital of “Negroamaro” wine, as well for the “Salice Salentino” production: here you can find a huge number of vineyards and the most important wine labels of this region. By the way, if you need to cool off along the way, take advantage of the sandy shores of Punta Prosciutto and Torre Lapillo, very famous among locals!
DAY 6: GUAGNANO – GALLIPOLI
+/- 52 KM km
Starting from this charming area you will be cycling again between vineyards, countryside and the Ionian Sea: a stunning shoreline with crystal-clear waters will wait for you before reaching your destination. After few kilometres along the beautiful seaside you will reach the pearl of the Ionian Sea, Gallipoli.Take a walk and enjoy its lovely historic centre, or sit in a canteen or restaurant for a good glass of wine, enjoying the sunset over the deep blue sea.
DAY 7: GALLIPOLI – LECCE
+/- 60 KM km
The last stage is a farewell to the sea and to Puglia through the authentic Salento hinterland: fields and groves, small towns and villages with ancient origins, bright colours, and strong flavours will make up the multisensory postcard you will take home. Have a stop in Galatina to admire the frescos of the Romanesque Basilica dedicated to Santa Caterina d’Alessandria. From there, continue past olive groves and small villages, cycling all the way to Lecce. The elegant baroque town, also known as “the Florence of the South”, will be waiting for you!
DAY 8: LECCE
Breakfast, check out, and end of services.
