Puglia: The heart of the Mediterranean by bike

Enjoy a route through the Itria Valley, one of the most beautiful cultural landscapes in the south, with a stop at the renowned Locorotondo wineries to taste local wine. The next stop is Ostuni, the "white city," which offers breathtaking views of the sea.

From Ostuni, you continue through olive groves, vineyards, and orchards to Avetrana, a small historic town located on the Via Appia. This ancient Roman road once connected Rome to Brindisi, passing through Taranto and Oria. Today, only a few sections of the old paved paths remain and are known as the "Via Appia Antica."

You leave Avetrana to reach the sea as quickly as possible. After a short drive to Torre Colimena, you continue along the coastal road, dotted with numerous defensive towers, towards Porto Cesareo. Following the Ionian coast, you continue your journey to Gallipoli. This city, whose original Greek name "Kale Polis" means "beautiful city," awaits you! The old town is located at the tip of what resembles an impregnable rocky island jutting far out into the sea. From here, you can enjoy fantastic views to both the north and the south. The city itself boasts numerous churches and museums of interest.

Today, you reach the southernmost point of Salento and, at the same time, the watershed at Santa Maria di Leuca. The area is particularly renowned for its pilgrimage church. At the turn of the century, numerous splendid villas were built here; they constitute a true architectural gem thanks to their imaginative and unusual designs. It is here that eccentric lovers of the "end of the world" settled to savor the peace and quiet and the sea in the seclusion of this place.

Traveling along the southern coast of the Adriatic Sea, you will reach the Messapian city of Otranto. It is considered a jewel of art history nestled in a charming landscape. The old town is encircled by a formidable wall and impresses with its stunning Habsburg castle. On the way to Otranto, you will have the opportunity to visit the famous Zinzulusa Cave, the only coastal cave open to the public. Santa Cesarea Terme, known for its hydrotherapy treatments and radioactive mud therapies, is also worth a stop.

The route begins along the Adriatic coast, then continues through countless olive groves towards Lecce. If you wish to take a break along the way, the ideal spot is Torre dell'Orso, a bay framed by high limestone cliffs. Lecce, the capital of Salento, is a city of great charm, drawing its inspiration in particular from the undeniable beauty of its buildings and churches. Along with Naples, Lecce is the Baroque metropolis of the South; it is not without reason that it is referred to as "Lecce Baroque." Here, some thirty churches and countless palaces await your visit. Don't forget to see the amphitheater and the Roman theater, both likely built during the reign of Emperor Augustus.

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