Meeting in Lecce with our staff, bicycle delivery, with GPS device and briefing about the route, while tasting some local wine.

The Flat Route today, with many interesting cultural and naturalistic sights. First, you visit Acaya – a fortified city with a huge castle -and then you plunge down to “Le Cesine” – a WWF-protected area, the crossing point for many species of migratory birds. From there you head towards the coast, along the ruins of Roca Vecchia – an ancient Bronze Age city – and ‘Alimini’ Lakes. Some more kilometers and you are in Otranto, where narrow streets reveal wonders at every corner: the St. Peter church Byzantine frescoes, a walk along the ramparts overlooking the sea, and finally the cathedral with its paved mosaic, a sort of figurative Middle Age encyclopedia.

Riding along the little river Idro (“water” in Latin), that gives to the city its name, you visit a byzantine crypt of XIII century and then you arrive in Casamassela, where ancient looms are still being used nowadays at “Le Costantine” foundation. You, then, move towards Giurdignano, crossing a Bronze age megalithic area, observing closely the so called “dolmen” and “menhir”, that are prehistorical monuments. For lunch, visit and tasting in one of the most characteristic bakery in the region, where a farming family has decided to transform ancient grains into baked goods with an ancient flavor. Way back to Otranto and you are free to enjoy the afternoon visiting the town, swimming in a little beach close to the town or making a horse ride along the cliffs at sunset (suitable as well for beginners).

Today, you cycle along the wildest coastal stretch of Salento: the lighthouse of Punta Palascìa, in the extreme east of Italy, and a unique lake emerged in a disused bauxite quarry are among the greatest beauties you see just outside the city. Nestled among the cliffs above the sea, this road is a huge balcony that looks onto Otranto Strait and with a little bit of luck you will be able to see the mountains of Albania and Greece. You could visit ‘Zinzulusa’ cave, going down nearly 200 feet into the earth bowels. On the way to Leuca, you can admire some terraces and dry walls, the ingenious devices of peasants to get arable land in barren and impervious areas. Leaving the gracious harbor of Tricase, in Marina Serra there will be our friends from Celacanto waiting for you -  they prepare a tasting based on local products, produced by farmer of the Otranto – Leuca reserve. After crossing the bridge over the “Ciolo”, a small canyon carved by the waters and rich of rare flora, you reach Santa Maria di Leuca where we visit the sanctuary, following the ancient pilgrims’ footsteps.

In the morning, you head towards the coast for a dip in the sea of the “Saint Andrew’s island and Punta Pizzo Coast Natural reserve”. Then, you move on to Gallipoli:  located on an island, this small fishermen’s village is striking by its light, its alleys and its fish market. In the afternoon, Cantina Coppola, one of the ancient vineyards of the area, will host you for a wine tasting. Enjoying the sunset, you cycle towards Santa Caterina, a quiet village on the borders of “Porto Selvaggio Natural Reserve”. Dinner based on excellent fish in the nearby village of Santa Maria al Bagno or in a Tenuta in the country side.

Today, it is possible to book a cooking class in a farmhouse – Tenuta Donn’Anna (Galatone) – where one of our colleague’s mum will wait you to cook together some traditional dishes: you get there by bike, you might be accompanied by one of the team. Alternatively, you can do a longer tour – skipping the cooking class – and go to Galatina, where you can admire the church of Santa Caterina, totally painted with frescoes in Giotto's style, and then visit the beautiful historical center of the town and have a tasting of local product in a Bottega, where the owner - Salvatore - will be happy to host you and let you taste the best products of the area.

Last day of the trip. You’ll pass by many 19th centuries fortified farmhouses and villas on your way back to Lecce. You'll stop in Nardò to visit its decadent baroque-style historical center. Next stop in Copertino to discover its impressive Norman castle and listen to stories about Saint Joseph of Copertino, 'the Saint of the holy of flights'. Some km before Lecce the last stop at a handcrafted traditional pottery, at the Martina brothers, skillful keepers of this ancient art. Late afternoon arrival in Lecce and bikes drop off.