Individual arrival in Matera for the trip briefing and to supply your bikes and all you need for your self guided tour

Today’s ride brings you to Putignano. After passing the countryside out of Matera, you arrive in Gioia del Colle, the town is famous for its 'mozzarella Fior di latte' (made only with cow's milk), but also for its burrata. After a break, you start cycling again arriving in Putignano, after 23 km ca. Putignano, has become famous over the years for its picturesque carnival. Once you get there, we recommend you lose yourself in its marvelous historic center, once protected by mighty walls with three gates that allowed entry: Porta Barsento (towards Alberobello), Porta Nuova (towards Castellana) and Porta Grande (towards Noci - Goia del Colle).

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.

Today you cycle along the wildest Salento coastal stretch. You visit ‘PALACÌA’ LIGHTHOUSE  - eastern most point of Italy -  and a little red lake surfaced in a disused bauxite quarry. Then you carry on riding along the coast: nestled among the cliffs above the sea, this road is a huge balcony that looks onto Otranto Strait. 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 we admire some terraces and dry walls, the ingenious devices of peasants to get arable land in barren and impervious areas. After crossing the bridge over the “ciolo” (a small and rich in rare flora canyon carved by the waters), you reach Santa Maria di Leuca where you visit the sanctuary, following the ancient pilgrims’ footsteps.

Today you will discover Leuca Cape, the southern part of Apulia. After an astonishing defense tower situated in the center of a small village - it is time to visit an ancient mill, dug into the rock, and then an enigmatic funerary monument made by big stones (its name “Centopietre”, means “hundred stones”), coming from Vereto, an ancient pre-Romanic town situated nearby. Finally, you visit Leuca piccola ('little Leuca'), an important pilgrimage station which still maintains a vast underground area.  Through olive groves and dry-stone walls, you'll reach Ugento, maybe to visit its archaeological museum. In the afternoon you’ll reach again the ionic coast until the St. Andrew’s Island and PUNTA PIZZO" NATURAL PARK. In Gallipoli you could enjoy an aperitif on a terrace overlooking the sea. located on an island, this small fisherman village is striking by its light, its alleys and its fish market.

Last day of your trip. You’ll pass by many 19th century fortified farmhouse and villas on our way back to Lecce. You 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 'the hopi of flights'. Late afternoon arrival in Lecce and bikes drop off.

Time to say goodbye and safe flight back home!