PUGLIA, ITALY
DAY ONE:
Arrive in Italy and make your way south to the village of Carpignano Salentino in the heel of the country.
Our accommodations are an airy and relaxing villa set in a quiet 3 hectare grove featuring stunning olive trees. The design blends ancient techniques with modern technology for a comfortable and calming week. Relax from the stress of travel by the pool while enjoying a glass of fruit forward ripe, red wine from Puglia. |
DAY TWO:
Description: Our first day of riding will be through local villages, past the Natural History Museum, towards Acaya, one of the few fortified villages left in the area, before making our way along the coastline. Be sure to pack your swim suit, towel, and walking shoes in the support van as we will stop and explore the Grotta della Poesia, listed among the 10 most beautiful natural pools in the world.
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DAY THREE:
Description: We will enjoy a 30 km journey to the town of Lecce, known as the Florence of the South with it's dazzling facades and interiors. We will ride through the Lecce Public Gardens. We will have the option of stopping at Basilica di Santa Croce with it's stunning baroque architecture (English tours at 3:30 and 4:30 pm) and continue to a Roman Ampitheatre and it's connected museum. We will return along the coastline, breathing in the healing qualities of the sea.
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DAY FOUR:
Description: Our ride will descend to the coastal town of Otranto with it's mesmerizing coastal views of brilliant turquoise water, and famous Castle Aragonse with tours above and below ground. Visit the Cathedral with it's mosaic floors depicting pagan and biblical stories. The shock and awe doesn't end there as the bloody history of this town is enshrined with a wall of skulls having belonged to the last 800 remaining residents who refused to convert to Islam. Our ride will continue along the coastline to Santa Cesarea Terme, one of the largest centres for thermal baths, including Terma di Santa Cesarea. On the way home we can stop at La Cutura botanical gardens
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DAY FIVE:
Description:
Enjoy a day off the bike with a 1.75 hour car trip to the Grotte di Castellana caves, whose beauty attracts people on guided tours 60m deep in an amazing scenario of colours and rock formations. Tours are 50 min for 12 Euros for 2 hours for 16 Euros. It is a short drive to Alberobello, a town so unique in it's architecture that it's cone roofed cottages, or Trulli, delight and awe. Enjoy walking around the town stopping for a rest at a pizzeria or cafe. Continue on your journey south to Salatino Dairy in Locorotondo, open 3:30-9:00. They make cheeses and dairy products with the traditional methods in Puglia. Discover a world of authentic flavours in their burrata, mozzarella, ricotta, and yogurts. Continuing our road trip south, the final stop of the day is at the Semeraro Wine Bar and the completion of our trio of enchanting, historic towns. Near the beautiful town of Cisternino with it’s Greek influenced architecture, the winery offers tasting menus and tours including that of a peasant museum featuring the ways of this family business. Their wines represent the authentic tastes of the Valle d'Itria and Puglia and the grapes are harvested in the traditional methods producing flavoursome wines. It is a 1.5 hour drive back to the villa from here. |
DAY SIX:
Description: Heading west, we will ride towards Nardò and the Porto Selvaggio e Palude del Capitano park consisting of a thick pine forest and cliff overlooking the blue sea.
Afternoon Details: How can we spend time in Italy without an olive oil and wine tasting? Azienda Zacheo offers tasting and tours of their family's land, history, and creation of their products. They are open 8:00-1:00 and 4:30-8:00 pm. |
DAY SEVEN:
Description: We will shuttle 45 km to the start of our ride near Taviano and ride the west side of the peninsula down to the southern most part of Puglia, Santa Maria di Leuca. Guided by the historic lighthouse, riders can choose to end their ride here at 43 km or continue on the route back to the villa.
Afternoon Details: Enjoy a relaxing final afternoon by the pool or the beach. If this doesn't sound like your style, how about an adventure on 4 wheels with Discovery Quad! Tours start at 2.5 hours for 90 Euros. |
DAY EIGHT:
Description:
It's departure day as we say goodbye to our luxury villa and a "see you soon" to our friends. You'll be left with memories that will last a lifetime and pictures to remind you of the fun, the laughs, the challenges, the success, the joy, and the discovery made during this week of exploring one of Italy's most beautiful and culturally rich locales. Hopefully you picked up some new recipes too to relive the experience through food and feed your special people with the same love that we experienced during our time in this wonderful region of Italy. |
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