Salento: From Sea to Shining Sea

Room for another architectural treat or two? You’ll find plenty on the route from Lecce as you head  south across Salento to the historic harbour town of Gallipoli. Galatina is one of Puglia’s many hidden gems with fine town walls and gateways and amazing frescoes inside St Catherine’s cathedral. The intricate doorways and balconies of the aristocratic ‘palazzi’ are quite something, but so too is Galtone’s exceptional Baroque church in the Piazza Santissimo Crocifisso. Enjoy them all, then accompany the coast awhile to arrive at the town the Greeks called ‘Kale Polis’ – beautiful city.

Gallipoli lives up to its name with sandy beaches, impressive harbour ramparts, noble palaces, churches and plenty of delicious seafood stalls and restaurants – certainly a feast all round – and not just one for the eyes. Go for a wander and catch sight of the Palazzo Senape De Pace, or just weave your way through its labyrinth of streets and alley ways and you’ll soon the ideal spot for supper!

Overnight in Gallipoli.

Miles  35  Kms  56

Missed something on that pre-supper ‘passeggiata’ last night as you strolled along harbour ramparts? Take time to explore Gallipoli just a little further, then steer inland for a day of coast to coast cycling.  Your route leads you across Salento from Gallipoli to Otranto, calling at Corigliano to take in the must-see castle with its beautiful Baroque façade.  This is a day to enjoy Puglia very much at your own pace, as you wind your way through vineyards, olive and almond groves, perhaps stopping off for bowl of ‘orecchiette’, Puglia’s famous little ear-shaped pasta. Alternatively, why not try a hearty serving of ‘macccheroni al forno’, an interesting pasta-meatball concoction served up under a pie crust!

If seafood is more your style, then there’ll be plenty more in Otranto, the massively fortified town on the Adriatic coast and consequently a real melting pot of a place with evidence of Greek, Turkish and even Norman influences to name but a few. The ‘Castello Aragonese’ dominates the town, but the French-style ‘Duomo’ (Basilica Cattedrale di Santa Maria Annunziata) is a real attraction on many levels – particularly the famous crypt. Don’t miss the extremely fine medieval mosaic floor, or the bones of 813 martyrs safely stored behind glass!

Overnight in Otranto.

Miles  37   Kms  60

Put the binoculars at the top of your panniers today to make the most of the herons and flamingos which grace the ‘I Laghi Alimini’ – two interconnecting lakes and one fine nature reserve. Check out the high cliffs, broad bays and sheltered coves at Torre dell’ Orso and explore the idyllic pool known as the Grotta della Poesie (Cave of Poetry). It’s listed by National Geographic as amongst the ten most beautiful natural pools in the world. Time for a swim perhaps? The final few miles lead through pine forests, past Acaya’s round-towered castle and back to that irresistible ‘Florence of the South’, Lecce for a celebratory ‘aperitivo’ on the café terraces perhaps.

Overnight in Lecce.

Miles  34   Kms  55

Depart after breakfast, or take time for a last wander around the lavish town of Lecce.