Touring Bike
£108 for 6 days
A week-long loop through Puglia’s Salento peninsula, Italy’s sun-baked heel. Start and finish in Baroque Lecce, riding flat, quiet coastal roads past the turquoise waters of Gallipoli, the wind-sculpted cliffs of Santa Maria di Leuca where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet, the sea pools of Marina Serra, and the white-walled port of Otranto.
The terrain is gentle, almost entirely on tarmac, and the riding is relaxed enough to leave time for long seaside lunches and lazy swims. Rich gastronomy, excellent local wines and the stunning Baroque architecture of Salento’s towns complete the picture.
Arrive in Lecce, the ‘Florence of the South’, and explore its extraordinary Baroque limestone churches, piazzas and palaces before your first night.
Ride south-west through the flat Salento countryside via Copertino and Nardò, another showcase of Baroque art, to the pearl of the Ionian coast, Gallipoli, with its walled old town on an island.
Follow the Ionian coast south through pine groves and golden beaches to the very tip of Italy’s heel at Santa Maria di Leuca, where the Adriatic and Ionian seas meet beside a dramatic lighthouse and sanctuary.
The coastline shifts from sandy beaches to dramatic sea cliffs and fjord-like inlets. Ride the scenic coast road 358 past the Fiordo del Ciolo and the natural pools of Marina Serra to the quiet village of Vignacastrisi, far from the crowds.
Continue north along the spectacular coast road past the thousand-year-old thermal springs of Santa Cesarea Terme and Porto Badisco to Otranto, with its mosaic-floored cathedral and imposing Aragonese castle. Overnight near Torre Saracena.
The easiest stage — flat along the coast with a gentle climb inland to Lecce for your final evening in the Baroque capital of Salento.
Depart after breakfast — or extend your stay to explore more of Puglia.
We recommend flying to Brindisi Airport (BDS) and returning from Brindisi Airport (BDS).
£108 for 6 days
£258 for 6 days
£12 for 6 days
Getting to Lecce (start and end of tour)
By plane: The nearest airport is Brindisi (BDS), about 40 minutes from Lecce by road or bus, with connections across Europe. The larger alternative is Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI), about 1.5–2 hours from Lecce by car or direct train, with wider international connections. Airport transfers to Lecce can be booked through us as an extra.
By train: Lecce is the terminus of the main Adriatic rail line, with direct and high-speed trains from Bari (about 1.5 hours), Rome (about 5 hours) and Bologna. The station is a short walk from the historic centre.
By car: Lecce is reached via the A14 Adriatic motorway (exit Bari Nord) then the SS16 or the newer E55 superstrada, about 1.5 hours from Bari. As the tour begins and ends in Lecce, a car left here is easy to collect at the end.
Bikes are not included. You are welcome to bring your own bike or hire one. Please see our bike hire section for details.
Flights are not included. Please refer to the what's included section for full details.
We will confirm your booking within 48 hours of receiving your enquiry. Please wait for confirmation before booking flights or making other travel arrangements.
Most itineraries include cycling on most days, with some rest or shorter days built in. Please check the itinerary for day-by-day details.
The latest you can book is 9 days before departure. This gives us enough time to confirm arrangements and accommodation.
You will receive full travel details, including accommodation, meeting points and local contacts, 3 to 5 weeks before departure.
