Visit Brindisi : the complete guide
Visiting Brindisi is a tasty and fascinating journey between the different cultures that have...
19.04.2024
Self guided 
Cycling
Puglia Bike and Wellness
Salento - PugliaDifficulty path:Easy
Self guided · CyclingDuration: 7 daysCode: bs012
from 730 €per person
Highlights
A tour dedicated to relaxation, in which the bike routes will take you to the sea, cliffs, pine forests and airy countryside, slowly discovering the history, culture and traditions of the area.
Overnight stays will be on the seafront in Santa Cesarea Terme, known for its sulphurous waters that have made it a popular spa resort in Puglia.
So you can take your time to cycle, get to know, marvel, and be pampered by the wellness treatments and the view from the hot sulphur pool of the spa on the thermal baths on the cliff.
A real and proper cuddle for mind and body!
Overnight stays will be on the seafront in Santa Cesarea Terme, known for its sulphurous waters that have made it a popular spa resort in Puglia.
So you can take your time to cycle, get to know, marvel, and be pampered by the wellness treatments and the view from the hot sulphur pool of the spa on the thermal baths on the cliff.
A real and proper cuddle for mind and body!
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Panoramic Pool on the cliffs in Santa Cesarea Terme
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Otranto and the 800 Martyrs
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The splendor of Leuca
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The big Collection of Succulents in La Cutura
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The beautiful Castro, Specchia and Tricase
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The Castle of Corigliano d’ Otranto
Program
Day1
Welcome to Puglia
Arrival at the hotel, accommodation and Welcome drink with a view of the splendid sea of Santa Cesarea Terme.
Day2
Cycling to Otranto and the east coast
35km
This day is dedicated to a coffer of Italian history and oriental culture: Otranto.
An important exchange centre since Roman times, thanks to the proximity to the Balkan coast, the town is famous for the wonderful floor mosaic kept in the precious Norman Cathedral, that became a symbol of Expo 2015 and it fully represents the interculturalism of this city. Before reaching Otranto, you will ride along one of the coastline considered among the finest in the world; Porto Badisco will be a must see where, between the caves, the "Sistine Chapel” of rock art is preserved.
The return will unfold between quiet country pathways.
Day3
Cycling in the Stone Age of Puglia
45km
After breakfast you will cycle towards Vitigliano and Poggiardo.
These two little villages were founded by the "Messapi", the ancient Illyrian population who stationed in the area before the Roman advent. Cycling through Salento’s countryside, you will get to Muro Leccese. From here, you will start exploring the oldest and most mysterious heart of Puglia, the one made of stone, dolmen and menhir. Along the paths in the megalithic garden of Giurdignano and Giuggianello it will seems to live in another era and, in the Botanical Garden "La Cutura”, directly in another world. La Cutura in fact is a private collection that preserves the most outstanding Salento’s collection of succulents from all five continents.
You will then go back to the hotel cycling along the quiet hinterland of Otranto.
Day4
Cycling to the Roman Finibus Terrae
35km
A day dedicated to Leuca and its mystical and pagan atmosphere.
Cycling along the coast, set aside a bit of time to visit the sea cave of Zinzulusa, a small miracle of nature located before Castro, the legendary landing of Aeneas. With the superb landscape of Salento hills, between prickly pears and dry stone walls, you will reach the village of Leuca, destination of the timeless Via Francigena and reference point for sailors of all time. There will be a dutiful stop to know this white city and to admire the famous villas through the centre streets, before going back to the hotel with a private transfer.
Day5
Cycling in the Cape of Leuca
50km
An unusual journey through villages of a deep south, where traditions and handicraft are mixed giving us one of the most interesting example of popular art.
You will ride through the streets of Specchia, one of the most beautiful village of Italy, Tricase, with its millennial oak and Torrepaduli, homeland of the boldest tambourine players. Those are the authentic places where you can breathe the taranta and the pizzica, taste the traditional “friselle” with tomato and basil, or sample a good coffee with ice and almond milk.
You will go back to the hotel in the afternoon, maybe for a nice dinner facing the sea.
Day6
Cycling trough Salento Greek Towns
45km
This day is dedicated to the discovery of the second soul of Puglia: the eastern soul, the Greek one.
In the Salento hinterland there are still small villages where the traces of the various populations who have passed through Puglia remain indelible. By private transfer you will reach Corigliano D’Otranto, famous for the castle defined by Baron G. Bacile di Castiglione: "the most beautiful monument of military and feudal architecture of the early 16th century in Terra d'Otranto": visit it and enjoy the bar on the terrace!
Then, cycling along quiet streets you will visit the villages of Soleto, Sternatia, Zollino, Martano and Carpignano dei Greci. These all are little municipalities of a "linguistic island" where Griko, ancient greek dialect, is still spoken.
Return at Santa Cesarea Terme by private transfer.
Day7
Goodbye Puglia!
After breakfast, end of services.
You can spend the rest of the day making a splash in the water of Santa Cesarea Terme or doing a spa treatment.
Tour programme variations
Due to organizational reasons, weather conditions or provisions issued by local authorities, the itinerary may be subject to some changes before and/or during the holiday.
Along the way you may find temporary deviations (for example road works) which cannot be foreseen; in this case each biker can decide autonomously how to deal with these stretches.
What's included
Our offer includes
- 6 nights with breakfast in double room
- Welcome Briefing and bike fitting
- Welcome drink
- Scheduled transfers
- Travel App (maps, tracks, route notes)
- Phone assistance 08:00-20:00
Not included
- Transfer IN and Transfer OUT
- Meals and drinks
- Bike rental
- Entrance fees and tips
- Hotel tourist taxes
- Insurance and what's not listed as Included
Departures and prices
Mid Season24/03/2024 => 21/06/2024
Standard730 € /p
High Season22/06/2024 => 19/07/2024
Standard980 € /p
Peak Season - ON REQUEST20/07/2024 => 01/09/2024
Mid Season02/09/2024 => 26/10/2024
Standard730 € /p
Supplements per person
5 days Trek bike rental
Standard100 € /p
5 days Gravel bike rental
Standard140 € /p
5 days E-bike rental
Standard210 € /p
Transfer Santa Cesarea Terme-Brindisi Apt (min 2 pax)
Standard90 € /p
Transfer Santa Cesarea Terme-Bari Apt (min 2 pax)
Standard135 € /p
Single room | Mid Season
Standard250 € /p
Single room | High Season
Standard320 € /p
Extra night in double room | MId Season
Standard80 € /p
Extra night in double room | High Season
Standard100 € /p
Extra night in single room | Mid Season
Standard120 € /p
Extra night in single room | High Season
Standard160 € /p
Solo traveller
Standard190 € /p
Other Information
Grade
You will cycle on asphalt roads: along the beautiful and scenic coastal road or in countryside roads with low traffic.
Mostly flat with wavy lines.
The daily mileage goes from 35 to 50 daily kilometers, and you can stop at your leisure, or according to our advice, for visits and refreshments.
Accomodations & Meals
- 6 nights at a charming hotel in Santa Cesarea Terme.
All rooms are ensuite.
6 breakfasts and Welcome drink included. All other meals are not included.
Support
The morning of the second day, after breakfast, you will have a Welcome briefing with Bike fitting.
For the whole duration of the tour, you can contact our assistance numbers.
Travel documents
A few days before departure you will receive by email the Service List with instructions for using the Travel App.
During your Welcome briefing you will receive:
- updated Service List;
- requested rental bikes.
Arrival and Departure
Getting there
Santa Cesarea Terme is located in the most extreme part of the Salento’s peninsula, between Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca, on the Adriatic coast.
It’s easy to reach Santa Cesarea Terme by train, airplane or car.
BY TRAIN. Lecce is the reference station to reach Santa Cesarea Terme.
Consult the Trenitalia website: once you arrive in Lecce, continue by train to Poggiardo, or via a specially organized shuttle bus service in the summer.
BY AIR. The nearest airport is Brindisi airport which is about 50 kilometers from Lecce and 90 kilometers from Santa Cesarea Terme. From here the town can be reached with the public Trenitalia service or more comfortably through the specially organized transfer service.
BY CAR. Following the motorway A-14, get the exit Bari Nord and follow the signs for Brindisi-Lecce. At the entrance of Lecce get the exit for the eastern bypass (tangenziale est) in direction of Maglie-Santa Maria di Leuca, then you are on the Lecce-Maglie freeway. When you pass Maglie, you will find the exit for Santa Cesarea Terme. Keep going for about 15 kilometers following the signs. For those who coming from Taranto it’s better to reach Brindisi and go to Lecce. maps.google.com can help you with the directions.
→ If you prefer to travel in total comfort, you can book a private transfer on the days of arrival and departure.