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27.06.2022
Self guided 
Walking
Walking and Wellness in Puglia
Salento - PugliaDifficulty path:Easy
Self guided · WalkingDuration: 8 daysCode: ws005
from 900 €per person
Highlights
Walking and wellness by the sea of Puglia. It will be a week to live in complete freedom the “Land between Two Seas”, discovering step by step some of its natural, historical and archaeological wonders.
In Lecce you will spend the first day, to admire its many Baroque beauty; the rest of the nights will be in Santa Cesarea Terme, location with great views of the Ionian sea, and offers the chance to relax after the morning hikes with spa treatments and enjoying in the sulphurous pool derived from the ancient thermal baths.
A real treat for mind and body!
In Lecce you will spend the first day, to admire its many Baroque beauty; the rest of the nights will be in Santa Cesarea Terme, location with great views of the Ionian sea, and offers the chance to relax after the morning hikes with spa treatments and enjoying in the sulphurous pool derived from the ancient thermal baths.
A real treat for mind and body!
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Lecce, Capital of Salento
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The Sulphurous Pool with Sea View
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The Panoramic Castro, Landing of Aeneas
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Coastal Towers and Hidden Bays
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Otranto Wonders
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The Breathtaking Cipolliane Path
Program
Day1
Lecce
Welcome to Lecce, the “Southern Florence”, a city that will surprise you with its unexpected beauties.
The Cathedral and Sant'Oronzo, the majestic Roman amphitheater and the magnificent rose window of Santa Croce will be your reference points. It is a vibrant city, you will see its downtown streets light up at sunset to animate the pleasant and warm evenings.
Day2
From Lecce to Santa Cesarea Terme
Free morning to discover wonders and museums of the Capital of Salento, the southern area of Puglia.
In the afternoon a private transfer will take you to Santa Cesarea Terme and its beautiful hotel in front of the sea for a Welcome drink. Here you will stay for the rest of your holiday to enjoy and relax the spa treatments that you will book for the week.
Day3
Walking to Castro
14km, +160m -160m
After a leisurely breakfast with the view of the Moorish dome of Villa Sticchi, now a symbol of Santa Cesarea Terme, you can start your experience of Walking and Wellness by the sea.
Today you will reach Castro with a short walk, almost all on dirt and between the hills. The landscape changes constantly throughout the year, green and alive in springs and dry and windy in summers.
Once in Castro Alta you can discover its museum in the Castle, walk on the ancient Walls, visit the beautiful Cathedral probably built on a Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. Going down along the coast, you will find refreshment in one of the coves from its marina or visit the big karst Zinzulusa Cave.
Return to Santa Cesarea Terme following the same paths.
Day4
Walking to Porto Badisco
13km, +110m -120m
Today starts with a private transfer arriving near the scenic Saracen tower of Sant’Emiliano. Then you will walk on a dirt road to Porto Badisco, a site inextricably linked to finds of the Neolithic era. You will come up the hill walking along the Via Appia remains looking at the blue of sea and sky that sometimes blend together, and at the white Balkan Mountains clearly visible when the north wind blows. You'll be back in time for your wellness treatment.
Day5
Walking Otranto and surroundings
8km, +50m -50m
Early in the morning transfer to Otranto. Here you can visit the small Byzantine Basilica of San Pietro comparing it with the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata. The big church preserves one of the most important mosaics in Italy, the so-called "Tree of Life", symbolic work that collects, like an ancient book, legends and symbols of medieval traditions.
After Otranto, you will walk immerse yourself in the beautiful unspoiled landscapes around it: the stunning lunar landscape of the Blue Lake, the mysterious Snake Tower, the pristine Orte bay where you could relax swimming in its quiet waters.
Return to Santa Caesarea with private transfer.
Day6
Walking the Ciolo canyon and its paths
13km, +150m -40m
Private transfer to Marina di Novaglie. From here you will take the Cipolliane trail, walking along a stunning cliff overlooking the sea with breathtaking views over the coastline. Passed the Ciolo canyon, you will continue among fields, plants and flowers of the Mediterranean maquis to arrive in the small town of Gagliano del Capo. From here the country roads will take you to the Sanctuary of Finibus Terrae, at the peaceful Santa Maria di Leuca.
Transfer and overnight in Santa Cesarea Terme.
Day7
Walking to Specchia
13km, +30m -130m
Early in the morning with a short transfer you will reach Specchia. After the visit of the enchanting old town you will start your walking to the sea, almost entirely on paved country roads. After a few kilometers you will come to Tricase, another splendid gem in the history of Salento: narrow streets, ancient beautiful buildings and princely residences. Out of the village a protected forest area full of ancient species of Vallonea oak, which are unquestionably linked history and legends of Tricase. Final destination will be the rocky coastline of Marina Serra for a deserved dip.
Transfer back and overnight in Santa Cesarea Terme.
Day8
Bye bye!
After breakfast, end of services. You can spend the rest of the day exploring the bays of Santa Cesarea and Porto Miggiano or having a nice wellness 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 walker can decide autonomously how to deal with these stretches.
What's included
Our offer includes
- 7 nights with breakfast in double room
- Welcome briefing
- Scheduled private transfers
- Travel App (maps, tracks, route notes)
- Phone assistance 08:00-20:00
Not included
- Transfer IN and Transfer OUT
- Meals and drinks
- Entrance fees and tips
- Hotel tourist taxes
- Insurance and what's not listed as Included
Departures and prices
Mid Season29/03/2025 => 13/06/2025
Standard900 € /p
High Season14/06/2025 => 11/07/2025
Standard1000 € /p
Peak Season - ON REQUEST 12/07/2025 => 31/08/2025
Mid Season01/09/2025 => 26/10/2025
Standard900 € /p
Supplements per person
Transfer Brindisi Apt-Lecce (min 2 pax)
Standard48 € /p
Transfer Bari Apt-Lecce (min 2 pax)
Standard110 € /p
Transfer Santa Cesarea-Brindisi Apt (min 2 pax)
Standard100 € /p
Transfer Santa Cesarea-Bari Apt (min 2 pax)
Standard160 € /p
Single room | Mid Season
Standard240 € /p
Single room | High Season
Standard280 € /p
Extra night in double room | Mid Season
Standard90 € /p
Extra night in double room | High Season
Standard98 € /p
Extra night in single room | Mid Season
Standard128 € /p
Extra night in single room | High Season
Standard138 € /p
Solo traveller
Standard220 € /p
Other Information
Grade
The tour is suitable for anyone with a minimum of training. The length of a walking day ranges from a minimum of 8 to a maximum of 14km, with almost undemanding unevenness and travel times between 2,5 and 3,5 hours.
The tour winds mainly through dirt paths and country lanes; rarely, and only when strictly necessary, on busy roads.
We recommend to wear comfortable walking shoes and to bring with you a hat, trekking poles, drinking water, sun cream, swimsuit and a waterproof jacket in case of rain.
Accomodations & Meals
The tour offers accommodation in a central B&B and a 4* hotel.
All rooms are ensuite.
- 1 night in Lecce
- 6 nights in Santa Cesarea Terme
7 breakfasts included.
Support
The morning of the second day, after breakfast, you will have a Welcome briefing.
For the whole duration of your 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.
Arrival and Departure
Getting there
Lecce is easily reachable by car, train, bus and by air.
BY TRAIN. Trenitalia connects the main Italian cities with the capital of Salento. On www.viaggiatreno.it you can find update informations about train routes.
BY AIR. The closest airports are Bari and Brindisi, both connected with the most important Italian and foreign cities.
The Salento airport of Brindisi is about 40 km from Lecce, and the airport of Bari-Palese is about 160 km from Lecce. From Bari and Brindisi there are several public transport solutions to reach Lecce. More info on the website Aeroporti di Puglia.
BY BUS. Lecce is also accessible by bus. Here some of the major operating companies: Marinobus, Baltour & Flixbus, Busmiccolis, Sais autolinee, Buscenter.
BY CAR. The main highways are the A14 Bologna-Taranto and the A16 Napoli-Canosa. We recommend you exit the motorway in Bari and continue along the highway to Brindisi, then take the SS613 towards 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.