Apulia

Individual arrival and overnight. Alberobello is a unique and inimitable city as it is the only urban settlement of the so-called trulli (cone buildings) in the whole world. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996.

You will cycle through the countryside to Ostuni, which is reputed as an architectural jewel, and is commonly referred to as “the White Town” for its white walls and its typically white-painted architecture.

From Ostuni, the route takes you through olive groves, vineyards, and orchards to Avetrana, a historic small town on the ancient Via Appia. This old Roman road once ran from Rome through Taranto and Oria to Brindisi. Today, only a few sections of the paved path remain as the Via Appia Antica.

Leaving Avetrana, you shortly reach the sea. After a detour to the "Torre Colimena," you follow the coastal road with its numerous watchtowers to Porto Cesareo. The journey continues along the Ionian coast to Gallipoli. This "Kale Polis" (beautiful city), of Greek origin, is a true urban gem by the Ionian Sea. Navigate the winding streets of the town, where there are several churches and a quaint museum worth visiting. Don't miss the sight of the local fishermen, who continue to provide an authentic image of the city.

Today you will reach the southernmost point of Salento and at the same time the watershed to the Ionian Sea at Santa Maria di Leuca. The village is particularly famous for its pilgrimage church. Around the turn of the century, many magnificent villas were built here, which are an absolute architectural highlight due to their imaginative to bizarre shapes. Eccentric end-of-the-world lovers settled here to enjoy the peace and quiet and the sea in the remote location.

Today you travel along the southernmost coast of the Adriatic Sea to the Messapian city of Otranto. It is considered an art-historical gem in the midst of a charming landscape. The old town is surrounded by a mighty city wall and boasts an impressive Habsburg castle. On the way to Otranto, you have the opportunity to visit the famous Grotta Zinzulusa, the only coastal grotto open to the public. Santa Cesarea Terme, known for its hydrotherapeutic cures and radioactive mud therapies, is also an unmissable stopover.

First, you continue along the Adriatic coast, then pass through countless olive groves to reach Lecce. Lecce, the capital of Salento, is a city of great charm, particularly known for the sheer beauty of its buildings and churches. Alongside Naples, Lecce is the baroque capital of the south, often referred to as "Lecce Baroque." Here, around 30 churches and numerous palaces invite you to explore. Don’t forget to visit the amphitheater and the Roman theater, both likely built during the reign of Emperor Augustus.