Itinerary
- Day 1
Bari/Brindisi to Lecce
You'll arrive in Lecce and connect with your tour staff for an orientation about the week ahead. After that, there's a short walk through the old town where you can see the Spanish baroque architecture and Roman ruins scattered throughout. This first night you'll settle into your accommodation and get oriented to the area.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Transfer from Bari or Brindisi to Lecce
- Walking tour of old town Lecce
Landmarks/POIs Lecce Old Town - Day 2
Lecce to Otranto
Take a train to Giurdignano, then walk through olive groves to see Bronze Age megalithic monuments. You'll visit an ancient weaving workshop and find a Byzantine crypt hidden in the Idro Valley. From there, head to Otranto where you'll spend the evening checking out Byzantine frescoes, the old ramparts, and the cathedral with its famous mosaic.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit megalithic garden with Bronze Age dolmen and menhirs in Giurdignano
- Visit ancient looms at Casamassella brought back into production by Le Costantine Foundation
- Discover ancient Byzantine crypt in Idro Valley
- Visit Byzantine frescoes in church of San Pietro
- Walk on ramparts overlooking the sea in Otranto
- Visit cathedral with medieval tree of life mosaic floor
Landmarks/POIs Giurdignano Megalithic Garden Church of San Pietro Otranto Cathedral Otranto Ramparts - Day 3
Otranto
Starting from Otranto castle, you'll walk down to the coast through Porta a Mare and continue to Snake Tower. The path then follows dramatic cliffs with caverns leading to Punta Palascia Lighthouse, Italy's easternmost point where two seas meet. Before heading back to Otranto, you'll pass through the Bauxite Quarry, which has turned into a striking lake.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk to Snake Tower from Otranto port
- Visit Lighthouse of Punta Palascia
- Explore Bauxite Quarry lake
Landmarks/POIs Otranto Castle Porta a Mare Snake Tower Punta Palascia Lighthouse Bauxite Quarry - Day 4
Otranto to Gagliano del Capo
Take a morning train to Gagliano del Capo and get settled. Later, walk the Ciolo path down to the canal past dry walls and varied plants with sea views. After that, the Cipolliane footpath winds through terraces with prickly pears and agaves. You'll explore caves with stalactites and fossils, then continue toward Novaglie for a break or swim, passing Madonna di Leuca before returning.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk Ciolo path to the canal
- Walk Cipolliane footpath
- Explore caves of Cipolliane
Optional Activities
- Swim at Novaglie
Landmarks/POIs Ciolo Canal Cipolliane Caves Novaglie - Day 5
Gagliano del Capo - Gallipoli - Nardò
Walk 8.5 km from Gagliano del Capo through old paths connecting small villages. You'll see Patù's mysterious Centopierre monument, then check out Giuliano's XII century San Pietro church and castle. Stop at Barbarano's Leuca Piccola sanctuary and its hypogeum. From there, head to the train station for Gallipoli, where you'll explore the old city on its island with baroque churches and fishing village character, then train to Nardò.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Centopierre monument in Patù
- Visit San Pietro church in Giuliano
- Visit castle in Giuliano
- Visit Leuca Piccola sanctuary and hypogeum in Barbarano
- Explore old city of Gallipoli
Landmarks/POIs Centopietre San Pietro Church Giuliano Castle Leuca Piccola Sanctuary Gallipoli Old City Gallipoli Bridge - Day 6
Nardò
Walk from Nardò's old town through ancient cuttings and dry stone walls past olive groves. Climb up to the Tower of Santa Maria dell'Alto (built 1568) for great views from the Belvedere. Then descend to Porto Selvaggio bay and hike along scenic cliff paths through Mediterranean scrub to Grotta del Cavallo, an archaeological site with Neanderthal history. Continue past Uluzzo tower and Nova Masseria before returning to Nardò.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Walk from Nardò old town to Tower of Santa Maria dell'Alto
- View from Belvedere
- Explore Porto Selvaggio bay
- Visit Grotta del Cavallo archaeological site
Landmarks/POIs Tower of Santa Maria dell'Alto Belvedere Porto Selvaggio Grotta del Cavallo Uluzzo Tower - Day 7
Nardò - Galatina - Lecce
Train to Galatina and spend time seeing the Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria with its impressive frescoes influenced by Giotto. Then train to Lecce for a guided tour of the 'Florence of the South,' where you'll see historical palaces, the amphitheater, Roman theater, and notable churches like Santa Maria della Croce and the cathedral. There's also an optional cooking class available in Galatone if you'd prefer that instead.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria in Galatina
- Guided tour of Lecce city
- Visit historical palaces in Lecce
- Visit amphitheater in Lecce
- Visit Roman theater in Lecce
- Visit Santa Maria della Croce in Lecce
- Visit cathedral in Lecce
Optional Activities
- Cooking class in Galatone (traditional Salento cuisine)
Landmarks/POIs Basilica of St. Catherine of Alexandria Lecce Amphitheater Lecce Roman Theater Santa Maria della Croce Lecce Cathedral - Day 8
Lecce Departure
If needed, arrange your transfer to Bari or Brindisi airport for your return journey home.
Optional Activities
- Transfer to Bari airport
- Transfer to Brindisi airport
