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Along the Southeast coast of Puglia – 8 days self-guided walking package

8 Days
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  • 18
  • Puglia
  • Walking Packages
  • Cultural, Stress free luggage
  • Self guided Tour
  • English,
  • Train, Bus, walking
  • Lecce
  • Santa Maria di Leuca
  • 3* Hotel or B*B
  • 4* Hotel on request
  • some meals included
  • Stress Free Luggage
  • Self-guided

Highlights

A walking holiday in the Natural Park Otranto-Leuca and Tricase Forest, a journey full of history. Where the signs of the past still remind us that this land was the border between East and West. Otranto and its cathedral, Punta Palascia and its lighthouse, Cippano and its ruins, Tricase and its castle … and then the sea, the beautiful sea of this corner of Italy, until you finally reach Leuca and its white splendour. A week to be taken by the sweetest sea winds and enchanted by the warm colours of this land.

Highlights

  • The beautiful Baroque of Lecce
  • Dolmens and Menhirs in the “Megalithic Park” near Giurdignano
  • Otranto and the Tree of Life
  • Stunning Cliffs and Pristine Bays
  • Ancient Ruins and noble Palaces
  • The Whiteness of the Finis Terrae, Santa Maria di Leuca

Itinerary

  • Day
    1

    Lecce

    Welcome to Lecce, a captivating city known for its distinctive Baroque architecture and the luminous beauty of its stone buildings.
    Overnight in Lecce.

  • Day
    2

    Lecce to Otranto (19 km (+100m / –100m) or 16 km (+90m / –90m) starting from Sant’Andrea)

    After breakfast, take a private transfer to Torre dell’Orso on the Adriatic coast. Your coastal walk begins near the famous Due Sorelle bay and continues towards the striking sea stacks of Sant’Andrea. Follow trails scented with Mediterranean scrub as you enter the Serra Alimini pine forest and pass its lake.
    Continue south toward Baia dei Turchi, the historic landing point of the Saracens during the 1480 siege of Otranto. The final stretch along paved roads brings you to Otranto, Italy’s easternmost city. Spend the afternoon exploring its charming historic centre and the extraordinary Byzantine mosaic that carpets the cathedral floor.
    Overnight in Otranto.

  • Day
    3

    Otranto – Uggiano La Chiesa (14 km (+160m / –90m)

    After breakfast, enjoy a scenic walk along the coastline. Take in the unique lunar landscape surrounding the Blue Lake and visit the evocative ruins of the Abbey of Casole, once an important waypoint for crusaders and pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land.
    You may also reach the Palascìa Lighthouse, situated at Italy’s easternmost point. After a day rich in culture and landscapes, continue to your accommodation near the village of Uggiano La Chiesa.
    Overnight in Uggiano La Chiesa.

  • Day
    4

    Uggiano La Chiesa – Santa Cesarea Terme (15 km (+130m / –180m))

    Resume your walk with the dramatic Saracen Tower of Sant’Emiliano as your backdrop. Continue along a dirt path leading to Porto Badisco before arriving in Santa Cesarea Terme, historically renowned for its thermal spas.
    Overnight in Santa Cesarea Terme.

  • Day
    5

    Santa Cesarea Terme to Castro or Vignacastrisi (8–10.5 km (+130–210m / –130m))

    Today’s walk is short and largely on dirt tracks through gentle hills. Upon reaching Castro Alta, take time to explore its similarities to Otranto, or learn about recent archaeological discoveries revealing the remains of a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena.
    You may descend toward the coastline to enjoy a swim in one of its secluded coves.
    Overnight in Castro (standard category) or Vignacastrisi (superior category).

    Note: If staying in Vignacastrisi, the route includes an additional 2.5 km of gentle uphill walking to reach the historic accommodation.

  • Day
    6

    Castro – Tricase (15 km (+180m / –100m))

    E

    Choose between a short but more demanding cliffside trail or an easier route to reach the scenic Acquaviva inlet, a rocky cove with a small marina—an ideal spot for a refreshing swim. Continue along the path until you arrive in Tricase, a charming town rich in Salento history. Wander through its narrow streets and admire notable landmarks such as Palazzo Gallone.
    Overnight in Tricase.

    Note: For guests staying in Vignacastrisi the previous night, a short transfer after breakfast will bring you to the start of today’s route.

  • Day
    7

    Tricase – Novaglie – Santa Maria di Leuca (11 km (+150m / –40m))

    After breakfast, a short private transfer will take you to Marina di Novaglie. From here, follow the scenic Cipolliane trail, which runs along dramatic cliffs overlooking the sea and offers panoramic views of the coastline, framed by euphorbia and prickly pear vegetation.
    The final stretch across rural paths joins the endpoint of the Via Francigena del Sud and leads you to the Sanctuary of Finibus Terrae in Santa Maria di Leuca.
    Overnight in Santa Maria di Leuca.

  • Day
    8

    Santa Maria di Leuca

    You might have the chance to meet the local fishermen who will gladly tell you about the sea splitting in two, and lots more about this place, made of physical boundaries and endless sensations…After breakfast, your walking journey concludes here, with airport transfers available upon request or any other arrangements you may require

The Cost Includes

  • 7 nights accommodation in a standard category hotel with breakfast ( note that the accommodation can be upgrade to a 4* on request)
  • Welcome briefing
  • Private transfers mentioned
  • Detailed route description with maps
  • Travel App (maps, tracks, route notes)
  • Luggage transportation hotel to hotel
  • Phone assistance 08:00-20:00

The Cost Excludes

  • Flights
  • Arrival and Departure transfers
  • Meals and drinks
  • Hotel tourist taxes (where required)
  • Insurance and everything not listed as “Included.”

Technical Information

The tour is suitable for anyone with minimal training. The length of a walking day ranges from a minimum of 8 to a maximum of 15km, with almost undemanding unevenness and travel times between 2.5 and 4 hours. The tours wind mainly through dirt paths and country lanes; rarely, and only when strictly necessary, on busy roads. We recommend to wear comfortable walking shoes, better if trekking boots, and to bring with you a hat, drinking water, sun cream, swimsuit and a waterproof jacket in case of rain. We will take care of your luggage while you are walking.

Accommodation and Meals:

The Standard package offers accommodation in pretty B&Bs and 3* hotels. ( All rooms are en-suite.):
B&B La Bella Lecce
Hotel Albnia
Masseria Gattamora
Vialla Raffaele/Villa Cesarea
Hotel Degli Ulivi
|B&B Rosa dei Venti/Hotel Adriatico
Hotel Terminal

The Superior supplement offers accommodation in charming 4* hotels.:
Palazzo Bignani/Arco VEcchio
Hotel San Giuseppe
Borgo Mulino a Vento
Est Hotel (room with Terrace)
Palazzo Guglielmo - in Vigmacastro
Hotel Callistos
Hotel L'approdo

Meals: 7 breakfasts included. All other meals are not included

Payment and Cancellation

Payment: deposit of 10% per person within 3 days of confirmation and balance 60 days before departing from Australia.

Cancellation:

  • cancellation received 45 working days or more before departure: deposits will be not refundable.
  • cancellations made from 44 to 30 working days before departure: 40% of the payments will be not refundable.
  • cancellations made from 29 to 15 working days before departure: 70% of the payments will be not refundable.
  • cancellations made from 14 to departure: 100% of the payments will be not refundable.

The Italian Travel Bureau, also known as itb.tours, is a reputable boutique-style operator. It provides unique & small group tours, packages, for our clients. To meet the ongoing demand for unique and exciting travel experiences, our web page is in continuous development with new products and destinations. All our costs are AUD$.

1300 2 DREAM (1300 237 326)
Australia

info@italianbureau.com.au

See it online https://www.italianbureau.com.au/tour/along-the-southeast-coast-of-puglia-8-days-self-guided-walking-package/