Learn Italian while cycling across Puglia – 8 days guided small group for every age & fitness.

Independent arrival in Otranto. Meeting the guide and Initial briefing of the trip.

Today marks our first cycling excursion through the landscapes surrounding Otranto. Following the small “Idro” River, whose name derives from the Latin word for water, we reach a remarkable 13th-century Byzantine crypt before continuing to Casamassela. Here, at the “Le Costantine” foundation, traditional looms are still used exactly as they were in the past.

In nearby Giurdignano, we ride through an extraordinary megalithic garden dating back to the Bronze Age, where we can admire ancient dolmen and menhir up close. Surrounded by imposing stones and centuries-old olive trees, we conduct the initial assessment to divide the group into appropriate language levels.

For lunch, we visit one of the region’s most authentic bakeries, run by a local farming family who have revived the use of heirloom grains to create baked goods with truly ancestral flavours.

We return to Otranto in the afternoon, with free time to explore the city at your own pace. A sunset horse-riding experience is also available for those who wish to end the day with something special.

Today is dedicated to one of the most captivating stretches of the Italian coastline. We begin by visiting the Palascìa Lighthouse, the easternmost point of Italy, an area of extraordinary beauty. Not far away, we discover a striking emerald lake formed within an old bauxite quarry—an unexpected and unforgettable natural spectacle.

We are at the most eastern spot of the peninsula: when the sky is clear, it offers views of the Albanian and Greek mountains across the Adriatic.

Our ride takes place in the morning, leaving the afternoon free for Italian lessons held on the hotel’s rooftop, surrounded by sea breezes and open sky.

We continue along the Otranto-Leuca coastline, where a series of 16th-century watchtowers stand guard over the sea, each one a reminder of the region’s storied past. Upon reaching Marina Serra, we hold an Italian lesson in the shade of a coastal pine forest and enjoy the chance to speak with members of Coppula Tisa, a local association dedicated to active citizenship.

In the early afternoon, we relax by a charming natural bay, with the opportunity to swim in its crystal-clear waters. Later in the day, we ride on toward Santa Maria di Leuca, arriving in time to admire the sunset as it melts into the Ionian Sea.

Today is a day dedicated to relaxation, with no cycling planned. After breakfast, we continue our Italian lessons at an elegant early–20th-century villa that welcomes our group.

Late in the morning, we set off on a delightful boat excursion, the perfect way to enjoy the coastline from a different perspective.

Today is full of Italian immersion as we cycle through the charming villages of the “Capo di Leuca” region. Along the way, we explore ancient towers, underground oil mills, the ruins of a pre-Roman city, a mausoleum with traces of Byzantine frescoes, a semi-abandoned castle, and an ancient pilgrims’ station with its vast subterranean chambers, all while continuing our Italian lessons with our teachers.

In the afternoon, we ride along the Ionian coast, reaching St. Andrew’s Island and the Punta Pizzo Natural Park. Our journey concludes in Gallipoli, a small fishing village perched on an island, where you can enjoy an aperitif on a terrace overlooking the sea, soaking in the light, winding alleys, and lively fish market that make this town truly unforgettable.

Today marks the final test of our Italian course: a hands-on cooking lesson followed by a family lunch at a local farmhouse. We begin the morning cycling from Gallipoli to Alezio, an ancient Messapian city with a fascinating museum on pre-Roman civilisations, and then continue to Sannicola.

Our destination is Tenuta Mamma Anna, a family-run agriturismo, where the mother of one of our partners will guide us, entirely in Italian, through the preparation of traditional regional specialties. Using ingredients harvested directly from the family garden, we will make pitta di patate (a potato gateau stuffed with tomatoes, olives, capers, onions, and tuna), pittule (fried dough balls, either plain with honey or filled with tomatoes and capers), hand-made orecchiette pasta, and pasticciotto, a delicate shortcrust pastry filled with chantilly cream.

After cooking, we sit down together for a leisurely family-style lunch, enjoying the fruits of our work, before returning to Gallipoli.