Book Now

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

8 Days
[wte_itinerary_downloader]

Highlights

This guided cycling holiday is designed for travellers who wish to connect deeply with the land, its culture, and its people. Salento, located in the southeastern tip of Italy and known as the “heel of the boot,” sits at the heart of the Mediterranean. Its landscape carries the legacy of the many civilisations that have shaped it over the centuries.
Exploring Salento by bicycle feels like riding through an open-air museum. Along the way, you may encounter prehistoric dolmen, Byzantine chapels tucked inside ancient caves, elegant Baroque cathedrals, and hidden stretches of coastline that take your breath away. The region is also celebrated for its distinctive cuisine, an unforgettable blend of sea and land, and for the vibrant rhythm of its traditional music.
This journey offers a full and immersive experience: guided rides, coastal stops, tastings, and more, complemented by an intensive Italian course led by professional instructors. The teachers accompany the group throughout the day, creating a natural and continuous immersion in the language. No prior Italian study is required; even absolute beginners are welcome. Lessons are divided into two levels, beginner and intermediate/advanced, and are always kept light-hearted, encouraging you to learn and enjoy yourself along the way.
Classes take place in inspiring settings, such as pine forests, olive groves, and farm terraces, fostering an informal, authentic atmosphere that brings the essence of Salento to life.

Highlights

  • Salento is a region that is almost completely flat, making the ride a pleasant journey for any level of rider
  • We will be cycling approximately 30 km a day (around 3 hours of leisurely cycling)
  • Crossing secondary roads, with sea-breaks, guided visits and Italian lessons the tour follows the philosophy of “slow moving” to fully enjoy the surrounding landscape and culture with all its different
  • The tour is suitable for anyone with a minimum of training.
  • We will take care of your luggage while you are cycling
  • Suitable for every age from 15 years old and any fitness
  • Opportunity to upgrade to E-bike

Itinerary

  • Day
    1

    Welcome to Otranto

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

    Hotel and B&B Stay

    Pretty B&B, a 3- or 4-star hotel, or a Farmhouse. All rooms are en-suites.

  • Day
    2

    Surrounding of Otranto (29km)

    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.

    Breakfast + Lunch
    Hotel and B&B Stay 

    Pretty B&B, a 3- or 4-star hotel, or a Farmhouse. All rooms are en-suites.

  • Day
    3

    From Otranto to Castro (30km)

    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.

    Breakfast
    Hotel and B&B Stay

    Pretty B&B, a 3- or 4-star hotel, or a Farmhouse. All rooms are en-suites.

  • Day
    4

    From Castro to Santa Maria di Leuca (27km)

    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.

    Breakfast
    Hotel and B&B Stay

    Pretty B&B, a 3- or 4-star hotel, or a Farmhouse. All rooms are en-suite

  • Day
    5

    Santa Maria di Leuca

    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.

    Breakfast + Lunch
    Hotel and B&B Stay 

    Pretty B&B, a 3- or 4-star hotel, or a Farmhouse. All rooms are en-suites.

  • Day
    6

    From Santa Maria di Leuca to Gallipoli ( 61km)

    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.

    Breakfast
    Hotel and B&B Stay

    Pretty B&B, a 3- or 4-star hotel, or a Farmhouse. All rooms are en-suites.

  • Day
    7

    Around Gallipoli - Cooking Class (39km)

    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.

    Breakfast + Lunch
    Hotel and B&B Stay

    Pretty B&B, a 3- or 4-star hotel, or a Farmhouse. All rooms are en-suites.

  • Day
    8

    Goodbye !

    In the morning, it’s time to say our goodbyes in Italian, bringing to a close an unforgettable journey through Salento. 

    Our team will be available to assist with any last-minute arrangements, whether you need help organising transportation to your next destination, booking a taxi, or suggesting the best route for your onward journey. We ensure that your departure is as smooth and stress-free as possible, allowing you to carry with you the memories, flavors, and rhythms of this remarkable region.

    Breakfast

The Cost Includes

  • 20 hours intensive Italian course, (with professional teachers);
  • 7 nights in 3***/4**** B&B, hotels or farmhouses;
  • 7 lunches or dinners;
  • Wine, cheese and other typical products tasting;
  • Cooking class
  • Boat tour in Santa Maria di Leuca;
  • 24-hour guide;
  • Arranged luggage transportation;
  • Local Guide;
  • Important Note: The guided bike tour will operate only if at least 6 participants join. If this number is not reached, the tour will be converted into a semi-guided experience, with the guide and teacher present on days 2, 3, 4, and 7. In this case, the tour cost will be reduced by A$200 per person.

The Cost Excludes

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

Accommodation and Meals

We have selected a series of B&Bs, little hotels and ‘Agriturismi’ (farmhouse) where you will stay for the duration of your holiday, offering you a welcoming and cozy environment,  as well as a broad range of restaurants to give you an exquisite example of the typical Italian and Salentinian cuisine and lifestyle. Below is an example of them:

Otranto:  Hotel Corte di Nettuno  or Agriturismo Palascia or Palazzo dei Mori or similar
Castro: Hotel Piccolo Mondo or similar
Leuca: Terminal hotel or  Hotel L’Approd or similar
Gallipoli:B&B Punta Cutieri or similar

 

Additional Information

This cycling tour is designed for anyone with a basic level of fitness. Each day we cover approximately 30 km, roughly three hours of leisurely cycling, mainly along secondary roads. The pace is relaxed, following a “slow travel” philosophy to allow you to fully appreciate the stunning landscapes, local culture, and hidden treasures along the route. Along the way, there will be breaks by the sea, guided visits, and Italian lessons. Your luggage will be transported separately, so you can cycle comfortably without any extra burden.

Italian Language Teaching:
Your Italian journey begins with an entry-level assessment at the School of Italian Porta d’Oriente in Otranto, an institute accredited by the Università per Stranieri of Siena and Perugia, which collaborates with us by providing teaching materials. Participants are divided into at least two groups per level (beginner and intermediate/advanced). While the group travels together throughout the tour, classes are conducted in these smaller groups to ensure tailored learning.

Professional teachers accompany you by bicycle for the entire trip, alternating formal lessons with spontaneous conversation. In addition to fundamental grammar, lessons cover practical vocabulary and topics encountered during the tour, including Italian art, local cuisine, cycling, landscape, music, and daily interactions. Classes take place in informal settings—among pine forests, olive groves, and farm terraces—turning the entire day into an immersive Italian experience. This approach accelerates learning while enriching the holiday, making it more enjoyable and truly unforgettable. Lessons are conducted primarily in Italian, with English support provided as needed.

Important Note:
The guided bike tour will operate only if at least 6 participants join. If this number is not reached, the tour will be converted into a semi-guided experience, with the guide and teacher present on days 2, 3, 4, and 7. In this case, the tour cost will be reduced by A$200 per person.

Payment and Cancellation

Payment: deposit 25% per person within 7 days of confirmation and the balance 60 days before departing from Australia.

Cancellation:

  • Cancellation received 45 working days or more before departure: deposits will not be refundable.
  • Cancellations made between 44 and 30 working days before departure: 40% of the payment will not be refundable.
  • Cancellations made from 29 to 15 working days before departure: 70% of the payments will not be refundable.
  • Cancellations made 14 days or more prior to departure: 100% of the payment is non-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/learn-italian-while-cycling-across-puglia-8-days-guided-small-group-for-every-age-fitness/