LEARN ITALIAN WHILE CYCLING

10 days guided tour for every fitness!!!

The Salento region is filled with memories of the different civilizations that inhabited it, from the
Messapian, to the Greeks, followed by the Romans and then the Normans. Crossing Salento with a
bicycle is like cycling through an open-air museum. Prehistoric Dolmen, Byzantine shrines hidden in the
caves, Baroque cathedrals, secluded corners of the coast... are only a few of the things you can see when
visiting this area. The area is also internationally renowned for its characteristic cuisine which combines
flavours from the sea and the earth ...
Day 1 Arrival: Independent arrival in Otranto or Lecce . made with dry stone) and the Tu'rat garden, of Arabian origin.

Day 2: surroundings of Otranto : Italian entry-level test in the school "Porta
d'Oriente"; on the first cycling day we will visit a traditional craftsman fabric
workshop, a few pre-historical monuments spread across the area, a
marvellous botanical garden in Giuggianello, with a unique collection of
Cactaceae, and to conclude the tour, a "Masseria", (a historic fortified
farmhouse that produces cheese) in Uggiano la Chiesa.
Day 7: from Torre Suda to Santa Caterina: The Italian lesson will take place in
a coastline pine forest, next to one of the most famous beaches of Italy. After
lunch we will visit Gallipoli, an ancient city from the Roman era on an island,
which s, currently populated by fisherman. Towards sunset we will travel to
Santa Caterina, where we will stop for the night, in a B&B with view of the
sea.

Day 3: from Otranto to Castro: This day is dedicated to one of the most
fascinating portions of the Italian coast, where different towers, originating
from the XVI century, rise facing the sea. It
is the most eastern spot of the peninsula:
when the sky is clear you can see the
mountains of Albania and Greece across
the bay. In the afternoon we will visit the
Grotta Zinzulusa, a cave proceeding for
metres and metres toward the heart of the
earth, and the splendid Aquaviva creek,
characterised by the underground fresh
water river that flows toward the sea.
Day 4: from Castro to Leuca: we carry on through the Otranto-Leuca coast,
the so called park-road, with an outstanding panorama. At the arrival in
Marina Serra, an Italian lesson will take place in a coastline pine forest, and
then we will rest by a picturesque inlet where it will be also possible to swim.
In the afternoon we will visit the small town of Tricase, famous for its
churches and small lanes, then we will proceed towards Leuca, following
secondary roads characterized by their century-old olive trees.
Day 8: Santa Caterina: Another full day today! In the morning a short cycle:
we will visit the city of Nard and some of the nearby "masserie". Then we
will go back to our B&B for the Italian lesson. In the early afternoon we will
go (on foot or by canoe) to the natural park of Porto Selvaggio, a forest next
to the sea, where we are going to have our second lesson of the day and then
a nice swim. Return by sunset.
Day 9: from Santa Caterina to Lecce: Morning dedicated to the final test of
our Italian course. After lunch we will travel
towards Galatone, where we will visit the
historical town centre and the town castle,
and then Galatina, where we will visit the
church of Santa Caterina D'Alessandria, one
of the most beautiful masterpieces of
medieval art in the south of Europe. We will
also pay a short visit to a local wine cellar,
to observe the process of wine-making,
ending with a wine and cheese tasting. In
the late afternoon we will get the train for Lecce and we will reach the city in
the evening.

Day 5: Leuca: Today will be jam-packed; with an Italian lesson while you cycle Day 10: During the morning, guided visit of Lecce on foot and final departure
across the villages around Capo Leuca. We will see ancient towers,
Total cost AUD$3000 per person (inclusive of: 20 hours intensive Italian
underground oil mills, the ruin of a pre-Roman city, a Mausoleum that holds
course, (with professional teachers); 9 nights in either B&B or "Agriturismo" (guest
traces of Byzantine frescoes, a semi-abandoned castle and an ancient church
with incredibly vast sub terrains...; all while having a continuous Italian lesson farm in double rooms); 9 lunches or dinners; Wine, cheese and other typical product
with our teachers! In the afternoon, we will have a sailing trip with lunch tasting; 1 sailing trip; 24-hour guide ; Bicycle rental; Arranged luggage transportation)
provided on board! - (E-bike available as well on request)
Day 6: Leuca - Torre Suda : The day is dedicated to the Salentinian
countryside, one of the best-kept secrets of the region defined by its olive
trees and the Mediterranean vegetation. The Italian lesson will take place in Departure date 2017: 9 June and 1 September
the wood of an organic guest farm, where we are going to have lunch. In the
afternoon, after the second lesson, we will depart once again across the
countryside, where we will see the "Trulli" and the "Pajare" (ancient buildings

For more details check our web page: www.italianbureau.com.au

Email: michael@italianbureau.com.au or michael@travelmakers.com.au
Ph.: 02 6223 2780 (consultation with Michael Perrone by appointment preferred)