This tour will give you the opportunity to visit 4 of the most picturesque towns in Salento on a comfortable minivan with air conditioning and a professional driver who will give you information about the history of the towns and the places to visit. A scenic route from the Adriatic to the Ionian Sea, between rocky coasts, small bays and white Caribbean-style beaches.
The first stop of the tour is Galatina a real gem of art, history and traditions. The wonderful Basilica of Saint Catherine of Alexandria is second only to the Basilica of Saint Francis in Assisi for the presence of many frescoes inside, which were created by Giotto's disciples. Other monuments to visit are the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul, and the ancient “courtyard houses” and the buildings situated in the historic centre.
The second stop is Otranto, one of the most beautiful coastal villages in Salento.The town of Otranto is full of history and every corner highlights the passage of different civilisations, including the Romans, the Byzantines, the Ottomans and the Aragoneses. You will have free time to visit the splendid Cathedral, the Church of Saint Peter in perfect Byzantium style, the Castle, the Towers, the mighty Pelasgi Bastions and the Walls that surrounded the whole of the ancient city.
After Otranto you will reach Santa Maria di Leuca, along the wonderful Adriatic coast, characterised by cliffs overlooking the sea, caves and bays with rocky bottom. Along the way you will admire Santa Cesarea Terme, Castro Marina and the Ciolo Fiord. Santa Maria di Leuca is truly the heel of Italy, the place where the Ionian Sea meets the Adriatic Sea. From this tip of Puglia, you will admire spectacular views of the harbour and the sea, as well as the sanctuary of Santa Maria de “Finibus Terrae”.
After Santa Maria di Leuca, along the Ionian coast, you will reach Gallipoli, considered the pearl of the Ionian Sea. This Greek city can be divided into two areas: the new village, where the tourist facilities and modern buildings arise, and the old city. The old part of the city is located on a limestone island connected to the mainland by a 17th century bridge. You will have free time at disposal to explore the historic centre characterised by a labyrinthine weave of narrow streets, home to traditional shops of local handicrafts, numerous impressive Baroque churches and aristocratic palazzi. Also worth seeing are the Cathedral dedicated to St. Agatha, one of the best examples of Baroque in Salento, the Angevine Castle built in the 13th century and the Greek Fountain, one of the oldest fountains in Italy.
