Today we had a great ride to the very bottom of the Salento region. Looking at a map of Italy, some refer to this area as the heel of the boot of Italy. The town of Santa Maria di Leuca is the furthest south that you can go. We will then need to head up north along the coast of Ionian Sea. But first a few photos taken yesterday that did not make the blog.
Our host arrived by bike to let us into our apartment.
We met these guys and they were off to Santa Maria di Leuca yesterday at 3pm. They needed to hustle as the sun goes down at 5:30. Good thing that they are young, travelling light and on fast bikes.
In Otranto, our host was great and she prepared a good breakfast for us in a waterfront restaurant just down the street. We filled up on cereal, fruit and yogurt and were again on our way by 09:30 today. It was another beautiful warm morning as we climbed the first hill out of town and then onto SP389. In fact, we will stay on the same coastal roads through a number of towns for the next 50 kilometres. We cannot believe how few cars are in this area of Puglia. It makes for delightful riding conditions even with the four small hill climbs.
We are riding through the Costa Otranto-Santa Maria di Leuca and Bosco di Tricase Regional Natural Park located along the eastern coast of Salento. Over 50 kilometres long it is the largest regional park in the province of Lecce.
It was mostly a downhill run into Santa Maria di Leuca and onto the road through town along the shore. Again, we were a bit early for check in so we found a nice place to have a beer. We both agreed that today was an outstanding ride based on scenery and road conditions. Spectacular!
Our place was a ways up the hill and after showering we headed back out for dinner in the early darkness. We found an interesting restaurant on a side street that was converted from a home. Sitting under cover outside it was nice to have a blanket over our legs. Our seafood meals were quite good. Tomorrow we will spend another day here exploring the area.
The lighthouse and marina at Santa Maria di Leuca.
Right on the beach in Southern Italy on a warm afternoon having a cool one after a great ride. I do not think that there was any other place that we wanted to be.
Today's ride: 54 km (34 miles) Total: 377 km (234 miles)
Rate this entry's writing
Heart
9
Comment on this entry
Comment
1
Anne MathersWe loved that ride too, going the opposite direction. No trafic in May either. We had the place to ourselves. Reply to this comment 1 week ago
