Lecce to Otranto

November 17, 2024

Being Sunday it was easy to get out of Lecce back onto quiet country roads. Our journey took us to Otranto but we passed through a couple of little villages on the way. In Acaya there was a medieval fortified village where we had a coke break. We rode through a WWF natural protection area and then by the Roca Vecchia ruins of an ancient village. In Borgagne we stopped for a quick snack before heading to Otranto our location for 2 nights. On the way we could see the faint coastline of Albania to the east. Otranto is historically famous for the massacre of 800 townspeople by the invading Turks in 1480. There is an impressive castle here that we saw only at night but hope seeing the daylight tomorrow. My highlight of the day was doing laundry at a laundromat instead of in the sink.

The map for this week’s adventures. The distances are not long and the route is pretty flat but there are many things to see so we don’t mind after all be are here to experience Puglia just by bike.

Breakfast today was ham and cheese on bread as usual but also a pistachio coronetti.

Passing through the village of Merine where we came across a square where the men gathered for coffee, beer and gossip, not a woman in sight.

A 16th century tower guarding the coast.

A pajare which is like a trulli. They served as housing for peasants who lived in this area centuries ago. The door was specially low to protect against possible invaders.

Lunch a pinsera, like flat bread, with mozzarella, bacon and small bits of potato, delicious.

We had lunch in Borgagne as was this clock tower

More pizza for dinner but this one was not a margarita. It had tomato sauce with bresaola (dried salted beef), cheese and arugula. Yum.

Today's ride: 61 km (38 miles)
Total: 324 km (201 miles)

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