Itinerary: Torre dell’Orso, Punta Palascìa, agallipoliZinzilula, Santa Maria di Leuca, Lecce
An evocative journey to the extreme tip of Salento
Step onto the sun-drenched land of Salento, where the Adriatic and Ionian Seas caress its shores, and the landscape is painted with olive groves that stand as silent guardians of time. Begin your evocative journey at the southernmost tip of this enchanting region, where the land tapers to a dramatic point, kissed by the gentle waves on either side.
As you venture along the winding coastal roads, the air becomes thick with the scent of salty sea spray mingling with the earthy aroma of olive trees. The azure waters of the Adriatic glisten like scattered sapphires, inviting you to dip your toes into their refreshing embrace.
Pause for a moment to admire the ancient watchtowers that dot the coastline, standing as stoic sentinels against the backdrop of endless blue. These weathered structures bear witness to centuries of maritime history, their weathered stones echoing tales of seafaring adventures and conquests.
Continuing your journey, you'll find yourself weaving through groves of gnarled olive trees, their silver-green leaves shimmering in the Mediterranean sunlight. These venerable trees, some centuries old, seem to whisper secrets of generations past, their twisted trunks telling tales of resilience and endurance.
As you approach the tip of Salento, the landscape takes on a wild, untamed beauty. Rocky cliffs plunge into the crystal-clear waters below, forming secluded coves and hidden grottoes waiting to be explored. Here, the rhythm of life slows to a languid pace, allowing you to savor each moment as if it were a precious gem.
At last, you reach the very edge of Salento, where the land gives way to the sea in a breathtaking display of nature's grandeur. Stand on the rocky promontory and feel the salty breeze ruffle your hair as you gaze out across the horizon, where the sky and sea meld into a seamless expanse of blue.
In this moment, surrounded by the beauty of Salento in all its glory, you can't help but feel a deep sense of connection to the land and sea. It's a place where time seems to stand still, where the echoes of the past resonate with the promise of new adventures on the horizon. And as you bid farewell to this enchanting corner of Italy, you carry with you memories that will linger like the scent of olives on the breeze, a reminder of a journey to the extreme tip of Salento, where sea and sky converge in perfect harmony.
Itinerary: We leave from Lecce towards San Cataldo taking the ring road heading east. We proceed along the southern coast until we reach San Foca and we arrive at Torre dell'Orso. Crossing a wonderful bay with the pine forest behind it, along the coastal road we arrive at the extreme tip of Puglia: Punta Palascìa which together with Otranto constitute the eastern extremes of the Italian peninsula.
Along the SP 358 we then arrive at the Zinzulusa karst caves. The itinerary ends by reaching Gallipoli where the appearance of the terrain becomes more rocky and the vegetation changes appearance.
Starting point: Lecce
Ending point: Gaalipoli
Length: 164 km.
Fotogallery
Lecce (pic n°1); Torre dell'Orso (pic n°2); Otranto (pic n°3); Punta Palascìa (pic n°4); olive groves (pic n°5); Cave Zinzilula (pic n°6); Gallipoli (pic n°7);