Your trip begins in the picturesque town of Monopoli where radiant buildings, castles, and medieval churches sit above the turquoise waters of the Adriatic Sea - the perfect welcome to the Puglia. After checking in, take a walk through the narrow streets and discover the picture-perfect old town where every doorway, shutter-dressed window, and whitewashed building is waiting to be captured on camera. Take your time over a coffee in one of the characterful cafes, then admire the views from the Castello di Carlo that stands proud above the harbour. Maybe you'll stretch your legs with a walk up Via Luigi Cadorna to visit Il Bastione del Molino Ruins - the remains of the fort that once protected the town from plundering pirates and the Spanish Armada. In the evening relax over an aperitivo, dine at one of the many restaurants offering warm hospitality and fresh local fare and, enjoy sipping one of the lovely local white wines as the sun goes down.

Your first ride will take you on a gradual climb away from the vibrant blue of the Adriatic coast to the gently rolling valley of Itria. As you make your way past fragrant olive groves and pretty fields framed by low stone walls, you will have plenty of time to pause and take in this typical Murgia landscape. You will soon arrive in the town of Castellana Grotte, home to an immense underground system of karst caves (the biggest in Europe) - a real masterpiece of nature. If you want to experience the region from below the ground, it is possible to take a tour of the caves. Castellana Grotte also makes a great lunch stop before continuing on your way to the star of the day, Alberobello, the trulli capital of the world. You will have plenty of time to explore this magnificent UNESCO site with over 1,000 traditional trulli houses. These unique circular drystone dwellings are constructed from limestone and have conical roofs with a decorative keystone pinnacle said to ward off evil. A highlight of today is that you can stay on after the crowds and spend the evening here in Alberobello as you will be staying in a trulli house yourself tonight! You will get a real taste for how it must be to live in these curious buildings.

Waking up in your own little trullo you can enjoy a relaxing breakfast before hopping back on your bike and making your way through this lush region known for its excellent olives and DOC wines. Stop and enjoy the quaint villages along the way - and perhaps even sample some local produce. You will soon arrive in the charming town of Locorotondo, its name translating as 'the round place' on account of the perfectly round design of its old town. Regarded as one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, the old town perfectly caps-off the hill on which it sits. Meander along its tiny ancient streets, enjoy a coffee in the lively central piazza, and perhaps snack on the region's delicacy - Taralli. Ride around the old protective walls for fantastic views over the patchwork quilt of vineyards and meadows below before heading onwards to the equally enchanting town of Cisternino, famed for its fornello pronto. This great local tradition makes for a delicious lunch at what is a cross between a butcher's shop and a rustic restaurant. Simply select your meat from the butcher, grab a seat, and the butcher will bring it to you when it's ready. Your final goal today is Ostuni, perched on top of a hill flanked with olive groves and renowned for its gleaming white buildings. After checking in to your hotel you will have time to explore the town and admire magnificent views out over the countryside to the sea beyond before feasting on more fantastic local food in one of the many excellent restaurants.

You might want to pack your swimming costume in your pannier for today's ride, as there are several inviting swimming opportunities along your route! Your day begins by taking the train further down Italy's heel to Lecce, where you will have time to enjoy a morning coffee and purchase supplies to fuel you on your ride. Then you'll pedal out of town into the Salento region before arriving at the gorgeous Gulf of Taranto. With its clear turquoise waters juxtaposed with whitewashed houses, you would be forgiven for thinking you are on a Greek island. Cycling through tranquil countryside punctuated with large olive trees, fragrant coastal pine forests, and sand dunes, you will soon reach the medieval fishing town of Gallipoli - an explosion life after your rural ride. Gallipoli is a town of two halves, with the modern town occupying the mainland, while its historic centro storico sits on a small island connected to the mainland by a 17th-century bridge. This beautiful city has a vibrant past, having been frequently under siege thanks to its strategic position. It will therefore come as no surprise that it is heavily fortified, and its centre is filled with impressive Baroque churches as well as aristocratic palazzi paid for with the wealth from the town's former success as a key trading port. Take time to get lost in Gallipoli's narrow streets, stroll along its promenade, and enjoy dinner in one of its many pavement restaurants as the sun sets on another great day of cycling.

Waking to the salt air of the Ionian Sea you can enjoy another relaxed breakfast, and perhaps explore Gallipoli further, before riding along the coast to the southernmost point of Puglia which divides the Ionian and Adriatic Seas. Stop off at Punta Pizzo Beach for a cooling dip in the sea along your way, before arriving at the medieval Torre del Pizzo watch tower. Originally used for sighting and defending, it is one of 171 watch towers that once kept guard along the coast of Salento. Cycling on, you will soon arrive at Santa Maria di Leuca, once thought by the Romans to be the end of the earth. Whilst it may not be the end of the earth, it is the divider of the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, and provides beautiful undisturbed vistas over the azure waters. Legend has it that it is here that St Peter first landed on Italian soil and began to Christianise the land, beginning with the temple at the tip of the promontory. Today, flocks of faithful pilgrims visit the Basilica here, that is inscribed with the words 'portal to paradise'. As you watch the sun set on another great day cycling, it is easy to believe this!

Feel the refreshing soft sea breeze as you ride along the high coastal route, winding your way along the gentle, undulating rift of the cliffs towards Otranto. The phenomenal views might make you feel as though you are in a National Geographic cycling feature! You will notice how the coastline differs here: gone are the long sandy beaches of the Ionian coast you experienced yesterday; instead, today's coastline is jagged, cliffy, and peppered with the dramatic grottoes of the Adriatic coast. There are plenty of opportunities to stop along the way, to explore little towns and villages and enjoy a morning coffee, before arriving in Castro - a perfect place to stop for lunch. You might decide to go and see the spectacular karst cave of Grotta Zinzulusa here too, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and the extraordinary landscapes that surround it. Its name is derived from the Italian word for 'rags', as the myriad stalactites resemble rags hanging from the cave's ceiling. Entering this natural cathedral along a walkway beside the beautiful blue water, you might feel like you are on another planet as you gaze in awe at the stalactites and stalagmites. Alternatively, there is a lovely open-air swimming pool along from the cave, where you can enjoy a relaxing swim before you ride onwards to Otranto. Arriving in Otranto you will have time to be enchanted by its compact old quarter, and visit the cathedral where you can see bones displayed like macabre works of art in glass cabinets behind the altar - the bones of 813 Christian martyrs who were infamously slaughtered by the Turks in 1480. If you prefer to see something less morbid yet equally stunning here, take a look at the cathedral's floor, which is adorned by a magnificent medieval mosaic with the tree of life at its centre. In the evening venture to one of the local restaurants to enjoy more of the region's wonderful specialities.

Your final ride of the week takes you north of Otranto, first to the beautiful Alimini Lakes, then on to Lecce, a city full of palaces and treasures. The Alimini Lakes run parallel to the sea, sitting in a protected nature reserve of over 1,000 hectares. These two beautiful lakes are quite different in character yet both form an important habitat for birds. Alimini Grande is fed mainly by sea water and is encircled by thick pine forest and typical plants typical of the Mediterranean. With its mix of sea water and freshwater, the bottom of the lake is home to both shellfish and freshwater plant species. However, Alimini Piccolo is fed only by freshwater and is smaller and shallower as it is has not been affected by the erosive action of the tides. After an immersive nature experience here perhaps you'll stop nearby to relax on one of the fine sandy beaches or take a dip in the sea's crystal blue waters before pedalling on to Lecce. With Baroque architecture so distinctive that it has been given its own name, Barocco Leccese, it is a riot of cherubs and gargoyles. This is a city to experience and be captivated by as you soak in its character, so be sure to make time to lose yourself in its narrow streets where hidden piazzas and extravagant churches are suddenly unveiled. In the evening, delight once again in local cuisine and raise a glass to a great week of cycling in Puglia.

Delight in a relaxing breakfast and soak up Lecce's heart-warming atmosphere and Baroque charm a little longer before making your onward journey..