Full Day Tour to Gallipoli, Galatina, Coast, Beaches and Winery

Transfer from Lecce to Galatina 30 minutes. We’ll stop close to the main square where you can have your independent visit to the Baroque church of “San Pietro”. Nearby, the small chapel of “San Paolo” hosts a well that, according to tradition, was able to heal people bitten by poisonous tarantula spider. That's why the town is renowned for the magic and esoteric ceremonies of "Tarantismo", from which the local folk dance “Pizzica” started. Galatina is also well known for the delicious pastries produced for generations in the local pasticcerie. In the most famous one you can delight yourself by tasting the famous "Pasticciotto”.

Walking along Galatina old town you can find out several aristocratic palaces until reaching the late Romanesque Basilica of Santa Caterina d'Alessandria, built in 1390. The interior contains frescoes by artists from "Giotto school", that make the church the second in Italy, after San Francesco d'Assisi Basilica, for its pictorial cycles.

In Nardò you can choose to have an independent wine tasting in one of the most important local wineries. The cellar offers tasting experiences of wine, produced from original vineyards, paired with appetizers; Taralli and focaccia bread come with 3 glasses tasting, adding typical cheese in the 4 glasses one. The full experience with 5 glasses of wine includes a cold cuts platter too. The cost goes from 30 to 40 euro/person and will be paid in the winery as your needs (advance booking is required, closed on Sundays and depending on availability). In the case the wine tasting won't be done the time will be spent in other stops, like the beaches, or for visiting Nardò historic center, a beautiful medieval town with lot of historical baroque buildings, the castle, the square and many churches. The most beautiful is the Basilica Cathedral founded in the 11th Century, but all are unique.

Transfer to the Ionian coast passing by Santa Maria al Bagno, with its lovely city beach and nice restaurants by the sea (possibility to stop here for lunch), the four towers fortification, built in Aragonese time to protect a drinkable water source, and the broken mountain, the coastal route heading the white beaches of Gallipoli.

Stop at Rivabella beach. Here we'll stop in a nice pine forest where, going through it, you can find out a stunning free beach as well as private lidos, so bring your swimsuit and towels for being delighted by an amazing sea.

Gallipoli, the Ionian pearl, is divided between the modern city and the historic one. The ancient town is located on a little island, connected to the mainland by the bridge which ends with a Greek fountain, the oldest one in Italy. Here you'll have free time to discover the historic center characterized by narrow streets with local handicraft shops, lovely baroque churches and aristocratic palaces. Also, you can walk along the castle walls enjoying a drink in some nice terraces by the sea, or having your brunch maybe tasting the typical sandwich "Puccia" dressed with sea food specialities.