Bike tour combined with Italian lessons

Learning Italian with fun while you cycle through the Salento countryside, swim in the Apulian sea and taste local products.

The Italian course

The entry level test will take place in the Porta d’Oriente School of Italian in Otranto, which is accredited by the “Universita’ per Stranieri” (University for Foreigners) of Siena and Perugia and provides some of the teaching materials. Students will be divided into at least two groups per level (beginner and intermediate/advanced).

All participants will travel together, but then split into groups during the lessons. The course will be held by professional teachers, who will cycle with the students for the whole tour and alternate lectures with spontaneous conversation throughout the journey.

As well as the Italian grammar, the group will explore topics related to specific situations that will be encountered through the tour: vocabulary related to Italian art and culture, local cuisine, bicycle, surrounding landscape, music and so on.

This approach will transform the whole day into a continuous Italian lesson, within a relaxed and informal atmosphere and a complete cultural and linguistic full immersion. This will make the learning process quicker and more enjoyable, and the holiday more interesting and unforgettable. Our lessons are mainly in Italian, with English support when required.

Your teachers

Carla: She graduated in Languages, Society and Communication at the University of Bologna, and she has been teaching Italian to non-native speakers since 2004 in several schoold and colleges (among them the John Hopkins University of Bologna). She has also been awarded the Higher Level Diploma to teach Italian as a Second Language, from the University of Siena. In addition, she teaches music in workshops for both children and adult.

Carlo: He graduated in Communication Science at the University of Bologna, he worked as an Italian teacher in Spain and France in some private schools to both teenagers and adults. He has also been awarded the Second Level Diploma to teach Italian as a Second Language, from the University of Siena. In the past he worked as radio journalist for Italian and Spanish radio stations, and he filmed a cycling documentary.

Day 1: Welcome to Otranto

Arrival and briefing of the tour.

Day 2: Otranto surroundings

• 8.30-10.30am: Italian entry-level test in "Porta d´Oriente" school
• 1pm: Lunch
• 2.30pm: Bike tour in the surrounding area of Otranto
• 8.30pm: Dinner

On the first bike tour you will visit a craftsman fabric workshop, pre-historical monuments in the countryside, Giuggianello botanic garden and a masseria, fortified farmhouse producing cheese.

Day 3: From Otranto to Castro

• 8.30am: Departure from Otranto
• 10.30am: Arrival in Castro and snack
• 11am-12.30pm: Italian lesson
• 1pm: Swim and packed-lunch
• 3pm: Departure towards Zinzulusa cave and Aquaviva beach
• 6-7.30pm: Italian lesson
• 8.30pm: Dinner

Day dedicated to amazing stretches of coastline with cliffs, caves and 16th century fortified towers. As it´s the easternmost spot of Italy, when the sky is clear you can see Albania and Greece mountains.

In the afternoon you will visit the Zinzulusa cave in Castro and the "Acquaviva" creek, so called because of underground water springs.

Day 4: From Castro to Leuca

• 8.30-9.45am: Departure from Castro and arrival in Marina Serra
• 10.30am-12pm: Italian lesson
• 12.30pm: Swim and packed lunch
• 3-4.30pm: Italian lesson
• 5pm: Departure towards Tricase
• 5.30pm: Walking tour of Tricase old town
• 7pm: Departure towards Leuca
• 8.30pm: Arrival in Leuca and dinner

You will cycle on the Otranto-Leuca coast road and enjoy fantastic seaviews. The lesson in Marina Serra will take place in a pine forest and then you will have free time in a lovely cove, where you may swim if you wish.

In the afternoon you´ll visit Tricase, with its churches and narrow streets, before reaching Leuca through side streets and surrounded by olive trees.

Day 5: Leuca

• 8.30am-1pm: Italian lesson on the way to several villages
• 1.30-7.30pm: Sailing boat trip, stop for swim and lunch on board
• 8pm: Return to the port for an evening on your own

Special day with a lesson on the way to the villages of Cape Leuca. You will learn Italian while visiting ancient towers, underground oil mills, the ruins of a pre-Roman city, a mausoleum with traces of Byzantine frescoes, a semi-abandoned castle and an ancient church with a huge underground area.

In the afternoon you´ll have a sailing boat trip with lunch on board.

Day 6: Leuca - Torre Suda

• 8.30-10.30am: Departure from Leuca and arrival in the Sarruni farmhouse.
• 11am-12.30pm: snack and Italian lesson
• 1pm: Lunch
• 3-4.30pm: Italian lesson
• 5-7pm: Departure from Sarruni and arrival in Alliste
• 8pm: Evening on your own

The day is dedicated to the Salento countryside, among olive trees and Mediterranean vegetation. The first lesson will take place in the grove of an organic farmhouse, where you will also have lunch.

After the second class, back on your bikes you´ll see ´trulli´ and ´pajare´, ancient dry stone buildings and the garden of Tu´rat, construction with an Arabian influence.

Day 7: From Torre Suda to Santa Caterina

• 8.30-9.30am: Departure from Torre Suda and arrival in Punta Pizzo Park
• 10am-12pm: Italian lesson in the pine-forest of Punta della Suina
• 1pm: Packed lunch and swim
• 3pm: Departure to Gallipoli
• 3.30pm: Guided walking tour of Gallipoli
• 6-7pm: Departure from Gallipoli and arrival in Santa Caterina
• 8pm: Dinner

The Italian lesson will take place in a pine forest next to one of the most beautiful beaches of Italy.

After lunch you will visit Gallipoli, an ancient Roman city located on a peninsula with a small harbour and a lovely Baroque old town.

You will then cycle at sunset towards Santa Caterina, where your overnight stay is in a B&B overlooking the sea.

Day 8: Santa Caterina

• 8.30-10.30am: Bike tour towards Nardó and the "masserie" (fortified farmhouses) around Porto Selvaggio
• 11am: Snack
• 11.30am-1.30pm: Italian lesson
• 2pm: Packed lunch and excursion on foot (or by canoe) in Porto Selvaggio
• 5-7pm: Italian lesson in a pine forest
• 9pm: Dinner

After the bike ride, the lesson will take place at your b&b.

In the afternoon you can choose how to explore (on foot or by kayak) the Natural Park of Porto Selvaggio. There you will have your second lesson and afterwards you may spend time on the beach next to the park, before going back at sunset.

Day 9: From Santa Caterina to Lecce

• 8.30-11.30am: Final Italian language test
• 1pm: Lunch
• 3.30pm: Departure towards Galatina, and visit of Galatone old town on the way
• 5.30pm: Arrival in Galatina and walking tour of old town
• 7.30-8.30pm: Return to Lecce by train and dinner

Morning dedicated to the final test of the Italian course.

After lunch you´ll go to Galatone and visit the old town and the castle before reaching Galatina, one of the most beautiful villages with the unique church of Santa Caterina d´Alessandria.

Short visit of a local winery with cheese and wine tasting.

In the late afternoon you´ll get back to Lecce by train.

Day 10

Morning walking tour of Lecce and departure.

What´s included

• 20 hours intensive Italian course with professional teachers
• 9 nights including breakfast in either B&B, hotels or "agriturismo" (double room)
• 9 breakfasts
• 9 meals
• Wine, cheese and other typical products tasting
• 1 boat trip
• 24-hour guide
• Bike rental (Bottecchia model with 21 gears)
• Luggage transportation
• Guide