What to expect!
At Hiking The Heel we want to look after you every step of the way, and make your holiday the best it can be for you.
We will collect you from either Brindisi Airport, or Lecce train or bus station in our air conditioned minibus and drive you to your private apartment in Sogliano Cavour, which will be your base for the next 7 nights. A welcome drink will await you in your apartment, which is fully self-sufficient and equipped with everything you will need for your holiday.
The little town where we live has 2 supermarkets, a post office, 3 churches, a pharmacy, a restaurant, a bakery, 3 coffee shops/bars and is on the outskirts of a larger town, Galatina, which has several more facilities.
We will be on hand to help you settle into your apartment, run you to the supermarket and help you familiarise yourselves with Sogliano Cavour.
From then on the holiday is defined by you. We have plenty of different walks for you to chose from, varying in length and difficulty and we are happy to walk as many days of your holiday as you want. We have both inland and coastal walks, and we will accompany you to ensure you don’t get lost and to point out all the points of interest along the way. Salento is full of amazing scenery, history and architecture much of which is best seen on foot. We will also ensure the minibus is never too far away should it be needed.
As well as walking we want you to experience some of the other delights the area has to offer. We can visit Lecce – the Florence of the South, and also Gallipoli and Otranto the two main coastal towns in this bucolic area of Italy. There is an excellent vineyard in the next village, where if you like we can take a tour and taste 4 of their best wines. You can also have a go at making from scratch the local pasta ‘orecciette’. Perhaps you would like a day at the beach, or a day at a local 5 star hotel and spa. We will arrange, drop you off, and collect you. Perhaps a look round a traditional olive oil producers, or a cheese producers? We will tailor the holiday to suit your interests.
There is a packed lunch included everyday, and a welcome breakfast on our sun terrace of the local Italian pasticciotto and Caffe Lecce. All other breakfasts are up to you, either eat at your apartment on your private terrace, or at one of the local cafes in Sogliano Cavour before we set off for the day. In the evenings we can book and transport you to and from one of the several local restaurants, or if you prefer you can cater for yourselves at the apartment.
At the end of your stay we will of course drive you back to either Brindisi Airport, or Lecce at your required time so you can travel home, or perhaps onwards to another destination in Italy, we also promise to plant a tree for every booking we receive.
A Typical Day
Make your own breakfast in your apartment or visit San Lorenzo Bistrot in the historical Piazza – approx 30 meters away – for a traditional Italian breakfast.
Set off in the air conditioned minibus to the start of a walk previously chosen by yourself (we have several to choose from). Walk with your guides Dave and Liz, who will keep you on track and point out all the things of interest (unless you prefer to self discover, in which case we will supply directions). Bottled water always included.
Lunch is either a complimentary packed lunch to eat on the walk, or a local restaurant depending on location and your preference.
In the afternoon visit a place of interest and explore castles, cathedrals, vineyards, oil mills, churches, shops, restaurants, caves, museums or gardens and learn about the fascinating and varied history of this area. Or maybe visit a beach to relax and top up your tan.
In the evening either eat at a nearby restaurant (we can make your reservation, and will transport you both there and back to the apartment) or if you prefer cater for yourself in the fully equipped apartment and eat either inside or out on your private terrace.
Things to do and see…
Chiesa Madonna del Casale
The two sisters
Le due sorella
Rock pools
Caves close to Scala del Barone di Muro
Rock pools
Large cave
In the wine cellar at L’Astore Masseria
Wine tasting
Making the local pasta
The castle at Corigliano d’Otranto.
Beach on West coast
Otranto
Grotto della Poesia
Roca Vecchia
In Grotta Zinzulusa
Grotta Zinzulusa