There was no early walk today as I was concerned about making too much noise trying to get out of this large historic hotel building. So it was a relatively peaceful morning as we prepared for the next move, back over to the other side of Puglia today, to Otranto on the Adriatic coast.

The cyclists set off from Nardo at around 9 am and the non-cyclists left at around 9.15 am. The morning activity for the non-cycling group was a visit to the coastal town of Gallipoli situated on the Mediterranean Salento peninsula.

Gallipoli old town is located on a tiny island connected to the mainland by a 17th-century bridge and is almost completely surrounded by 14th century defensive walls. The port area was quite busy with fishing boats and we started off by visiting the small fish market area. We then went on to walk some of the outer wall area and checked out the beaches before stopping off to have a Cafe Leccese, a coffee drink specialty of this southern region of Italy, made on an almond base and served cold. It was delicious! We then turned inwards to stroll the centre area of the old town and meandered our way through the winding lanes checking out a number of the shops as we went.

We departed Gallipoli at around 12 for the hour long drive across to Otranto. Our hotel was another boutique gem set on the ramparts of the defensive walls of the old town. Check was not until 3 pm and so we filled in the time by having lunch and relaxing on the glorious hotel terrace; the terrace has commanding views out over Otranto harbour.

There was bit of free time before aperitivo and dinner so we spent that with another couple, doing what else, but having an aperitivo!

Tomorrow was designated as boat ride day and so involved a shorter ride for the cyclists and free time for non cyclists followed by an afternoon boat trip around Otranto.