This was another tourist day with some riding, not too demanding distance wise but with some good climbs.
To start the day we were challenged to get out of Castro as it is a maze of switch backs to get away. One helpful signore suggested lugging our bikes down some stairs as that would be the easiest in the long run. We didn’t follow his advice but in the end that would have been best.
We stopped very shortly after Castro at the Grotto Zinzulusa for a tour. This is a dry cave that you enter on foot unlike many that dot this coastline. Unfortunately all the guided tours were in Italian and although we have improved in the past few weeks we are still only at the “un poco” stage, we didn’t get any of the jokes. However it was still interesting to see.
Then we made our way up the coast towards Otranto. The scenery was spectacular with plunging cliffs and the bluest water you can imagine. There were lots of spots where people had found a little bit of beach or maybe a big rock to sit on by the water.
We made it to our B&B but somehow out reservation was lost but the owner had one room left that could sleep 4 so we took it. The owner is lovely, her name is Anna, she was worried that we weren’t happy with the accommodation but we assured her it was fine. She spoke very slowly so mostly we can understand her Italian which is nice.
We went for another dip in the sea and explored the old city. The basilica had interesting mosaic tiled floors but they were of fierce looking animals and warriors which seemed unusual for a church.
We found a charming garden restaurant for dinner. Again Tara had some trouble finding a suitable meal without crostacea and had to settle for spaghetti and meatballs.
Mussolini managed to make a great aquaduct to Puglia and it is still used and commemorated.
Looking back out from the cave.
A moorish style palazzo on the coast.
The mosaic work was immense and a bit bizarre.
Tara clutching our beach mat while a swimming race is stalled out in Otranto port.
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