🛵 Vesping Through Puglia - Day 2: Caves, Castles & Clifftop Beauty

🛵 Vesping Through Puglia — Day 2: Caves, Castles & Clifftop Beauty

There’s nothing quite like your first morning waking up in the countryside of Puglia. A breeze rustles through the olive trees. Sunlight filters into the room through stone-framed windows. And somewhere in the distance, a rooster clears its throat like it’s been cast in an old Italian film.

At Masseria D’Erchia, the day starts slowly. You’ll find a breakfast table spread with handmade pastries, fresh fruit, local honey, and yogurt from a neighboring farm. We gather over strong coffee, review the day’s route, and then it’s time: helmets on, kickstands up.

Today we ride.

🌀 Into the Earth: The Caves of Castellana Grotte

Our first ride of the trip is a gentle glide through open countryside. Roads snake past almond trees, vineyards, and little clusters of stone trulli in the distance. After about 30 kilometers, we pull into Castellana Grotte, a seemingly quiet town with a stunning secret underground.

Here lies Le Grotte di Castellana, one of Europe’s most impressive cave systems, stretching over 3 kilometers beneath the limestone crust of Puglia. We descend with a local guide into cool, otherworldly chambers. The rock formations—some delicately jagged, others smooth and flowing—feel like walking through a cathedral sculpted by time.

The crown jewel? The Grotta Bianca, a breathtaking chamber so white with calcite crystals that it glows under even the faintest light. It’s the kind of beauty that leaves you hushed. And when we resurface, blinking into the sun, we realize we’ve just scratched the surface—literally—of how much this region hides in plain sight.

🏰 Hilltop Charm in Conversano

From underground wonders to medieval heights, our next stop is Conversano, a peaceful town perched on a ridge just 20 minutes away.

We park the Vespas in the main piazza and take a slow stroll toward Castello Acquaviva d’Aragona, whose stone towers have watched over this town for nearly a thousand years. You can wander into the castle courtyard or simply enjoy the panoramic views from the town’s edge, where the sea glimmers faintly on the horizon.

Lunch is served at a charming trattoria tucked behind a hidden archway. The kind of place where grandmothers still hand-roll pasta in the back and the owner insists you try the olive oil before adding salt to your dish.

On the table:

• Warm chickpea soup with rosemary

• Orecchiette with turnip greens and toasted breadcrumbs

• Grilled eggplant and ricotta salata

• Local rosé—dry, chilled, and made five kilometers from where you’re sitting

No rush. We eat like locals do—slowly, with laughter, and plenty of dipping bread.

🌊 Clifftop Reverie in Polignano a Mare

In the afternoon, we head for the coast.

Polignano a Mare is one of those places that stuns you no matter how many times you’ve seen it in pictures. Perched on a dramatic limestone cliff over the Adriatic Sea, its old town is a maze of narrow alleys, whitewashed houses, and surprise balconies that offer views straight down into turquoise water.

You’ll have time to explore:

• Grab a gelato (pistachio or fig? You decide.)

• Walk the Ponte Lama Monachile bridge and gaze down at the cove below

• Visit the statue of Domenico Modugno, arms outstretched as if soaring on the breeze

There’s magic here. Not the grand, cinematic kind—but the kind you feel when you sit on a bench, watch the sea glitter, and think to yourself: how is this real?

🏡 Back to the Masseria

As the golden light of late afternoon sets in, we return to Masseria D’Erchia, our home and sanctuary.

Some guests take a dip in the pool, others retreat to their rooms for a nap or to scroll through the day’s photos. There’s no rush. This is part of the rhythm—ride, explore, rest, repeat.

Later that evening, you may opt to head into Monopoli’s old town for an informal aperitivo. A spritz by the harbor. Light bites. Or maybe just the satisfaction of watching locals enjoy their passeggiata, arm in arm, unhurried.

📍Day Highlights:

• Grotte di Castellana: jaw-dropping natural beauty

• Conversano: medieval charm and slow lunch

• Polignano a Mare: clifftop views, coastal air, and “Volare” vibes

Total Distance: ~65–70 km

Ride Difficulty: Easy with a few scenic curves

Time in the Saddle: ~2 hours total, broken into 3 legs

Best Moment of the Day: That first glimpse of Polignano’s cliffs from your Vespa

Explore Puglia Trips

Note: This blog post is written for narrative and illustrative purposes. Final itineraries, accommodations, and partner experiences may vary depending on availability, weather, and seasonal changes. We reserve the right to update or replace elements of the experience with equally magical alternatives.orecchiette, and crisp local white wine. It’s the beginning of something special.