Today I woke up very early but I had to wait until there was a little more light and then I left the hotel without making any noise, leaving the keys where I was told by the innkeeper to leave them.

The first stretch - This stretch of route continues always along state road 106 on the coast and features a variety of incredible wonders including: the magnificent panoramic views of the sea, the seaside beaches and views of the Apennine hills on the left side and villages in the seaside of Mandatoriccio- Campana, the village of Camigliano and of Mirto a well-known seaside resort. The road then crossed a bridge where it passed under the Trionto river, which is a river that originates from the Sila mountains, in the province of Cosenza. This is a famous river which over time was navigable and used for the transport of wood in La Sila (also simply “Sila”). La Sila National Park is the largest park and mountain range in Calabria.

The second stretch - The road continued to run along the coast with its magnificent views, passing by other coastal towns and after Villapiana Scalo the road slowly went slightly uphill and crossed Fiumara Saraceno and its corridor flows into the sea reaching a height of about 110 m from sea and then descended increasingly closer to the sea passing the town of Trebisace, after which you pass by the splendid village of Rocca Imperiale Marina.

And now she had arrived in the region of Basilicata crossing the towns of Nova Sire di Scalo, Policorno and Metaponto located in the municipality of the province of Matera and finally in the Apulian region of the seaside resort of Castellaneta Marina in the province of Taranto

The third stretch - When I  arrived at this beautiful locality which also had a cycle path. It was quite deserted as a place with no tourists and for me it was perfect, very pleasant but not easy to find accommodation. While I was looking round I saw a girl in her garden at home asking her if I he would have recommended accommodation for the night. And, lucky for me, she had an apartment above her house available for her. Wow, how lucky!

The fourth strech - After having placed my bicycle luggage in the apartment which was furnished with two bedrooms including a living room with kitchen (very tidy and clean) and a balcony that went down to the garden. The garden was surrounded by pine trees, a small vegetable patch, a Zen garden and the owner had recently bought two chickens, his two new companions including his good dog named Pluto.

The fifth stretch - In the company of Graziella - The owner, a very kind girl, had kindly offered me to have dinner with her and obviously I had happily said yes and after a shower she also took me to see the free beach and also the one which in summer is equipped with umbrellas and sunbeds. For me they were just large isolated sandy and wild beaches bathed by the crystalline sea and surrounded by great peace, I couldn't have imagined how they were in the high season. I really had the opportunity to see it in another way and only in this way did I see it in my eyes!

The last Leg - After showing me the beach she took me for a walk along the main streets of the small town which are near the sea where there are various general stores which were closed but the food shop was open. I had her advise me on what to buy for dinner, I wanted to feel like a local and I found myself with the right company, the local person on my first day in Puglia wandering the streets, having dinner and sleeping under a roof in the Puglia region surrounded by pine trees. Incredibly lucky!

I had purchased some small pieces of Puglian buffalo mozzarella and some Bresaola (not really an Apulian product but eaten almost everywhere in Italy) which is a lean cured meat, less fatty than ham.

Back in her villa she had already prepared the table well set in her accommodation and had prepared the traditional Apulian friselle (slightly dampened with water and spiced with fresh tomato, basil, garlic and olive oil), a typical summer dish, an omelette made with the eggs from her chickens, and a Pugliese-style ricotta and small pieces of Puglian buffalo mozzarella. She also had made Tarallini Pugliesi (a simple but tasty snack made with flour, olive oil made into a simple dough, formed into rings, simmered and baked). it was an incredible evening in the company of her and the dog Ploto then I went to my room sent some texts and looked at the map for tomorrow's route towards the Giolfo di Taranto which is the stretch in the region divided between the regions of Basilicata and Puglia

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