10 Green Experiences Not to Be Missed in the Gargano

Known as the "Spur of Italy" The Gargano is a sub-region of Puglia and is a beautiful place rich in biodiversity

gargano

It is one of the largest Parchi Nazionali più estesi d'Italia is characterized by unspoiled nature, breathtaking beaches and towns full of history, culture and spirituality.

Gargano is also a place to be savored. There are many typical and gastronomic excellences, internationally recognized, typical products with 4 DOP (Caciocavallo silano, Canestrato pugliese, mozzarella di bufala and extra virgin olive oil from Dauno) 3 IGP (arancia bionda e duretta, limone femminiello) and 4 slow food presidia ( Caciocavallo podolico, anguilla di lesina, fave di carpino) that make the mouth water winning over visitors from all over the world.

In my column "A portata di Manu" I like to give suggestions ideas, experiences and itineraries, but also things to do to orient you if you come to these parts whether you are a foreign visitor or a tourist at home. In the article (next to each individual experience) there are all references for booking tickets or excursions or guided tours in the area .

If you would like to let us know about your business or simply want guests to live unique experiences that we didn't list but would like to share with everyone, write to us at apugliesearoundthewolrd@gmail.com We would be happy to visit you

If you are coming to these parts, I suggest that you purchase La Gargano Green Card an interesting opportunity to experience the Gargano through authentic and sustainable experiences in contact with the territory. The card costs only 5 euros but offers a number of discounts to book the entire circuit of agreed experiences. including those mentioned in this articl

Gargano area is very expansive. Because of its geographical nature, and its roadways full of hairpin bends, it deserves a stay of a few more days that cannot be reduced to a single weekend.

Some of the most beautiful towns in the Gargano are Vieste with a rich history and ancient charm, Peschici one of the most charming towns in the area characterized by a picturesque old town and a strong seafaring tradition.

The sacred and mystical Monte Sant'Angelo located on the slopes of Mount Gargano, which is home to no less than two Unesco sites: 1) the place of worship of the Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel Unesco site since 2011

The Foresta Umbra UNESCO site since 2017, the largest broadleaf forest in Italy that extends into the heart of the Parco del Gargano.

The small citrus capital Rodi Garganico: an enchanting seaside town, As well as the world famous Sanctuary of Padre Pio's religious town of San Giovanni Rotondo.

It is worth exploring its historic center, with its churches and historic buildings.e.

There are many other places worth visiting, such as Manfredonia, Vico del Gargano, Mattinata, Pugnochiuso depending on your interests and preferences but also on the season when you come to spend your vacation there. I assure you that it is truly wonderful to discover the art, architecture and thousand-year history of these lands.

In Manfredonia I point out one of my favorite places the wire mesh Basilica of Siponto. When you get there it leaves you spellbound. It is 14 meters high, weighs about 7 tons: Edoardo Tresoldi made it, it is worth seeing In the 12th century a Romanesque church was built in this countryide of Manfredonia, the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore di Siponto. Only the foundations of that church remain today.

In Vico del Gargano is the seaside village of San Menaio here The sea is beautiful, turquoise, crystal clear, with sandy, sloping seabed,

Don't forget the Gargano Lakes, Lesina and Varano,

The landscape in these parts is completely different from other places in Puglia.

BY PLANE

- The nearest airport is l' Aeroporto Gino Lisa di Foggia where LUMIWINGS Airline operates daily flights from Milan, Rome, Turin and Palermo.

-It is also possible to land at Aeroporto di Bari “Karol Wojtyla” .

Daily directly from outside the "Karol Wojtyla" airport terminal a Puglia AirBus departs and takes you all year round to the Foggia station.

From June 01 until September 26th, Gargano Easy to Reach connections are active. There are three direct daily connections departing and arriving from Foggia's "Gino Lisa" airport to the towns of Manfredonia, Mattinata, Vieste and Peschici, cadenced with flight schedules, according to the relevant boarding times. (Cost about 20 euros per person about 3h to Vieste).

In addition, the municipalities of Peschici, Vieste, Mattinata, Manfredonia, Zapponeta and Margherita di Savoia will have an additional three direct daily connections departing and arriving from Bari's "Karol Wojtyla" airport.

BY TRAIN

- From Bari Centrale station, which is the main train station of the Apulian capital, located in Piazza Moro with TRENITALIA you can reach Foggia station in one hour by fast train or one hour and 4o by regional train (Ticket cost varies from 10 to 27 euros one way)

- With Ferrovie del Gargano from Foggia station (by bus or train) you can reach all year round some tourist resorts: Rhodes, Peschici (staz Calanella) Lucera, San Severo, Ischitella, Vico del Gargano, San Menaio)

BY CAR

To best savor the experience given the geographical conformity it is sometimes preferable to rent a car. directly at the Aeroporto

To stay up to date check out DOVE ANDIAMO SUL GARGANO

It is located in the spur of Italy and covers an area of about 120,000 hectares.

The Gargano National Park encompasses a vast area that includes a lot of stuff. Several areas of great natural and cultural interest, including the Foresta Umbra, coastlines, beaches, the Tremiti Islands, and the Monti dauni.

Where exactly are we? We are in the north of Puglia. More precisely in the protected natural area in the province of Foggia. The park was established in 1991 to preserve the rich biodiversity and scenic beauty of the Gargano area.

The Gargano National Park is therefore a place of great natural and cultural interest, where you can enjoy various outdoor activities, such as hiking, trekking, mountain biking, birdwatching and more.

The Gargano National Park can be reached by taking the A14 Bologna-Taranto motorway by taking the Poggio Imperiale exit for those coming from the north and the Foggia exit for those coming from the south. It is better to land at Bari airport and then rent a car directly from here

You'll feel like you're going back in time.

The Fishing demonstration on the Gargano's historic Trabucchi with the association l'associazione Rinascita dei Trabucchi Storici

It is truly a unique and magical experience to participate in a fishing trip on a Gargano trabucco (a typical example of fishing in the area). Get ready to experience a journey through time and space, alongside fishermen who have hands that tell and eyes that smile. Trabucchi handing down the tradition to new generations.

Here all references to book your experience with the association Rinascita dei Trabucchi Storici from June you can book QUI always instead active +39 327 4276205

We are in Puglia, and sometimes even the Pugliese people cannot immerse themselves in the biodiversity of the Umbra Forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. I suggest you to experience Luisa Arena guida locale Aigae certificata.

The Foresta Umbra is one of the most fascinating places in the Gargano National Park. Its paths are immersed in nature, there are centuries-old beech forests (a UNESCO site since 2021), water springs, and numerous animal and plant species. The park's coasts are equally striking, with cliffs, caves, but also very fine sandy beaches and a crystal clear sea. A very wild setting.

Watching the seabed while staying in a canoe. Mooveng slow Tour. offers you a beautiful experience of "SnorkOut tour proposes in transparent canoes" among the white cliffs from Mattinata .

An original way to discover the Apulian seabed in a sustainable way, To book a tour click QUI With Mooveng slow tour you can also rent E - bikes, bicycles and canoes for independent excursions or bike tours in the Gargano National Park. Full details and all options QUI

Astronomical observing with Nunzio Micale and the AstroGargano team in the most unspoiled Gargano.

How about a trip away from the city lights? Where you can reach the starry sky for stargazing, moon or galaxy nebulae or the galactic milky way. The Gargano has dark corners where you can still observe the Milky Way in all its beauty, PRENOTA QUI or email astroturismosulgargano@gmail.com

Visit the Abbazia di Pulsano and Santuario di San Michele Arcangelo along unique trails with Gargano Natuor This is a trek that crosses the Gargano from north to south, from one St. Michael's cave to another, among ever-changing landscapes until the destination, Monte Sant'Angelo.

It is possible to consult the catalog of trekking, canoeing and horseback riding excursions in the Gargano National Park dedicated to private groups, tour operators, travel agencies CALENDARIO DELLE ESPERIENZE QUI

"Local tour" in the historic center of Vieste among legends and traditions.

Let Giorgio, qualified tour guide, guide you through the alleyways of the historic center of Viste and discover historical legends from Pizzomunno and Cristalda, as well as untold anecdotes about the imposing 25-meter-high limestone monolith, to which a romantic legend is linked.. It rises at the beginning of the Scialara Beach and because of its charm has become the symbol of Vieste. There is a superstition connected to the Pizzomunno, this one says, "If you complete a tour around the Pizzomunno you are destined to return to Vieste."

Have you ever stayed in an eco-sustainable facility?

By choosing to stay in an eco-sustainable facility, you will not only be able to make an ethical action towards the environment, but it will also give you the opportunity to consciously experience land-related experiences within the facility.

Travelers are more and more looking for alternative experiences such as personal growing, participating in local community projects but most importantly undertaking a vacation making a difference.

Cala Molinella is an eco-sustainable village located in Vieste,surrounded by centuries-old olive and fruit trees, about 500 meters from Molinella Bay where Trabucco Molinella dominates in the background. It includes different types of dwellings (mini-apartments each with its own patio or balcony in some cases even a terrace). Also very much in line with the sustainability concept are the "ecomobile homes": small mobile homes nestled among olive trees.

Coasting the Gargano on board with Betta BookBoat between legends and myths.

An experience of sharing and fun discovering the spectacular views of our coast that seen from the sea have an extra touch. Getting into Betta will be like being on board your own boat because in those hours you will feel really pampered and in the right place. PRENOTA

La Paposcia più buona d'Italia è di Vico del Gargano The typical Gargano bread-focaccia ("paposcia" in dialect) belongs to an ancient recipe that, according to tradition, dates back to the 16th century. This all-Apulian delicacy is known in Vico del Gargano. From this land is Giovanni Mastropaolo, the Vichese pizzaiolo of "La Patana," who took first place in the Italian Pizza Championship "Flavors of the South" with the specialty of "paposcia topped with pecorino cheese and oil"

Also not to be missed and a must-try is the excellent ice cream from Pinagel in Peschici ice cream masters for over 40 years. Ice cream has the power to change people's expressions. try it

Enjoy a yoga practice on the trebuchet in Cala Molinella Mey Lin di YogaVieste.

These classes are available from May through September. Yoga and Mindfulness on the Molinella Trabucco at Vieste is an experience not to be missed if you are seeking some relaxation in the pearl of the Gargano.

You can have a Yogic experience while suspended between the sky and the sea on one of the historic Trabucco's found along the Gargano coast. Look at Vieste in the distance as the sky changes color and let go of all the stress.

If you love Yoga I suggest you take a look at all the Yoga class opportunities; in the Umbra Forest, Yoga Sup, Beer Yoga) PRENOTA qui o scrivi email a meylinaellenjo@gmail.com

This is an archipelago of islands located off the coast of Gargano, with wild nature and a crystal clear sea of a thousand shades of turquoise and green. For some it is a must-do day trip. For me, at least 3 days by boat are a must on this island to discover all the incredible and wonderful caves that characterize it and make it unique. The sea is fantastic. Crystal clear. Snorkeling a thrill with every dive.

The best of an island in my opinion is only experienced if you can stay over and the Tremiti is no exception. It's nice to stay when the hustle and bustle goes away. I stayed on both islands San Domino and San Nicola, which of the two inhabited islands is definitely the smaller.

Read the Special Report on the TREMITI ISLANDS

Nestled in the countryside of Vieste with lady chef Tonia Notarangelo. A meal in nature with the chef who sees the approach connected to tradition and to the zero kilometer as her primary value. Typical dishes of the land and local tradition tasted in a location in contact with nature Prenota qui - LA CAMASTRA

At Pope's Park in San Giovanni Rotondo for a not-to-be-missed three days of cinema, short films, music, literature, photography and more. I was a guest panelist along with filmmakers and industry colleagues as well as area enthusiasts. Among the events: - Provo. Corto: international short film competition will see eight shorts compete for the final prize . - Cult.oni Animati: the afternoon appointment with the little ones that will offer a whole new approach to watching fun cartoons.- Sudigi.Cineworkshop: insights and Talks with experts in the field.

There are three "trabucchi" in the municipality of Peschici where, unlike Vieste, there is dining: Al Trabucco da Mimì, Il Trabucco di Monte Pucci e Il Trabucco di Mannacora,in the Zaiana area, the famous beach of the hundred steps. If you don't know what the trabucco is, I meant to suggest booking an aperitif or a sunset dinner now, which is something I have witnessed in this magical land while tasting good wine and listening to Live Music. They have been called "silent guardians of the sea." They enchant the world.

There are three "trabucchi" in the municipality of Peschici where, unlike Vieste, there is dining: Al Trabucco da Mimì, Il Trabucco di Monte Pucci and Il Trabucco di Mannacora, in the Zaiana area, the famous beach of the hundred steps.

They are native pilings scattered along the Adriatic coastline, preserving the stories of the area's poorest fishing families who used these "fishing machines" to get food without having to sail. Over the years they have been celebrated by many artists, in poems, writings, paintings and photos.li anni sono stati celebrati da molti artisti, nelle poesie, negli scritti, nei dipinti e nelle foto.