Dinosaurs Park in Borgo Celano
Immerse yourself in the past thanks to the interactive trail through the Dinosaurs Park of Borgo Celano. This locality is 4 km from San Giovanni Rotondo and offers a unique journey into the era of the giants.
After the discovery of dinosaur footprints in San Marco in Lamis, the museum proposed an educational trail suitable for adults and children to explain the ancient history of this area.
During the tour, you can admire the real footprints of dinosaurs!
Itinerary for the Tavoliere
The Piana del Tavoliere èis the second largest in Italy and is also known as the Granary of Italy. The entire journey to reach the plain is full of spectacular scenery to admire.
The Tavoliere delle Puglie is a raising plain, which means that in the past it was once submerged by water. The whole area is about 4.000 m²in size. The plain has Roman origins and it is at about that time that it was given this name, the stretches of wheat are so beautiful that Frederick II of Swabia indicated the plain as a place possibly favoured by God to live on Earth.
Today the plain is blessing man by bestowing on him many different types of products known throughout Italy: wheat, beetroot, tomatoes, olives and grapes.
Itinerary for the Sub-Apennines
Those who enjoy Trekking will find it useful to follow the various routes of the Apulian sub-Apennines. It is here, in fact, that the highest peak of the Region,rises: we are talking about Mount Cornacchia, 1200 metres high
The whole area is rich in lakes and woods ready to be explored, such as Lake Occhitto or the thick wood of San Cristoforo.
During the walk, you can choose to pass through some interesting towns such as Ascoli Satriano rich in palaces and remains of Roman and Medieval times. The internal route includes the crossing of the municipalities of Volturino, Roseto Valfortore, Alberona, Biccari and Faeto.
Historical and archaeological itinerary
The Apulian territory is full of archaeological sites. The whole province of Foggia boasts one of the oldest histories of the entire region. Nearby you can find traces of settlements dating back to the Palaeolithic period as evidenced by the Paglicci Cave in Rignano Garganico.
Other settlements dating back to the Neolithic period are near Passo di Corvoand at the mouth of the Candelaro River. This is where C-shaped ditches were found, which were used to build huts.
In the direction of Manfredonia we can find settlements from the Metal Ages that were originally bordered by fortifications called Arpi. In short, the whole territory is a real life outdoor textbook, which surely will fascinate lovers of history!
Religious itinerary
Numerous religious sites are also worth visiting outside San Giovanni Rotondo. In the heart of the Tavoliere is the statue of the Black Madonna kept in the Sanctuary of the Incoronata. The same area also the home to the ancient and venerated icon Vetere, a depiction of the Virgin Mary also referred to as Madonna of the Seven Veils.
Just 30 km from Foggia is the Abbey of San Leonardo, another place of worship for all the faithful. Immersed in the woods of the outskirts of San Marco in Lamis there is also the Sanctuary of Santa Maria di Stignano, built in 1300 by the Cistercian monks and certainly worthy of a guided tour.
Finally, we suggest visiting Monte Sant'Angelo, which is more than 800 meters high, home to the majestic Sanctuary of St. Michael, a destination for pilgrimages from all over the world!
Gastronomic itinerary
The traditional Apulian products are renowned throughout Italy and even beyond the borders of our country. During a holiday in Apulia, we suggest trying all the delicacies that our land has to offer. First of all oranges and lemons and the delicious citrus jams which are produced here.
The anchovies of Vieste, Podolian Caciocavallo cheese, olive oil and the fava beans of Carpino are also famous.
The eel from Lake Lesina and goat meat also enjoy a certain prestige. The most common homemade dish is the “Pan’ Cott ‘d Fogghia nmsick” i.e. the wild herb bread baked in Foggia. If you arrive in Vieste, you can enjoy the famous fish soup called Ciambotaccompanied by a nice plate with gratin of mussee!
In Monte Sant'Angelo, on the other hand, the palate is delighted by sweet delicacies such as caramelized almonds and wafers filled with chocolate, mustacciul, i mustacciul or biscuits dipped in chocolate icing and sweetened taralli.
In short, wherever you go on the Gargano you can taste excellent traditional products!
Itinerary for the Gargano by motorbike
Winding scenic roads, the Gargano is a dream for all bikers who want to enjoy an exciting and adventurous holiday.
Spring and summer are the perfect seasons to enjoy a road trip through this land. One of the most beautiful itineraries to do by bike is the one that goes from Manfredonia to Vieste following the old road to Mattinata.
Those who love stunning views can take the road that goes from Mattinata to Monte Sant'Angelo: 20 km of curves and hairpin bends in the middle of the mountains with wonderful views overlooking the sea.
Those who want to explore a unique and suggestive desert landscape can head to Rignano Garganico from whose heights you can see the Tavoliere delle Puglie.
Beaches and boat trips along the Gargano
The Gargano Coast is wonderful, jagged and full of bays and hidden beaches that you can only explore by boat. Especially the stretch between Mattinata and Vieste contains some of the most beautiful coastal landscapes of Apulia.
While on a boat tour, you can explore dozens of sea caves including the Grotta Sfondata Grande, the Grotta Rossa due Occhi, the Grotta Calda, the Grotta Smeraldo, the Grotta Campana Grande, the Grotta dei Serpenti, the Grotta Rossa, also known as the Grotta dell'Occhio Magico, because of the changing shades of the water.
Beyond Vieste, there are wonderful sandy beaches that are certainly worth a visit. We are referring to the beach that lies near the tourist resort La Gattarella located right next to the Natural Park. In addition, the beach of San Felice, the bay of Pugnochiuso and that of Zagare are definitely worth a visit.
Gargano bicycling itinerary
The most beautiful areas for any cyclist are those around the Umbrian Forest between the towns of Mattinata, Monte Sant'Angelo, Vico del Gargano, Peschici and Vieste.
The best routes for beginners follow the municipal roads while the more experienced can take the nature trails or old mule tracks that connect the various localities.
The Gargano National Park recommends an itinerary that goes from Sfinalicchio to Caritate a route that is 53.5 km long, with a difference in height of 789 metres and a medium to high difficulty.
Coastal itinerary
For a wonderful coastal itinerary in Apulia we recommend leaving for Rodi Garganico using the famous coastal road.
The first point we suggest you stop at is the most romantic place in Apulia, Torre Mileto,from where you can watch the most beautiful sunsets and scenery as far as the eye can see over the sea. As a second stop, we would suggest Lido del Sole which offers a lively promenade with equipped beaches,bars and clubs. The right place to experience some nightlife. Once in Rodi Garganico we suggest to continue towards Peschici, crossing San Menaio,the coves of Calenella, the Bay of San Nicola, the Bay of Manacora, that of Sfinale and that of Zaiana and Calalunga!
On this stretch of the coast, you can find the so-called Trabucchi, ancient wooden fishing structures overlooking the sea, now converted to romantic little restaurants!
Naturalistic itineraries
Between Manfredonia and Margherita di Savoia there is a wonderful ecosystem often inhabited by migratory birds, 40 species of water birds reproduce here in the wetlands of Daunia and Frattarolo.
Another area to visit for lovers of nature is the Nature Reserve called Frattarolo Swamp part of the Gargano National Park. Throughout this area, it is possible to practice Birdwatching thanks to wooden structures built on stilts along the path.
Another itinerary, that takes about 3 hours, starts from the Foce Lauro and reaches the homonymous water pumps. Along the way, you can admire the local flora with more than 58 species of orchids and the expanses of Aleppo pine. If you are lucky, you can see Gargano roe deer, mouflon, fallow deer and wild boar.
Castel del Monte di Andria
Santa Maria Maggiore a Siponto
"Memorable trip back to Italy with family"
Memorable trip back to Italy with family
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Beautiful & highly recommend!
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