Northern Puglia, an undiscovered gem of Italy, offers an authentic experience combining crystal-clear seas and historical heritage. The Gargano National Park boasts breathtaking landscapes with its lush forests and cliffs plunging into the Adriatic Sea. A journey of contrasts, featuring the Foresta Umbra, a dense forest perfect for shaded hikes, and the immaculate beaches of Vieste and Peschici, two coastal villages with undeniable charm. A visit to the mysterious Castel del Monte, a medieval masterpiece, or the timeless streets of Trani, a charming port city, completes this stay. Northern Puglia is an invitation to discover authentic Italy!
SUD EVASION ADVANTAGES
- ● A typical lunch in a "Masseria"
● Boat cruise from Vieste to Mattinata
● Discovery of Sant’Angelo, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Day 1 - DEPARTURE TO BARI or BRINDISI
Meet at the airport. Check-in, boarding formalities, and flight to Bari or Brindisi on a low-cost airline. Then, transfer by local coach to your 3*** hotel in the Rodi Garganico region. Check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 2 - SCENIC HIKE TO LAKE VARANO and RODI
Breakfast and departure for a scenic hike along the shores of Lake Varano, the largest lake in Southern Italy. We will visit a fascinating cave dedicated to the cult of Saint Michael the Archangel, the true lord of the entire Gargano promontory. Packed lunch. In the afternoon, visit Rodi, a picturesque fishing village overlooking the Adriatic Sea. A stroll through its narrow streets will allow us to admire magnificent small Baroque churches, as well as the citrus gardens cultivated on the hills, which brought prosperity to the town for nearly four centuries. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 3 - SCENIC HIKE TO FORESTA UMBRA
Breakfast and departure for the Foresta Umbra, one of Europe's most significant beech forests, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2017. For the easy level, we will head towards the Falascone reserve trail, home to Europe's largest concentration of ancient yew trees. For the medium level, we will continue to a small natural lake covered with duckweed. On the way back, we will stop at Vico del Gargano, the village of lovers, ranked among Italy's most beautiful towns, whose patron saint is Saint Valentine. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 4 - SCENIC HIKE ALONG THE TRABUCCHI TRAIL TOWARDS PESCHICI
Breakfast, and departure for a coastal hike between Peschici and Vieste. You will discover a series of bays, beaches, and coves dotted with coastal towers and caves. We will walk towards Peschici over rock and sand, discovering ancient evidence of prehistoric and cave civilizations. Packed lunch. In the afternoon, we will visit Peschici, a magnificent gem with typical Mediterranean architecture. Return to the hotel. Dinner and overnight stay.
Day 5 - SCENIC HIKE TO VIESTE AND MATTINATA
After breakfast, we will check out of the hotel and depart by coach for Vieste, the pearl of Gargano. A premier tourist destination for beaches in Puglia and throughout Southern Italy, its center is built on a rocky strip extending into the sea, with two wide sandy shores on either side. The southern one is dominated by the iconic rock needle "Pizzomunno". After a stroll through the historic center, we will embark on a dream mini-cruise along the high, white coast towards Mattinata. We will disembark at Vignanotica, a fabulous beach immortalized in several films (swimming possible depending on the season). We will follow the Sentiero dell'Amore (Path of Love) with breathtaking views of Mergoli Bay and Puglia's most famous rock formations. Then, transfer by bus to the new hotel near Mattinata. Check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 6 - SCENIC HIKE TO MONTE SANT’ANGELO
Breakfast and departure for the Abbey of Santa Maria di Pulsano. Its position is extraordinary, overlooking two steep-sided canyons where some thirty hermitages are scattered. Panoramic trail for the easy level. For the medium level, an optional descent to the hermitage of Saint Nicholas and ascent back up. Visit to the abbey for both groups. Packed lunch, followed by a visit to Monte Sant’Angelo, located at an altitude of 850 m, which has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011. The Celestial Basilica of Monte Sant’Angelo has been a major Christian pilgrimage site since the 5th century. Return to the hotel, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 7 - SIGHTSEEING DAY IN CASTEL DEL MONTE AND TRANI
Breakfast and check out, departing by coach for Castel del Monte. Located on the Murgia karst plateau, Castel del Monte is undoubtedly the most enigmatic construction of the European Middle Ages. Even today, its function remains a mystery and continues to be a subject of much debate. We will attempt to shed light on this during an "initiatory" guided tour. Lunch at a restaurant. Continue to Trani. We will stroll along the old town's fishing port, through its narrow streets, and in the ancient "Giudecca". Free time, followed by a coach transfer to the final hotel between Trani and Bari. Check-in, dinner, and overnight stay.
Day 8 - RETURN
Breakfast, then transfer by coach to the airport. Check-in, boarding formalities, and flight to France.
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