Calcareous in nature, the National Park of the Gargano is full of karst forms such as caves and sinkholes, and offers a landscape characterized by two coastal lakes and the Umbrian Forest, a remainder of the forests that originally covered the promontory.Day 1
The “Colossi” of the Umbrian Forest
Arrival in Manfredonia and check-in at hotel; meeting with the guide and technical illustration of the program. The first excursion includes a walk in the Umbrian Forest, a remainder of the original woodland of the promontory. The Forest has a
considerable variety of tree and shrub species and forms. Famous is the “colossus”, a beech more than 40 meters tall. The name “Umbrian” is said by some to derive from the ancient populations of “Umbri”, inhabitants of the forest who, with raids and stealing in the lower, fertile areas of the promontory, caused damage to the nomadic shepherds; for others it simply means “shadowy place”. Picnic during the excursion. Return to the hotel in the evening, dinner, and overnight stay.
2
From San Giovanni Rotondo to the Falascone Reserve
After breakfast, transfer to San Giovanni Rotondo and visit to the Sanctuary of Padre Pio; Continuation on foot in the State Reserve of Falascone, a typical natural Apennine beech forest in the National Park of the Gargano: full of sinkholes
and valleys of karst origin, it includes among its wild fauna roe deer, badgers, wildcats, stone martens, dormice, and various species of birds. Picnic during the excursion. Return to the hotel in the evening, dinner, and overnight stay.
3
Lakes, Lagoons, and Herons
After breakfast, transfer to the northeastern side of the Gargano, to visit the lagoon zone. The presence of wetlands in the Park, with the Lagoons of Lesina and Varano, the marches of Frattarolo and former Daunia Risi, the mouths of the Fortore, the area of the ancient Sant’Egidio Lake and the Sfinale Marsh, is one of the reasons that led to the establishment of this park. These wetlands are important both for the variety of environments and for the strategic position along the migratory routes of the aquatic birds between African and Central-Eastern Europe. Picnic during the excursion. Return to the hotel in the evening, dinner, and overnight stay.
4
The National Museum of the Gargano
After breakfast, in Manfredonia we will visit the National Museum of the Gargano, which documents the history of the ancient Siponto Lagoon starting from prehistoric times. Noteworthy is the collection of Daunian steles, funeral stones used by the ancient populations of Daunia (today’s province of Foggia) dating from the 7th-6th century B.C. Departure as
planned.
