The magnificent Gargano detaches itself from the plain of Apulia to reach into the Adriatic, a promontory stuck into the sea like a spur on the heel of Italy. There are vast wooded areas that beckon the tourist and evidence of karst phenomena in the deep caves and dolines.Day 1
The Dolines
Arrival at the hotel. Meeting with the guide and illustration of the programme. Excursion among the dolines and explanation of the karst phenomenon. There is an exceptional doline at Pozzatina, the largest in Italy, more than 100 metres deep and 1850 metres around. There are also two caves, one of which, Grotta Pozzatina, has an elongated chamber tapering at each end
and a few passages. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
2
Foresta Umbra
After breakfast, excursion in the Foresta Umbra, the largest green area in the Nature Park. The remains of the woods originally covered the whole promontory, which is very typical of the inland areas of the Gargano. The forest contains an enormous variety of trees and shrubs. The name Umbra is said to come from the ancient Umbrian people who lived in the forest and made forays out into the lower and more fertile land of the promontory, causing damage to the nomadic shepherds. However, according to others it simply means “shady place”. Picnic lunch. In the afternoon visit to the Nature Museum of the Woodcutter’s Hut and the coal pit. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
3
Lagoons
After breakfast, excursion to the Lagoons of Lesina and Varano to observe the environment of the coastal lakes. These humid areas, along with the marshes of Frattarolo and former Daunia Risi, the mouth of the Fortore, and the area of the ancient Lake of Sant’Egidio and Sfinale Marsh, have been among the reasons for creating the Park. These humid areas are important not only because of the variety of environments but also because of their strategic position along the migratory routes of aquatic birds from Africa to centraleastern Europe. In the 13th century, these marshy areas inspired the famous treatise De
arte venandi cum avibus by the Emperor Frederick II of Hohenstaufen. Picnic lunch. Return to the hotel in the evening for dinner and overnight stay.
4
Return
Breakfast, then departure as planned.
