Close your eyes and imagine that you are already on vacation.
Youstroll on a soft white beach and from time to time the cool sea water caresses your ankles. Your eyes are lost in the blue that surrounds you as sylvan scents tickle your sense of smell. No, you are not in the Caribbean. You have just landed on the Tremiti Islands!
The Tremiti Islands are all about experiencing, letting yourself be carried away by the slow rhythms of nature and the power of their unique and authentic landscapes. There are 5 islands that make up the Tremiti archipelago: San Domino, San Nicola, Cretaccio, Capraia and Pianosa. Only the first two are inhabited, the others preserve all their natural beauty intact. They are located in the province of Foggia, off the coast of Gargano, surrounded by a crystal clear sea.
Curious to discover them and even take a day trip to the Tremiti Islands? Here is a guide on what to see in the Tremiti Islands!
Among the first necessary information to have before you leave is to know how to get around theTremiti Islands.
Ferries to reach them leave from Termoli, Vieste, Peschici and Rodi Garganico every day at different times.
In the archipelago, you cannot move around by car or motorcycle. After all, there is no need to given their small size. San Nicola and San Domino are only 450 m moon from each other and are connected all day long by cab boats.
Alternatively, one can rent aimboat or dinghy and explore the stunning coastline alone. This option is very advantageous because it allows you to reach some places that are inaccessible by land but have truly enchanting sea and beaches.
Moving within the Tremiti Islands, then, is not complex, and there are several options for moving around. Generally one moves on foot, following small paths that lead to the coves and different beaches.
Our tour to the Tremiti Islands begins at the Island of San Nicola. Welcoming visitors to the island is the limpid Castello dei Badiali or Torrione Angioino. It is a place steeped in history built at the behest of Charles D'Anjou as a defensive bulwark of the Island. Even today it stands solemnly against the passing of the years, like a wise old man with his gaze turned to dry land.
With its high walls overlooking the sea, the castle encircles the Sanctuary of Santa Maria a Mare , which, at the top of the island, dominates the entire archipelago and part of the coast. Founded by Benedictine monks in 1045, today the Sanctuary of Santa Maria a Mare is a symbol of the Tremiti's sometimes turbulent past. In fact, the archipelago was a refuge against the Turkish invasions of 1567 that besieged the region.
After admiring the heart of the island of San Nicola, you can continue with a walk along the different beaches of the Tremiti Islands, discovering the precious natural jewels scattered along the coastline.
All the coves and bays of the Tremiti Islands overlook beautiful crystal-clear waters ranging from deep green to light blue, dotted with wonderful caves. The seabed around the islands is especially loved by divers and snorkelers and offers spectacular scenery of caves, inlets, fish of all breeds and sizes, Roman, Turkish and more recent shipwrecks.
Lisola di San Domino, steep and rugged, is famous for the coves and caves that dot its coastline and can be visited by boat. Among these, the most enchanting are the Sea Ox Caves, named after its most famous inhabitant, the Monk Seal.
The cave takes the form of a natural rocky cavity about 70 meters long and up to 14 meters high. Inside hides a small sandy beach, and the deep blue waters are reflected on the cave walls. Thanks to the shallow waters and the play of light created by the sun, in fact, the whole cave takes on an incredible shade of bright blue.
Another coastal gem that is absolutely not to be missed is the Grotta dei Pagliai . Its name comes from the rocks that emerge from the crystal clear sea and take on the appearance of large, pointed bales of straw. Reachable only by sea, Pagliai beach overlooks a crescent of golden sand realizing an absolutely enchanting scenery.
A Tremiti Islands boat tour is ideal for visiting all the sights and attractions the islands have to offer. It's a great way to appreciate the coves and caves that can't be reached in any other way and to swim in transparent waters surrounded by a myriad of fish.
In order not to miss all the beauty of these little jewels set in the blue, among the most striking landscapes of Puglia, theideal is to book a vacation home on the Gargano: from here you can move easily and quickly to the Tremiti Islands, without sacrificing comfort and fun. What else to look forward to? Thanks to Barbarhose's rental catalog, it's time to hit the road!
