Territory
THE TERRITORY
Miles of coast lined by sandy beaches and turquoise waters. Moreover, fascinating natural landscapes, ancient villages, rich in heritage and, naturally, its rich culinary tradition. These are just a few of the features which have convinced three acknowledged “foreigners” – the National Geographic, Lonely Planet and The New York Times – agreeing that Puglia is “the most beautiful region in the world”.
The enchanting villages, such as Peschici, Vieste, Lesina and Varano lakes and Isole Tremiti and, last but not least, the exclusive Trulli in Alberobello, have made Puglia earn the award of “Best value travel destination in the world”, a title awarded by the National Geographic and Lonely Planet.
Casa San Valentino is the ideal location to get to know this marvelous land. In fact, it offers a scenery which frames the essence of Puglia, blue seas, green expanses of Mediterranean maquis as well as Peschici with its glaring white houses.
Even if situated in a secluded spot, it is anyhow near all facilities. The town’s largest supermarket is only 800 meters from the house and all the other facilities (pharmacies, cafés, inns, shops, churches and monuments) are only one kilometer away.
The beauty of the countryside and the convenience of the city, blend well.
Gargano offers different opportunities every day. All you need is a car, a beach umbrella, beach towels and the wish to explore the coast, seeking the loveliest coves, the most-equipped beaches or the secluded heavenly spots. Peschici, Rodi, San Menaio, Calenella, Zaiana, are beaches, very close to the house (about 15 minutes).
Vieste and Mattinata can be reached in less than one hour and are apt for convenient daily excursions.
A visit to the Tremiti islands is a must, pretty islands with their clear blue waters, can be reached daily by hydrofoil and ferry leaving from nearby Peschici.
A memorable visit would be that to the lake resorts of Lesina and Varano, defined by Folco Quilici as one of the most significant Mediterranean areas for their species of vegetation and fauna.
Alternating days at the seaside with excursions to the nearby Foresta Umbra(about 10 minutes by car), a biogenetic natural reserve, is ideal to enjoy the shade and the cool of a wood covering about 400 hectares of the Gargano promontory. Rich in oaks, beeches, holms, hornbeams, it hosts a great number of animal species, hares, squirrels, pheasants and little rodents as well as boars, roe deer, woodpeckers and weasels. In the thick wood, even deer can be seen. Common are also fallow deer, foxes, badger and wild cats. Many species of birds and birds of prey, both diurnal, like sparrowhawks, kites, goshawks and buzzards, as well as nocturnal, like eagle owls, tawny owls, pygmy owls and barn owls. Within the reserve there is also a lake, a passage for the numerous trails which lure long walks, suitable also for children seeing the gentle slopes. A bewildering experience, in fact, it seems to suddenly plunge into a wood in Tyrol !
Vico del Gargano is also the ideal place to set off for religious tourism. Nearby are San Giovanni Rotondo, home town of the Saint Padre Pio and Monte Sant’Angelo, the lovely white town, the place where the Archangel Michael has been worshipped. These places are visited by millions of pilgrims every year.
Land of fishermen and expert hunters, hunting is permitted in well-defined areas by the rangers. From Sannicandro Garganico, including the areas of Lakes Lesina and Varano, until Vico del Gargano, the area is traditionally defined as one of the ideal destinations for fond of hunting.
