Gargano Peninsula

What sort of weather can I expect?

Meteorological records for the area, taken over a period of more than 10 years, are represented in the Weather Chart provided
with each itinerary. Because of its easterly position, weather in the Gargano can be extremely variable, particularly in April. It can be cold, wet, warm and dry - all in one day (bring layers). The major draw of April however is the astonishing display of flowers, some unique to this area. In May and June the Puglian coast will normally be warm and dry, though with cooling breezes, and nights can still be cool. Walking could be either in shorts or trousers, and an extra layer is recommended for evenings or after swimming. In September and October the temperatures will still be generally very warm and settled, though again with cooling coastal breezes; and the sea still warm for swimming. Puglia is the driest region in Italy - but bring
a waterproof just in case!

What sort of walking can I expect?

This is an 8-day trip (plus an optional extension in Peschici) with walks offered on 5 days (or 6 with the optional extension). The length of each day varies from 3.5 to 5 hours walking, allowing
time for swimming etc. Hours of walking, which may vary from individual to individual, means hours of actual walking and does not include stops for lunch, sightseeing – or swimming!

The fitness level of this trip is Grade 3.

The terrain includes farm and forest tracks through woods, scrub and olive groves; meadows and beaches; and quiet surfaced lanes. Some of the walking is limestone terrain, occasionally rocky, for which walking boots with a firm sole and ankle support are recommended. There are also a few sharp descents and ascents. The use of trekking poles is highly recommended on this trip.

There is moderate climbing throughout, and on Day 2 you undertake the strenuous ascent of Mont Sant’Angelo (2,755ft),
climbing approximately 800m from sea level to the highest town on the peninsula.

What if I don't want to walk?

You don’t have to! You can get a lift with the Route Manager to the next hotel when your bags are moved on, or we can arrange taxis and advise you of local transport options to facilitate shortening the walks.

How do I get to the start of the route?

TRAVEL TO ITALY

The recommended destination airports for this route are Bari, Pescara or Naples. All airports have good connections to their local train stations.

Please visit www.trenitalia.com (select English language) for train timetables.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please remember to validate any train ticket you purchase in Italy before you board the train by stamping it in the yellow machine at the entrance to the platform; your ticket is not valid for travel unless you do this and you can be fined if you fail to do so.

TRAVEL FROM THE AIRPORT BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT

From Bari airport by bus:

From Bari airport by bus: From late April till mid-September the Pugliairbus service runs between Bari airport and the main towns of the Gargano.  There are currently 4 buses daily at 09.30, 12.00, 17.15 and 23.00 (the timetable can be viewed on the  Pugliairbus Website .

This bus service costs €20 and takes 1 hr 40 mins. Please note that the service does not serve the centre of Manfredonia, but stops in the northern outskirts of town on Via Gargano, several kilometres from the first hotel. Your hotel is on the Sipontum (south) side of the town centre.  You might wish to ask the ATG office/your Route Manager to organise a taxi to meet you at the bus stop and take you from there to the first hotel (under 10 mins, approx €15). 

From Bari airport by train:There is a regular train shuttle service from the Bari airport to the central station, which takes approximately 20 minutes. You can buy the ticket (5 €) at the automatic machine and at the InfoPoint of the “Ferrovie del Nord Barese”. http://www.ferrovienordbarese.it/times.  This website is also available in English.
  There is also a regular bus from Bari Airport to Bari train station. Buses leave approximately every 45 mins/1 hour, take 30 minutes, and the ticket price is €4.

There are regular trains from Bari to Foggia (1 hr; approx. €10).There are regular coaches from Bari to Foggia (1.5 hrs; €11). From Foggia, see below....

From Bari airport by taxi: A taxi from Bari to Manfredonia costs from €150 (€200 for larger parties/minivan). Prices may be higher on Sundays and public holidays.

From Pescara airport:Take bus no. 38, departing every 15 minutes, from the terminal to the centre of Pescara (tickets are sold at the automatic machine in the terminal arrivals area). From the station there are trains to Foggia approximately every hour (journey time 1.5-2 hrs). From Foggia, see below....

A taxi from Pescara to Manfredonia costs from €250. Prices may be higher on Sundays and public holidays.

From Naples airport: There are regular bus shuttles from Naples airport to the Central Railway station. Taxis are also readily available. From Naples central train station in Piazza Garibaldi, there is an hourly bus to Foggia train station (2 hrs; approx. €11).  See www.clpbus.it for timetables. 

Onward journey from Foggia to Manfredonia: There are occasional trains (30 mins), currently at 06.10, 07.30,17.00,18.30 and 20.00, but please re-check the most recent timetables) and much more regular buses (every 20-30 minutes on working days with a journey time of 40 mins. Services will be reduced on Sundays and Public Holidays.

If you prefer to take a taxi between Foggia and the first hotel, the office will be pleased to book this for you (journey time 30 mins; cost €40 or €60 for larger parties/minivan). This is a special price negotiated with the local driver we use – you can also make the booking directly, his name is GIANCARLO CIOCIOLA, and contact details are as follows: Tel:+393355316621, e-mail: autonoleggiciociola@tiscali.it

THE FIRST HOTEL

From Manfredonia train station: For buses to the hotel you can take the LINEA 5 (line/number 5) from the bus stop on the same side of the road as the station. Tickets can be bought from Bar della Stazione on the opposite side of the road, no. 64. It is a short journey and the hotel is along the seafront. It is possible to walk to the hotel along the seafront promenade (turn R along main road from station initially) but it is approximately 1.7km.

If you prefer to take a taxi for this last stretch, you will find taxi numbers under Manfredonia in your Route Booklet. If, however, you are arriving in Manfredonia on a Sunday (when activity in the town is at a minimum!) we would recommend pre-booking your taxi. The office will happily organise this for you. Alternatively; if you are unsure of your travel connections in advance, ask the office to pass on the Route Manager’s mobile number so that you can liaise directly with him/her to organise a taxi once you have embarked on your train journey and have a clearer idea of your ETA in Manfredonia.

Where can I leave my car if I drive to the route?

Cars can be left in the car park of the Hotel Panorama del Golfo free of charge, at the owners’ own risk.

What should I bring?

Bring whatever clothes and footwear you find most comfortable for everyday wear, and a change or two for the evenings – smart/casual.
Some trips include quite distinguished hotels and restaurants, for which you may wish to ‘dress up’ in the evening, however on Independent trips you have more flexibility in determining how casual you wish to be. For walking we recommend lightweight walking boots with firm ankle support (make sure you wear them in before the trip!), a small daypack for your lightweight waterproof clothing, camera, fleece etc. An increasing number of people bring telescopic walking poles. For a comprehensive packing list click here: what to bring

What sort of food can I expect?

The cuisine of Puglia, like all the regions of Italy, is based on its geography – the inland arable plains producing the wheat for the local pasta, and the coast providing the seafood for which the area is renowned. On the broad coastal plain south of Manfredonia, abundant vegetables are grown, such as pomodori (tomatoes), melanzane (aubergines) and zucchini
(courgettes) which are widely used in antipasti, etc.

Puglia has a huge variety of pastas, some made without the addition of eggs (the area is, traditionally, poor and much of the traditional cuisine reflects this), including orecchiette (‘little ears’) troccoli and mignuicchi (home-made gnocchi). The most traditional pasta dish is perhaps orecchiette con cima di rape, its sauce based on (literally) ‘turnip tops’ – a richly-flavoured
green that the recipe often combines with anchovies for even greater depth of flavour.

Another very simple traditional dish is a puree made from boiled dried broad beans, served with cima di rape, this humble ensemble seasoned with fresh olive oil and crumbled, dried wild
fennel flowers.

Savoury breads and pastries are popular and include such specialities as taralli, rings of dried baked bread, sometimes infused with fennel seed or chilli. Puglian bread is good – unlike in Tuscany and much of Umbria, salt is used in the recipe, making for a good tasty dough! The Pugliesi are fond of their sweet pastry desserts.

The coast is a source of shellfish such as cuttlefish, mussels, sea bass, calamari, sea bream and clams, whilst further inland (eg in Monte Sant’Angelo) more meat can be found on the menu.

Read our blog on 'Flavours of the Gargano'

Breakfast

Most of the hotels we use offer a buffet-style breakfast with a wide range of both hot and cold choices. 4- and 5-star hotels almost always offer ‘cooked’ breakfast. Occasionally, in more remote areas, or in some 2 or 3-star hotels, breakfast can be a decidedly more ‘Continental’ affair – i.e. bread, croissant, juice, coffee.

Lunch

The ATG Route Booklets and our ‘Sustainable Shopping Guides’ are filled with information about markets and shops in which to buy your lunch. From seasonal fruits, local cheeses, cured hams and freshly baked breads, you are limited only by what you can carry in your pack!

Dinner

On some routes, usually where there is no other restaurant within walking distance, half-board accommodation is included (see ‘what is included’ for this trip). In other areas where there is a selection of restaurants, ATG includes a list of recommendations in your ATG Route Booklet. Some restaurants are recommended because they have provided meals that have been regularly enjoyed by ATG clients; other restaurants are renowned internationally (e.g., within the Guide Michelin).

Restaurant bookings

Your Route Manager will be delighted to book restaurants for you if required, ensuring the places you eat at are...

•Your first choice

•The highest standard

• The best value

...and you are not disappointed by finding the restaurant full.

Wine

Puglia is one of Italy’s largest wine producers (growing almost one fifth of the country’s wine), much of which is consumed locally, or goes north to Piemonte to be used in the production of
Vermouth. More recently the emphasis has been placed on producing wines of greater quality, and the region now has over 20 DOCs. Around the Gargano Peninsula grow the wines of La Capitanata – middle-weight reds and light whites, whilst further south, around Lecce, heavier reds and fine rosés are more common.

Several of our independent routes  pass through well-known wine producing regions. If you are particularly interested in wine you may also like to consider...

• Classic Alsace

• Provence: Vaucluse & the Lubéron

• Tuscany & Siena

• Siena to Florence

• Southern Tuscany

• Tuscan Hills

• Ancient Volcanic Landscapes

• Roman Roads to Orvieto

• Etruscan Lanes to Orvieto

• Umbria & Assisi

• Sintra & the Portuguese Coast

What if I have a dietary restriction or food allergy?

When you book, let us know about any restrictions. Most dietary restrictions do not present a problem on our routes due to the wide variety of shops and restaurants available. Your Route Manager will provide you with advice and recommendations at your briefing.

What should I bring to wear in the evenings?

There is no need to dress up at any of the eateries on this route. The area is casual.

Do the hotels have WIFI, hair dryers, laundry service?

All do except for Masseria Sgarrazza.

How much should I budget for items not included?

You can get an idea of transport costs in the ‘getting there’ section of
the trip page. For lunches, costs will depend on whether you choose to buy picnic items or eat in bars/restaurants. Dinners: some are included (see ‘what’s included’). For evening meals not included, the route book provides restaurant recommendations to suit a wide range of budgets. Entrance fees to museums, churches, galleries and other sightseeing costs will vary considerably depending on how much you want to see and how old you are (!). Over 60s enjoy significantly reduced prices at many attractions, so it is worth carrying (safely) some form of identification showing your age. Other costs are items of a personal nature, shopping expenditure and transport if you choose to limit your walking with public transport or taxis.

City Tax (Italy only)

In March 2011, the Italian legislature passed a decree that created a new tourism tax to be paid by visitors to Italy and collected by the accommodation where they are staying. The purpose is to raise revenue that municipalities can use to maintain local facilities and infrastructure and to help in the preservation of cultural and historical treasures, all of which benefits tourists. The roll-out of the tax has been gradual, with each council determining the way in which it should be implemented. First introduced in the big cities, since 2012
the tax has been introduced by many other town councils. The tax is charged by guest per night, with an upper limit to the number of nights that can be charged. The rate (usually €1-2 Euros per person per night) is determined by the rating of the accommodation. This tax is not included in the price of independent holidays but where applicable will be payable direct to your hotel in cash.

What if I want to extend my trip?

We are delighted to book extensions for you at either end of your trip. We only book hotels with which we have an established relationship and where we can ensure a high level of service and enjoyment. If you would like an extension booking please indicate this during the booking process and we will contact you with pricing information.

Where can I find general FAQs?

For FAQs relating to the Company and general trip questions, click here