this looks like fun

 

Puglia self-guided itinerary

Day 1

Foggia is the main city in northern Puglia, a three-hour train ride from Rome.  You will be transferred from here to a small town on the southern end of the Gargano Peninsula (a 40-minute drive) where you will spend the first night.

Day 2

The first walk is takes you up to the top of the peninsula.  You then follow a marked medieval pilgrim path through rolling farmlands with spectacular views south across the plains to the northern coast of the Adriatic and the town where you will stay the night.  Although with an ancient historic centre, the town has become a modern pilgrim site, being the home and resting place of Padre Pio (1887 to 1968) the most beloved of modern Italian saints.  It also is famous for its giant modern church designed Renzo Piano to accommodate the faithful.  (12 kms, 3.5 hrs)

Day 3

Today you pick up the Lombard pilgrim trail again and continue along the peninsula, passing through beautiful farmlands to one of the most important medieval sanctuaries in southern Italy.  Although dating from the 5th century, it was the Normans, on their way to Jerusalem in the 11th century, who placed the site on the map.   Along the way you have more spectacular views south over the coast.  It is a long but very satisfying walk through forests and farmlands (which can be shortened by 8 kms).  (23 kms, 6 hrs)

Day 4

The walk today picks up another pilgrim route (dedicated to St Michael) which you through the Foresta Umbra (an ancient beech forest which was recently listed with UNESCO) to a beautiful ‘agriturismo’ that sits under Monte Sacro, the ‘sacred mountain’.  The walk starts by dipping down into a gully and climbing up the other side before winding its way along mostly unsealed country lanes to your accommodation.  The agriturismo is family-run, serves fine food and has a swimming pool.  Another long but rewarding day.  (17 kms, 4.5 hrs)

Day 5

Today starts with a visit to the top of Monte Sacro to the ruins of a Benedictine monastery founded by the Byzantines in the 7th century.  The path then follows unsealed country lanes through the Foresta Umbra to another charming, family-run agriturismo, an ancient ‘masseria’ which has been in the same family for four generations.  (15 kms, 4 hours)

Day 6

Leaving your accommodation, you walk down a wide path with views over the coast, before deseanding to the sea.  The last stretch is a walk along a long sand beach to Vieste, a very attractive town on a promontory wedged between two extended beaches.  (12 kms, 3 hrs)

Day 7

Free day in Vieste.  We have booked a private boat to take you for a morning tour along the spectacular rocky shoreline to explore the grottoes and bays of one of southern Italy’s most spectacular coasts (subject to the weather conditions).  You’ll have the chance to have a swim before heading back to town.  The afternoon is free.  No dinner is included tonight.

Day 8

This morning, you will have a private transfer from Vieste to Foggia railway station (1 hour), from where you can take trains west to Rome or south to Bari.