Foggia - Monte Gargano Promontory 
There is a very attractive trip around the Monte Gargano promontory (1,056m/3,485ft), the "spur" of the Italian boot, a hilly tongue of land which extends 65km/40mi into the Adriatic and, geologically, already belongs to the Dalmatian limestone formations.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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Related Attractions
Foresta Umbra
Beyond the turning for San Giovanni Rotondo the main road winds its way uphill and then crosses the karstic plateau of Monte Gargano and down through the magnificent beech forest of Foresta Umbra to the coast, joining the coastal road from Manfredonia 43km/27mi beyond San Giovanni.
Lago di Varano
Soon after Rodi Garganico the coast road skirts a coastal lagoon, the Lago di Varano (12km/7.5mi long, 8km/5mi across), which is separated from the sea by a long spit of sand - dunes known as the "Isola", and passes either to the south or to the north along the dunes. It then continues through barren hill country to join the motorway to Foggia either at Poggio Imperiale (45km/28mi), at the west end of the Lago di Lesina, or at San Severo (65km/40mi).
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Monte Sant'Angelo, Italy
(Near Foggia)
9km/5.5mi from the fork the hill road reaches Monte Sant'Angelo (796m/2,627ft; pop. 17,000), the center of the Gargano area. This little town is charmingly situated with a fine ruined castle (1494) and the pilgrimage church of San Michele Arcangelo.
San Michele Arcangelo
(Monte Gargano Promontory)
The pilgrimage church of San Michele Arcangelo is visited by something like a million pilgrims every year. The church occupies a cave in the center of the town which according to legend was chosen as a shrine by the Archangel Michael himself when he appeared to St Lawrence, archbishop of Sipontum, in 493. From the vestibule beside the campanile (1273) 86 steps lead down to the church, which has Biblical scenes on bronze doors and an inscription recording that they were cast in Constantinople. The church contains a fine 12th century bishop's throne. Near the church is the so-called "tomb of Rothari" (a Lombard king), a curious domed building (c. 1200) which was probably a baptistery. Nearby is the church of Santa Maria Maggiore (begun 1170), with a beautiful doorway (1198).
Peschici, Italy
(Near Foggia)
5km/3mi from Vieste is the old-world little town of Peschici, picturesquely situated on a crag rising sheer from the sea. The road then continues, with many bends, to Bellariva, where it is joined by the road from Monte Sant'Angelo.
Rodi Garganico, Italy
(Near Foggia)
About 7km/4.5mi from San Menaio is the port of Rodi Garganico (42m/139ft; pop. 4,000). From here there are boat services (approximately 1.5 hours) to the beautiful Tremiti Islands, 22 sea mi northwest.
San Giovanni Rotondo, Italy
(Near Foggia)
About 5km/3mi beyond Monte Sant'Angelo a road goes off on the left to San Giovanni Rotondo (566m/1,868ft; pop. 23,000), situated below Monte Calvo (1,056m/3,485ft), the highest summit in the range.
San Giovanni Rotondo
Piazza Europa 104
I-71013 San Giovanni Rotondo
Italy
Piazza Europa 104
I-71013 San Giovanni Rotondo
Italy
San Giovanni Rotondo - Capuchin Monastery
On the west side of the town is the modern church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, to the left of which is a Capuchin monastery famous as the home of Padre Pio da Pietrelcina (d. 1968), who bore the stigmata from 1918 until his death. The monastery is visted by large numbers of pilgrims seeking a cure for their ailments, and there is a modern hospital adjoining.
San Menaio
18km/11 mi beyond Bellariva is San Menaio (10m/33ft), a seaside resort, with villas set amid pine-woods.
Vieste, Italy
(Near Foggia)
The much more attractive coast road (19km/12mi longer), running partly inland and partly above the coast, through magnificent scenery, comes in 49km/30mi to the picturesque little port of Vieste (43m/142ft; pop. 13,000). From the castle, built by Frederick II, there is a fine view of the coast.
