San Menaio
In the immediate vicinity of Rhodes Garganico, in the territory of Vico del Gargano, is displaced to the charming town of San Menaio Garganico, with its expanses of golden sand, and a large green carpet of pine trees, orange trees and olive trees. The place name is to be traced back to a legend that tells of St. Menna, a warrior saint of Arab origin, who saves the people from the Saracens.
Rhodes Garganico
Ancient mariner village is surrounded by olive groves and citrus orchards. Today it has become a tourist destination thanks to the ideal climate for adults, children and elderly who want to explore all the Gargano area by land and by sea to discover the landscapes of the coast and the stunning marine reserve of Tremiti Islands with departures every day from the port of Rhodes. To visit the old town of huts made of white 600-700, alleys and stairways where you can see traces of the walls, the remains of the castle, the tower of the Byzantine Church of St Nicholas of Myra, the patron saint of the shrine of Our Lady of the Free Rhodes and the church of San Pietro. Rhodes as you can see back centuries, seems to have been a Cretan colony and later a Rhodian colony, from which comes the name.
The Gargano and Apulia
The Gargano offers very attractive proposals, designed to enhance the tourism image that goes from the mountains to the sea tourism, gastronomy, folklore, with itineraries that allow us to know the history of this ancient land, Puglia, with its castles and ancient cathedrals, the fantastic caves of Castellana, the Trulli of Alberobello, San Giovanni Rotondo where the remains of St. Pio, Monte Sant'Angelo, where there is to visit the grotto of San Michele a place of pilgrimage since 1200 and many other wonderful places to meet,. Land, Apulia, which offers tourists historical evidence still intact, villages clinging to the rocks that are the delight of painters and tourists, as the Forest Umbra forest, rich in vegetation and animals, or the sea, "blue pearl" that caressing rays of the sun throughout the Apulian coast. For beach lovers there is plenty of choice: sand, rocks, Tremiti Islands and Gargano coast departing daily from the port of Rhodes Garganico.
The Tremiti Islands
Landing on the island S. Nicholas, the smallest of three islands, but the old town, religious and administrative center of the archipelago. Visit the Abbey of St. Maria a Mare, founded by the Benedictines in 1045. The Tremiti Islands are a mix of natural beauty consisting of caves and coves, reefs and rocks that cover San Nicola, Caprara and Pianosa Cretaccio. The ancient name of the Tremiti Islands was "Insulae Diomedeae" from the name greek hero who landed, the current is derived from "Tremetis". They are beautiful to visit and for those who love diving the place is ideal for diving.
Castles:
Departure for APRICENA. Old farmhouse dating from the VIII century, owes its name to a dinner held by Frederick II made of wild boar. The village has preserved a building that incorporates the remains of the baronial castle of Frederick II and a parish in which there is a relief depicting a Madonna and Child. Continue to CASTEL DEL MONTE. Isolated on a hill in the Apulian Murgia it remains the most famous monument of Emperor Frederick II of Swabia. The Castle is the only example in Europe of the octagonal castle with eight towers, also octagonal, place the vertices of the polygon. The monument is considered a secular symbol of ambition majestic Cathedral earthly emperor. Stop for lunch at a farmhouse to sample the local cuisine and viniNel and afternoon visit to Barletta, major maritime center of Byzantine origin. The Castle of Norman origin, was rebuilt in 1234 by the Swabians. In the center is also visited the cellar of the Challenge, where the challenge was banned from Fieramosca and the French captain La Motte. Of interest is the Cathedral in 1150 with a Renaissance façade, the church of S. And the church of S. Andrea Sepulchre, which stands on the side of the Colossus. Return to hotel.
Religion:
Departure from San Menaio MONTE S. ANGEL. The center was developed from the fifth century. In relation to the cult of the Archangel Michael appeared in a cave. The interest of the town is still centered around the Shrine of St. Michael the Archangel built over the grotto of the apparition. Inside you will find valuable artistic works: a bishop's chair, carved nellXI sec. And the venerated statue of alabaster. Outside there is a massive octagonal bell tower. Among the other monuments: the castle, the Tomb of Rotari, Santa Maria Maggiore and S. Benedetto.Sosta for lunch at a local farm to taste the local cuisine. Proceed to S. JOHN ROUND, a medieval town completely transformed with modern neighborhoods as a result of the influx of the faithful at the Convent of St. Maria delle Grazie, where Padre Pio lived Petralcina who promoted the construction of the nearby modern hospital and House for the Relief of Suffering. Visit the church of 1629 and the modern church where the tomb of the Blessed. Time available to gather in prayer. Return to hotel.
National Park of Gargano:
An island of limestone between the Adriatic Sea and the lush plains of the Tavoliere. A place where you can relive the excitement of a relationship with a charming environment, wild and full of sacredness. A blend of nature and culture that make this piece of land in Puglia a unique situation in the Italian tourism. History as the many stories that are so rife this land built, rebuilt, sacked by different peoples over the centuries since the prehistoric settlements, the Roman age, the Swabian, Aragonese. A story about the great tradition of the cult of St. Michael Gargano originated from the fifth century AD with the appearance of S. Michael the Archangel in Monte Sant'Angelo, and impreziositasi by the witness in the twentieth century, the friar with the stigmata in San Giovanni Rotondo, Padre Pio. The Gargano is part of the soul as well as holiday paradise. Thousands of pilgrims come every year to places of Spirit. Places a step away from Rhodes, easily seen with excursions of a few hours. Green as the plant cover that abound in the forests of Umbria, the heart of Gargano National Park full of beech trees, Farnetti, oaks and maples. You can visit alone or with guides, Forest Umbra, some traveled on horseback or bicycle.
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