Tremiti Islands
The Tremiti Islands, the only Italian archipelago in the lower Adriatic, constitute a marine nature reserve part of the Gargano National Park.
Also known as Diomedee, the Tremiti Islands represent a small corner of paradise that attracts thousands of tourists every year thanks to the clear sea, the clean seabed, the pleasant climate, the pure air, the luxuriant vegetation, the still wild and uncontaminated nature, the bays and promontories, low and sandy coasts, but also high and rocky with cliffs overlooking the sea.
The archipelago is made up of five small, deeply different islands. Only two are inhabited: San Nicola and San Domino. The others are Capraia, Cretaccio and distant Pianosa.
San Domino, the largest island, is the most beautiful from a landscape and naturalistic point of view, covered by a forest of Aleppo pines, so much so that it was once called the Garden of Paradise by the Benedictine monks.
San Nicola, considered an open-air museum, very rich in monuments, is testimony to the history of the islands: towers, imposing fortifications, walls, churches and cloisters of a fortress-abbey, Santa Maria a Mare, which holds a significant historical and artistic interest
Capraia has no trees or buildings, but is covered with grass and flowers, the destination and home of an endless colony of seagulls.
Cretaccio, little more than a rock, is a natural bridge between San Domino and San Nicola and for some time it was really the "pillar" of a mighty wooden bridge that connected the two major islands.
Pianosa, located about twenty kilometers north-east of the island of Capraia, is an island in itself, even if it falls administratively in the municipality of the Tremiti Islands. It constitutes an integral reserve of the Marine Park.
The whole archipelago is characterized by small inlets and coves, some of which are well known, such as Cala delle Arene, the only beach of a certain size in the archipelago; Cala Matano that falls overhanging the sea; Cala degli Inglesi, where an English smugglers boat sank; Cala Tamariello, which leads directly to the sea and where it is possible to dock small boats; Cala Tonda, which forms a suggestive lake. For diving enthusiasts do not miss the splendid Caves of Violets and the blue seabed near the stacks of the Pagliai. And again, at least 23 underwater trails for those who love snorkeling.
The whole archipelago is characterized by small inlets and coves, some of which are well known, such as Cala delle Arene, the only beach of a certain size in the archipelago; Cala Matano that falls overhanging the sea; Cala degli Inglesi, where an English smugglers boat sank; Cala Tamariello, which leads directly to the sea and where it is possible to dock small boats; Cala Tonda, which forms a suggestive lake. For diving enthusiasts do not miss the splendid Caves of Violets and the blue seabed near the stacks of the Pagliai. And again, at least 23 underwater trails for those who love snorkeling.