Gargano – Puglia: sacred forests, luminous cliffs and villages suspended between land, sky and sea. The Gargano, a mountainous promontory overlooking the northern Adriatic, is a world apart in the interior of Puglia. Known as the "Spur of Italy", it combines wild nature, millenary history and spiritual traditions. From the shady woods of the Umbra Forest to the white cliffs of Vieste and Peschici, up to the mystical places of Monte Sant'Angelo, the Gargano is a mosaic of landscapes and cultures. 🌳 A landscape between forests, sanctuaries and sea: The Gargano National Park encompasses unique environments: ancient beech forests, UNESCO World Heritage sites, jagged coasts, coastal lakes and villages perched on the rock. The Umbra Forest is the green heart of the promontory, a cool and quiet place to walk among centuries-old trees, deer and shady paths. 👉 Tip: Walk through the beech forests at dawn: the light filters through the trunks and the silence amplifies every breath. 🏞️ White villages and vertical landscapes: The Gargano is dotted with perched and silent historic centers, overlooking the sea or hidden among the hills. Monte Sant'Angelo, a thousand-year-old place of worship, is home to the Cave of San Michele. Vico del Gargano, Peschici and Vieste preserve popular traditions, spontaneous architecture and labyrinthine alleys that smell of history and cuisine. 👉 Tip: Jump on the Vieste viewpoint at sunset: cliffs, sea and light create a spectacle that remains in the heart. 🚶 Paths, caves and sea to explore: The area is ideal for excursions through pine forests, rocky heights and secret coasts. The sea caves between Vieste and Mattinata offer spectacular scenery, to be visited by boat. The hinterland offers panoramic paths, sheep tracks and ancient mule tracks that cross pastures and woods. 👉 Tip: Take part in a boat excursion to the Gargano caves: colors, sounds and transparent water will take you to a hidden world. 🍽️ Gargano cuisine and border flavors: The gastronomy of the Gargano reflects the variety of the territory: seafood and land products meet in rustic and fragrant recipes. Troccoli with goat sauce, blue fish, caciocavallo podolico, Monte Sant'Angelo bread and wild vegetables are just some of the typical flavors. 👉 Tip: Enjoy a plate of orecchiette with borage and ricotta forte in a local trattoria - simplicity and character in one bite. 🎉 Ancient rites and living spirituality: The Gargano has always been a place of pilgrimages and popular rites. The Sanctuary of St. Michael the Archangel is a destination for believers from all over the world. Each village celebrates patron saint festivals, processions, music and ancient dances that tell of a deep bond with the sacred and with the land. 👉 Tip: Take part in a patron saint's festival in May or September: between tambourines, fires and illuminations, you will experience the authenticity of the Gargano. The Gargano is a vertical and wild Puglia, where the sea meets the mountains and each path is a discovery between ancient silences and infinite views.