During the days spent in the Gargano one of the things I preferred (obviously besides the local cuisine!) Was the boat tour to visit the sea caves of Vieste. We left early in the morning from Rodi Garganico and by 9.30 we were already on the boat ready to leave.
The first stretch we traveled was around the island with the lighthouse which is located exactly in front of the port of Vieste, here we were told that Carmelo lives, a goat who acts as a guardian. After skirting the part of the town overlooking the sea we continued towards the caves.
The coast immediately shows itself in all its beauty: steep, white cliffs plunge into the water which takes on the color of the sky. Here it seems that the limestone rock of which these walls are made has been shaped by skilled hands, while it took centuries, if not millennia, of slow work of wind, sea and salt, to reach these incredible wrinkled and scratched walls. Each meter traveled by boat corresponds to an increasingly ecstatic expression, for a bluer reflection in the water or for a thin strip of white sand.
This itinerary is like this: a continuous amazement that accompanies the discovery of the caves, 16 in total, each with its own particular characteristics and almost all of which can be visited by boat. My favorites? The broken cave, without cover and for this reason it takes on beautiful colors and is dominated by plants, the Grotta dei due occhi, in which the water is even more transparent and aquamarine because it is illuminated from below, thanks to underground openings in the rock, and finally the Cave palette, with walls of a thousand colors.
The excursion is not made of caves only: but also of stone arches and dream bays reachable only by sea. There are numerous constellations on the coast Saracen towers: the first of these, further south, indicated with smoke signals the arrival of the enemies at the next tower, and consequently the others did the same, up to Vieste. It is said that the only time this system did not work the city was conquered and linked to the event and subsequent violent events, the “Chianca amara” a monument located in the historic center is dedicated. Another characteristic element of the coast is the presence of numerous trebuchets, wooden structures that were used for fishing.
Our excursion was organized by Zangardi Tours, a Tour Operator who has lived and worked in this area for more than thirty years, with the aim of promoting its richness and beauty. In addition to Vieste, during the summer, it is also possible starting directly from Rodi Garganico, the itinerary also lasts a whole day, with a stop for swimming.
