Vico it is the town that I was able to visit best during the days spent in the Gargano: when, together with the group, we arrived, its center was still deserted due to the low season and almost all the shops were closed. With this atmosphere the charm of this center was only multiplied, the silence, the flowers that adorned the balconies and stairs, the labyrinth of narrow streets, everything seemed there just for us! One of the first things that welcomed us was a small room, hidden under the imposing Castle, where Mrs. Mina sells and keeps fresh forms of Podolic caciocavallo and pecorino cheese: one of the little pearls that a gourmet passing through here should not miss.
A few steps away is a place that deserves a visit, both for the interest and for the passion with which it is followed and managed by Gennaro and Davide: I'm talking about Museum of the Trappeto Maratea. It is an underground oil mill that dates back to the 300th century and occupies a natural quarry, the oldest of 170 found in this area. Here are preserved and exhibited many of the tools used in the past as well as for the production of oil, also for the production of wine and in traditional agriculture. If you are intrigued by the traditions and history of the farmers of the Gargano this is really the best place to deepen it, for complete guided tours you can contact the number 328 3523450 and it is also important to underline that this is the only oil mill in the area that is also accessible to disabled.
To stay on the subject of food, another tip is to immerse yourself in the alleys of Vico up to the Cantina d'Aniell ' in which to taste the Macchiatello, wine that comes from 25 Gargano vines at risk of extinction. This, but also the other wines produced are the result of a cultural project that aims to recover ancient vines, already known in Roman times, whose cultivation has been abandoned over time, due to emigration and abandonment of traditions. We tasted 4 different wines accompanied by local products, but the Macchiatello is definitely the one I preferred!
On the way to reach the winery there is also a narrow narrow alley called "alley of the kiss”, The only place where in the past lovers could find themselves and where they were forced to touch each other to pass.
Those arriving from Peschici or perhaps stopped for lunch at the La Stazione Restaurant can visit the archaeological-naturalistic ecomuseum of the Necropolis of Monte Pucci (which belongs to the Municipality of Vico del Gargano despite being closer to Peschici). It looks like a garden, a place to walk in the shade of wild figs and next to which some cows graze, in reality it is a very large area in which almost thirty Christian hypogea have been identified, burial places from the early Christian era. partially to be studied in addition to spaces dedicated to the Christian liturgy. This important archaeological area can be visited guided by Davide (always the same as in Trappeto di Vico), by calling 348 0374509 to book.
