August 15th is a day that Italians traditionally spend on a day trip. Here 5 suggestions to take a day trip in Apulia on "Ferragosto".
What are
you going to do on August 15th?
Maybe you
don’t know why I’m asking you this question, but in Italy this is a particular day.
It’s a feast day and this question become a mantra a bit for everyone. We think
about what to do, where to go, how to spend this day. Traditionally Italians
spend it having a day trip.
For this
blogpost, I thought about some places where to spend August 15th
near my home place, Massafra, near Taranto, in Apulia. I took the map and
analysed the neighbourhood and that’s the result. The chosen places are maximum
an hour far from Massafra by car, so, if you are here or you live here, you can
give them a chance. Or better, let me know if you already know them and have
already been there!
Here 5
places, all in Apulia, where to go on a trip to spend August 15th.
1. San Pietro in Bevagna
Well-known
for its crystal clear sea and white sand. It feels like being in the Caribbean.
San Pietro in Bevagna is not far from Manduria, in Salento. If you like to
spend the day on the beach, this is the place for you! I also suggest to take a
dip in the freezing Chidro River, which
flows into the Jonian Sea right in this area. It’s a revitalising
experience!
The only
flaw is that, being this beach so known and loved, it’s also very crowded, in
particular on August 15th.
Not far
from the beach, you can admire the Salina dei Monaci and its ecosystem. In this blogpost I told you about this protected area and its story.
2. The Island of San Pietro
It’s the
biggest of the Cheradi Islands, in the gulf of Taranto, and it’s right opposite
the town of two seas. As many other places in Taranto, this island is managed
by the Navy and in the past just service people and their families could access
this beach. Now, fortunately, civilians can enjoy this wonderful place, too.
It’s a real
heaven that makes you feel in another dimension of tranquillity. Here there are
a pine forest equipped with a picnic area, where you can have lunch and shelter
from the sun during the hottest hours, and all the services of an equipped
beach.
You can
reach it by ferry boat, but you need to take your ticket in advance because
places are limited.
What? You’d
rather avoid the beach on August 15th? It’s understandable. For example,
I prefer to spend the day in nature, in a forest preferably, where the
temperature is a bit lower and I can go for walks and hike along natural paths.
That’s why my third suggestion is:
3. The reserve of Bosco delle Pianelle
It’s part
of the district of Martina Franca and one of the places where locals love the
most to spend some time outdoors. It’s definitely a family friendly place: children
can have fun playing between trees while they’re learning something more about
nature around them and how to respect it.
When I was
a child, I was one of those little girls who ran everywhere without ever
getting tired. So, I speak from experience when I say that here children have
fun. It’s one of the places of the heart!
The big
kids, instead, can enjoy the paths in the wood: there are many of them, to be
chosen according to the length and the degree of difficulty.
In this blogpost I tell you something about what you can find in this wood.
4. The Caves of Castellana
A geological wonder that everyone should see at least once in the lifetime. After having been there the first time, I came back there to see the spectacular Hell in the Cave and Christmas Light: same place, different clothes, new emotions!
Why the Caves on August 15th? From the answer I’m giving you, it may seem that I’m suggesting how to avoid Apulian hot weather rather than where to spend August 15th, but, you know, it’s just fine down there!
I suffer when temperatures are too hot, so if someone suggested me to visit a wonder of nature, where not only I could see something extraordinary but also reborn in the coolness, I wouldn’t think about it twice! It’s a win-win situation.
5. The Castle of Gioia del Colle – Museum
With a
unique ticket you can visit the museum, the kitchen and the dungeons on the
ground floor and the rooms of the castle on the upper floor. It’s an
alternative way to spend August 15th , discovering something more
about the origins of this region and of the people who lived here, taking a peek
in Frederick II’s life and listening to the legends that surround this
historical figure.
If you want
to know more, you can read the blogpost dedicated to my visit in this castle.
We are at the end of our short but varied list of possibilities to take a day trip on August 15th in Apulia. As you can see, I tried to collect different options that could meet different tastes.
Which one of the five does inspire you
the most?
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I would be glad to know your opinion! ;)
Thank you! :)