Tremiti Islands

The Tremiti Islands are an Italian archipelago in the middle of the Adriatic Sea, 22 km off the northern coast of the Gargano Peninsula. They constitute a comune in the Puglian province of Foggia.

Understand
Not so far from the spur of Italy’s boot there are five little islands which constitute the only Italian archipelago of the Adriatic Sea.

"This place inspires my visionary way of narrating the world and it also helps to dream, especially if there is a wonderful starry sky, that otherwise you can admire only in the Sahara." This is how the Tremiti Islands are described by Lucio Dalla, the Bolognese singer, who chose the archipelago as his second home.

The unspoilt nature, the crystal clear water and the variety of the colours of the seabeds of these islands attract many visitors every year. The islands have been a marine reserve of the Gargano National Park since 1989.

Islands
The archipelago is composed of five islands or "Diomedee", according to the legend. They're part of the Borghi Autentici d'Italia (Authentic Italian hamlets).

Climate
The Tremiti Islands' climate is Oceanic Mediterranean.

The tourist season runs from May to October. However, the best time to visit the archipelago is in September and October, thanks to the sunny climate, fewer crowds and traffic jams at the marina, and lower prices in comparison to August.

History
The islands were used as a place of confinement from the Iron Age (4th-3rd centuries BC). The Roman Emperor Augustus exiled his granddaughter, Julia the Younger, to the Tremiti on charges of adultery. In the 9th century, the Benedectine monks founded the Abbey of Santa Maria a Mare, on San Nicola, and ruled the archipelago during the Middle Ages. Later, the abbey hosted several orders of monks until 1783, when the King Ferdinand IV of Naples suppressed the abbey and set up a penal colony.

Under the Fascist regime of Benito Mussolini, the Tremiti Islands continued to perform their function of confinement. Hundreds of homosexuals were deported to the internment camp of San Domino, which closed after one year in 1939.

Myth and legend
However, documentation regarding the origin of this archipelago is poor. This lack of information has been filled by the proliferation of several myths and legends. It is believed, indeed, that the islands were born at the hands of the Trojan War hero Diomedes, who threw five boulders that he had carried by him from Troy into the sea, which resurfaced as islands.

The legend continues with Diomedes who was buried on the Tremiti Islands and with his men were transformed by the goddess Aphrodite into seabirds, called “diomedee”, which still inhabit the cliffs of the archipelago and continue with their scream to mourn the death of their leader. This is why the Tremiti Islands are also called “Diomedee Islands”.

By car
Bringing a car, a motorbike or a camper to the Tremiti Islands is generally not possible, only residents are allowed to have a vehicle.

By boat
The best way to get to the islands is by ferry from the ports of Vasto, Vieste, Manfredonia, Peschici and Termoli. From Termoli, the main port, ferries depart everyday of the year (generally one-way trip takes about 1 hour), while from other ports there are only seasonal runs from July to September. The only year-round company from Termoli to Tremiti, Tirrenia, has a fast ferry (45 min) and also slow ferry (1 hr, 40 min) to San Domino.

By helicopter
You can also reach the Tremiti Islands by helicopter, with the company Alidaunia, which offers flights lasting 20 minutes from Foggia to the San Domino Heliport.

Do

 * historical and cultural excursions to the island of San Nicola.
 * scuba diving and snorkelling around the seabed of all the islands, but above all of Capraia Island, where you can explore Punta Secca and Cala dei Turchi.
 * boat tour of the archipelago, visiting the caves like "Grotta delle Rondinelle" and "Grotta delle Viole".
 * taking a walk around the Aleppo pinewoods of San Domino.
 * taking the panoramic path to the San Domino Lighthouse.
 * take a peek at the four metres statue of Padre Pio (popular local saint) on the seabed between Capraia and San Nicola.



Eat
The Tremitese cuisine is essentially Mediterranean, based on Adriatic fish, served in all its facets: raw and cooked appetizers and main courses with sauce. You can also choose grilled meats and side dishes of baked vegetables.

Typical produce of this area include treccine tremitesi, limoncello or fennel and anise flavored pastries, and a fennel or myrtle digestif.

In addition to the typical cuisine, you can also find many restaurants and bars that serve specific cuisine for people with celiac disease. For quick lunches, you can find delis and minimarkets in San Domino that serve sandwiches and budget options.



Wine
The best way to enjoy these dishes is a glass of white Daunia IGT.

Sleep
San Domino offer a wide choice of hotels where you can stay.