Day 3 in Rome offered an early morning rise and breakfast, followed by a walk across the Ponte Sisto and Tiber River to our bus, which left us ready to settle in and hit the road for the Gargano Peninsula and the beautiful seaside town of Vieste, on the Adriatic coast. The road took us across the Appennine Mountains, with the intermediate stop at Villa Adriana, to the east side of Italy and down the coast to Vieste. We made a comfort stop at the Civita Nord Autogrill for lunch. Our guide had thoughtfully warned us of the upcoming windy mountain road, and made available motion sickness remedies for those so inclined; a nice touch.
On the road to Vieste we learned that one of our tour mates, John, was a history professor who was well versed in the history of the region through which we traveled. He graciously accepted the microphone from Caterina and gave us a colorful history of Norman times. A very pleasant way to learn of the area and the Norman culture.
On the road to Vieste we learned that one of our tour mates, John, was a history professor who was well versed in the history of the region through which we traveled. He graciously accepted the microphone from Caterina and gave us a colorful history of Norman times. A very pleasant way to learn of the area and the Norman culture.
On day 4 our group walked to the waterfront where we met our boat crew who would take us on a cruise down the craggy Adriatic coast past numerous grottos, some of which were large enough for our boat to enter, which, surprisingly, we did.
The aquamarine sea, brilliant sun, cloudless blue sky and spectacular scenery made for an altogether memorable "Aha" experience.
Later in the day we were entertained by the hotel chefs, with Caterina supervising, who gave us a demonstration making "pastas of Puglia."
Hand rolling and forming each little pasta and creating the individual shapes was indeed intriguing.
We would enjoy some of the pasta during our upcoming dinner.
Samples of the finished pasta product, all formed by hand.
On Day 5 we said "ciao" to the quiet village of Vieste, our gracious hosts at Hotel Seggio and the spectacular, rugged Adriatic coast. We headed west on the winding coast road and up over the Appennine Mountains toward the west coast with an intermediate stop in Alberobello, before stopping in the Basilicata region for two nights in the ancient city of Matera.