Gargano
 

We are staying in a place called Marina di Lesina on the Gargano Peninsula during August - I have heard good things about the area - but do any fellow travellers have experience of Marina di Lesina?

Marina di Lesina isn't on the Gargano Peninsula but northern coast of Puglia. While it is on the sea, it's not a particularly lovely resort area and is a good distance from most of the sights of the Gargano: Vieste, San Giovanni Rotundo and Monte San Angelo. The beautiful beaches are located on the eastern coast, between Vieste and Mattinata.

Grinisa...It seems that you're quite knowledgeable re: Gargano etc...We plan on taking the ferry from Manfredonia to Vieste in June, and are considering also going to the Tremiti Island archepelago...Have you ever been there?

Jean, I haven't been to the Tremiti yet but they look wonderful. I'm sure that would be a great place for you to visit. The ferry to Vieste will take you by some of the most spectacular coastline. Great seafood restaurants all over Vieste. Enjoy the Gargano!

thanks for your response Grisina - we are tied to Marina di Lesina as it's where our friends have a house. How long is it to drive to a decent beach?

Don't misunderstand, you'll probably find the beaches near Marina di Lesina adequate for sunning and relaxing. They just aren't very picturesque. To get to the gorgeous beaches, you need to go south of Vieste. By the slow coastal road, that should take about 2 hours.

Thanks for these timely posts on Gargano! We are heading to the Gargano Peninsula for about three days and just want to enjoy the scenery and find good beaches. So here are my questions for Grinisa and others:
1) Should we rent a car from Foggia then head over to south of Vieste for good beaches and maybe go to Tremiti for a day? Or can we use buses or trains to the coast?
2) I have been faxing like a mad woman to hotels in Peschici, Rodi Garganico, etc. and they are all booked! Anybody got any suggestions?? Thanks!

A car is definitely a plus when exploring the Gargano as the coastline isn't served by trains and buses are slow. There is a lot to see on the Peninsula itself, so with only three days in the area, I might not choose to go to the Tremiti islands. We stayed at Baia delle Zagare just north of Mattinata and enjoyed it very much.