Visit the Nature Reserve of Torre Guaceto
While many come to Puglia looking for beaches, sun, sea and the obligatory bit of sand, there is much else to see and do here. The natural world is all around you and it would be a shame to miss it. Perhaps most notably you have the opportunity to visit the Nature Reserve of Torre Guaceto. This is protected by the WWF to ensure it can survive and thrive long into the future. You will find it located on the rear of the so-called heel of Italy’s boot. Its location means it also encompasses a marine area which is similarly protected. Car hire is recommended to make the journey to reach the reserve as easy as possible, but once you arrive you will see the journey was worth it.
The reserve includes a visitor centre that reveals much about the area and also includes an informative exhibition. Make the time to visit this first if you can – it will give you a greater appreciation of what you are about to see. While you can explore the reserve on your own you may want to consider taking part in one of the organised tours available there. A good example is the hiking tour that takes approximately two-and-a-half hours to complete. It is designed to be fairly undemanding and runs throughout the year. You may want to call ahead or check their website to determine which days and times it is offered, however.
If walking isn’t your thing the reserve also offers the opportunity to go on a bike trek. This takes three hours and you needn’t be that good a cyclist either – they supply electric bikes to make life easier! One of the most appealing things about Torre Guaceto is the diversity in the landscapes you can see here. For instance, there is the rocky coastline, the wetland, the bush and even a selection of sheep tracks, the latter of which the bike trail follows in part.
If you are more into your water sports than those taking place on land, you can also take part in snorkelling and even scuba diving if you are so minded. As such this nature reserve offers far more opportunities to explore its surroundings than many others of a similar nature. Even if all you do is to visit and explore on your own, it is clearly a great experience to have when you are in Puglia.
