Punta Lunga

The last week of our vacation has begun. As reported, we are already in Southern Italy, more specifically in the Basilicata region by the Ionian Sea.

There isn't really a larger town nearby, but there is a nature reserve run by WWF that houses the last coastal rainforest of Southern Italy.

Thus, we booked a guided tour for our onward journey to see the reserve and the protection of the nesting turtles there. Very interesting, especially for Konstantin, as this could indeed be a typical activity for a potential marine biologist.

The guide, who immigrated from Germany, also explained how precarious her job situations were before she found this position here.

Italy has the greatest biodiversity in Europe, and therefore the WWF operates differently here than in other countries. There are many smaller 'Oasis' that try to protect the original habitats or aid in the survival of animals, like the turtles, in the heavily used beach sections. Many volunteers are involved, and there are also numerous summer activities for school children every summer.

Unfortunately, the reserve we visited, like many others, is severely underfunded as the region contributes nothing and private donations are limited.

Afterwards, we continued northeast, passing well-known and very picturesque places like Matera and Alberobello with the ancient cave dwellings and the stone buildings known as Trulli. We already know these places quite well, so we headed straight to Gargano, specifically to the Punta Lunga campsite near Vieste.

Julius wished for this vacation with Anita, as he really wanted to come back here. The very beautiful location between two peninsulas, the cliffs, the sandy beach, the pine forest, the children's disco, the excellent restaurant, ... All these are good reasons to visit again and again. For the children, it would already be a dream vacation spot.