Italy's Tremiti Islands a national park paradise

Think of the shape of a cowboy boot in the old west. The part equivalent to the spur corresponds to the Gargano promontory on the boot of Italy. Today, this rich, natural area in the province of Foggia is officially recognised as a natural park and includes, amongst much more, the bewitching Tremiti Islands. From the area of Vieste, Pechici, Rodi Garganico and Manfredonia, the archipelago is accessible by motor boat or hydrofoil.

San Nicola, San Dominio, Cretaccio, Capara and Pianosa are the names of the five islands that for millennia constituted a single block of land, but repeated seismic shocks have broken the land into separate islands. Tremiti, in fact, means earthquake. But the five islands maintain an unlimited power to stir the human spirit, transmitting sensations so intense to inspire artists of every ilk. For example well known singer-songwriter, the very Italian Lucio Dalla. He composed some of his most beautiful songs here.

The spell of the Tremiti has been locked throughout time, thanks perhaps to her special caretakers, called Diomede. A migratory bird a bit like the albatross, the diomede populate the innumerable caverns and ravines of the archipelago of the National Park of Gargano. To see a pair of diomede in a courting dance is a true stroke of fortune. The show, in fact, is possible only from sunset onwards and human presence must be carefully concealed not to disturb the magic of the birds' performance.

Greek mythology narrates that these birds were the faithful spirits of Diomede, hero and legendary navigator who, once landed on the Tremiti, stayed until his death. Indeed, the typical hark of the diomede birds is more similar to a funeral lament than a call to courtship. But the spell of Italy's Tremiti islands is such that the chorus of the diomede seems a sweet melody.