Apulia is a region in south-eastern Italy bordering the Adriatic Sea in the east, the Ionian Sea to the south-east, and the Strait of Òtranto and Gulf of Taranto in the south.

Its southern portion known as Salento, a peninsula, forms a high heel on the "boot" of Italy.

It neighbours Greece and Albania, across the Ionian and Adriatic Seas, respectively.

The region extends as far north as Monte Gargano, and was the scene of the last stages in the Second Punic War.

The coast of Gargano is rich in beaches and tourist facilities. In the north are two major salt lakes Lesina and Varano. On the northern side of Gargano and on the shores of the lake with the same name stands the maritime town of Lesina. Monte Gargano is the site of the oldest shrine in Western Europe dedicated to the archangel Michael, Monte Sant'Angelo sul Gargano.

Today tourism is thriving with several hotels and campsites, in particular along the seaside of Marina of Lesina, give the possibility of staying in this suggestive area. Tourist attractions include the cathedral, the episcopal palace, the Abbey of Santa Maria of Ripalta and the volcanic rocks dating back to the Triassic era, known as "Black Stones", as well as the Sanctuary of San Nazario.

Top Places to Visit:

The National Park of Gargano is one of the few national protected areas efficiently contributing to the "un Bosco per Kyoto" enterprise, which in 2007 has involved several schools  to realize projects for a social and responsible tourism. It is one of the most recognised areas, unique for the decrease of fires and for the politics of environmental awareness.

Daunia and Gargano territories offer a wide variety of scenarios: sweet hills in Fortore river valley, Daunian Apennine area and Ofanto river valley, Gargano national park, Tavoliere delle Puglie tableland and unpolluted Tremiti archipelago. Where endless wheat stretches rise and one can watch without seeing the horizon there is the Tavoliere, a witness of Foggia, San Severo and Cerignola the agricultural tradition. The greenest area in Apulia: Gargano National Park. It stands for its vegetation, ranging from forests to maquis. Five Tremiti islands are considered as real natural heavens. Seabeds, caves and erosions carved by the waves and winds represent overpowering attractions for scuba-divers and sea lovers.

Lecce and Salento coast: Sun, sea, wind. Nature strikes firstly, when one gets to this land stretch in balance between two seas. Salento has its core Lecce, - a Baroque Florence in Southern Italy – and reaches the provinces of Brindisi over the Adriatic Sea, and Taranto on the Ionian Seaside. The cities and inland towns expressions of the unique Lecce Baroque with Messapi and Salento Grecìa can still be seen. Its language, songs and feasts still show the culture of Graecia Magna. Surf, kite-surf and windsurf lovers never miss the beaches facing the Alimini lakes, while scuba-diving fans just have to choose among the several equipped centres and charming seabeds of the Ionian coast as well from the area between Otranto and Santa Maria di Leuca.

Top Biking Places:

• Alberobello
• Ostuni
• Gallipoli Bay
  

Read More:

• Monte Gargano
• Travel in Puglia
• Apulia Tours

Here are 3 of the best European tourist destination good for biking tours of Italy. They are placed in the North - Central and Southern Italy.

The main locations of the Amalfi Coast are:

Ravello, a music city that is known around the world because of the pianist and composer Wagner.

The route which covers the crossing of the Gulf of Salerno in the Gulf of Naples. Definitely the best place for nature lovers, as highlighted in coastal essentially high cliffs deep mixed with the cultural background of the region and the casual lifestyle.

The ruins of Pompeii.

[For Hikers] The most famous promenade in the region is the Promenade of the Gods, and that is something that you can not avoid doing so. At the same time, it is perhaps one of the most difficult walks that you can find there.

Another avenue to consider is the Grotta di smeraldo. It is not as aggressive as those of the promenade of the Gods, and on this occasion, you will enjoy a region covered by vineyards and olive groves.

Lake Iseo:

One of its biggest attractions is Monte Isola, the largest inland lake island in Europe, which is easily accessible by ferry and car, it is very quiet, making it ideal for walking or cycling.

There is also the Pyramids of the zone, where the erosion of glacial deposits left pinnacles of land up to ten metres high.

On the west side there are the bogns Castro and Zorzino, sheets of limestone that plunge into the lake.

Bassano del Grappa:

Bassano is located in a great spot of the river Brenta with Monte Grappa in the background.

It is approximately 35 km north-east of Vicenza. Symbols of the city are the Palladian Bridge, white asparagus, ceramics and liqueur Grappa.

If you like to be a little off the tourist track and would prefer a rural setting for a short stay or as a base for touring holiday, Bassano is ideal.

The most beautiful places to visit in Calabria are:

Tropea, between the gulfs of Sant'Eufemia and overlooking the sea Gioa. You will love his wild white sand beaches, old houses and ancient churches.

Reggio Calabria Calabria is the oldest and largest city. It houses the National Museum of the Great Greece, a very important archaeological museum. Look for two statues of warriors bearded.

Aspromonte The mountain range has a spectacular view. There is a ski resort in eastern Gambarie Reggio Calabria and absolutely spectacular shrine Madonna di Polsi with an annual fair in late August and early September.

Stilo was founded by the Greeks. In 1940, the region was the site of the Battle of Calabria, one of the largest naval encounters of World War II.
 

If you have in plan to visit Italy next year, then follow this simple guide to help you find unusual places to practice go adventure.

Special thanks to the non profit Adventure Travel Association Tripadventure.org for giving me the resources and info to write this post.

Most tourists think that Italy is famous only for its cultural patrimony (churches, museums, art, etc...) but most people don't know that they can join culture with adventures.

[The Abruzzi Nationl Park in the central Italy - Credit Flickr] 

In fact Italy is rich of natural parks, hills, tracks and high peak mountains where practice trekking, hiking, biking or simple cycling tours.

It's impossible to classify all regions, but the "Top 10" list below is pretty comprehensive.

1. Liguria, where practice hiking trips in the Cinque terre
2. Lombardy,where bicycle around the lakes district: Garda and Como lake
3. Trentino, where trekking in Dolomites (Read more info about Dolomites tracks)
4. Veneto, where join a walking tour of Venice
5. Emilia Romagna, where cycle the Chianti hills and the Modenese Appenine
6. Bike in Tuscany (read more info about Tuscany) in the wine regions and visit Siena and Florence
7. Campania, where visit the Amalfi coast and Naples
8. Umbria, with the Trasimeno lake and Perugia
9. Lazio and Rome
10. Apulia, where bike the Gargano park.
    

[Syracuse - Courtesy of Sicily Bike] 

Surely the best experience is cycling in Sicily. If you are an adventure traveller, the best adventure trip you can do here in Sicily is to visit volcano Etna.

To spend in the best way your time you should book your accommodation in a Bed and Breakfast in Nicolosi or in Linguaglossa, two small and characteristic villages on Etna. You can reach Linguaglossa taking A 18 Catania-Messina Highway and getting out at tollbooth of Fiumefreddo. Now you have to follow road signs to Linguaglossa.

If you decide to go to Nicolosi, the only thing you have to do is going to north Catania and follow the road signs to Nicolosi, that is very near.

The other step consist to contact an excursionist guide that will take you on the higher crater of Europe, such a little Tibet in Mediterranean sea.

But don’t forget to take with you your mountain equipment: hiking trousers and shoes, thermal undershirt, hiking hose and jacket, considering you want to enjoy this show in winter, a very characteristics time to visit Etna, when the crater is full of snow. But the summer is a good time too, the only difference is a easier hike because the absence of snow and higher temperature.

Your Hiking can now become a cultural adventure of History and Nature.

• The classic hike is to visits the principal higher crater at 3.340 metres.
• But another important thing you have to know: Volcano Etna is an important place where skiing: here are two skiing structure in Nicolosi and Linguaglossa.