The Gargano forms the ’spur’ on the boot of Italy. It is a mountainous chunk of limestone with more in common with coastal Croatia than the surrounding Italian plains, rising up above 1000m above sea level to form a rugged peninsula jutting out into the Adriatic.

The Gargano has a unique botanical and historical legacy, a product of its position, geology and isolation from the coastal plains. It is not surprising that the Gargano is a designated National Park! Our visit is timed to make the most of the wonderful spring flowers.

The area is most famous for its amazing orchid diversity, amongst the most diverse areas in Europe with several endemic forms, including the ‘bee’ orchids Ophrys ‘bertoloniformis’, Ophrys argolica ssp. biscutella and Ophrys fuciflora ssp. apulica, which will no doubt feature high on our list of finds during the week, along with carpets of Green-winged and Pink Butterfly Orchids on the limestone plateau. 

Colourful dwarf irises, Iris bicapitata and Iris pseudopumilia are found in abundance in the rough meadows, with Wild Peony, Poet’s Narcissus and Wild Tulip all adding extra splashes of colour.

We will be based in the historic town of Monte Sant Angelo, perched high on the limestone ridge with views out over the Gulf of Manfredonia, from where we will take daily excursions to explore the various habitats and hidden corners of the Gargano, from the orchid-rich limestone grasslands to the ancient deciduous woodlands that cloak the centre of the peninsula, one of the largest broadleaved forests in southern Europe.