EXCURSION TO THE ADRIATIC AND IONIAN CAVES

Description

EXCURSIONS TO THE ADRIATIC AND IONIC CAVES OF SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA
BOAT TOURS IN SANTA MARIA DI LEUCA

• Departing from the tourist harbour in Santa Maria di Leuca, you will reach the most fascinating caves on the Adriatic side, skirting Punta Meliso, home to the Basilica Santa Maria de Finibus Terrae, the Leuca Lighthouse and the Monumental Staircase.
• After a brief stop at Grotta Cazzafri, we continue on to Grotta Terradico, Grotta delle Verduselle, Grotta del Soffio and Grotta della Vora. In order to admire the beauty of these inlets at close quarters, we will make a short stop for a swim under the cliffs and the entrance to the caves.
• At this point we reverse course to reach the Ionian side, crossing the Leuca marina enclosed between Punta Meliso and Punta Ristola, the most southerly land in Puglia.
• The first cave encountered on the western side, close to Punta Ristola, is Grotta Porcinara, immediately followed by Grotta del Diavolo. The excursion continues with the Grotta del Fiume, the Grotta delle Tre Porte, the Caverna dei Giganti, Grotta della Stalla and the majestic Grotta del Drago. On the Ionian side, too, there will be a stop to immerse yourself in the discovery of the most evocative views that have inspired myths and legends.
• Once the stop is over, La Barca del Porto will head back towards the pier, crossing the bay again with its spectacular 19th-century villas and the so-called ‘bagnarole’, masonry dressing rooms that guaranteed privacy to ladies during their sea baths.