Sunning on the Spur

We spent the week at the Blue Marine Residence, a distinctly family resort. We spent the week on the beach, driving the mountainous roads (dodging goats and cows), visiting grottos, and enjoying incredible sunsets. One of the prime reasons to brave the serpentine roads is to get to Monte Sant'Angelo. In the midst of the great Umbra Forest is the Sanctuario di San Michele.

At one time the Sanctuary of St. Michael was a prime stopping point before crusaders left for the Holy Land. It is believed that the St. Michael visited shepherds on this hill and left behind his cloak. A piece was later taken to Brittany, where Mont St. Michel now stands.

Quick Tips:

Take time for a boat trip to the Isole Tremiti. These islands lie to the north of Rodi Garganico and offer lovely reefs and clear turquoise water.

Best Way To Get Around:

You will NEED a car. This area is a rarity in Italy, in that there is almost no public transportation. Most hotels and resorts offer tours from the resort.

We had a small apartment with two bedrooms, one bath, all kitchen needs. This resort is family friendly. After midnight no loud noise is allowed. All apartments have an independent entrance and are fitted out in a comfortable style, with TV colour, telephone, fan, equipped terrace or garden and parking. No money is needed within the resort. You are given a plastic card with which you charge all food, items from the small grocery store (everything was reasonably priced and of good quality), beach chairs, etc. Meal plans are available and optional.

FACILITIES:
Restaurant, bar, tennis field, swimming pool, amphitheatre, department store, equipped private beach, mini club managed by the entertainment team that organizes shows, plays, and sportive activities such as windsurf, vela, canoe, ping-pong, soccer, tennis and beach volley.

We had a wonderful fixed price meal at the Real. On a hot summer day the inside was cool and calm. The orecchiette e troccoli al ragù was delectable, and the agnello alla brace (lamb, the regional specialty) was incredible. Good, basic, country fare done extremely well.

One of the most memorable events of our stay was the organized calcio (soccer) games on the clay tennis courts. Our teenage son volunteered to play. He was assigned the position of goalie. He was excited, he was thrilled, but he was not prepared to risk life and limb for the game. He quickly realized that his devotion to the game (intense by American standards) was not fanatical enough. His team mates though were forgiving. They applauded his attempts and renewed thier determination not to let the other team near the goal. These games did bond him to other guests at the resort. While we retired to our apartment he went to party at the discoteque with his team. If you are asked to play brave it, what's a few bones?

Padre Pio was born of a simple, hardworking farming people on May 25th, 1887 in Pietrelcina, southern Italy. He was tutored privately until entry to the novitiate of the Capuchin Friars at the age of 15. Of feeble health but strong will, with the help of grace he completed the required studies and was ordained a priest in 1910.

On September 20th, 1918 the stigmata appeared (the five wounds of Jesus) appeared on his body, making him the first stigmatized priest in the history of the Church.

In May 1999 (about a month prior to our visit) Padre Pio was beatified by the Catholic Church. This is one of the steps to being named a saint. Needless to say, the city was crowded with pilgrims visiting the tomb of Padre Pio.

The museum contains many artifacts. Padre Pio's simple granite tomb is located in the church. It is interesting to non-Catholics as well as Catholics.