These Gorgeous Italian Islands Offer A Peaceful, Car-Free Getaway With Great Snorkeling

Few expressions conjure a specific geographical picture like "the heel of the boot." Most can immediately picture a map of Italy and the thin "heel" that reaches southeast into the Adriatic. The region itself is called Apulia, but not many people know much about it — also known as Puglia in Italian. It's forgivable when Italy offers tourists such a bounty of options in all seasons, like hiking or skiing in the Alps, wine tasting in Tuscany, little-known medieval villages on the island of Sicily, and of course, a world-recognized and beloved cuisine with dozens of must-try pasta dishes – just remember not to ask for this delicious, iconic dip.

With so much to dive into, it's understandable that a place like Apulia might get missed on an itinerary, even though it boasts incredible, untouched natural beauty. One such overlooked yet ridiculously gorgeous place is the Tremiti Islands, which lie 12 miles off the coast of the northern end of the Gargano Peninsula (the "spur" of the heel). The Tremiti Islands consist of five islands: San Domino, San Nicola, Capraia, Cretaccio, and Pianosa.

Part of a protected natural area and Italy's only archipelago in the Adriatic, this island chain of small beaches tucked into little white-walled coves, limestone cliffs overlooking clean turquoise water, and postcard-worthy views from castle walls is the perfect destination for travelers looking for a peaceful retreat or casual days on the water. The islands even have excellent snorkeling and scuba adventures, but be sure to leave your car on the mainland because the only automobiles allowed on the islands belong to the locals.

The best way to visit the Tremiti Islands is to fly into Bari or Pescara. From either, it's about a two-hour drive or train to Termoli, where the most convenient ferries embark from and take around an hour, although there are ferry options from Vieste, Peschici, Rodi Garganico, and Manfredonia. Each does a morning route to the islands and an evening trip back at varying hours. Daily ferries make a day trip an option, but the Tremiti Islands are too picturesque and deserve more time.

The arriving ferry eases into the islands past numerous little boats dotting the clear Adriatic water and brings visitors into the port of San Domino — the main island. Of course, the 11th-century Abbey of Santa Maria a Mare stands tall on the island of San Nicola to the right. Those two islands, San Domino and San Nicola, are the only populated islands of the five Tremiti Islands, and each offers a variety of hotel options. San Domino has the charming sandy beach, Cala delle Arene, lined with bright umbrellas and nestled into a small bay, while San Nicola has the main historic attractions like the aforementioned Abbey of Santa Maria a Mare, built by Benedictine monks in 1045, and the Badiali Castle, whose tall walls reach up from the limestone seawall and shrubbery.

Travelers can wander the castle walls or take a walk on paths through forests of thick Aleppo pine and Mediterranean scrub to other inlets and remote beaches. Going on foot is quite easy, as the largest island of San Domino is only 1.4 miles long, but the best way to get around is to take a taxi or get a guided tour to picnic and sunbath in a beautiful spot like the Lighthouse of San Domino.

The Tremiti Islands don't only offer memories of warm cove swims, sun-drenched lunches with sea views, and basking on a towel with gentle sounds of the Adriatic. Divers also come to these islands for their abundance of underwater caves like the massive Grotta del Bue Marino, wreckage of WWII planes, or the underwater statue of Padre Pio – a popular southern Italian saint, which is about 10 feet tall and rests at the bottom of the sea between the islands Capraia and San Nicola, arms outstretched and face looking towards the heavens.

The area is a part of a nature preserve, so the water is clean, clear, and so teeming with life that there's plenty to see without scuba gear. For that reason, the Tremiti Islands offer many snorkeling options, with over 20 mapped out underwater trails for the less-seasoned underwater adventurer. You can hire a skipper who will take a small group of visitors to many of the inlets or caves to see marine life like octopus, starfish, and plenty of other underwater flora and fauna.

Below the surface with goggles, under an umbrella on a beach chair, or sitting with your feet up on a dinghy in a small cove, simply lounging in the sun and taking in the views is the best part of a trip to the Tremiti Islands. Seeing the shallow turquoise water ease into cobalt blue as the sea gets deeper with white limestone rock walls on three sides, the Tremiti Islands offer a breathtaking, relaxing getaway for travelers looking for a car-free, sunny vacation on the Adriatic.