San Menaio, in the province of Foggia, Puglia, is a small village nestled on the Gargano coast, where the pine forests meet the sandy beaches, of which the town boasts four.

The main beach, which is sandy with a fine grain, stretches for 2.5km and is up to 60m wide, largely flanked by promenade and attractive architecture. In the centre of the historic old town is the mediaeval Torre dei Preposti, an imposing Saracen fortress supervising the sea, and marking the spot on the seafront where the old town ends and more recent residential buildings begin.

Because of its small size, the village has only a handful of hotels, although they are well appointed with a good reputation. There are several restaurants serving seafood, pizza, and traditional Italian cuisine, while those looking for more services can travel on the beautiful coastal road to the nearby towns of Rodi Garganico and Peschici, both only a few kilometres away.

Alongside the pine forests, visitors can also sea large amounts of orange and lemon trees, sometimes growing right up to the beach, with some olive groves further inland. The Gargano lemons and oranges which result have protected status and are exported around the EU and the USA.

San Menaio is a beautiful and quiet resort, perfect for anyone looking for a relaxing holiday in southern Italy.