• Torre di Santo Stefano (Torre Chianca) - We’ll gather in the shade of the tower. Here, we’ll discuss the tour’s details, introduce the region’s geography and history, and prepare for swimming.
• Area Marina Protetta Porto Cesareo - From the Tower of Santo Stefano, we’ll swim to the following archaeological sites:
  • Underwater Roman columns (about 80 m from the shore and 5 m deep). Thanks to the clear water, these columns are visible just by submerging your head. No deep diving is required.
  • Underwater tombs (about 60 m from the shore and 2 m deep).

SWIMMING: The minimum swimming distances are: 1) from the tower to the Roman columns and back = approx. 160 m, and 2) from the tower to the underwater tombs and back = approx. 120 m. If participants prefer swimming over walking, the total swimming distance could extend to around 500 m. Please note that swimming conditions depend heavily on waves, currents, and weather. These will be evaluated before departure. If conditions are deemed unsafe, the tour will be canceled.

• Spiaggia di Torre Chianca - Walking along the coast, we’ll visit the following archaeological sites:
  • Ancient necropolis
  • WWII bunker

The coastal sites are no more than 300 m from the Tower of Santo Stefano. The walk will be partly on sandy beaches and partly on rocks, which can be slippery or sharp. Participants are advised to bring water shoes.

• Family or friends accompanying tour participants can join the tour’s parts occurring on land for free
• Swim buoy with 5 or 10 l waterproof bag (participants are welcome to bring theirs)
• Goggles (participants are welcome to bring theirs)
• Waterproof bag for phone for putting inside the 5 or 10 l bag for extra protection from water

• Participants bringing WATER SHOES will walk easier and safer on slippery and sharp rocks.
• Participants should use SOLAR PROTECTION.
• You may bring small waterproof bags for extra protection of personal belongings (keys, wallet, etc)
• Organizers can’t assume any responsability on participants belongins’ safeness or dryness.
• We suggest participants to bring the strictly necessary and leave the rest in the car or hotel
• You may bring an underwater phone case or a waterproof camera to take photographs underwater.

The archaeological sites along the coast of Porto Cesareo reveal a local history deeply connected to the broader Mediterranean region. The artifacts we will encounter highlight interactions with other areas of the Mediterranean, shedding light on ancient navigation, the “marble route” from the Aegean, and deities from ancient Egypt.

Additionally, the significance of physical geography in shaping local history will become evident. We will discuss the key features of the Mediterranean Basin, the evolution of coastal topography, and geomorphological processes.

Following our exploration of the history behind modern and contemporary buildings, we will attempt to reconstruct the coastal landscape’s evolution and the degradation of coastal ecosystems.

This tour is ideal for enthusiasts of archaeology, history, geography, and culture, as well as naturalists, swimmers, active tourists, and adventure seekers.

• Advised against people with motility problems that do not allow them to swim and/or to move in a rocky coast.
• The use of a swim buoy during swimming is compulsory.
• This tour is for persons that can swim well. All participants have to be able to swim at least 200 mt in the sea without difficulties.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.