Review: SUP Tour Monte San Bartolo Park, Pesaro

Monte San Bartolo Natural Park, resting pretty next to Pesaro, gives us some truly amazing scenery. Very impressive tall cliffs meet a clear blue sea, that’s a fantastic view while you do stuff like go for walks or ride your bike. But there’s something else available now too, that provides a different perspective, a tour using stand-up paddleboards, you know, SUP boards. I tried it not that long ago and, basically, I’m here to give you the lowdown on what that’s actually like.

What’s the San Bartolo SUP Tour Really Like?

So, the San Bartolo SUP tour gives you, very literally, a different angle from which you can view the landscape. Instead of, say, looking *at* the water, you’re now actually *on* it. It’s quite the different sensation, to drift slowly at the bottom of those imposing cliffs, and look up and see how ridiculously huge they seem from down there. Tours commonly depart from locations near Vallugola or Fiorenzuola di Focara, but, anyway, your starting place could be a little different according to sea conditions plus your tour operator’s choices, I guess.

When you start off, there’s always that little bit of wobbling while you adjust your balance, right? However it is typically quite simple, after just some minutes, you’ll soon feel way more confident. It is, more or less, about keeping your core tight, plus just gazing out at some distant spot. The instructors can also teach you the correct paddle strokes, so that might be handy. Plus, after some learning, it soon starts feeling fairly natural. This is when you’re, mostly, really capable of starting to take in everything that’s around you. Now, honestly, out on the water, you could notice just how quiet and still it really is, which just adds to how amazing this feels.

Speaking of things that are around you, there’s a whole array of wildlife which can be seen along the tour. It is often that, as you get closer to the base of the cliffs, that the guides can highlight for you different sea birds which nest among the rocks, so keep a watch. Too it’s almost the same with marine life – there are, seemingly, all kinds of colourful fish swimming around in these waters. I think I even noticed a starfish that time. A lot depends on what time of day it is as well as the sea conditions; having said that, there’s normally always something to see. Plus, honestly, just paddling slowly gives you that extra chance to see it all, since you aren’t hurrying anywhere.

Is it Too Difficult? Some Thoughts on Skill Levels

When you consider whether to participate, it’s logical you might ponder what skill level you want. Or even if you’re experienced enough. But the fantastic news would be that SUP tours in this location usually focus on most skills. Those are generally aimed at beginners upwards, and, you know what, honestly? Even if it’s your first experience, the guides make everything absolutely understandable. Too it’s almost important to note that conditions at sea always change, though. It’s clear that the tour guides, they know their job. If the water is looking too choppy, they might move the departure spot, as well as reschedule the trip altogether. And that’s just basically in the interest of participant safety, I feel.

It is often, on calmer days, the perfect thing for families also. Kids do enjoy getting out on the boards (with parental supervision, naturally) and having a go at paddling themselves. Yet when the sea’s very choppy or the weather isn’t on your side, you’re basically way better off going another time, instead of fighting versus tough conditions. You might not believe this, yet that’s simply when accidents occur. Now, generally, it’s safe so long as you listen to advice, which they gladly supply.

Booking your Tour: Advice as well as What to Expect

It is always, once you have settled on making that booking, it is arguably better to book directly with a tour operator who’s pretty local to the area. Local operators can usually give some good knowledge regarding the area; what’s more they know which spots may look their most appealing depending on that day’s weather conditions. I’ve found plenty operating out of Pesaro itself, plus additionally out of Cattolica not too far away. What to expect may vary, naturally. Very, very, possibly, I feel the following tips would make your trip somewhat easier to plan:

What’s included. Discover just what the cost covers. Will they include equipment rental, for example the board plus a paddle as well as a safety vest? Is there any possibility of maybe photographs getting taken by guides during the tour that you can later buy?
Tour length plus route. Just how long does a usual trip take to complete? A tour taking you from Vallugola up to Fiorenzuola could possibly provide a brilliant overview; yet check precisely how strenuous that really is, okay? Also you might enquire if the route gets altered depending on weather, okay?
What should I bring? At minimum sunscreen. I really, truly made sure to wear water-resistant sunscreen after the tour because the reflection really caught me out. Possibly think of wearing just an old pair of trainers which are capable of getting wet, if the shore’s shingle rather than sand. (Don’t go barefoot)

Looking Closer at Monte San Bartolo Park

Monte San Bartolo, too, it’s far more than merely cliffs which fringe an Italian beach; that national park gives you loads extra, I tell you. In other words, why wouldn’t you simply use it a starting point to find other places? As I was saying, there really exist tons more sights in that locality. San Bartolo, with, maybe, all of its picturesque views plus rich past, arguably does merit maybe a full day of someone’s attention.

Historical Context. The park’s history reaches way back actually, having Roman settlements right along the slopes, that’s fascinating stuff. Plus, they still have little medieval villages remaining to get visited now. Like, take the town Casteldimezzo, with all of its panoramic views and the fascinating architecture, something of great interest.
Hiking paths. There is, so, very many walking paths marked. Many take you all around the high cliffs, in fact, offering sights just like the sea from a quite incredible viewpoint. Seriously, just don’t forget cameras. Very important when you want pics for Insta.
Cycling. Bike routes often traverse this park. You’ll find bike rentals located around Pesaro so you are able to tour the area this method; there is, similarly, cycle routes which provide different challenge levels plus scenery.

Thus when you would prefer maybe getting more activity on dry ground immediately following your SUP adventure, it is clear you could certainly remain in San Bartolo and even tour much more of that coastline.

Other Points to Consider Before Taking off

Clearly before getting yourself ready for the visit you’d better be equipped. Because, you know what? Without that it really can possibly ruin everything! When you plan for your paddleboard trip on San Bartolo’s slopes here’s something I’d give thought to. It might appear a little trivial or boring. Still, possibly you could find this stuff truly helpful:

Transportation. Pesaro comes complete with some efficient transportation links (so don’t fret). To get there could prove a lot easier as opposed to what you might suppose. In fact you can choose your public transportation (using frequent train and bus connections along its coast). However it’s totally wise to rent your own automobile! Doing that would provide just a greater amount of independence. I always go for automobile rentals to look at hidden spots and some of the off-the-beaten-track things too.
Where exactly to stay? Starting off in Pesaro might be sensible simply because it’s basically very close to that natural park. So basically I mean getting a lodging either down around Pesaro itself and even around those nearby tiny towns could truly add something really worthwhile. Especially given that your coastal adventure does continue straight to these towns. Seriously do consider having yourself maybe a scenic B&B rather than any cookie-cutter resort place!
Italian language. Most people engaged on your tourism market can normally have an adequate control of English language actually. On the other hand even if there may very well be enough to understand what’s coming over you I propose understanding more key Italian terms since it’s truly extremely polite to know simple conversational vocabulary. Things such as saying “Buongiorno” is absolutely something someone’s definitely going take seriously. A few locals actually do seriously seem way friendlier when we, clearly, give some kind of respect towards the vernacular like it were.

Thinking thoroughly regarding this aspect to do with logistics truly may possibly turn everything around; this turns that holiday truly unforgettable rather than plain annoying; clearly an individual are required in order to have just a tiny bit relating to planning.