Abruzzo: once you know it, you love it!!!

Abruzzo is renowned as one of the greenest European regions with its four Natural parks : Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park, Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise National Park, Parco nazionale della Majella and Parco regionale naturale del Sirente - Velino. Wander around and view the artistic treasures, enjoy the culinary delights, participate in infinite activities such as horse riding and skiing, go on nature trails where you can see bears, wild boars, wolves, eagles and lots of endemic species of flora and fauna.

Enjoy the short distance between the mountains and the sea. Enjoy all four seasons in Abruzzo, the sea on summer, the skiing in the colder months, the long, warm days in the spring, and the autumn walks around the hills and the lakes. The lakes in the area offer a range of sports and activities for all ages - for example hiring boats, canoeing, rafting and fishing.

Abruzzo has breathtaking landscape, that leave you without words, we don't need long description to tell you what you are missing: just look at this picture and feel free: it looks like a painting, but it's a photo, it's real! Imagine walking in this wonderlful area, breathing the fresh air, no noisy sounds, only you and the ones you love...A guided tour in the National Park of Abruzzo, a lovely hotel, typical and genuine food, a glass of delicious local wine...That's only an idea of how you could spend some days in this wonderful Region.

Abruzzo Overview and map :

The Abruzzo region is a remote region often overlooked by tourists. It has spectacular natural scenery, medieval castles and villages, monasteries, and Roman ruins. Two-thirds of the Abruzzo's land is mountainous with the rest being hills and coast. A third of the region is designated as national or regional parkland. Bordering regions are the Marche to the north, Lazio to the west, Molise to the south, and the Adriatic Sea to the east.

Abruzzo Parks and Castles:

Abruzzo is also known as one of  the greenest European regions, with its four National Parks and several Natural areas. There is no time to get to get bored while visiting Abruzzo and its wonders. All the parks and natural areas offer different kind of activities and itineraries : from biking, hiking,exscursions, arranged trip , canoe, on the trail of the wolf and  bear watching.

On this blog you can find different useful link to organized your holidays in our beautiful Region, but we suggest to visit also our news and events section where you can find new interesting things to do every week.

As you can see while surfing our site, Abruzzo is dotted also with wonderful villages and castles, mainly built in the middle age. While some are just ruins, there are plenty of preserved ones that deserve a visit while there. Our aim is to help you to know Abruzzo beauties and treasures better, in order to organized your travel depending on your preferences and needs.

Here short overview of the four province of Abruzzo:

L'Aquila:

L'Aquila, the capital of the Abruzzo region, is a medieval town dating from 1240 in a pretty setting. L'Aquila has a good walled historic center with narrow streets and pretty squares. The church of San Bernardino di Siena is a beautiful Renaissance church. Santa Maria di Collemaggio has a pink and white facade, 14th century mosaics, and a Gothic interior. L'Aquila's well-preserved 16th century castle houses the National Museum of the Abruzzo. The famous Fountain of 99 spigots, representing the unification of the 99 castles surrounding L'Aquila. April, 2009: Due to earthquake damage, please do not visit now.

Sulmona:

Sulmona is situated at the confluence of two rivers below the mountains. Sulmona conserves much of its medieval past such as its Cathedral, several churches, its architecture, and a medieval gate and aquaduct. There are also a number of Renaissance buildings, a good musuem of antiquity, and cultural events. Sulmona has a large, round piazza where locals and tourists enjoy drinks outdoors. Sulmona is famous for its confetti candy, sugared almonds made into floral shapes, and you'll see it in Sulmona's shops. Wool goods from Sulmona are also famous. Sulmona makes a good base for exploring the region.

Pescara:

Pescara, on the Adriatic coast, is the largest city in the Abruzzo region. Although it was badly bombed during the war, it's now a good example of a modern Italian city and still retains some historic elements. Pescara has a nice seaside promenade, 20 km of sandy beach, great seafood restaurants, and lots of nightlife. The Museum of the Abruzzi People has a huge collection of artifacts about life in the Abruzzo from prehistoric times through the 19th century. Pescara has a few other museums and several good churches and buildings, too. In July, Pescara holds an international jazz festival.


Teramo:

Founded in pre-Roman times, has buildings from the 19th and 20th centuries. Teramo has a Roman theater that is still used today for sports and cultural events and other Roman remains. There's also a cathedral built in 1158 and several museums.

Chieti :

Sits between the coast and the mountains. Its high belltower can be seen in the distance. Chieti has both Roman and medieval remains, the best archeology museum in the region, a good art museum, and interesting churches.

In addition to the villages suggested on our site, you can find below a list of other place to visit, that we hope to describe more carefully any time soon. If you have any questions or suggestion to ask, don't hesitate to contact us.

More Towns to Visit in the Abruzzo Region:

• Pescasseroli is the historical capital of the National Park of Abruzzo Lazio and Molise. Pescasseroli is situated in a valley at the entrance of the Valle del Sangro to m. 1167 above sea level. This plateau is rich in pasture surrounded by woods and impressive mountains. Think of a great place to meet the perfect harmony with nature, where there are still the intermediate seasons, a place that will dazzle you with colors, smells, emotions and sensations. Imagine a place with animals in the wild where even men feel freer ... a place to breathe deeply and having to get used to hearing their silence to appreciate the sounds of nature. A hospitable place where you can discover the true meaning of relaxation. If you think a place like this does not exist, you have never been on holiday in Pescasseroli, in the heart of the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo Lazio and Molise. Discover the four seasons of hospitality.

• Opi : The tourist center of Opi is located in the National Park of Abruzzo Lazio and Molise. A pretty village on the crest of a rocky outcrop that split in half the valley between the Monte Mattone and the Colle di Opi. The municipality covered an area of Opi in the middle of a spectacular amphitheater of mountains, surrounded by Mount Marsicano (d. 2242) in North-East and Mount Petroso (d. 2247) with the Meta Group in South-East. Excellent starting point for hikes, climbs and crossings, opportunities that attract many fans in this small town in the mountains. Each season offers an opportunity for an encounter with nature: in summer the coolness of the woods and streams, in winter, the muffled silence of the snow and trails for cross country skiing, autumn and spring the suggestion of an environment find ancient traditions and perfumes.

• Castelli, a small village beautifully situated between two rivers below the mountains, is famous for its ceramics and has an Art Institute and Ceramics Museum. Several of Castelli's churches have beautiful ceramic works. It's also a starting point for climbing the eastern Gran Sasso.

• Fontecchio is a medieval walled village with a castle in Sirente-Velino Natural Park. Its tower has one of the oldest clocks in Italy. Another attraction is the Church of San Francesco. In summer Fontecchio holds an art and culture festival.

• Avezzano, about halfway between Rome and L'Aquila, is known for the unique flavor of its potatoes. Avezzano was completely rebuilt after the 1915 earthquake and has a good museum with local Roman artifacts. Nearby are the Alba Fucens Roman ruins, Orsini Castle, and Mount Velino.

• Cocullo is known for its exciting May festival, the procession of the serpents. Cocullo is a small medieval village with a Piccolomini Castle.

• Scanno, a medieval hilltown surrounded by mountains, has fantastic views. Scanno is famous for its gold works and traditional costumes, sometimes still worn today.

• Rivisondoli is a popular mountain resort both in summer and in winter. It is one of the biggest cheese producing towns in the Abruzzo. Rivisondoli is one of the best places to see living nativity reenactments at Christmas and Epiphany.

• Carpineto, also called Carpineto Sinello, is crowned by its castle and has some archaeological ruins. On the last weekend of July, Carpineto holds the Sagra della Porchetta, with tastings of porchetta and ventricina, music and dancing.

• Villa Santa Maria is called the City of Cooks because of its culinary institute, La Scuola Alberghiera, that's produced many famous chefs. Villa Santa Maria is on the slope of Monte Vecchio and has a well-preserved palace with 18th century furnishings, open to the public.