Abruzzo Italy has recently been listed among the 50 best places to travel in 2022 by Travel + Leisure. If you happen to visit at the end of summer, dont miss the world-renowned La Perdonanza Celestiniana, the most important historical-religious and social event in the area. Still today, near the castle, fishermen swear they can hear the wails of the princess on stormy nights. A mix of the charming, modern, and tried and true. was founded and in 2010 rafting was recognised by CONI as a sport. The answer is very straightforward: yes it is! : if you need any help to trace your roots and to discover Abruzzo and Marche in an authentic way, contact us through this page: https://italiasweetitalia.com/ancestry-a-holiday-to-trace-your-abruzzo-roots/. Things to Do in Abruzzo Things to Do in Abruzzo, Italy - Abruzzo Attractions Things to Do in Abruzzo Popular things to do Self-guided Tours Dining Experiences National Parks Walking Tours Cultural Tours Historic Sites Day Trips Full-day Tours Mountains Cooking Classes Wine Tastings Bodies of Water Mountain Bike Tours Top Picks No part of this site may be reproduced without our written permission. The photo above was taken on a walk from the monastery. If you like the outdoors and off-the-beaten-path travel, you'll love Abruzzo! She creates and guides Hedonistic Hikings all-inclusive gastronomic hiking tours throughout Italy. Housed in a neoclassical villa in the Villa Comunale park, Abruzzo's best archaeological museum displays a comprehensive collection of local finds,, This cliff-clinging hermitage with its 15th-century ceiling, 13th-century frescoes, narrow oratory and arched porticoes cowers under a massive rock face, With its distinctive chequerboard facade and strong links to Italys much admired hermit-pope Celestino V (whose remains are interred inside), the 12th, Sitting below the SantOnofrio hermitage, this sanctuary was originally thought to be the house of Sulmona-born poet Ovid when it was first uncovered in, The large town square is home to Sulmona's extensive Wednesday and Saturday morning market: you'll find fresh fish, veg, fruit and flowers, as well as the, The Renaissance Palazzo dAvalos houses a quartet of museums: the Museo Archeologico, with its eclectic collection of ancient bronzes, glasswork and, Its hard to miss this massive 13th-century Celestine abbey in Badia, close to the sheer western slopes of the Morrone mountains. Herein lies a higher concentration of protected land than anywhere else in Italy, some of the last vestiges of large wild fauna on the continent, and a patchwork of individualistic towns and villages whose folkloric traditions go back as far as the Italic tribes who founded them. Even though the region possesses large amounts of olive and grapes, Abruzzo does produce less wine than other regions in Italy. Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a walled medieval village in Abruzzo, a region on the eastern side of central-southern Italy, is offering to pay people willing to move . Notwithstanding, this gritty mountainous domain, rocked sporadically by earthquakes, remains refreshingly unique. It only takes a day to appreciate the marvels of the Hermitage of Sant'Onofrio al Morrone, beginning with the oratory, skilfully frescoed by Maestro Gentile da Sulmona in 1200. 2007-2023 - All Rights Reserved. Dominated by national and regional parks, Abruzzo is a wild and extremely scenic country, with many unspoiled and picturesque medieval villages and interesting festivals with ancient roots. If you are passing through L'Aquila, make sure to drop in: at any time of year you will find something worth seeing. Its a very easy straightforward drive and costs in tolls approximately 80 one way which includes your Swiss Vignette that is valid for a year! In Abruzzo, art and architecture go hand in hand. In the heart of the Gran Sasso National Park, between the Laga Mountains, immersed in the wild beauty of the Salinello Gorgehow about some canyoning through narrow gorges between 200 metre high walls, waterfalls and pools of water? Yes, maybe I met some of your ancestors. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Two such landmarks that are a must-see for art lovers include the Basilica of San Bernardino (reopened in 2015 after the earthquake of 2009) in the city of LAquila and the Teramo Cathedral in the city of Teramo. Abruzzo is one of Italys most bike friendly regions, brimming with cycle paths and routes to discover on your road or mountain bike, through beaches, protected nature, small villages, castles and abbeys. Here you will find LAquila Cathedral, with its neoclassical faade adorned with three coats of arms, severely damaged by the 2009 earthquake, it is currently inaccessible. Learning the traditional recipes of Abruzzo and Puglia is the perfect introduction to these beautiful regions in the heart of Italy. Palazzo Ardinghelli, in fact, was among the first historical buildings in the city to be built after the 1703 earthquake, thanks to the family whose name it still bears today. Building innovation concentrated on the built-up area, leaving the Aragonese stronghold almost intact. A meeting place, in short, modelled on the MAXXI in Rome, where visual arts, photography, architecture and performance art dialogue with each other. Including some of the most picturesque villages in Italy. Required fields are marked *. A symbol of renewal The weather on the coast is quite different. Lamb, wild spinach harvested from the high mountain pastures, and patate maritate, a traditional potato dish layered with scamorza cheese, rosemary and breadcrumbs, are all typical of some of the mouth-watering feasts that round off our hiking days. The north and center of the country have so many traditional Christmas treats, ready to add to the dinner table. Walking among nature, between the Maiella National Park and the Trabocchi Coast You will immediately notice that everybody is very genuine and will make sure you are pointed in the right direction. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-track vacation, you should definitely take into consideration Le Marche region, located between the green Apennines and the turquoise, Alberobello is an Italian village in the province of Bari, located in the heart of Puglia, near the Murgia hills and the Valle dItria; it, My beautiful region Abruzzo, has several facets that characterize it, and one of them is its climate. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. And if you join a festival in a small village you could easily meet a local who walks his donkey. Whether you are traveling by boat, car, bus, or foot, the region of Abruzzo offers something unique for each mode of transportation. Missing Pieces Part 2: Domenico Natale, from Caporciano, AQ, A Wild Garlic Trail to San Vito Chietino Market. The Parco Nazionale dAbruzzo was established in 1923 to protect nature and to save certain wild animals from extinction. Alongside the hikes, all tours provide an unforgettable insight into the local history, art, culture, food, and wine, and are graded for ability. guidance. Ciao Fabrizio, The Abruzzo region is one of the less-visited regions of Italy. The region is sprinkled with vineyards responsible for producing the highly popular Montepulciano dAbruzzo wine and olive groves that are considered to produce some of the finest extra virgin olive oils in Italy. The diamond of the Abruzzo plateau The Aragonese Castle of Ortona: a manor house overlooking the sea Youll find yourself immersed in a fantastic wilderness that radiates beautiful energy, coming across mountain villages full of charm. Abruzzo is called Italy's greenest region since it hosts a couple of national parks and towns that dramatically sit off cliffs or on the foothills of mountain ranges. p.s. The story goes that a rich merchant was received at the king's court, met his beautiful daughter, and fell madly in love with her. This number is considered the symbol of the city, which legend has it was created by the inhabitants of 99 castles. Traveling by car in Italy How about if I give you a rental car option? No more scrolling through travel sites looking for the perfect fit. Guardiagrele, on the eastern border of the Majella National Park, is known as the city of wrought iron and copper, in recognition of the importance of metalworking in supporting the local economy over the centuries. Salute! For this reason, the region is largely traditional in culinary and architectural customs to this day. This map above shows the various provinces and also the main 4 cities of the Abruzzo region: Teramo, L'Aquila, Pescara and Chieti. The climbing world includes the Brizio and Ventricini via ferrata, the Sentiero del Centenario and the Ferrata Danesi, the routes on Corno Grande and Corno Piccolo and numerous other routes. Copyright Trips 2 Italy, LLC 20032023. I went there in 2008 for the first time and returned in 2018 and 2019. Abruzzo is the perfect opportunity to journey into authentic nature, from mountains to hills, through the Punta Aderici Regional Nature Reserve and the Abruzzo National Park, home to brown bears, golden eagles and Apennine wolves: a plunge into beauty, relaxation and an incredible mix of panoramas that reach the heart. +39.0864.41304 - +39.349.8474470, The MAXXI in L'Aquila: a crossroads of contemporary cultures Stay. The idea for the museum is very recent: it was born in 2014, after the Minister of Culture Dario Franceschini visited Palazzo Ardinghelli, which had been severely damaged by the earthquake of 6 April 2009. Spring or early summer, when wild orchids, gentians and peonies are in bloom, is one of the best times for hiking in the Abruzzo. This extensive route, which you can tackle in stages or even in one go for the more experienced cyclists, runs along the Green Adriatic Corridor through 19 municipalities and some of Italy's most beautiful beaches. My family is from Capestrano and Popoli. Among clean beaches and shallow waters, shaded pine forests and medieval villages, are you ready to discover the wonders of Abruzzo on two wheels? Its true! Hotel D'Atri. A Abbazia di Santo Spirito Al Morrone It's hard to miss this massive 13th-century Celestine abbey in Badia, close to the sheer western slopes of the Morrone mountains. The waterfront is home to bathing establishments where you can soak up the sun during the day and have fun, with many restaurants, bars and clubs, at night. The Gran Sasso is the highest point on the Italian peninsula. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. While you're in Abruzzo, you can't miss spending some time along the sea on the picturesque Costa dei Trabocchi. If youre anything like us, youre probably desperate to start travelling again. Local Abruzzo public transport isnt bad, but in saying that unless you are an early bird or are governed by your stomach, your holiday travel plans without a car will naturally have to fit in with local Abruzzo work and dining times (8.00am-1.00pm & 4.00pm-12noon; at lunchtime 13.00-16.00 everything closes completely!). Abruzzo, a journey through history between sea, mountains, flavours and unspoilt nature in parks and protected areas. With part of Abruzzo bordering the Adriatic Sea, there are four main ports: Pescara, Ortona, Vasto, and Giulianova. Have you ever been to the Abruzzo? https://maxxilaquila.art. Houston, TX 77057 USA. They can be enjoyed in various ways, from a simple visit to longer stays. An area surrounded by greenery and dotted with villages, across from the Regional Sirente Park and bordered on the north by the National Park of Gran Sasso and the Laga mountains, and on the south by the National Park of Maiella. Trabocchi Coast: This UNESCO World Heritage-protected. On a human scale, it is lively and generous. To view all destinations and their serving airline and realtime timetables click here Other culinary highlights include arrosticini meat skewers and saffron, from the province of LAquila, which features in traditional risotto. While there are a couple of smaller airports, the popular Abruzzo International Airport facilitates international travel by connecting visitors in Pescara with many other European cities. Traveling slowly through the hills and valleys of the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise, and the Majella Park with its mystical hermitages, touching some of the most beautiful ancient villages in Italy, the Railway of the Parks is the ideal itinerary for those in search of new experiences and emotions. Nothing on this website should be considered medical advice. This coastline stretches for over 40 kilometers, from Ortona to Vasto. Lets go. If you are looking to submit your guest post ideas - we look forward to hearing from you. Located behind Farnese Palace, right next to the 14th-century St Paul's Church, the Pontifical Sanctuary of the Holy Stairs in Campli (Teramo) attracts thousands of faithful followers every year, who flock to discover places of worship with an evocative tradition and a fascinating history. Tickets cost 15 and the journey takes 2h 10m. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Tucked between the Adriatic Sea and the Gran Sasso, Teramo is one of the most beautiful towns in Abruzzo You will find yourself immersed in the 287 hectares of the Rio Verde Regional Nature Reserve, where the location of the natural waterfalls and the microclimate created around them represent a unique botanical heritage due to the development and coexistence of mountain species with typical Mediterranean elements. Staples of Abruzzo cuisine include bread, a bewildering variety of pasta, meat (lamb and pork are very popular, as is salami), cheese (especially Pecorino, made with sheep milk), and, of course, excellent local wine. Italy Travel Guide | Facts and History of Italy | Best Trips to Italy, Guide of Things to Do while on vacation in Italy, Food and Wine of Italy | Culinary Guide of Italy, History of Italy Guide | Rome, Pomepii and Pisa, Italy Culture Travel Guide | Plan the Best Trip to Italy.