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Abruzzo Located in central, eastern part of Italy, scenic Abruzzo does a splendid job of combining two extremes: rugged snowcapped mountain peaks and powdery sand beaches where sun worshipers soak for hours. In between these two poles is a series of dramatic mountain foothills that enclose and hide undiscovered villages and virtually untouched gems of the local Italian culture. Indeed, Abruzzo is one of the least tainted, most-authentic living monuments to Italy’s vibrant past.
The Gran Sasso National Park is home to the Corno Grande, a giant stone precipice jutting sharply past the cloud line. It makes for a stern challenge among those who love day hikes, yet despite the energetic force necessary to attack this mountain, its picturesque grandeur is something that those with itchy legs hard to resist: it’s the highest peak in the Italian Apennines mountain range, and holds Europe’s southernmost glacier, Calderone.
In the wintertime, residents of Rome and Naples flock to Abruzzo’s nearly two-dozen ski resorts. Favorites include Campo Felice, Roccaraso, and Campo Imperatore. As the snow melts, spring, summer and fall activities include horseback riding (and, again, hiking) on the extensive series of well-kept trails carved throughout the Abruzzo’s pristine national parks.
One of the most breathtaking of Abruzzo’s hidden villages is Sulmona, which offers majestic views of Majella Mountain amidst roadways bursting with wildflowers and ancient medieval historical sites. Rent a car and discover as many villages as you can in the Abruzzo, you’ll be one of the few tourists who does!
Moving on down to the coast, resort town Silvi Marina is home to what many agree is the most beautiful beach in Italy – nay, the Adriatic. Breathtaking views of the coast of former Yugoslavia arise from deep Mediterranean blue waters as the sun beats down with a loving, Italian passion. Fortunately, this destination wasn’t discovered overnight in the 1970’s; it has a graceful resort town past which has kept it charming for over a century. There are plenty of apartment rental flats and hotels, and, apart from the beach, a number of historical attractions. Pinetto is another delightful beach town in Abruzzo, with plenty of lodging options, although it is advised you book ahead for the peak season, which hits July through August.
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