A Travel Guide to Abruzzo, Italy
Abruzzo is one of twenty regions that make up Italy. It is located in central Italy, not so far from the country’s capital of Rome that lies to its west. It has a prime location of coastland on the Adriatic Sea and also an elevated area that sits on the spine of Italy – the Apennines. Its region’s capital is L'Aquila.
The beaches of Abruzzo’s Adriatic coastline are golden sanded and enjoy generous temperatures that vary between 20-30°C from spring through to autumn. Even in its hottest temperatures it is not uncomfortable due it being dry and not humid. Also many of the beaches, including the popular Spiagga Aurora in the Vasto Marina, are Blue Flag - Europe’s award for the most eco-friendly beaches that ensure the highest standards of hygiene and cleanliness. The high standard, the climate and stunning beauty of their coastline ensures many regular visitors, sun seekers and bathers. There are also many activities including water based activities such as swimming, water biking and windsurfing and land based such as beach volleyball and golf.
Further inland, the temperature changes as the elevation increases due to the mountains of the Apennines. The houses become older and more mystical as they crawl up the Gran Sasso – the highest peak of the Apennines. It is also popular with climbers and there are several ski resorts located around this area that offer downhill and cross country skiing as well as snowboarding and snowshoeing. There are lessons for beginners and excellent facilities including ski lifts. Throughout the region of Abruzzo there are nearly one and half dozen ski resorts providing plenty of choice to where visitors can spend their winter holiday.
The region’s capital is L’Aquila, it is a very beautiful city and it sits astride the mountain of Gran Sasso with a beautiful maze of narrow streets lined with period style building.
Meanwhile the region of Abruzzo also has several national parks with a third of its area covered in differing varieties of flora and fauna in glorious emotional evoking scenery from the ascending peaks of Gran Sasso to the fast flowing rivers and waterfalls of Monti della Laga. This is also the location of one of Italy’s Castel Del Monte’s. In Abruzzo this fortification serves as a Medieval and Renaissance hill town and it is simply breath-taking as it comes into view with the background of the Apennines ascending to the clouds serving as a momentous backdrop. This magnificent historical castle is located in the Gran Sasso National Park near the ski resort of Campo Imperatore.
There is a wide variety of self catering holiday accommodation in Abruzzo ranging from modest apartments to rustic Italian houses in national park areas to beachside settings overlooking the golden sanded beaches and the Adriatic Sea.
