Places to visit
Abruzzo is a wonderful region where you can spend your holidays surrounded by mountains, lakes, valleys, mediaeval villages, castles, natural parks and not forgetting the beauty of the seaside. Below are some of the places to visit to discover the wonders and secret charms of this wonderful region.
Lanciano
Lanciano is a very beautiful mediaeval small city which dates back to 1098 B.C. Lanciano still maintains its unique character and warmth as a typical real Italian city. The city is based on rolling hills which steadily grow higher as you head towards to the mountain. In Lanciano there are a wide range of shops, restaurants, coffee bars and modern amenities such as swimming pools, bowling alleys, shopping centres, bingo theatres, football stadium, etc. There are also some unique historical and architectural buildings and churches and there is a world famous Eucharistic miracle housed in Lanciano.
For futher information:
www.therealpresence.org/eucharst/mir/lanciano.html
The beach in Abruzzo (San Vito, Fossacesia, Rocca San Giovanni?)
Trabocchi are fishermen?s old constructions, stand out along the coast around Fossacesia, San Vito and Rocca San Giovanni. The Trabocchi coast line is characterized by large natural reserve areas. Abruzzo in 2006 had more European blue flags for beach quality than any other region in Italy. Some beach resorts are busy and organised and others are secret coves.
San Vito is a busy town all year round, famous for its ice cream and fish restaurants. It is a ?must? in your agenda. The old original town in the hills offers spectacular views. Twice in the summer at midnight, watch the amazing fire works in the sea.
In Rocca San Giovanni you can visit the famous Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere, in the hills overlooking the Costa dei Trabocchi where you can enjoy the tranquillity of the sacred monuments and the fascinating view down the coast-line.
From Rocca San Giovanni you can move inland towards Lanciano, the ancient Anxanum, city of merchants and pilgrims, city of the ?Miracolo Eucaristico? (eucharistic miracle), where there are important ancient monuments and it is also a city where you go shopping thanks to its beautiful shops.
For further information:
www.comune.sanvitochietino.ch.it
Ortona
Ortona is famous for its history and monuments (aragonese castle) both survived the last world war. Ortona is also one of the best-loved resorts on the Chieti Coast, well equipped with bathing establishments. Ortona has also a commercial port the most important in Abruzzo that can be seen from the ?Passeggiata Orientale?, a striking road on one of the sides of the headland on which the town stands . In Ortona it is possible to spend a day on broad a fishing boat, where you can help the crew, plunge in Adritatic sea, sun bathe on the bridge and have lunch other sights are ?Eremo d?Annunziano?, Majella mountain and some characteristic Adriatic beaches.
For
further information on a tour with a fisherman:
Adriatic@pescatour.it
www.pescatour.it Tel. 0859066321 ? 3479259115.
Tremiti islands
Uncontaminated nature, crystal clear water, a variety of colours from the soundings, the fascinating history, all this makes the Tremiti Islands a tourist stop-over point which no lover of the sea should miss out on, accessible only by boat from Termoli(1 hour) or Pescara(3 hours). They include: the island of S. Domino, the largest and the most popular for tourists and completely covered by a wonderful pine forest in Pino d'Aleppo; the island of S. Nicola, the administrative, historical and religious capital; the island of Caprara the distant and uninhabited Pianosa and some rocks amongst which ?il Cretaccio? and ?la Vecchia?.
There are a lot of tourist attractions in a walking distance ( no cars). The splendid Cala delle Arene, Cala degli Inglesi and Cala Matano, to spend whole days in the sun, bathing in crystal clear water. It is also possible to admire the beauty of the coastal formations like rocks (Scoglio dell'Elefante), isolated crags (I Pagliai) and natural arches (l'Architiello). Then there are the mysterious caves: Grotta delle Viole with its vertically rocks, Grotta delle Rondinelle, Grotta del Sale where the smuggled salt was hidden, the Grotta del Bue Marino, 70 m in length and the ancient refuge of the monk seal with the overhanging high cliff called Ripa dei Falconi where the Eleonora's falcon, the Peregrine and the Cory's Shearwater nest.. On S. Domino there are some Diving Centres where, amongst other things, you can book a guided tour both around the Islands. However, the Tremiti islands are not only sea. A visit to S. Nicola means a trip back into the past: just by looking at the walls of the Fortress you can re-live the history of a warring abbey struggling against the Saracen or Dalmatian pirates.
For more information:www.isoletremiti.it
APT Foggia - Local Tourist
Board Via E. Perrone, 17 -
71100 Foggia ITALY
Phone 0881 723141 -723650
Fax 0881 725536
Roccascalegna Castle
Roccascalegna is a small town situated at 455 meters above sea level, midway between the mountains and the sea. Drive through "Fondo Valle Sangro", the Sangro Valley and admire the sight of the castle, rising like a precious jewel encased inside the green hills covered with Mediterranean vegetation. The special feature of Roccascalegna is its castle rising on a rock of limestone, which is connected to a bloody event: the murder of the most cruel, devil-like, violent baron of the castle, Corvo de Corvis, killed by the people of the village in his own castle. Historically, the Baron was at times identified with Annibale Corvi or with Carrafa family, but in truth his existence is enveloped in the legendary mist of past times.
For futher information: www.castelloroccascalegna.it
San martino gorges, River verde, Civitella Messer Raimondo and lake S.Angelo
You can
start from Fara San Martino which is one of the Italian capitals of
pasta production. A small town at the foot of the eastern slope of the
Majella, a splendid place where there are the pasta producers ?Del
Verde? and ?De Cecco?. The small town preserves in the old side, the
ruins of towers and walls. From del Verde springs it?s possibile to
admire the San Martino gorges from which stars a path to cover on foot.
In August you can witness a spectacular display of fireworks in the San
Martino gorges. In front of Fara San Martino perched on top of a hill
there is Civitella Messer Raimondo. The village offers a different
landscape in every season, characterized by a stunning naturlistic
background.
The landscape offers also a lake view : Sant'Angelo, great for fishing.
To see: Medieaval castle, old walls of the town, S.Salvatore church and lake S.Angelo
For futher information:
Bomba Lake
The lake is almost 2 km from the village and it can be reached via the Sangro Valley. In the last stretch of this steep road there is a very charming view. In fact it almost seems that one is gliding into the lake´s water.
The basin is not particularly deep near the tributary, (not far from Villa S.Maria ) and its waters are of good quality making it an ideal habitat for many kinds of fish. Examples of fish to be found in the lake are; Chubs, "Carassi", Carps, Royal Perches, "Scardole", Bleaks, Tenches, Catfish, Eels, Iridic Trouts and Trouts coming from the tributary. These species are numerous and many are a good size. The lake is a beautiful tourist place with the Tourist Centre "Isola Verde." www.isolaverdeonline.it.
The tourist centre is a good welcoming place, characterized by a big restaurant, camping area, sports facilities and night entertainments. There is also an unusual swimming pool surrounded by the greenery of the trees with a backdrop of the lake and its surrounding mountains In the summertime it is possible to enjoy boat races, wind-surfing, boat trips, pedalò trips and many other interesting activities on the lake. It is also important to remember that Bomba´s lake will host the water sports competitions of the Mediterranean´s Games in Pescara 2009.
?Cavallone? cave and natural springs ?Acque vive?
If you want to spend a day surrounded by natural beauty, the Majella Orientale is the right place. The Majella is one of the most beautiful and most impressive parts of the Abruzzo mountains. The whole area is protected by the Majella National Park. It is popular among climbers and mountaineers. You can start by visiting the Cavallone cave which is located in a valley near Lama Dei Peligni. Surrounded by steep and rocky mountains, the area is really alpine, there is even a cable car which is used to get to the cave. The ride on the open cable car is rather impressive. The lift travels to the northwest, which is a high mass of limestone cliffs and to the southeast a much lower hillcountry. At the foot of the mountain is a deep valley with some villages built on top of the hills. Both sides of the valley where the cable car is built in, are of limestone full of caves. At the end of the ride, you can see the huge entrance of the ?Grotta del Cavallone? on the right side. The upper station of the cable car contains a small restaurant and cafe with an impressive view from the veranda. Here a very good track, nearly a single lane road starts. It leads to the foot of the cliff below the cave. From there a roofed flight of stairs leads up to the cave entrance. The cave is very impressive in both size and beauty. It is different to other caves, with much less speleothems on the walls, which is probably a result of the altitude and the corresponding temperatures.
From Natural parks to the seaside
Stare out across the deep, blue, calm, Adriatic sea. Breathe in the minerals and the salty air. Enter into a car, drive for one hour, open the door and step into a meter of snow?2000 metres high. This breathe is crisp and invigorating. People aren?t swimming, they are skiing.
Abruzzo is the European green region of Parks with four Natural parks and twenty protected areas, where it is possible see bears, wolves, eagles, wild boars?The National Park of Abruzzo was created over 70 years agoand it is the symbol of this land. The National Park of Gran Sasso-Monti della Laga is in the summit of Appennini(3000 metres high) with its various landscape, the Majella National Park preserves unspoilt nature and civilisation, the Sirente-Velino park hides the secrets of a still undiscovered nature. The twenty protected areas include Lake Penne, or Fara San Martino-Palombaro reserve, WWf oases such as Serranella Lake, and Majella Orientale. All over Abruzzo nature is dominates with unspoilt beauty. The one hundred and thirty three kilometres of coast line contrast against the rugged mountains. Along the coast from June to September there are organised ?lidos? with all facilities to hire umbrellas or deck chairs, have a warm shower or eat something quick. The sette sorelle (seven sisters), seven seaside resorts from Martinsicuro to Francavilla-al -mare which offer wide sandy beaches, shallow water, amusements, leisure facilities and night club
To the south the scenery changes: from Ortona to Vasto, sloping shores surrounded by the rich Mediterranean vegetation appear along the coastline.
They too, are well equipped for an unforgettable holiday. The past emerges between S.Vito and Fossacesia where the trabocchi unique fishing construction emerge from the sea.
For futher information:
