Abruzzo is located in the central Italian region of Italy.
Abruzzo is a region located in the central Italian region of Italy. It’s bordered on one side by the Adriatic Sea and on the other three sides by mountains: the Apennine Mountains to the south, Gran Sasso Massif to the north, and Sangro Valley to the east. The Sangro River flows through this valley into Abruzzo National Park, one of Italy’s largest national parks.
Abruzzo is known for its dramatic landscapes, rich wildlife and mountainous terrain, which have allowed it to escape damage from modern development. In fact, much of Abruzzo remains relatively unexplored by tourists. This makes it a great destination if you’re looking for an authentic Italian experience and want to avoid crowds.
If you’re interested in visiting Abruzzo from Rome (the capital city), it’s about an hour’s drive east along A24 motorway or train line FL1.
Population became sparse after World War II, but in recent years the area has seen an influx of the more well-to-do seeking to trade city life for a slower pace.
Abruzzo’s population began to experience a decline after World War II, when many farmers and their families left the area in search of work in Northern Italy. In recent years, however, there has been an influx of people seeking to trade the city life for a slower pace. Abruzzo is known for its production of high-quality olive oil, honey and cheese from sheep that graze on wild herbs, and flaky pastry called pasticciotto. It also hosts annual celebrations for its wine—most notably Montepulciano d’Abruzzo—to draw tourists from around the country and beyond. The region’s coastline is also popular with Italian holidaymakers.
Largely due to its natural beauty and proximity to Rome, Abruzzo has become increasingly attractive to wealthy weekenders over the last few decades; this phenomenon has created a divide between the rich summer homeowners (many of whom live in Rome or Milan) and local working-class Italians who struggle to afford even modest housing prices due to rising interest from outsiders.
Abruzzo is known for its coastal areas, mountains and ski resorts.
Abruzzo is a region of central Italy, bordered by Lazio on the west and south, Molise on the east and Marche to the north. It’s known for its mountain ranges, coastal areas, national parks and ski resorts. Its climate is predominantly Mediterranean. The highest point in Abruzzo is Corno Grande at 2912 meters above sea level, which makes it one of Europe’s major ecological areas. Its coastline includes the picturesque Tremiti Islands (a famous diving site); while in its interior you will find natural wonders like the Gran Sasso (the highest massif in the Appennines), Monti della Laga National Park and Majella National Park (both protected by UNESCO). There are several ski resorts in Abruzzo like Passo Lanciano – Campo Felice and Ovindoli Monte Magnola that offer excellent skiing conditions during winter time.
The Trebbiano d’Abruzzo grape varietal produces some of the region’s dry white wine.
Trebbiano is a white grape variety that thrives in the Abruzzo region. It’s a tall, vigorous vine which can be difficult to manage and has been accused of producing bland wines, but with care and attention this varietal can produce zesty, versatile white wine.
The Trebbiano d’Abruzzo grapes are grown on the hillsides of the Apennine mountains, mostly in the province of Teramo. The harsh climate and steep slopes help keep yields low, which results in concentrated flavours perfect for medium-bodied whites with crisp acidity and notes of citrus fruit.
These wines often have a pale straw colour, with aromas of green apples and honeyed almonds on the nose. They’re perfect for drinking cold with antipasti like cured meats or bruschetta topped with fresh tomato salsa.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a full-bodied red wine created from the Montepulciano grapes cultivated in the vineyards of Abruzzo.
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a DOCG appellation, which makes it one of the highest quality wines in Italy. The most common grape variety used to create Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is Montepulciano, although other varieties are allowed as well. Because it’s a full-bodied red wine, it’s often served with hearty pasta dishes or as an accompaniment to steak and wild game.
Tullum was an ancient Roman port that was protected by Augustus, but was ultimately destroyed by Germanic tribes. It is now a protected archaeological site with some original structures still standing.
The ancient city of Tullum, which is located about 6 miles inland from the Adriatic, was the capital of the Marsi, a small tribe that lived in Abruzzo. In the second century B.C., Tullum became an important port on the Adriatic and was protected by Augustus. However, it was ultimately destroyed by Germanic tribes in the fifth century A.D., leaving behind only ruins. Today, Tullum is a protected archaeological site with some original structures still standing (see photo above).
Villa d’Este is a lavishly designed lakeside villa that George Clooney once called home when he shot The American in nearby Rome.
One of the main attractions when you visit Abruzzo is its historic architecture. An especially noteworthy example is Villa d’Este, a lavishly designed lakeside villa that George Clooney once called home when he shot The American in nearby Rome.
Villa d’Este was originally built in 1568 as a pleasure house by Cardinal Ippolito II d’Este, and it features a large garden with fountains, sculptures and grottoes. It has since become a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Italy’s most popular tourist destinations. When George Clooney shot The American in nearby Rome, he reportedly spent his evenings at the villa.
The building has been restored over the years and also houses an art gallery with works from Paolo Veronese, Jusepe de Ribera and other Baroque artists.
Pescara is famous for Montesilvano beach, which has been hosting European beach volleyball tournaments since 2009. The annual event pulls pro players from all over the globe to compete on the soft sand courts overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
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Calascio is a small village set on a mountaintop at 3,400 feet above sea level where foodies flock to sample dishes made with truffles grown in local gardens and woods.
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