The 5 things to see in Abruzzo
Aprile 1, 2024
1. Rocca Calascio
The place is magical, postcard-like, and seems painted because of how beautiful it is: we take you to Rocca Calascio, a medieval fortification at 1,464 meters above sea level, in the territory of the municipality of Calascio. Immersed in the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park, the fortress, entirely made of white stone and reachable through picturesque and winding streets that climb the rocks, was chosen as a set for films such as The Name of the Rose, with Sean Connery, or Lady Hawke, with Michelle Pfeiffer.On the path that leads to Santo Stefano di Sessanio, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, which we also recommend you visit, there is the church of Santa Maria della Pietà, which you can admire from the fortress, right under the Corno Grande del Gran Sasso: from here the view is truly impressive, you will feel like you are out of time. And a little closer to the sky.
2. Costa dei Trabocchi
The Adriatic coast, in particular in the province of Chieti, offers suggestive views, jagged coves and stony beaches and is known as Costa dei Trabocchi, for the scenic fishing stilts that characterize it. Rich in important Nature Reserves, such as Punta Aderci and Puntapenna, near Vasto, or the Lecceta di Torino di Sangro, this is an area that will easily seduce you. Do this: bring your sweetheart, wander along the seashore and then dine inside an overflow (some host restaurants!), enjoying excellent homemade dishes by candlelight and listening only to the sound of the waves.
3. Campo Imperatore
The plateau commonly defined as “little Tibet” can be reached by climbing from Assergi via the Fossa di Paganica pass, from the medieval village of Castel del Monte via the Capo la Serra pass, or from Farindola via the Vado di Sole. The peaks that surround – Scindarella, Monte Portella, Corno Grande, Monte Prena – offer a panorama that will leave high altitude enthusiasts speechless. If you visit Abruzzo you cannot miss the third largest National Park in Italy, with its interesting species, from the Abruzzo chamois to the Apennine wolf, the renowned ski resorts or the new Gran Sasso Adventure Park. The Gran Sasso rock massif extends across the Campo Imperatore plateau and is surrounded on the northern side by magnificent beech forests. The Monti della Laga are instead spectacular in spring thanks above all to the abundance of water.
4. Monte Amaro
The highest peak of the Majella, Monte Amaro 2793 meters above sea level, as beautiful as it is challenging to reach as the name already suggests. The route is the classic one on the Majella side overlooking Sulmona, it is a long path, but on the other hand it allows you to pass through all the different natural environments that gradually change with altitude. We thus pass from the vigorous beech forests of Fonte Romana to the faint and delicate high-altitude blooms in the Vallone di Femma Morta passing through the meadows of Fondo Majella. On the way back we will follow the same route to the starting point. Dogs cannot be brought as the “A” zone of the Integral Reserve of the Majella Park is forbidden to our 4-legged friends.
5. Punta Aderci
The Punta Aderci Regional Nature Reserve was established in 1998, it extends for 5 km from the Punta Penna beach in the south to the mouth of the Sinello river in the north which marks the border with the municipality of Casalbordino. The Reserve is located about 10 km north of Vasto and can be reached quite quickly from the state road. The reserve offers one of the most beautiful stretches of coast in Abruzzo and Italy (top of the Vanityfair ranking of the most beautiful and cleanest beaches), a wild and uncontaminated nature rich in flora and fauna. The coast is a mix of sand, cliffs, dunes and rock combined with blue waters and clear, transparent seabeds where it is not uncommon to encounter dolphins and sea turtles. Access to the reserve and use of the beaches is completely free.
