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Via car, bus or train, there is a whole host of places to see, here are just a few. Rome If you would like to visit Rome a coach leaves Loreto Aprutino from the main piazza at 7.15am arriving in Rome at 10.30am and returning at 18.45pm, giving you 8 hours in Rome at a cost of just £28 return. The coach will take you through some stunning countryside where hilltop town after hilltop town can be observed. L'Aquila (1 hour) One of the most beautiful cities in Abruzzo is the capital L'Aquila, south west of the Gran Sasso mountain. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1703, it was rebuit in Romanesque style, although some of the medieval churches and Ressaissance palaces and villas remain. There is a good Saturday market and some excellent restaurants where you can sit out on the various piazzas. 99 is a number which recurs in the history of L'Aquila. There were said to be 99 castles which all joined together to form this city. In the past L'Aquila had 99 churches and 99 squares (piazzas) which , however, over the centuries, with the growth of the town have fallen in number. However, the original number of 99 can still be found in the fountain with 99 spouts! Sulmona (45 mins) Sulmona is the home of the Italian confectionery known as confetti. These are delicious sugar coated almonds and are traditionally given to friends and relatives on weddings and other special occasions. Confetti can be eaten or simply used as decoration. The local artisans also colour these candies and craft them into flowers and other creations. There are two main factories in town and several shops that sell these items. In 1706 the city was nearly razed to the ground by an earthquake. While, much of the medieval city was destroyed by the earthquake, however some remarkable buildings survived. Much of the city was then rebuilt in the elegant Baroque style of the 18th Century. Sulmona experienced an economic boom in the late 19th Century due its railway hub and strategic geographic position between Rome and the Adriatic coast. This strategic position also made it a target for air raids during World War II. The railway station, the industrial sections and parts of the old town were damaged, but today they have been restored. Chieti (30 mins)
Peacefully lying on a low hill behind busy Pescara, Chieti has for centuries been one of the most important towns in Abruzzo. Chieti is steeped in history with many Roman remains still visible. There is a Roman Amphitheatre where vistors can admire findings from the old town originally named Teate
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