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There are so many things to do locally here are just the obvious ones......... Loreto Aprutino Less than 5 minutes by car takes you to the hilltop town of Loreto Aprutino, a town that grew up around the castle and Benedictine abbey in the 11th century. In the Middle Ages many of the characteristic buildings of the city were built. Enjoy meandering through the narrow streets of the town soaking up the atmosphere of a very typical Italian town. Call at the former Castle, now a hotel at the top of the town for a coffee, wine or a spot of lunch. The hotel has been many things in its past including a monestry and a prison. The views from this hotel are breathtaking and now very popular for English weddings. You'll understand why when you visit.
Each spring on the first Monday after Pentecost, the city celebrates the Festa di San Zopito and a parade is held. A child, dressed all in white and wearing a crown of flowers, rides a white ox that is decorated with colored ribbons on its horns and a red mantle bearing an image of San Zopito.
The Church of Santa Maria in Piano is well worth a visit, with the frescoes being the largest and most important in Abruzzo. Penne 
Less than 10 minutes by car takes you to Penne, a busy bustling town. The ancient town centre is well preserved, a maze of narrow alleys, surrounded by 15th centuary walls. In the evening Penne is alive with activity in which there are many bars and restaurants to sample the local food. Penne Lake and Nature Reserve - Set in 3212 acres the reserve is amongst the most interesting in Abruzzo. The Lake is home to the Little Egret, the Red heron and the Osprey. An educational and activity centre is siutated at the Reserve, to enable you to get the most from your visit. The Beaches There are many beautiful beaches to choose from, Silvi Marina, Pineto, Montesilvano etc., catering for everyones taste. From private beaches where you can hire parasols and sun beds and have shower and toilet facilities, to vast public beaches giving you as much or as little privacy as you like. The sand slopes gently into the sea, making bathing very safe, even for the youngest child. The beach at Montesilvano is just 20 minutes drive away. Our prefered beach and probably the best in Abruzzo is just 35 minutes drive away. The Mountains There are 2 mountain ranges to explore, The Gran Sasso and the Maiella, both of which are visible from the apartment. These mountain ranges have a huge amount of wildlife including brown bears, wolves, deer, boar, chamois to name but a few. There are also vultures and many eagles. Golden eagles are a common sight. There are numerous picnic areas including barbecues so you can choose the ideal spot for a bit of lunch. The Gran Sasso has the highest peak in the Apennines, 9554ft above sea-level. Below it lies Europe's most southly glacier. The plateau of Campo Imperatore is Italy's oldest ski resort and is the largest plateau in the Apennines and a favourite desination for hikers wanting to stay in the mountain refuges and explore the range's higher peaks. The ski slopes are just 40 minutes drive away, making it possible to ski in the morning and swim in the sea in the afternoon. Castelli For more than 3 centuries, the picturesque village of Castelli has been the crucial centre for Italian ceramic art. You can watch the artisans at work producing outstanding peices of art. You cannot visit the area without a souvenir from Castelli. |
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