Travel to Abruzzo, Italy – Episode 791
categories: europe travelHear about travel to the region of Abruzzo in Italy as the Amateur Traveler talks to Jackie Parsons from HedonisticHiking.com about an area where she leads hiking and culinary tours.
Jackie says, “Abruzzo is between Rome and the Adriatic coast. Surprisingly, it is only two and a half hours from the Capitol, yet it is a different world. I think Abruzzo is a region to discover, if you are looking for a region that is authentic, something that isn’t overrun by tourists, somewhere if you love nature, somewhere that is unspoiled if you love animals, wildflowers. It also has beaches as well. It has something for everybody. The people are genuine and really welcoming. And the food and wine is amazing.”
Jackie starts us in little town of Sulmona, which is in the valley surrounded by the Apennine Mountains. It is a beautiful market town. It’s known nowadays for its confetti, which what the Italians call the sugared almonds that they will hand out at weddings. These are displayed as flowers, bees or animals. Above the town there is a hike to the ruins of a castle, Rocca Calascio, with views of the tallest mountain in the Apennines, Gran Sasso.
From there she recommends visiting one of the 4 national parks in Abruzzo. Her recommendation is the Campo Imperatore in the Gran Sasso d’Italia. Campo Imperatore (field of the Emperor) is often referred to as little Tibet, because it is flat, surrounded by mountains and a real feeling of wilderness. In the springtime, when we are often there is carpeted with beautiful wildflowers. During WWII in 1943, when Mussolini was deposed from power, he was sent up to this area to the Hotel Campo Imperatore where he was imprisoned until liberated by the Germans and put back into power.
Jackie recommends staying in the small mountain town of Santo Stefano di Sessanio which is an albergo diffuso, a “dispersed hotel”. Instead of staying in a hotel room, you stay in one of the small houses.
For some time at the beach, Jackie sends us down to the Adriatic Coast to Ortona. In WWII, this was on the Gustav Line, the line of fortifications built to stop the Allied advance up Italy.
We also talk about the other 3 national parks in Abruzzo: Maiella National Park, Abruzzo National Park, and Parco del Sirente. These can be great places for hiking, swimming in a mountain lake or seeing some of Abruzzo’s big 5 which includes brown bears, wolves, wild boar, chamois and golden eagles. Jackie recommends a tour with the guides from Wildlife Adventures to see some of the local fauna.
We learn about the local cuisine which includes lamb dishes like “arrosticini” skewers, truffles, mushrooms and spaghetti alla chitarra. And since this is Italy, it also includes local wines like Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Pecorino.
Hear about this under visited corner of Italy and see if you may want to add it to your next Italian itinerary.
subscribe: rss feed | Apple podcasts
Sponsors
Imagine being on board an all-inclusive small ship through Mexico’s Sea of Cortez, Alaska, or Costa Rica. with no crowds, no lines, daily excursions, and fully vaccinated guests… That’s what you get with UnCruise Adventures! Save $500-750 by going to uncruise.com/pages/TRAVELER.
This episode is sponsored by Cal-Am. With 12 properties across Arizona, Cal-Am Resorts offer experiences designed just for older audiences. Unlike a time share, you buy a home allowing you to come whenever you want and stay for as long as you want. Call Steve Ryerson at 888-883-4609 or visit discovercal-am.com.
right click here to download (mp3)
Show Notes
Guided Gourmet Walking Holidays, Italy & Australia | Hedonistic Hiking
Abruzzo
Sulmona
Gran Sasso d’Italia
Campo Imperatore
Hotel Campo Imperatore
Gran Sasso raid
Arrosticini
Santo Stefano di Sessanio
Sextantio Albergo Diffuso
Albergo Diffuso
Albergo Diffuso
Ortona
Gustav Line (WWII)
Pescocostanzo
Maiella National Park
Pescasseroli
Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park
Wildlife Adventures
Chamois
Parco del Sirente
Scanno
Barrea
Spaghetti alla chitarra
Blitum bonus-henricus
Navelli
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Pecorino
Castle of Rocca Calascio
Ladyhawke (film)
The American (film)
Trans-Siberian Train
Corno Grande
The Wilds of Abruzzo
Community
Support Amateur Traveler on Patreon
Please take our listener survey
- Get a universal plug adapter
- Search for Great Tours HERE
- Get an eSim to be able to use your smartphone abroad.
- Get a Car Rental
- Book Your Accommodation HERE
- Buy Travel Insurance
+Chris Christensen | @chris2x | facebook
Leave a Reply
Tags: abruzzo, audio travel podcast, italy, podcast