Abruzzo is a wonderful italian region east of Rome with an Adriatic coastline and the Apennine Mountains. National parks, with beautiful rivers and lakes and nature reserves cover much of its rugged interior. It also encompasses hilltop towns dating to the Medieval and Renaissance periods. The regional capital, L’Aquila is a walled city and local towns close to Rondinelle, Atri and Penne offer beautiful undiscovered buildings and traditional markets. Our local smaller towns, Bisenti, Castiglione Messer Raimondo, Castilenti and Montefino are all wonderful examples of traditional hilltop villages. The coast is wonderful and only a 45 minute drive away.  It is  known as The Trabocchi Coast, with sandy coves, named after the traditional wooden fishing piers.  We visit the wonderful beach club L'Oasi, where they will reserve you beds and umbrellas and a table for a fabulous lunch, cooked by the Chef owner.

The Abruzzi people are known for their friendliness and their excellent food. They are unbelievably kind and generous and nothing is too much trouble. There are many local festivals throughout the summer in the local villages which we highly recommend taking part in.

There are some amazing walks from the house or in the local National Parks, and some amazing birdlife and wildlife. There are wild boar on our hill, porcupine, pheasants, foxes and deer.  Brown bear and wolves are not that far away!

Bisenti

Bisenti is our lovely local market town where we do all our shopping. There is a small local market every Tuesday, some simple local restaurants and bars, a bank, butcher, coffee shop with incredible home made ice cream  and 2 very good local supermarkets, which stock everything.

Bisenti nestles in the foothills of the Gran Sasso d”Italia and it boasts ancient origins tracing back to pre-Roman times and is thought to be the birthplace of Pontius Pilate.

Award winning, San Lorenzo Vineyard makes incredible local wine and is well worth a tasting and visit when stocking up.

Cooking and restaurant booking

The local Agriturismo Colle Paradiso is a wonderful local restaurant which is just 200 metres down our track. Here you can have dinner or arrange to have dinner delivered to the villa. Most guests enjoy home made ravioli on arrival and Sunday lunch on the terrace at the Agriturismo is one of our favourite Abruzzi experiences.

Taxis

The Agriturismo can arrange taxis to and from the airport, the village for shopping or even for dinner in the evening.

Extra cleaning and babysitting

Our lovely local ladies are delighted to provide extra cleaning and/or babysitting and this can be arranged in advance or when you are at the house. All payable locally.

Olive oil

Our own olive oil is available to buy directly from the Agriturismo. It’s delicious and pressed on the farm, 200 metres down the track.