From the peaks of the Gran Sasso and Maiella up to the overflow of San Vito, from the Marsican brown bears to the golden gulf of Vasto, a maximum of morphological diversity, wildlife and landscape appears enclosed within a geographical space limited, helping to delineate the peculiarities of an Italian region full of striking contrasts like Abruzzo.
Abruzzo is situated at the centre of the Italian peninsula. The bordering regions are Lazio on the west, Molise on the south, Marche on the north, while on the east it is bordered by the Adriatic sea. Despite its 50 km of coastline, Abruzzo is one of the most mountainous regions in Italy. In fact, the Corno Grande in the Gran Sasso massif, at 2,914 metres, is the highest summit in the Apennines, or Mount Amaro at 2,795 metres, the top of the Majella, and, accordingly, springs, waterfalls and several lakes including those of Scanno (the largest), Campotosto and Bomba, often frequented by lovers of water sports, from canoeing to kitesurf. The Gran Sasso massif is also famous for its Europe's southernmost glacier, Il Calderone. Abruzzo is well known for being one of the greenest regions in Europe. About a quarter of the territory is covered by forests. There are three protected parks in Abruzzo: Parco Nazionale della Majella, Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo Lazio e Molise and Parco Regionale del Sirente Velino, for a total surface of 500 square kilometres of natural reserves with protected species of wild fauna and flora. For walking lovers there are beautiful routes throughout these protected areas, between charming hilltop villages through forests and gorges, along rivers and high mountain ridges.
Abruzzo’s mountains offer the opportunity to practice various outdoor sports like trekking, walking, rafting, horse riding and skiing. The region has 21 ski areas with 368 kilometres of runs. The most developed resort is Roccaraso, followed by Campo Felice, and Campo Imperatore. Abruzzo also is popular for cross country skiing, especially in Campo Imperatore, in Piana Grande in the Majella, but also in Castiglione Messer Marino at the borders with the Molise region.
The 150 kilometres of Abruzzo coastline is divided into two halves conspicuously dissimilar: the north, with wide sandy beaches, as opposed to the southern, more jagged, with coves, rocky, or scattered with rocks, pebbles or sometimes, indeed, overflowing typical ancient fishing machines. The coastline from Vasto to Ortona is called Costa dei Trabocchi and is famous for these traditional fishermen water huts, called Trabocchi.
Between the mountains and the coastline Abruzzo is characterised by breathtaking hillsides scattered with tiny villages. These hillsides villages represent a link between the coast and the mountains. The interior includes a variety of historical towns, fortresses, castles, abbeys, archaeological sites, monasteries and villages, 20 of which belong to so-called circuit of the "most beautiful villages in Italy".
All these natural richness, the traditional cuisine and the wines of Abruzzo make the region a little jam, not yet fully discovered: Italy´s best kept secret.
The climate differs from the coast and the mountain: On the mountains it is dry and cold, with snow in winter. On the coast is warm and dry, with hot temperatures that can reach the 40 degrees in July and August. Spring and Autumn are dry, with mild and comfortable temperatures both on the coast and on the mountain areas.
Abruzzo is situated at the centre of the Italian peninsula. The bordering regions are Lazio on the west, Molise on the south, Marche on the north, while on the east it is bordered by the Adriatic sea. Despite its 50 km of coastline, Abruzzo is one of the most mountainous regions in Italy. In fact, the Corno Grande in the Gran Sasso massif, at 2,914 metres, is the highest summit in the Apennines, or Mount Amaro at 2,795 metres, the top of the Majella, and, accordingly, springs, waterfalls and several lakes including those of Scanno (the largest), Campotosto and Bomba, often frequented by lovers of water sports, from canoeing to kitesurf. The Gran Sasso massif is also famous for its Europe's southernmost glacier, Il Calderone. Abruzzo is well known for being one of the greenest regions in Europe. About a quarter of the territory is covered by forests. There are three protected parks in Abruzzo: Parco Nazionale della Majella, Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo Lazio e Molise and Parco Regionale del Sirente Velino, for a total surface of 500 square kilometres of natural reserves with protected species of wild fauna and flora. For walking lovers there are beautiful routes throughout these protected areas, between charming hilltop villages through forests and gorges, along rivers and high mountain ridges.
Abruzzo’s mountains offer the opportunity to practice various outdoor sports like trekking, walking, rafting, horse riding and skiing. The region has 21 ski areas with 368 kilometres of runs. The most developed resort is Roccaraso, followed by Campo Felice, and Campo Imperatore. Abruzzo also is popular for cross country skiing, especially in Campo Imperatore, in Piana Grande in the Majella, but also in Castiglione Messer Marino at the borders with the Molise region.
The 150 kilometres of Abruzzo coastline is divided into two halves conspicuously dissimilar: the north, with wide sandy beaches, as opposed to the southern, more jagged, with coves, rocky, or scattered with rocks, pebbles or sometimes, indeed, overflowing typical ancient fishing machines. The coastline from Vasto to Ortona is called Costa dei Trabocchi and is famous for these traditional fishermen water huts, called Trabocchi.
Between the mountains and the coastline Abruzzo is characterised by breathtaking hillsides scattered with tiny villages. These hillsides villages represent a link between the coast and the mountains. The interior includes a variety of historical towns, fortresses, castles, abbeys, archaeological sites, monasteries and villages, 20 of which belong to so-called circuit of the "most beautiful villages in Italy".
All these natural richness, the traditional cuisine and the wines of Abruzzo make the region a little jam, not yet fully discovered: Italy´s best kept secret.
The climate differs from the coast and the mountain: On the mountains it is dry and cold, with snow in winter. On the coast is warm and dry, with hot temperatures that can reach the 40 degrees in July and August. Spring and Autumn are dry, with mild and comfortable temperatures both on the coast and on the mountain areas.
