Couple of days ago a friend told me he had a few days in Abruzzo…so we jotted down a short plan for him. I am posting here, just in case you’re looking for some ideas.
The only note is that the plan includes a stop in Giulianova. My friend is going because his grandparents were originally from there. I’d not go…but he has a good reason.
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7th morning – go to L’Aquila.
You’ll probably arrive there in 1.5hrs (depending on traffic). Tour L’Aquila (there are a few landmarks). Night in L’Aquila is not too great, so in the afternoon I’d head over toward Teramo (very close to Giulianova). In the Teramo area there are some really good wineries. Couple of good ones: http://www.vinilepore.it/, http://www.cerullispinozzi.it/. There are others as well. In the towns where the wineries are you’re likely to find some good local restaurants (ask the winery guys for local typical restaurants). I’d sleep somewhere in Teramo and visit the city at night.
8th
Go to Giulianova in the morning. You may want to hit the beach for a swim on the adriatic. Although the better beaches are in the south of the region. I’d hang out here in the morning, have lunch somewhere in town.
At this point I would head down to Pescara. It’s much quicker using the highway. You can also have lunch in Pescara and than head to visit some of the local wineries. Some of the good ones: http://www.cantinazaccagnini.it/, http://www.marramiero.it, and http://www.speranzavini.it/ (the first two are really good, the third is very close to the first). You can have dinner around some of these small towns. Ask the winery for advice for traditional food from Pescara. At this point you could go back to Pescara for a stroll or head south close to Lanciano. There are a few options here. You can stay cheap at a nice hotel called “Lo Scudo” (disclaimer: it’s my uncle…but it’s a good quality for the price…not close to the beach) or you can stay at “Hotel Garden” right across their private beach . They are both very affordable when compared to hotels in Rome/Florence/Venice. I’d stay at the Garden (this is were all our guests are staying for our wedding)
9th
You can experience a traditional “vacation day”. Hang out at the Hotel’s private beach. This is a good place for a swim…it’s a “Blue Flag” area, which means that the EU says that the water (and beach) are great! In the early afternoon head over to the “San Giovanni in Venere”. It’s a beautiful monastery with a magnificent view. From there head over to Lanciano and visit the downtown, the churches (including the miracle one) and Lanciano “Vecchia” – it’s a great stroll. Have an “aperitivo” to any of the bars in the main street. For dinner make a reservation at the restaurant “L’ Angolino” (http://cucina.wordpress.com/2007/06/30/review-langolo-da-filippo-italy/). When you go there tell Carlo (the owner) that Max Ciccotosto says hi. We have known each other for a long time! Spend the night at the same hotel.
10th
Time to hit the road toward capri. From here the fastest way would go toward south on the highway. Right after Vasto there will be a road that cuts across Italy toward Naples (it’s called SS650). It will take about 2-2.5hr to get to the A1 (the highway on the west coast close to Naples). Now…here you will be very close to Caserta – home of the magnificent Reggia di Caserta (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggia_di_Caserta). I’d definitely stop here for a few hours.
From here you will be less an hour from Naples (and thus Capri). According to your schedule.
It’s a bit dense…but distances are very short. You’ll get to experience wine, food, mountains, hills and the beach. Abruzzo at its best!
So bring your best appetite!
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