Sarah’s guidebook

Sarah
Sarah’s guidebook

Nearby Towns Worth a Visit

Abruzzo is full of pretty towns and villages, some are perched in the mountains, others are closer to the sea in the rolling countryside.
A pretty town within walking distance of Lama, home to the Acque Vive, Chiesa di San Biagio, Chiesa della Santissima Trinita and Rifugio Majella.
Taranta Peligna
A pretty town within walking distance of Lama, home to the Acque Vive, Chiesa di San Biagio, Chiesa della Santissima Trinita and Rifugio Majella.
Home to the Museo dell’Orso Marsicano, this is well worth a visit as it gives you a chance to see the native Marsicano bears up close. The Eremo Celestino Madonna dell’Altare just outside Palena has amazing views.
6 locals recommend
Palena, Abruzzo
6 locals recommend
Home to the Museo dell’Orso Marsicano, this is well worth a visit as it gives you a chance to see the native Marsicano bears up close. The Eremo Celestino Madonna dell’Altare just outside Palena has amazing views.
As well as being a fabulous ski resort, the town of Pescocostanzo is very pretty. The town is famous for its lace making, the Museo del Tombolo has displays of lace work and the tools used. There are lots of highly recommended restaurants within the town
57 locals recommend
Pescocostanzo
57 locals recommend
As well as being a fabulous ski resort, the town of Pescocostanzo is very pretty. The town is famous for its lace making, the Museo del Tombolo has displays of lace work and the tools used. There are lots of highly recommended restaurants within the town
Thanks to the Sorgenti Verde that runs off the mountain this is the home of pasta, with De Cecco & Del Verde and many other pasta makers based here. The narrow streets of the Antico Borgo are great to explore. The Gole di San Martino is not to be missed. An easy walk literally through the mountain and featured in the TV adaptation of Umberto Eco’s The Name of The Rose.
10 locals recommend
Fara San Martino
10 locals recommend
Thanks to the Sorgenti Verde that runs off the mountain this is the home of pasta, with De Cecco & Del Verde and many other pasta makers based here. The narrow streets of the Antico Borgo are great to explore. The Gole di San Martino is not to be missed. An easy walk literally through the mountain and featured in the TV adaptation of Umberto Eco’s The Name of The Rose.
The town of Pennepiedimonte is nestled on the mountain side, its winding streets seem barely wide enough for cars. Just outside you will find Balzolo, the views are spectacular and there is a trail to follow in to the mountain if you are feeling energetic
14 locals recommend
Pennapiedimonte
14 locals recommend
The town of Pennepiedimonte is nestled on the mountain side, its winding streets seem barely wide enough for cars. Just outside you will find Balzolo, the views are spectacular and there is a trail to follow in to the mountain if you are feeling energetic
A medieval town dating back 2000 years, the medieval town was destroyed in the winter of 1943/44 by the retreating German army. It’s now a poignant site with great views over the valley.
8 locals recommend
Gessopalena
8 locals recommend
A medieval town dating back 2000 years, the medieval town was destroyed in the winter of 1943/44 by the retreating German army. It’s now a poignant site with great views over the valley.
The picturesque Castello di Roccascalegna balances 100m above the town on a pair of limestone formations and was also a set location for The Name of The Rose. We recommend wearing trainers or similar if you are going to visit as the paths are quite uneven.
34 locals recommend
Roccascalegna
34 locals recommend
The picturesque Castello di Roccascalegna balances 100m above the town on a pair of limestone formations and was also a set location for The Name of The Rose. We recommend wearing trainers or similar if you are going to visit as the paths are quite uneven.
Not far from Sulmona is the village of Scanno, its famous for its lake that is shaped like a heart and the local ladies who can often be found wearing traditional costumes.
41 locals recommend
Scanno
41 locals recommend
Not far from Sulmona is the village of Scanno, its famous for its lake that is shaped like a heart and the local ladies who can often be found wearing traditional costumes.

Some of our favourite restaurants

Where to start, there are so many good restaurants in Abruzzo offering typical Abbruzzese dishes, we recommend you try Arrosticini, Cacio e Ova, Wild Boar (Cinghiale), Chitarra pasta and anything with Tartufo. Most restaurants offer excellent vegetarian dishes.
A friendly bar and restaurant in nearby Palena, set in a traditional stone building the food is freshly prepared. On Sunday mornings there are a selection of freshly made pastries – we often stop in on our way to the mountain. Ivan the owner is also an excellent English-speaking Ski instructor.
Bar ristorante maiella
3 Via Trento e Trieste
A friendly bar and restaurant in nearby Palena, set in a traditional stone building the food is freshly prepared. On Sunday mornings there are a selection of freshly made pastries – we often stop in on our way to the mountain. Ivan the owner is also an excellent English-speaking Ski instructor.
Great pizza, if you are feeling hungry try the XL Calzone.
La Villetta
Via Nazionale
Great pizza, if you are feeling hungry try the XL Calzone.
Situated overlooking the lake, great food served with a view. Lunchtime menu is excellent and the choice of steaks in the evening is one of the best we have seen.
Ristorante Braceria La Taverna sul lago
4 Contrada Torretta
Situated overlooking the lake, great food served with a view. Lunchtime menu is excellent and the choice of steaks in the evening is one of the best we have seen.
Fixed price menu of 15 euros per person gets you a Primo, Secondo, Side dish, water, wine, bread and a coffee. If you fancy fish or seafood go on a Friday. The menu is available lunch and evening, they close all day Saturday and if you want to go on a Sunday we recommend booking first.
Il Bucaniere
87 Via Contrada Selva Piana
Fixed price menu of 15 euros per person gets you a Primo, Secondo, Side dish, water, wine, bread and a coffee. If you fancy fish or seafood go on a Friday. The menu is available lunch and evening, they close all day Saturday and if you want to go on a Sunday we recommend booking first.
Different varieties of home made pasta made fresh every day, chestnut is one of our favourites.
6 locals recommend
Ristorante Da Paolino
6 locals recommend
Different varieties of home made pasta made fresh every day, chestnut is one of our favourites.

Things to do

Where to start............
Abruzzo Rafting is just a 15 minute drive away. They offer rafting and kayaking for all ages & levels - great fun
8 locals recommend
Abruzzo Rafting
3 Via delle Frazioni
8 locals recommend
Abruzzo Rafting is just a 15 minute drive away. They offer rafting and kayaking for all ages & levels - great fun
The reason we are here, over 110 KM of piste, the ski pass for Roccaraso also covers Pescocostanzo and Pescasseroli. The resort is constantly updating their infrastructure and gets better every year. Ski hire and lessons are available - we can help arrange an english speaking instructor if needed.
6 locals recommend
Roccaraso Ski Pass AltoSangro Siafas
Via Roma
6 locals recommend
The reason we are here, over 110 KM of piste, the ski pass for Roccaraso also covers Pescocostanzo and Pescasseroli. The resort is constantly updating their infrastructure and gets better every year. Ski hire and lessons are available - we can help arrange an english speaking instructor if needed.
This is a very friendly tour guide covering the Maiella park and local towns, you will find them on Facebook. Emanuele and Barbara are friendly and knowledgeable guides, their tours often include a tasting of a local delicacy.
Majexperience
Via Casimiro Gentile
This is a very friendly tour guide covering the Maiella park and local towns, you will find them on Facebook. Emanuele and Barbara are friendly and knowledgeable guides, their tours often include a tasting of a local delicacy.
Great fun for all the family
45 locals recommend
Aqualand del Vasto
Via Incoronata
45 locals recommend
Great fun for all the family
Abruzzo has many Blue Flag beaches, and a lot of these are within a 45 minute drive of Casa di Rosa. You will also see dotted along the coast various Trabocco, these are traditional wooden fishing platforms still in use today. Some have been turned in to restaurants. There are many Lido’s as well as free beach areas. Some of our nearest beaches are Le Morge, Fossacesia Marina, Ortona and Vasto. To find a beach, just head towards the Adriatico and take your pick.
27 locals recommend
Ortona
27 locals recommend
Abruzzo has many Blue Flag beaches, and a lot of these are within a 45 minute drive of Casa di Rosa. You will also see dotted along the coast various Trabocco, these are traditional wooden fishing platforms still in use today. Some have been turned in to restaurants. There are many Lido’s as well as free beach areas. Some of our nearest beaches are Le Morge, Fossacesia Marina, Ortona and Vasto. To find a beach, just head towards the Adriatico and take your pick.