Abruzzo is a sweet balance of colours from the green of the national parks, the blue of the sea, the gold of the sandy beaches and the white of the rocky shore. L' Aquila , seat of the local government, is dominated by an imposing castle of the sixth century (that houses the national museum of Abruzzo) and is equipped with splendid civil and religious monuments of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
The sand of Abruzzo is heterogeneous: from Pescara towards the North shores there are long beaches, soft and golden sand, while towards the south of Pescara the shores are rocky and from time to time irregular.
Among the most important bathing resorts we suggest Alba Adriatica, Vasto, Tortoreto, Giulianova, Roseto degli Abruzzi, Pineto, Silvi Marina, Montesilvano Marina, Francavilla al Mare.
Abruzzo National Park is a great tourist resource where there are protected species of animals in danger of extinction, such as the wolf and the marsicano bear; in this area we can find mountain centres such as Pescasseroli (a skiing resort), Opi, Forca d'Acero and Villetta Barrea.
There is another skiing resort in Gran Sasso (Campo Imperatore) and in the mountain-tops which form Mount Velino Massif (such as Campo Felice and Ovindoli).
Three great national parks- Abruzzo National Park, Gran Sasso National Park and Majella National Park - together with more than twenty natural reserves keep 70% of the animal and vegetal species of Europe.
Art lovers should visit Lanciano (Chieti), which preserves the Cathedral and the churches of Saint Mary, Saint Agostino and Saint Biagio.
LOCAL CULINARY SPECIALITIES:
First course: " maccheroni alla chitarra", timbale "alla teramana", "virtù".
Second course : fish (consommé "alla pescarese", squid, cod and sole), meat (lamb with pepper and "aiu cutturu" sheep), cheeses ("scamorze", seasoned sheep's milk cheese, "caciocavalli").
Desserts : sugar-coated almonds from Sulmona, nougat from Chieti and "parrozzo?.
Wines : Montepulciano d'Abruzzo and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo.
Don't forget the famous digestive Centerbe.
Photo: www.regione.abruzzo.it
