Abruzzo is a stunning and undiscovered part of central Italy. It combines the Adriatic coast with the highest part of the Apennine mountains. The spectacular scenery includes snow-capped mountains and lush green valleys teeming with birds and wildlife, while waterfalls surge through rocky gorges and canyons. The region contains:

• National Parks (a third of the region is designated as national or regional park)
• mountain towns with beautiful churches and squares
• castles
• vineyards and olive groves (we can organise tours on request)
• thriving coastal resorts and lovely beaches bordering the clear blue sea.

Abruzzo is a very friendly area and you will be made to feel very welcome by the locals. The region is famous for its food and its excellent wines. Montepulciano d'abruzzo is its most well-known wine.

Villa Bozza is south-west of Atri on the map below. Multimap will show you the location of Villa Bozza and the towns featured here (select Italy as the country and type in the names of the places you want to find). Villa Bozza on Multimap

Villa Bozza

The small village of Villa Bozza nestling in the hills in the Montefino municipality of Teramo province of Abruzzo has a restaurant, a shop, a bar and a garage.

The pretty little town of Castilenti is some 3 km south of Villa Bozza and the bigger town of Atri is 15 minutes by car.

National Parks

Villa Bozza is in easy reach of three of Italy's lovely National Parks. The house is:

• Close to Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga
• 40 km from Parco Nazionale della Majella
• 90 km from Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise

Map of National Parks in Abruzzo – with more information about the individual parks

Winter sports

The two main winter sports areas in Abruzzo are the Gran Sasso and Maella mountains. As well as downhill and cross-country skiing, there is snowboarding, snowrafting, ski-touring, tobogganing and dog-sledding.

The nearest mountains to Villa Bozza are the Gran Sasso. The Maella mountains are about 1–1.5 hours drive away depending on the weather.

A popular area near the Corno Grande (2912m) in Gran Sasso is Campo Imperatore with ski lifts going as high as 2233m on Mt Scindarella. In the winter, it can be reached by cable car from Fonte Cereto (1120m). The Campo Imperatore plateau is also ideal for cross-country skiing.

Beach at Pineto

The nearest beach to the house (about 20 minutes drive) is at the small coastal town of Pineto, beyond Atri to the north-east of Villa Bozza. Pineto is a beautiful seaside resort a short distance up the coast north from Pescara. Long stretches of pine woods lie behind the beach which has a designated children's play area.

To access the beach you have to park on the town side or at the railway car park and walk through the bridge under the railway line.

More photos of the beach at Pineto

Other towns

Penne is a town some way south of Villa Bozza and Castilenti built on the tops of four hills, on two of which the medieval centre still rises between the valleys of the Tavo and Fino rivers. It looks stunning at night.
South-west of Penne is Riserva Naturale Lago di Penne – an artificial lake which is now a nature reserve with a botanical garden and an area where sick and wounded birds are cured and can remain for the rest of their lives. The reserve hosts more than 160 species of birds.

Pescara on the Adriatic coast at the mouth of the valley of the river of the same name is the most highly populated town in Abruzzo. Its wide beach extends for over 20 km from Francavilla in the south to Montesilvano in the north. Pescara has many fine restaurants and trattorie where fish and seafood. Ice-cream creations can be enjoyed along the seafront and you can indulge in the traditional Parrozzo, a delicate Pescarese cake based on almonds and covered in chocolate.
Satellite map

Silvi is around 15 km from Villa Bozza on the border between the provinces of Teramo and Pescara, just south of Pineto. This small coastal town has many 19th century villas and has another long sandy beach. Liquorice is a famous product of the area. 

The regional capital of L'Aquila on the other side of the Gran Sasso is also a major ski resort. The town is situated on the left bank of the Aterno River in a valley overlooked by the Gran Sasso and the Velino-Sirentet. L'Aquila is the main historical and artistic centre of Abruzzo and its attractions include the National Museum of Abruzzo and the ancient Salvatore Tommasi library. The city is a blend of ancient and modern with two magnificent churches, smart shops, a thriving university and a daily market.

If you have access to Google Earth you will be able to see Pescara, Pineto, Silvi and the area around the coast in some detail.

www.italianmade.com/regions/foods13.cfm
www.made-in-italy.com/winefood/wine/regions/abruzzo.htm