Discover Italy
From stunning scenery and historic sites to culture and food steeped in tradition, come along as we visit unique Italian destinations from the comfort of home.
BY VICKI MARTINEZ
Our last Discover Italy blog covered the Emilia-Romagna region and the island of Sicily. This time we journey to Abruzzo and the Puglia region. Let's explore.
Abruzzo
Although not as well-known as other Italian regions, Abruzzo is garnering more tourist attention, especially from those looking to experience untamed wilderness and uncompromised heritage. Home to both Italy's highest Apennines peak (Corno Grande) and what many consider the best coastal sands (Silvi Marina), Abruzzo's diverse geography—rolling hills, pristine lakes, tall mountain peaks, hilltop hamlets, farmland, and coastline— has something for everyone.
The Sites of Abruzzo
Abruzzo
Although not as well-known as other Italian regions, Abruzzo is garnering more tourist attention, especially from those looking to experience untamed wilderness and uncompromised heritage. Home to both Italy's highest Apennines peak (Corno Grande) and what many consider the best coastal sands (Silvi Marina), Abruzzo's diverse geography—rolling hills, pristine lakes, tall mountain peaks, hilltop hamlets, farmland, and coastline— has something for everyone.
The Sites of Abruzzo
Abruzzo National Parks:
Referred to as Europe's “green lung,” Abruzzo is home to three national parks. Together, the three parks—Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Parco Nazionale della Majella, Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga—cover over half the region. With hundreds of trails for hiking, horse riding, cross-country skiing and some biking, the national parks of Abruzzo are an outdoor lover's paradise.
The Trabocchi Coast:
Whether you choose a stay at Francavilla al Mare (one of the oldest coastal resorts) or Tortoreto (an elegant and fashionable seaside locale), the true reason for visiting the Trabocchi Coast is to experience the trabocchi, unique wooden fishing huts built on stilted platforms, extending over the deep waters of the Adriatic Sea. Designed by fishermen who preferred to fish without braving the open seas, some of the centuries-old original trabocchi can still be admired, dotting the azure seas along 70 kilometers of the Abruzzo coastline.
Lifestyle & Culture
The people of Abruzzo, called Abruzzese, are commonly described as “forte e gentil” which means strong and gentle. From rural farmland and medieval hamlets to fishing villages and vineyards, the Abruzzese embrace the hard work prescribed by their rustic and simple heritage. The cultural atmosphere of Abruzzo is reflected in the multitude of festivals celebrated throughout the year. As stewards of the land and water, many of the festivals celebrate the earth, the harvest, and Italian cuisine.
The Food of Abruzzo
With farmland aplenty, much of Abruzzo agriculture is sheep breeding. It's no surprise that many of the traditional dishes of Abruzzo put lamb at center stage. Fish, especially in the coastal diet, is also held in high regard.
Abruzzo National Parks:
Referred to as Europe's “green lung,” Abruzzo is home to three national parks. Together, the three parks—Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Parco Nazionale della Majella, Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga—cover over half the region. With hundreds of trails for hiking, horse riding, cross-country skiing and some biking, the national parks of Abruzzo are an outdoor lover's paradise.
The Trabocchi Coast:
Whether you choose a stay at Francavilla al Mare (one of the oldest coastal resorts) or Tortoreto (an elegant and fashionable seaside locale), the true reason for visiting the Trabocchi Coast is to experience the trabocchi, unique wooden fishing huts built on stilted platforms, extending over the deep waters of the Adriatic Sea. Designed by fishermen who preferred to fish without braving the open seas, some of the centuries-old original trabocchi can still be admired, dotting the azure seas along 70 kilometers of the Abruzzo coastline.
Lifestyle & Culture
The people of Abruzzo, called Abruzzese, are commonly described as “forte e gentil” which means strong and gentle. From rural farmland and medieval hamlets to fishing villages and vineyards, the Abruzzese embrace the hard work prescribed by their rustic and simple heritage. The cultural atmosphere of Abruzzo is reflected in the multitude of festivals celebrated throughout the year. As stewards of the land and water, many of the festivals celebrate the earth, the harvest, and Italian cuisine.
The Food of Abruzzo
With farmland aplenty, much of Abruzzo agriculture is sheep breeding. It's no surprise that many of the traditional dishes of Abruzzo put lamb at center stage. Fish, especially in the coastal diet, is also held in high regard.
Puglia
A lesser-known region, Emilia-Romagna consists of nine provinces, spanning Northern Italy from the Adriatic Sea in the east and the Apennine Mountains in the southwest. This great expanse of land lends to cultural, climatic and culinary diversity across the region.
The Sites of Puglia
Puglia
A lesser-known region, Emilia-Romagna consists of nine provinces, spanning Northern Italy from the Adriatic Sea in the east and the Apennine Mountains in the southwest. This great expanse of land lends to cultural, climatic and culinary diversity across the region.
The Sites of Puglia
Basilica di Santa Croce:
Located in historic Lecce, the Basilica di Santa Croce is the most pronounced example of Baroque architecture, a style the city is best known for, earning it the moniker “Florence of the South.” The detailed and ornate sculpting that covers the church facade, including lions, griffins and Corinthian columns, is an unreplicable masterpiece.
Alberobello:
You may feel as if you've ventured into a fairy tale land upon entering the quaint village, dotted with architectural anomalies called trulli. Capped with beehive-like conical roofs, the whitewashed limestone structures are unique to Puglia, earning the trulli of Alberobello a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.
Lifestyle & Culture
Conquered and colonized by a succession of civilizations, Puglia represents a mix of influences from Greek and Roman to Byzantine, Goth and Norman. Reflected in the art and architecture, Puglia embraces diversity. Perhaps it's the melting pot of influences that caused the region to adopt its laid-back and simplistic lifestyle.
The Food of Puglia
Nowhere is the characteristic simplistic lifestyle more prominent than in the regional cuisine. Built solidly on an agricultural platform, fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables are the foundation for many Puglian recipes. Together with ever-present and fresh seafood, the food of Puglia is simply delicious.
Basilica di Santa Croce:
Located in historic Lecce, the Basilica di Santa Croce is the most pronounced example of Baroque architecture, a style the city is best known for, earning it the moniker “Florence of the South.” The detailed and ornate sculpting that covers the church facade, including lions, griffins and Corinthian columns, is an unreplicable masterpiece.
Alberobello:
You may feel as if you've ventured into a fairy tale land upon entering the quaint village, dotted with architectural anomalies called trulli. Capped with beehive-like conical roofs, the whitewashed limestone structures are unique to Puglia, earning the trulli of Alberobello a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.
Lifestyle & Culture
Conquered and colonized by a succession of civilizations, Puglia represents a mix of influences from Greek and Roman to Byzantine, Goth and Norman. Reflected in the art and architecture, Puglia embraces diversity. Perhaps it's the melting pot of influences that caused the region to adopt its laid-back and simplistic lifestyle.
The Food of Puglia
Nowhere is the characteristic simplistic lifestyle more prominent than in the regional cuisine. Built solidly on an agricultural platform, fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables are the foundation for many Puglian recipes. Together with ever-present and fresh seafood, the food of Puglia is simply delicious.
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