An hour from leaving your Abruzzo holiday villa just outside Casoli – and after a beautiful and easy drive up through the Majella – you could be strapping on your skis !

We’re surrounded by olive groves you’re free to stroll through. Watch out for ancient trees like this one – at least 150 years old

Close by us is the Serranella WWF Nature Reserve. Where the Sangro and Aventino rivers join, this is an important refuge for migrating birds

The peaks of the Majella National Park seem to float above the landscape on a January morning

We’re about 4 miles from the small town of Casoli, an easy drive from Pescara or Rome airports

Rural – but not remote – we’re placed in a tranquil landscape in Europe’s greenest region

A majestic golden eagle soars above the Majella

Abruzzo’s most noted pink wine. Cerasuolo from the Illuminati winery made with red Montepulciano grapes. A light and delicious summer drink.

Abruzzo’s most widely-available white wine is Trebbiano – and this is a particularly stylish example from Masciarelli

This superb Pecorino ‘Unico’ from Abruzzo’s Tenuta Ulisse was named ‘Best Italian White’ at the 2009 International Wine Challenge in London