In 'Blog of Blogs 1', we told you about the why's and how's of our move to Abruzzo. So we're here. Where's 'here' ? On the fringes of the Majella National Park outside the tiny hamlet of Ascigno, just to the north of Casoli – which is pretty much in the middle of the map on the left and marked with a blue circle. Click on the map for a better view.

We've found an Abruzzo property where we'd like to live and run our 'Villasfor2' holidays for couples business – but we haven't actually bought it yet. Now what ? These blogs will explain. Click on their titles to read them.

• About Villasfor2. Where in Abruzzo we actually are – and the kind of holiday we plan to offer you.
• Three Good Reasons For An Abruzzo Holiday in November. Yes, a slightly bizarre title for a blog that ran in January. But read it. It does make sense.
• Buying Property In Abruzzo. This struck a huge chord. Seems there are an awful lot of us looking for that ideal and elusive Abruzzo property.
• Abruzzo Food Special – Sunday Lunch At 'La Quercia'. Stuff yourself at our best local agriturismo…
• Ski At Passo di Lanciano and La Majelletta. …and then burn off those excess calories on the local slopes. Or just drop in for coffee, cake and the scenery. C'mon, you're on holiday…
• One Less Property For Sale In Abruzzo ! The blog we'd been busting to write. We finally complete the purchase of Villasfor2 HQ !
• A Typical Abruzzo Market – Sunday At Casalbordino. Time for a little retail therapy -  Abruzzo-style !
• Abruzzo Sightseeing – Abruzzo Flora. Spring sees the countryside carpeted with wild flowers. It's the best time of year to go walking and wandering.
• La Morgia – The Abruzzo Landmark That's Also An Artwork. Spring also gave us our first real chance to explore the local area. This was our stunning first stop.

That takes us up to the start of April 2008. At this stage, the planning permits for our own house and the villas for your holidays for couples were going through the application process. The third and final part of the Villasfor2 About Abruzzo Blog of Blogs will bring you right up to date.

(And if you'd like to mail us – there's a link at the very bottom of this page – below the space reserved for comments !)

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It's hugely encouraging that every week more people are reading the Villasfor2 About Abruzzo blog which I started writing about a month after our arrival in Italy in early October 07.

I know from your mails that you regard me and Pauline as either brave, crazy, misguided and/or visionary, but the simple fact is that we wanted somewhere new to live and to run the kind of small, low-key, laid-back villa rental place that we'd never quite been able to find ourselves.

The About Abruzzo blog is a record of how we do this. To read any of the entries below, click on its title. If you're new to the site, this – and a couple more upcoming chapters along the same lines – will bring you up to date. If you already know the story so far, there'll be a brand new blog along in a minute ! 

• So We Got In Car And Drove To Italy.  The first-ever blog. If you want to know why – read on…
• Introducing – Selva di Altino. A little local knowledge – and the 2005 World and European Pizza Champions.
• The Cat Blog. Meet Little Plum, Edwin and Aurora.
• So We Got In The Car And Drove To Italy (2). More why's. And a few how's…
• Meanwhile, In The Back Seat… "But are the cats alright ?" Yes, fine thanks. We're OK too, by the way…
• Olives And WiFi. An 'About Abruzzo' ancient and modern multi-media mix.
• Introducing – Pescocostanzo. Our favourite mountain village.
• Every House in Abruzzo We Didn't Buy. Don't like that one. Or that one. Or that one…
• The House in Abruzzo We Did Buy. Villasfor2 HQ. Our home – and the site for your holidays for couples !
• We've Had A Little Snow. The perfect excuse for some scenic shots in the blog.

That takes us up to the start of 2008. At this stage, we'd put down a deposit on our new property – but we hadn't actually bought it yet. Find out what happened next in the second chunk of the Villasfor2 About Abruzzo Blog of Blogs ! (And if you'd like to mail us – there's a link at the very bottom of this page – below the space reserved for comments !)

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The story actually begins in September 2006, when we began looking seriously for an Abruzzo property that had the scope to provide us with a new home – and the setting and the space we needed to provide villa holidays for two. Why ? This might explain…

• If you're looking for an Abruzzo property – allow plenty of time. And then a bit more. Here's every house we didn't buy…
• ..and the one (or rather, two) we eventually did…
• So once we'd decided where to live, the next task was actually getting here…
• …with the cats… 
• …who'd quickly developed their own fanclub after their first blog appearance. Yes thanks, Little Plum, Edwin and Aurora are all just fine. Us too, by the way.

With this all in place, it gave us the chance to tell you what we were going to do with our Abruzzo property in the way of providing holidays for two and entice you to spend your Abruzzo vacation with us. There wasn't enough space in just one 'About Villas for 2' blog – and it prompted quite a few questions too. Which explains the subsequent appearance of 'More About Villas for 2' !

Just one problem. It's all taking a very long time to materialise. Not that there have been any major setbacks. Italian bureaucracy works at its own sweet and slow pace. At present, we're just waiting for the approval of our planning application. Once we have that – the construction work should begin. And when that's started, we should get a better idea of when we can realistically expect to open. Which in turn will allow you to start planning your Abruzzo holiday for two !

And the delays have had a couple of unexpected, positive effects. They've allowed us to get to know the surrounding area really well, which'll allow us to pass on to you where to go for a great meal; which are the best beaches; where to listen to open-air opera; where the best sights are – and when's the best time to go and see them; plus all the myriad other little inside tips to let you get the most from your Abruzzo vacation.

What's also been underlined is what a fantastic year-round holiday area this particular part of Abruzzo is. Because there's no mass international tourism, there's space in abundance for you to enjoy.

The ski blog a couple of months back, all about our nearest resort at Passo di Lanciano/La Majelletta, showed you the sheer expanse of slopes you'd have enjoyed at around midday on a beautiful, clear Tuesday in mid-February.

You could have driven there from your villa for two, parked your car a few metres from the bottom of the chair lift, had a quick coffee and started skiing all in under ninety minutes. 

On Monday – April 21 – we thought we'd take advantage of the glorious weather strolling the long and magnificent sandy beach at nearby Le Morge. 

This picture was taken at around 3.00 in the afternoon. The temperature was 26C/79F. During our walk, we counted two swimmers; five sunbathers; and two other couples out walking their dog. We had all this to ourselves.

So could you !

(Click on pictures in text for larger images – and bookmark this site and check back often to keep in touch with what's happening.) 

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