Don’t get the idea that Abruzzo festa and sagre - the feasts, fairs and festivals for which the region’s renowned - only take place in the summer. They’re a year-round attraction - as you’ll find when your’re staying at our Abruzzo villas for two. And one of the very best took place last week in neighbouring Casoli…

(Click on the headline title above for more on our biggest local Abruzzo festa - with pictures !)

Lured by the first sprinklings of snow up on the mountains of the Majella National Park, coupled with a beautiful warm autumn day, we couldn’t resist heading up to the top of La Majelletta - an easy drive, less than an hour from your Abruzzo villa for two.

(Click on the headline title above for more - and some truly spectacular pictures)

Lanciano’s extraordinary Notte Bianche - ‘White Nights’ - is on the A-List of Abruzzo festa. Starting off the festivities is Il Maestrogiurato - an extravaganza of pageantry in full medieval costume. But the heart of Notte Bianche is a dazzling and deafening firework display that starts at 4am - yes, 0400 - on September 14 each year. It’s worth disrupting your body clock and heading for Lanciano to become part of the experience.

(And there’s more. Click on the main headline title above for an unusual mix of fireworks, cheese and figs - all with pictures !)