Lunch was at La Cantina di Biffi in Sulmona. Not because George had lunched there a few days before, but because it looked nice; and it was lunchtime; and the only other choice seemed to be a Chinese restaurant.

Yes, there are Chinese restaurants in Abruzzo. And though I'm sure this was a crackingly good establishment, based on our experiences so far, Chinese restaurants in Abruzzo are unremittingly awful.

Aside from being a pretty town in the mould of many other Abruzzese pretty towns, Sulmona has two key selling points: Candy and garlic.

Sulmona's justly-famous red garlic is a real garlic-lovers' garlic. Pungent and powerful. At La Cantina di Biffi they chop it – not too finely – fry it, and stir it into polenta of a sublime creaminess.

Then they spoil it by rationing you to a meagre little portion – and anything less than a kilo of this delicious unctuousness counts as 'meagre' – as part of a really rather good antipasti platter.

Quite pricey at €13 each and contributing to a bill of €70-odd. But you can't expect my good friend and distant dining partner George Clooney to eat anywhere cheap for heaven's sake.

But this – and other touches of creative pricing – might've explained why George looked a little…well…gloomy in the photo proudly produced by the cantina's owner.

He'd probably just been given the bill.

That's enough precious blog space devoted to Gloomy George. Think instead of sweeties of an almost unnatural gloss and colour artfully fashioned into cute little flower shapes.

When it comes to confectionery, what's more important: eye appeal or taste ? Whether you're an aesthete or a glutton, you'll be thrilled that Sulmona's sweeties score highly on both counts.

And not as avariciously-priced as a Cantina Biffi starter either. Had George lunched on chocolates, sugared almonds and nougat instead of fancy antipasti, he'd have been all smiles come the post-prandial photo-call.

We again contributed significantly to the profits of Sulmona's hospitality industry with sloppily-served drinks in the smart bar right opposite the Chiesa della Annunziata, watching its medieval facade getting a quick scrub-up in preparation for a visit from Pope Benedict two days later.

A visit to anywhere alongside George Clooney and the Pope. Not many people can say that.

Anyway, here's the plan: Wander round undeniably delightful Sulmona and take in the sights; buy candies and garlic. Then get in the car, drive 15 minutes or so to the lovely little village of Pacentro; and have lunch.

Osteria Maggiore and Taverna de li Caldora, though as yet untried by us, have been sampled by Vf2 Guests and given top marks. And I don't think Gloomy George has discovered them yet.

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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.

On October 7, 8 and 9 each year, Casoli holds a Festa Patronale to honour its patron saints Santa Reparata and San Gilberto. Just so you don't forget, a giant thunderflash is set off at 5am on the 7th, taking a lead from the tumultuous 4am start to Lanciano's Notte Bianche a couple of weeks ago. Thanks guys.

Then a brass band marches through the town. Luckily, your Abruzzo villa for two is just out of earshot. But if you do feel like a little music at dawn – head for town. Everything's open.

Highlight of the 8th is a a cross between a parade and a giant bring-and-buy sale. Local people, young and old, dressed in traditional Abruzzese costumes, lead a procession in which tractors from every village in this rural, farming community pull decorated floats laden with the best local produce, which is then all sold.

But that really only tells half the story. Being a rural, farming community, all sorts of good things to eat and drink are produced around here and the nice people who produce it are very anxious that you should try it all.

Especially the wine. Yes, I know it's only 10am, but this is an Abruzzo festa ! Look around you. Everyone else is quaffing wine from plastic cups and nibbling bits of oil-drizzled bread, and little morsels slivered-off a gigantic provolone cheese, so you might as well join in. 

And naturally enough, while you're busy having a good time, it's only fair that those who've produced the tasty nibbles being pressed on you so generously should enjoy themselves too – hence a very high level of infectious and good-natured merriment. If you've ever wondered if you can party on a float being pulled behind a tractor – that would be 'Yes'.

I had to admit a moment of glowing pride when I realised that the tractor representing our little hamlet of Ascigno dwarfed all others in the parade. Did you know legendary Italian carmakers Lamborghini – of Miura, Countach and Diablo fame – also produced tractors ?

Yup, it is a bit of a letdown isn't it. Anyway, out of the mist roared this stupendous silver Lamborghini tractor. I have to admit, I'd never seen it around before – certainly not doing anything as messy as ploughing – and such was its pristine beauty, I think it's kept in a shed and only driven on a Sunday.

By late morning, pretty much everything had been sold; the wine had been drunk and the nibbles had all disappeared, while the crowds were beginning to get lured away by the thought of an aperitivo, followed by a long and leisurely lunch. Seemed like a tempting idea – especially as there was still one more day of festivities to go.

On Thursday 9 – exactly one year to the day after we first arrived in  Abruzzo – we headed back into Casoli for a little celebratory drink and to watch the free rock concert and the fireworks.   

The lights in town were…well…just lovely. The night was unseasonally warm with just a little autumnal nip in the air and we bought a bag of roast chestnuts and ate them as we strolled down to the funfair.

Funfair ? Yes – just for the kids. And hilariously so. The teeny little scaled-down version of a bucking bull ride was drawing screams of delight and excitement, but the real star of the show – the ride that separates big kids from little kids – was 'The Octopus'. 

You wouldn't have got me or Pauline on this. Ever. But as soon as one insane butt-clenching ride was over, there was a mad scramble for the back of the queue and the chance to do it all over again. I hated these rides even when I was a kid. Maybe this is where an Italian's love of speed and thrills all starts… 

That the fireworks that followed soon after midnight were stupendous, lengthy and extraordinarily loud and vivid probably goes without saying. What's even better is that it'll all happen again next year !

Alongside Casoli on October 6, 7 and 8, Ascigno celebrates its own Festa Patronale - San Gabriele – on September 5 and 6, literally within strolling distance of your Abruzzo villa for two. The Ascigno fireworks were fantastic and the first-night band - Baci di Romagna -  the best we've seen all year.

Click on the images above for the bigger picture. Better yet, put yourself in the picture and join in the celebrations at Villasfor2 in 2009 ! 

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Last week, we took a day trip from your Abruzzo villa for two for a little stroll round L'Aquila – the capital city of Abruzzo. We took a look at all the best sights – except one. 

My very favourite place to visit in L'Aquila is arguably its most famous – but it's so tucked away and so badly-signposted you get the feeling it's a secret the city wants to keep all to itself.

La Fontana delle 99 Cannelle – 'The Fountain of the 99 Spouts' commemorates the 99 villages and 99 castles from which the original inhabitants of L'Aquila were gathered in the 13th century. 

Records show the Fountain was completed in 1272 – then the mystery started. To this day, nobody knows the source of the ice-cold water that gushes from the 99 spouts.

The story goes that the architect – a certain Tancredi of Pentima – was executed because he refused to give up this secret. The story also goes that his body is buried somewhere within the Fountain's boundaries.

Then the plot really starts to thicken. See the back wall ? Scratched into that – and everyone agrees that it was done a very long time ago – is a distinctive Knights Templar cross. Why is it there ? And what about the carved figureheads from which the water flows ? There are 93 of them (together with six plain spouts). The carvings represent men, women and animals. All are different. Many have wondered if they were placed at random – or in a set (and as yet undeciphered) order.

All those figureheads are separated by red tiles, continuing the chequerboard pattern of red and white stones on the walls.

I say 'all' the figureheads are separated by red tiles. But six aren't. Six – random ? – figureheads are separated by white tiles. Why ? And why does just one of those tiles not have the flower motif that's repeated around all three sides of the Fountain ? 

And it's not just the appearance of these six white tiles that have prompted questions. There are other tiles too, notably different from others, placed in prominent positions. What's their significance ?

Just two facts connected with this fascinating site are undisputed. The four corners of the Fountain area are in exact alignment with north, south, east and west. And a plaque high on the back wall gives not only the date of the original completion of the Fountain – but the dates of subsequent major renovations.

The appearance of the Knights Templar cross has led to a theories about whether La Fontana delle 99 Cannelle was used in initiation ceremonies. And if perhaps some code is locked into the strange and unexplained variations in the Fountain's basic design and the undisputed numerical sequences contained in the tile and spout placements.  There's been much pleasurable speculation – and even a couple of books – that have tried to provide answers. 

Check out this great site for more (including how to locate the Knights Templar cross scratched into the back wall) – and check out The Fountain of the 99 Spouts for yourself if you decide to take time out from your Abruzzo villa for two and head off on a day trip to L'Aquila. Getting into La Fontana delle 99 Cannelle is free – and it's always open.

We'll take the guesswork out of finding it – and leave you to concentrate on deciphering for yourself the mystery of L'Aquila's famous fountain !

(Click on pictures in text for larger images)

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The History
Ringed by the mountains of the Gran Sasso and the Majella, L'Aquila sits 2150 feet up in the broad valley of the Aterno River. The city was founded in the 13th century by Frederick II, who drew together the communities from 99 surrounding small villages.

Originally, L'Aquila was planned as a stronghold to rival 'corrupt' Rome and the power of the Pope. The 99 founding villages were to be represented by 99 churches and 99 piazzas, but after centuries of war and the ravages of earthquakes – the last in 1703 – only a few of these original traces remain. But those that do are stunning and magnificently restored and preserved.

You can read much more about L'Aquila and its turbulent, fascinating history here. 

L'Aquila is an easy 2-hour drive from your Abruzzo villa for two through some of the most spectacular scenery in the region. And once you've arrived, you'll find…

The Market
Every day except Sunday from 0800-1400 in the Piazza Duomo. Here you can buy wonderful local produce; clothes, arts and crafts; bits; pieces; and, yes, porchetta. 

While you're visiting the market, step inside the Cathedral of San Massimo – better known simply as 'The Duomo'. Originally dating from the 13th century, it was substantially rebuilt after the 1703 earthquake.  

The Churches
You're spoiled for choice, but if you only visit two churches on your day in L'Aquila, go first to the 15th century Basilica of San Bernadino near the Market and then go (by car – it's a little too far to walk) to the famous Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemagio.

The Basilica di Collemaggio is a 13th century jewel of great and simple beauty. The main facade is an intricate design of red and white stone, echoed inside by the chequer-board pattern floor in red and white marble, all capped by stunning wood-beamed roof.

On the walls inside, you can still see tantalising traces of the old medieval wall-paintings that once covered the whole interior. Outside, at the rear of the Basilica is a shady and tranquil 15th century cloister. (A favourite location for wedding photos !)

The Basilica di Collemaggio, which remains open desite currently undergoing external restoration, houses the tomb of Pope Celestine V, who died in 1296.

The Shopping
The main – and smartest – shopping street in L'Aquila is the galleried, porticoed Corso Vittorio Emanuele, which leads off from the Piazza Duomo.

There are a couple of good bars here for a coffee or a drink, (with prices more in keeping with big city Italy than you'll find in the bars around your Abruzzo villa for two). The shops are a rewarding mix of local goods and international Italian glitz.

But window shopping doesn't cost anything and the displays are terrific. The big picture is of the eye-catching window of a food shop. (Far too grand just to be called a deli). The little statue on the right was outside a high fashion clothes shop.

Walk on up the Corso Emanuele away from the centre of town, (you'll notice the prices in the shops start dropping), and you'll come to a couple more famous L'Aquila landmarks.

The Sights.
The Fontana Luminosa at the end of Corso Emanuele was installed in 1930. It's very highly regarded. While I was trying to figure why, my eye was caught by the white mountain peak in the top-right corner of the picture. (Click on the pic a better view).

That's the Corno Grande – all 2912m/9550 feet of it. It's the highest peak in the entire Apennine chain and tucked away in a gulley on its north-facing slope is Il Calderone – the southernmost glacier in Europe.

And if you can still keep your eyes off the Fontana Luminosa, away to your right you'll see the massive 16th century Forte Spagnola. It's the home of the National Museum of Abruzzo and inside you'll find the skeleton of a mammoth, unearthed locally about 50 years ago.

There's one more sight to visit in L'Aquila I haven't mentioned yet. The famous Fontana delle 99 Cannelle – or 'Fountain of the 99 Spouts'. Shrouded in medieval mystery and allegedly concealing another of those as-yet unlocked Knights Templar secrets so beloved by 'Da Vinci Code' conspiracy theorists. I'll tell you more about it next time !

(For larger images, click on the pictures in the text) 

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Fara San Martino is an ancient village nestling 1500 feet up under the lowering heights of the Majella about 20 minutes away from your Abruzzo villa for two. It's home to some 1600 people and two world-famous pasta manufacturers – De Cecco (reckoned by gourmets and gluttons to make the best dried pasta in the world); and the scarcely less-renowned Delverde. 

Each year, De Cecco throws a gigantic 'thank you' pasta-fest for the villagers of Fara San Martino, but the Faresi – as the inhabitants are known – are too big a bunch of party animals to be satisfied with just one annual beanfeast. They put on at least half-a-dozen assorted fairs, feste and sagre that find their way into the official Abruzzo tourism guides – and as many again that don't.

Last Friday, Fara staged 'Il Visitatore', a medieval-themed pageant and banquet, which ended with a stupendous midnight firework display. For €27 a head, you could've tucked into a huge five-course meal of delicious local specialities with wine; been entertained by strolling minstrels and assorted jugglers, flag-wavers, knights, knaves, jesters, wenches and ladies all suitably dressed for the occasion.

And it's an occasion very definitely off the beaten Abruzzo tourism track. All that's needed to ensure a good turn-out for this particular evening – and many more like it – are a few posters strategically placed in a few local bars and pasted onto a few local walls – and friends phoning friends, phoning friends, to spread the word. If you're on the grapevine, (and your Abruzzo villa for two is very definitely on the grapevine), you'll always be in the know. 

Some four hundred people sat down at long tables set-up under the stars on a warm night in Fara's main square and cheerfully tucked into their dinner, while many more – us included – went in search of their own refreshments. In our case, finally annexing a large table at the nearby 'Little Italy Caffe' where I'm ashamed to tell you we drank rather too many bottles of prosecco.

In fairness, we did have a little time to kill before the start of the fireworks at midnight, marching to the beat of a band of medieval drummers up the hill to, coincidentally, yet another bar – the 'Badia' – which by day provides wonderful views of the San Martino Gorge while you sip your espresso and by night provides a perfect vantage point for fireworks.

What makes Fara's fireworks so special is that that they're set-off at the bottom of the Gorge and burst at eye-level, spectacularly lighting up the surrounding mountains, while the noise – and Abruzzese like their fireworks to be very, very noisy – reverberates thunderously around you.

I haven't quite worked out yet what goes down best – the feasts, fun and festivities; or the fireworks. All I do know is that the end of every Abruzzo firework display is greeted with cheers and applause. And that doesn't happen when the dishes are cleared away after dinner.

Our friends Nick and Michelle crawled into their house in Fara very, very late, (or if you want to put a positive spin on this, very, very early), and after what seemed like mere moments of sleep, they were roused by a brass band marching past their window and – yes – more Abruzzo fireworks at 8.00 Saturday morning. Not much point in pretty displays in daylight, so these were just extremely loud. Serve them right, say I.

The Fara festivities continued on Saturday; and Sunday; and Monday. With more fireworks. Now the village allows itself a little break before the roast chestnut festival sometime in November.

I told you the Faresi were party animals… 

(Click on pictures in text for larger images) 

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How to spend an Abruzzo summer ? OK. Get up late. Spend the day by the pool at your Abruzzo villa for two. Each night, you're spoiled for choice. This is anything but mainstream Abruzzo tourism. This is what Italians do on their holidays. Here are just a couple of snapshots to give you a taste…

Notti di San Lorenzo. Pretoro
Pretoro is a lovely old medieval village clinging to an almost vertical hillside at the gateway to the Majella National Park. Its 3-day 'Notti di San Lorenzo' festival is one of the biggest and best of the summer.

Park the car at the local football ground at the bottom of the hill. Then join  the queue for the €1.50 bus-ride up to the village, (but not all the way to the top…), or start walking. It starts steep and gets steeper – but it's not that far and there are plenty of places to stop for a breather.

At the entrance to the village, you'll pick up a little pamphlet. Inside, you'll find a map of the village. At first sight, it looks like some quaint local boardgame, but it's actually your indispensible guide to what lies ahead, because the map not only shows you where all the food stalls are – but also (and much more importantly !) tells you what local specialities they're selling and what they cost. 

Flip the map over. There's the evening's menu. Snack your way around town. At some places you'll queue; at others you won't. But you can always recharge those flagging energy levels with a paper cone of chips topped with a dollop of mayo or ketchup. Italians like chips too !

Work your way upwards through the ever-narrowing candle-lit streets past the bars; past the little groups of musicians who've annexed the tiny piazzas in front of even tinier churches; past the little hole-in-the-wall shops open for the festival only and selling all manner of locally-made bits and pieces.

Eventually you'll emerge at Pretoro's summit. More bars, more music, more food, more people. Thousands come to each night of the festival. In the UK – and I daresay other places you can think of too – this'd perhaps be a recipe for trouble. Here, the local carabinieri were more engaged in selling porchetta than keeping the peace. Busy ? Yes – very. But intimidating ? Oppressive ? No. People are too busy enjoying themselves.

You don't need a ticket to get in – aside from your food and drink it's all free. Best to get there when it's starting to get dark around 8pm. Have fun !

Elvis in Casoli
Pretoro's big festival draws people from all over the region. When Elvis played a free concert just down the road from your Abruzzo villa for two in Casoli on Friday, it was strictly for locals only, with just a few discreet posters stuck up in a few bars announcing that The King was in town.

But you can't keep big news like this to yourself. There must've been at least 150 people in the Piazza del Popolo and easily the same number in the assorted bars and gelaterias of the Corso Umberto – which is a pretty good turn-out for a tribute band.

Me and Pauline and our friends Paul and Kate and Michelle and Nick grabbed a table outside the 'Caffe del Piano' for the nostalgia-fest. The band came on at 10.30 and played a crisp, slick 90-minute set.

'Elvis' had lost quite a lot of weight since I last saw him and he's toned down the sequins, stunts and sex-appeal, but the voice – well…unmistakable. Aside from the click of the roulette wheel, if you'd closed your eyes, you could've been in Las Vegas. Especially after a couple of beers. Elvis in Casoli ? You won't find that on any Abruzzo tourism website !

The party broke up a little after midnight. Which was OK, because by then we'd had the news: Elvis e' partuto da fabbricato.

Thankyouverymuch. 

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Last week we introduced you to Abruzzo sagre and feste – the village feasts and festivals that take place throughout the year. There are over 80 scheduled during the summer alone, so you'd have plenty to choose from during your Abruzzo villa holiday. Here's the kind of spectacular day out you could be enjoying at Villamagna, about 20kms from Villasfor2, this time next year…

La Sagra dei Saraceni commemorates the miraculous delivery of the medieval village of Villamagna and its inhabitants from Saracen raiders in 1556.

The Saracens, fierce warriors from what is now Syria, regularly plundered the Abruzzo coast and inland villages. One particular July day, their target was Villamagna. But on the road into the village, a young girl dressed in beautifully-coloured robes suddenly appeared before them and caused a curtain of fire to halt their advance.

But the relief was only temporary. The Saracens pressed on with their advance, only for the young girl to appear once again and raise another fiery barrier. Undeterred, the warriors kept coming forward until right outside the village gates, the young girl made her third and final appearance. Huge flames sprung from the ground around the invaders and mighty explosions made the earth shake.

This time, the nerves of the Saracens broke and they fell to the ground in fear. When they dared look up, the young girl had finally disappeared and all the villagers had fled into the church for sanctuary.

The warriors gathered their strength and courage for one final assault on Villamagna and with their swords glinting in the sun, they stormed into the church where the local people were praying for salvation.  

The Saracen leader suddenly stopped in his tracks and gave a startled cry. In the church was a small statute of Villamagna's patron saint – Santa Margherita, a young girl dressed in beautifully-coloured robes. It was the same young girl who had barred their path to the village !

Such was the effect of this miraculous appearance of Santa Margherita on the Saracens that there and then, they all converted to Christianity and knelt in prayer with the people that just moments earlier, they'd sworn to kill. 

Villamagna's miraculous deliverance from the plundering Saracen hordes has been commemorated ever since, in typical Abruzzo sagre style, with solemn church services punctuated with rather more secular entertainment. 

To mark the three barriers of fire that blocked the path of the Saracens, there are three firework displays, the first at 8am; the second at the end of the re-enactment of the Saracens' raid at around lunchtime – perhaps not sticking strictly to historical timing, but sensibly scheduled to allow everyone to then disperse and enjoy a leisurely Sunday lunch. And maybe a snooze back at Villasfor2 ?

But by early evening, everyone was raring to go again. The village was decked in festive lights and the food and drink stalls had replenished their supplies. Prosecco seemed to be the favoured tipple – either on its own; or mixed with Campari; or, intriguingly, with watermelon juice. Massively refreshing for a warm night.

At around 9pm, the evening's entertainment began in earnest. In the Piazza Marconi, they'd set up a beautiful old wrought-iron bandstand.

There were plenty of chairs for everyone (and more round the back just in case), so lean back and sip your your drink and eat probably more porchetta than is prudent and drift away to orchestral selections from Verdi's 'La Traviata'. 

And, since you're in Italy, there's also chat and good humour and laughter which continues long after the band have finished; and long after the last of the day's three firework displays; and probably long into the night as well -  at least until the food runs out and the bars close.  And there didn't seem much imminent danger of that happening anytime soon…

And just in case you wanted to wind down gently and prolong the party mood, there was more music scheduled for the following evening.

We left at around eleven and cars were still arriving in Villamagna. The parking space we'd shoehorned our way into earlier was snapped up as soon as it was vacated.

There was a scent of flowers and fireworks coming through the car windows as we slowly headed home. 

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If there's such a thing as an 'official' start to an Abruzzo summer, it's probably the last weekend in May, when virtually every winery in the region flings open its doors for an indulgent and endlessly good-humoured 48-hours of wine-tasting, eating and entertainment. And that sets the scene nicely for the weekly round of feasts, festivals and fireworks that sparkle across the region into September.

Sagra and Festa
A sagra – and a festa too – are the excuses for an entire community to have a party. The word 'sagra' means 'feast' or 'festival'; 'festa' means 'holiday'. There's hardly a town or village in Abruzzo that doesn't have at least one sagra or festa during the year. But most operate on the principle of 'you can't have too much of a good thing' and stage two or three.

Any excuse will do. The local Saint's Day is always a must; a day devoted to a particular food or wine is another good bet; and so too are beautifully-staged parades and pageants; even – in nearby Tollo on August 9 – the recreation of a medieval battle between Christians and Turks.

From the incredible Sagre in Italia website, you'll see an Abruzzo summer crammed with 84 assorted sagre and feste scheduled between now and September. Abruzzo food and wine at its best. Feasts of truffles, fish, pasta, lamb, pecorino cheese, extra-virgin olive oil (of course !) and calzone – those impossibly delicious rolled pizzas. Concerts of endless musical variety; opera; plays; folklore, art – and reminders across the region that Siena's not the only town to stage a medieval horse race.

Festivals
Jazz in Pescara during August; film in Vasto right now. A season of orchestral concerts, opera and ballet at Chieti's wonderful Teatro Marrucino from early spring into June; Blues at Lanciano next week. You'll start to develop an eagle eye for the posters that appear overnight advertising these treats, because – unlike the sagre and feste – there's no centralised information network for these festivals. A poster; a call from a friend; the fact you went last year; or a bit of judicious trawling online provide the information network we rely on !

Fireworks
The one common thread that links pretty well all the entertainment you'll find waiting to be discovered during your Abruzzo villa holiday for two.

There's scarcely an event that doesn't end with a spectacular, sensational, deafening display. Or start with one – as in the case of Lanciano's legendary firework welcome to the Ferrogosto holiday on August 15 which begins at 4am. (Yes, really).

More traditional – in that it happens at night ! – is the firework eruption that ends the three-day Abruzzo food and wine spectacular in nearby Fara San Martino, nestling under the lowering mountains of the Majella National Park. The setting for the fireworks here is so breathtakingly unique that I won't spoil the surprise for you here. Just go. Eat, drink – and be truly amazed.

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So far in 'Blog of Blogs 1' and 'Blog of Blogs 2', we've run through the story of our arrival in Italy in October last year…why we chose to live permanently in Abruzzo…and what we plan to do here. We've at last bought our Abruzzo property, got the planning permission and started work on the project that'll result in our new home and the three villas for your Abruzzo holidays for two.

To find out more – and bring yourself right up to date – click on the titles of the blogs below.

• Roccascalegna – Castle In The Sky. We've already mentioned La Morgia as one of our  local must-see's – this is another…
• Gessopalena – A Walk Back In Time …and so's this.
• Introducing – Casoli. Our new hilltop home town.
• Our Abruzzo Property/Your Holiday For Two Villas – Time To Start Work ! A last look before demolition started…
• Abruzzo Property – Coming Down …and after.
• First – Villasfor2. Now – Apartmentfor2 Too ! Why wait ? Find out more about Abruzzo; look for your own property; check-in on your rebuild (or ours !); and base yourselves for one night or more in this super apartment in Casoli.

So now you know the whole story – and a little about us, Villasfor2, the area where we've chosen to live – and the holidays for two we'll be offering. Keep in touch with what's happening by bookmarking the blog – and check out the weekly 'Everyday Italian Wine' blog and even the occasional recipe blog too !

(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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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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