L’Aquila is the capital of Abruzzo. With its daily market, sights and shops, It’s a great place for a day out – and within easy reach of your Abruzzo villa for two !

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…

(Find out what you can see and do on a day trip to Abruzzo’s capital by clicking on the headline title above)

In Abruzzo, fireworks are a spectacular feature of fairs, feasts and festivals. We’re just back from the dazzling display marking a medieval banquet in Fara San Martino.

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. Last Friday, Fara staged ‘Il Visitatore’, a medieval-themed pageant and banquet, which ended with a stupendous midnight firework display…

(There’s fireworks…then there’s Abruzzo fireworks…For the full story – and some pretty good firework pictures too – click on the main headline title above)

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…

One of the region’s biggest festivals. And for one night only – Elvis in Casoli !

(Click on the headline title above to discover what you could’ve been eating and drinking at the ‘Notti di San Lorenzo’ – and see The King performing live in Casoli. With pictures !)