Summer Activities

In the Summer in Serramonacesca there are numerous activities on offer. This is spectacular walking country with high peaks and steep gorges. Throughout the Summer months it seems that every village aims to outdo its neighbour by hosting the most incredible festivals. The entertainment is all free, firework displays and cannon fire day and night, music varies from full-on rock to sublime classical and operatic concerts. We can advise on what is likely to be happening during your stay.

Our house is in the foothills of the Maiella mountains in the pretty village of Serramonacesca. The village is some distance from the historic town of L'Aquila and closer to the coast and Pescara and thankfully remained unscathed in the recent earthquake - being nearer to the coast it does not lie on the main fault line.

Serramonacesca is on the edge of the Maiella National Park which is an unspoilt haven for wildlife. There are wild boar and even bears in the mountains. This is a bird-watcher’s paradise and the abundance of butterflies and wild-flowers is quite stunning. Towards the coast, the countryside becomes more reminiscent of a Tuscan landscape with rolling hills, fields full of poppies, vineyards and olive groves. A river runs through the valley below the house and in the Summer you can cool off in a series of plunge pools. The warm waters of the Adriatic are about 40 minutes drive away. We can advise on some of the quieter beaches. Abruzzo’s 129 km. long sandy coastline is home to a many popular beach resorts, among them are Vasto on Abruzzo’s southern coast; and Silvi Marina, whose sands are considered among the best in Italy, Giulianova, Francavilla al Mare and Pineto.

This is spectacular cycling country. Around the house the roads are relatively quiet and the countryside is undulating, but for the fitter among you, Casa Olivia is a stone's throw from the infamous "Blockhaus" leg of the Giro D'Italia, which rises from sea level in Pescara to over 2000m at the top.

Horseriding is available in the local area.

Abruzzo's wealth of castles and medieval towns has earned it in some quarters the nickname of "Abruzzoshire", by analogy with the "Chiantishire" nickname sometimes used to refer to the Chianti area of Tuscany, but Abruzzo is still off the beaten path for most visitors to Italy. Abruzzo has ten villages (more than Tuscany!) that have been named as being among Italy’s most beautiful (I borghi piu belli d’Italia). There are thermal baths at nearby Caramanica Terme.

In Serramonacesca there is the famous San Liberatore Abbey and the ruined Castel Menardo as well as monuments such as the Tombe Rupestri, The Eremo of Saint Onofrio, La Torre de Pollegra and in the neighbouring village of Manopello is the Church of the Volto Santo which was visited by The Pope last year. There are also two bars - why not stop in Fazio's bar, sit on the street with a drink in hand and feel yourself slip into a slower pace of life as you watch the world go by. In the village there are two general stores, a butcher’s and a pharmacy.

And of course no visit to Italy would be complete without sampling the fantastic food on offer. There are numerous excellent restaurants in the area including Agriturismos offering home cooked local produce and Abruzzo is known for its award-winning Montepulciano wine, pecorino cheese, honey, saffron and arrosticini (lamb kebabs). You can also try wine tasting at local vineyards.