130 km on foot from the Adriatic Sea to the Ionian Sea. I am still amazed that weve taken to a townhouse in the center of a small village. Finding a property in the Abruzzo region gives you a perfect passport to some peaceful and tranquil country life. This astounding villa not only provides some amazing views, it's also close to the National Park of the Gran Sasso. At the moment, this property is used as a B&B, so what you do with it is up to you. If I had my way, wed hike every day! Tufillo is a lovely small village inhabited by such big hearted people with a characteristic historic center dating back to the 13th century. Our contract gave us a few months leeway to get packed to move but we needed to find our new home. It will be a small adjustment as I havent lived without a garden and some land around me in almost 50 years, but Im ready. The movers will arrive at the end of this month to take our larger pieces of furnitureOh.. and if youre wondering, we are taking the statue of St. Joseph to our new house. On this cammino, we will travel many miles on secondary roads, so we made certain our feet could handle the hard surfaces as we carried all we would need for the week in our backpacks. Up the mountain, along farm roads and fields below the wind towers, down to the hamlet of Olmi, through the woods to return up the mountain to the church. We began with the trail winding through rocky slopes to eventually enter a peaceful beech forest. Take a break in their friendly restaurant and coffee shop. the list is long. Even after six years of living in this beautiful country, John says, I still feel like a kid in a candy store. So the packing of remaining household items continues. So apart from gear, maps, route preparation, there are room and dinner reservations to be made and sack lunches to reserve (il pranzo al sacco). Monday morning we picked up our pets at the kennel and headed home for a long week of rest and naps . This would be one of my favorite days as the views are long and wide and very green this time of year. It is everchanging depending on the weather and lighting and I just cant get enough. An old window that connected a hallway to the bathroom had to be removed and the opening blocked in and tiled over. It is called La Valle DellOrfento. I was approached by Alessio Massari (mountain guide, environmentalist and good friend) to write a testimonial telling my story of rediscovering my Italian roots, from New York to Roccaspinalveti via San Salvo. Another reason we liked this particular cammino, apart from the obvious, is that every evening we would finish in a small village or town where we can book accommodations at a B&B or agriturismo. I leave you with a sweet, heart-tugging picture of Romeo, our dear boy, now 9 years old. We talked about the family, compared pictures, saw strong family resemblances between our ancestors and enjoyed coffee and sweets. The Italian language had not emerged nationally yet and the inhabitants of these lofty towns developed their own, as still heard today in the dialects of each individual town. The majorities of these were never brought to our attention and only found after the guests checked out. hi all i,ll be in abruzzo mar 10 for three weeks hoping to find somewhere to buy for holiday home semi retirement been in building trade years have great practical skills but the beaurocracy of buying ahouse to renovate seems daunting all the websites seem to tell me to definately use a lawyer and geometra but some say not neccessary by all But this did not dissuade me, so my husband and I made our first trip in 2011. WebExpats In Abruzzo, Italy If you are looking to connect with expats in Italy, then this page brings together all the latest expat blogs Italy written, any interviews, articles and news To think of the number of sheep that passed through this area years ago, is extraordinary. Touring Abruzzo was able to give me a contact name and number of one of my cousins (more like a fifth cousin). Just a thought. They include Liguria, Puglia, Rome, Le Marche, Abruzzo, Sicily and more. With the isolation from both the earlier COVID restrictions and just surviving this latest heat wave (of three months), I had plenty of time to reflect. An enormous Italian breakfast awaits us, but we are ready to get started. The air cooled, we gave a sigh of relief and caught our breath. on your back, that you keep the weight to a minimum. We just miss our animals so much that its difficult to stay away for more than a week. I felt I had to substantiate my claim as a De Felice. We did spend an October day hiking with the group Majexperience, as always a great time. It doesnt have to be a large tribe, but one that gives meaning to my day, my existence here in Italy. I love seeing all our neighbors enjoying each others company as they collectively work together. The views are stunning, the wind turbines enormous, and a beautiful valley to complete the loop. We realized, after the first season, we had to set a minimum of 2 nights for a booking. I believed both Angela and Paola were equally as excited. So, why did we close after just three years if things were going so great? We will have some great stories to share! During this past winter, I set my bike on a training platform and cycled in our dining room. I did all the social media & website, handled the bookings, laundry, making up beds, restocking. I thought Id share some of what we have been doing to prepare for this chock full of hermitages, amazing scenery, medieval villages, deep valleys, jaw-dropping mountains and of course great food 90 km 6 day walk in the Parco Nazionale della Majella. And during this search for my family, John received his Italian citizenship by being married to me (Jure Matrimonii). John and Alex just go by end weight and shake their heads at me, but I reveled in it! This group then became my family for the next 26 years, with a brief absence with my third dog, Orso. Recently, his skills in painting and tiling have factored into the updating of our master bathroom, entrance hall and kitchen. Who would have thought that within two weeks of listing, we would have an offer, and by early June a signed contract. The blog is run by Katy and Susanna, two expats residing in Sulmona. Think of the clans, groups of related people protecting and fighting for their loved ones. We became accustomed to living a new life as we looked for a house to buy in Abruzzo. John was able to get not only the tile off the lot, but the proper primer, adhesive and grout to insure a successful installation. This trip was not for the faint of heart or a casual hiker. Family names became tied to these individual locations and their descendants are still prominent in certain towns. Giacomo has restored the exterior stonework to its stunning original beauty, with some added modern touches. I had been actively looking for a volunteer group to join, to give back to the community where I was living in central Virginia. It takes a bit of effort to build your tribe. I am very spoiled with my own personal Tool Man! My tool man, as always, had a plan and the wall is now stable after a lot of cement work. John and I along with our good friend, Alex, are getting ready to hike the Cammino di Celestino in a few weeks. It has virtually no rainfall and a rustic, easygoing lifestyle. We previously had visited Sulmona a few years back, but never took the time required to truly appreciate this city. There is just so much to see and experience and we hope folks will continue to make their way to this part of Abruzzo. The narrow street through the medieval center just captured our hearts, with many stone houses and palaces along the way. The drop-off gave me enough pause to make my palms sweat, but I hung my hiking poles onto my pack and just hand over hand made my way. With my search and rescue background and many hours in the woods on trails as well as off trail, I felt confident that I could manage all the details. We kept them within 1- 1/2 hr driving distance from home. But not only having to say goodbye to our dear boy, but also a final goodbye to a way of life for close to 30 years. John and Giacomo are working diligently to finish all the tiling so we can move in early September. So we moved to Abruzzo, rented a farmhouse and started to look at houses with a few realtors and ended up, happily, here in Roccaspinalveti with a house of two complete apartments! Topic posted by jyn. Views to Blockhaus, the Adriatic Sea, the Gran Sasso filled this day. But our town, or municipality, is relatively large, with mountains, forests, rivers; lots of places to exercise, relax and not see another person. I think that the trees were talking a bit to each other. I was looking at two of my cousins. Family was everything and my mom had 4 siblings, although my dad was an only child. This bathroom was originally all pink, a color very popular years ago. I most likely will never become fluent at my age, but will be able to contribute to the conversation. It does make a difference, so do not give up on your dream. Its been a tough decision but one we knew would eventually come, just not so soon. WebThis program aims to incentivise both foreign and Italian pensioners to take up residency in the south of Italy, and in Calabria, Sicily and Sardinia, in particular, by offering them a 10-year tax holiday on their retirement income for spending a minimum of 6 months per year in their Italian home. Abruzzo, Italy 1 Retire in Abruzzo. With castles, fortresses, historic art-adorned cities, perfectly charming stone towns on hilltops, and more than a third of the region protected as park land, there are plenty 2 Lifestyle in Abruzzo. 3 Cost of Living in Abruzzo. 4 The Takeaway. The Parco Nazionale della Majella office is situated inside the Abbey, where we received our first stamps, pin and patch, etc. The town boasts plenty of amenities; bakery, bar, pharmacy, post office, museum, grocery store, goat cheese maker, library, churches, doctors office, weekly market and travelling vendors. Our guests couldnt have been kinder with their reviews! Buck and I, after two years (this is about normal) became an operational team for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, as eventually my second and fourth dogs, Luce & Romeo. Also, our immediate backyard was basically off limits to us as it was part of the package for our guests. Whether its having Italian radio or TV on in the background, listening to YouTube and TedTalks, comprehension will improve. To give the house more flow from one room to the next, we decided to over-tile the kitchen, entrance hall all the way into the bathroom. We did drop off our pets at the kennel, met up with Alex to ride-share from end town (Serramonacesca) and parked our car for the week. But whether or not you do, take it slowly, build your network of close friends both in your native language and locals, and enjoy this walk that you have begun in this amazing country. If you follow any Facebook Abruzzo nature sites, this is the famous hermitage where a belly crawl along a narrow ledge is required to enter the hermitage. But truthfully it was one of these most challenging, tiring but exhilarating experiences of my adult life. John Wiankowski. So what else have we been doing besides hiking? A very relaxing experience. Each one so different from the other, with their own talents, strengths and personalities. If either my sister or I were nearby, she would answer him in English. As the apartment was part of our home, we felt it essential to maintain a level of quietness on our part in order to ensure our guests were not disturbed. I have to say that I am one of the lucky ones. Did we use our insurance to cover? Storage space is at a premium in our downsized home and the need for additional storage and workshop space for John was important. Others went hiking, headed to the beach for the day, went house hunting, and others came to work in the area. The depth and width of the beauty of the Majella is not done justice here. We really must return someday soon.. Our first day started out with clear skies and a bit warmer than we expected for the first of June. Now what should we do with the apartment below us? As we decided to leave our car in Sulmona for the week, we added 3 miles to our day by hiking from the B&B to the Abbey Badia Morronese, the beginning of the cammino. The inhabitants go to great lengths to reach out to you as you settle in, inviting you to a lunch or coffee. I almost backed out of trying to reach out to them. They include Liguria, Puglia, Rome, Most of these places have social media presence, and their current postings express the excitement of receiving guests again. After such a hot, dry summer, with treks and hikes difficult by mid-day, Im in a hiking frenzy. Interesting note about the hermitage San Onofrio De Serramonacesca: the rendition of the saint is clothed only in his long hair. All the food we ate during this week of cammino was excellent. The list was varied with such lasting experiences they enjoyed as well as for us, meeting and hosting them. You may have to go to other towns to find a like speaker depending on the expat residents in your village. There are several companies here in Italy that will help you locate your relatives. Whether you have settled as an expat in Italy or are still living in the United States of America and planning your upcoming foreign assignment, InterNations Italy We are ready for tomorrow, Castellana Grotte Alberobello, 18+km/11+ miles. We found Giacomos house. In small towns you can find rentals from $300 and up. But the deal was too good to pass up, the views outstanding and the house was move-in ready. There we headed back up to this amazing structure in the cliffside. Weights are in grams per line item and at the very top of the image you can see my weights converted from grams to pounds. A number of ultralight hikers do a spreadsheet with everything broken down in grams to lbs and I just love spreadsheets! They could stay with us and have their own apartment with privacy and the dynamite view. We know we are truly home. I believe now that she said this as it was engrained in her to not look back at the old country but to embrace America. . So to reconnect and add joy to my life, Im building a tribe of English and Italian speaking friends. Italy is beloved by expats, global nomads and retirees. Having hope for better times keeps us going when were living through lockdowns. As we settled into life in Roccaspinalveti, I decided to reach out to find if I had any living relatives in Abruzzo. We even buried a statue of St. Joseph in our front yard ;-). Map, compass, GPS all became tools to help me get to where I needed to go. Martina Franca Crispiano, 30+ km/19 mi. We passed on by and continued our trek with the forest opening up to spacious meadows and views of the Gran Sasso. This trip I just wanted to relax and completely enjoy my dining experience without using my phone. After a long, precarious, rocky descent, we reached our final destination of the cammino: Abbazia Di San Liberatore in Serramonacesca. Sue moved to Le Marche in Italy from London in the UK in May 2013 after falling in love with the country during a holiday. Also, I truly hate hiking with a mask on, so hiking with only John was the answer. It was a night training. Just many hours on call and lots of driving ahead. We were enchanted. Both of us have OC tendencies so offering a sparkling clean accommodation with numerous amenities was just something we fell into naturally. Ive had dogs all my adult life. Our dear friend and agent Monia di Guilmi helped us find our home here in Roccaspinalveti and now she will be showing it to perspective buyers and handling its sale. We are all looking forward to being together over a meal or coffee again soon, both here in Roccaspinalveti as well as in San Salvo. John, Alex and I carried all of our necessary supplies for the week apart from breakfast and dinner. There was search strategy & scent theory, First Aid, dog obedience, multiple search tests for both my dog and I, radio comms, evac strategies and techniques, the list goes on and on. There are also the friendships made from people youve seen throughout your travels in the SAR community. Take a peek. I look forward to your comments and will return soon with more to share. Also the brochure must have been written for a younger age group in regards to difficulties. Never to be forgotten. We opted to tile over the old, which is a very common method here. Concur that you will need a good deal more income in order to receive approcal for elective residency. The next step was a bit precarious and sensitive. They appeared too crowded for us with the summer influx of second homeowners and tourists. Doesnt mean I understand all the words as they speedily talk along, but I understand the gist of what is being said. my telephone bill plus charge for the internet every two months is approximately 120 euros also the charge for cable tv is higher i pay about 50 euros a month most notable difference is in the gas How did we get from putting our house on the market in May to this point? Each expat/resident has different experiences, and I can only share what I know personally. Finding this home here in the Frentani Mountains of Abruzzo, didnt actually scream downsize. Sure I stumble a lot but with more and more practice it will start to improve. There are two hermitages to see today along our route: San Michele Di Lettomanoppello & San Onofrio Di Serramonacesca. If you move to one of these stunning and very friendly towns, you will be welcomed with open arms. The two cabinets were spray painted a cream color very similar to the painted tile and plaster walls were painted a calming sand/mocha color. Training with the group, traveling long distance, the time commitment and doing statewide searches had to be put on hold for about 5 years. He is fearless on long ladders, both when he built our home in Virginia as well as painting here. I To be honest, the region is going through a bad period, the honda and sevel two of the biggest factories of the abruzzo are currently in trouble but we all hope that the situation will improve. I went to a local training held by Dogs East SAR group in northern Virginia. And Giacomos family.. a triple blessing. After lunch we headed down from the pass in the direction of Caramanico Terme (a famous town here in Abruzzo for their thermal baths). It was much larger than we needed and it came with two apartments and a large backyard. The length is good for us, just 90 km, so Romeo and Miss Kitty do not have to stay in the kennel too long. Huge complements to everyone involved with this cammino, working diligently to make this an outstanding experience! Searches could be anywhere in the state of Virginia. We arrived in Taranto midafternoon, got our final passport stamp and threw our travel stone into the sea at the Sailors Monument. We both have fully embraced our lives here. How amazing is that! This was early May and we figured that maybe by mid July or so we would have some interest with serious buyers arriving in Abruzzo for the summer months. To be able to experience all these many hermitages within a 6 day span has truly been mind boggling. Making plans is a concrete way to exhibit hope, and so I made some. The perks were many: meeting wonderful folks, promoting the area and artists, offering a relaxing and comfortable accommodation where only one B&B existed in town, and having extra income to help with our upgrades in our home. So it is said that hiking longer hikes and more often doesnt actually get you in shape for hiking. We would be ready for our last stage tomorrow. A dream realized. When the trail left the woods for a moment, we saw large dairy farms and some more trulli. This drive manifested itself in me as a pride of my heritage of being Italian. I take good care to have all the information and supplies we will need to make sure were safe and not lost: maps, GPS with tracks loaded , potable water locations noted, understanding daily expectations of a section (tappa) length and elevation changes, electrolytes, light source (flashlight or headlamp) etc. The edges of the new tiles were beveled where they met rooms with original tiles. Plus living expense. Our packs all range in size around 40L. In the Abruzzo region rates vary between $200 a month in a smaller town to around $350 a month in more upscale cities like Penne and Sulmona, though the cost of living remains low. In the meantime, I located the home where my grandfather Carlo and his brothers and sisters grew up in, located in the historic district of San Salvo. Guests had instructions sent to them prior to arrival and also instructions in the apartment. My first search dog was an adoption from a work partner; a washed-out gun dog, a sweet, somewhat confused Labrador named Buck. And there are millions of visitors to Tuscany every year. But you will find that a tribe of like speakers (in our case, English) may be necessary for you to develop a social group in your area. My name is Helene Rosalie Jordan. There is a park kiosk here where we were able to get our cammino passport stamped as well as obtain tickets for a self guided tour. Not sure of the exact terminology but it was definitely a deep fissure in the landscape. Well, we lucked out with dry weather, but it was a lot hotter than expected. Last year, John and I did a week cammino (Cammino dei Briganti, 100 km), also here in Abruzzo, with an outstanding guide, Ercole Wild. Socks that Ive found work best for my feet are Smartwool and Darn Sock. Along the way, not very far from San Spirito, a man was working with his 6 horses and mules to bring firewood out of the forest. This hike was just before lockdown and we were legal. I nailed the 10% after packing and repacking but also I got a bit OC. When it comes to After exploring and John taking a well deserved ice cream break, we got back on the trail. As we had a lot of running around to do even before starting the cammino , we decided to go up the day before our start and just relax in Sulmona that evening. The list is long on why we are doing this one and it may be something you will consider for the future or maybe you have already done it. Then there were the minor damages, breakage, staining, and theft. The blog will be that story of my journey personally along with my husband, John, as we make the move and navigate our life in Italy. And Fall is of course harvest time here, whether its tomatoes, peppers, corn, olives, grapes. But first the signs took us through the State Agricultural Technical Institute and its large complex, which included historic gardens and the Masseria (farmhouse) Ferragnano. The bathroom consists of two rooms joined by a very narrow opening. I used all the information that Alberto collected along withFamilysearch.org,Ancestry.co,Ancestry.it, andantenati.san.beniculturali.itfor my research. The accommodations were lovely with our gracious host, Oscar. John is a willing partner, but he takes a more relaxed view. We also decided to open a doorway between our two small bedrooms in our home, creating a suite. an exposed passage on an overhanging ledge and a staircase carved onto the rock which, even being the both really short, must be considered as EE difficulty passages (Expert Hikers). With only 10 shy of 1000-strong inhabitants, Schiavi di Abruzzo is just the tonic for a quiet, pleasant retirement location. Bursting with history and character, the town is known for its finely crafted, uniquely decorated stone houses and for some beautiful panoramic views. The three-storey property available here is an excellent getaway. Both outstanding. We stopped at a small lovely hamlet; Roccacaramanico, that is slowly repopulating. So truly our world, even right now, isnt that small, but rather large and grand. When I was young, I would camp out in the backyard. So I did my research and made a list of some village to village treks as well as some mountain trails. Us old folks are happy that we didnt quit but that we enjoyed this wonderful day. WebItaly is beloved by expats, global nomads and retirees. It was our first cammino and we thoroughly enjoyed it. We first rented a farmhouse in a small town about 15 minutes from the Adriatic Sea just north of Pescara. Casa in Avezzano on Via XX Settembre is a home furnishings and accessory retailer featuring a well-curated inventory at discount prices. In the central and southern parts of Italy you can find places to live for 400 euro/month or so. . Our two favorites were Ristorante Antiche Mura in Polignano and Gaonas in Martina Franca. Then a shimmy back out to the staircase and great accomplishment goes to her! We opened the apartment, after the spring lockdown and had guests in July and August, to our surprise. Just too amazing for words.We arrived at Hotel Mammarosa for a relaxing evening and more great food. One of the biggest surprises of today, which absolutely wowed the three of us, was walking through the expansive area of shepherd huts ( le capanne in pietra a secco) and pasture enclosures of dry stone, hundreds and hundreds of acres. It was so heartening to see young adults getting gardening instruction as we walked past them early in the morning. I will explain that decision in a bit. Without a professional guide, I took on the responsibility to put this all together. I didnt do a lot of mountain hiking until I was an adult, but the hook had been set. Unfortunately, we didnt quite make it and the morning stretched on hot under the clear skies until we reached the most beautiful beech forest. These rooms were traded back and forth amongst families and neighbors throughout generations, and ownership could be by a handshake, word of mouth or who has the lock on the door. We discovered two small cantinas under our house, and it took agreements, some exchange of money on our part, an architect involved as well as our notary. It is undeniable that the figure of the poor hermit Pietro da Morrone who, at the end of 1200 became Pope with the name of Celestino V, belongs, with all his human and religious life, to the identity heritage of the Abruzzo people. We found some great places to hike only 1/2 hr from the house; our favorite just outside of Castiglione Messer Marino in the area of Oasi Naturale Abetina di Selva Grande. Outside management may be worth considering for those thinking of doing this type of rental. Thankfully, with our few stumbles along the routes and a water slip, we all were able to smile and keep hiking. As we sat across from Micheles house, two ladies approached the front door and knocked. No, I have not forgotten my fathers side of that family. Vasto Italy. But let me back up a bit prior to this new lockdown. If he is spending 400 on rent. But dont get me wrong! I shifted gears, got certified with a police dog association and became a Special K9 Officer (strictly volunteer) for the Nelson County Sheriffs Office. The image below is one page of 4 of my spreadsheet. Since my grandfather, Carlo De Felice, had lived in San Salvo, a nearby city on the Adriatic Sea, I hoped that a few relatives remained in the area. A little over three years ago, we purchased our lovely home here in Roccaspinalveti, but in actuality it took us 4 years prior to our purchase to actually find it. Bursting with history and character, the We completed our upgrade projects and our curb appeal was at its all-time high, with many of our flowers blooming, especially my roses. We were excited! Im either alone, hiking with John, or sometimes in a larger group, most likely strangers with a guide. Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email. I choseTouring Abruzzoand with the wonderful help of Luciana and Alberto, the De Felice tree was fleshed out all the way back to the early 1800s. So it began all about woods and dogs but it morphs into so much more! My categories are Pack (and bag/tent if I was carrying those), Clothes Worn, Clothes Packed, Consumables (Water & Food), Misc, Toiletries, Electronics, Personal ID/cards/cash. I carry a compass, GPS, as well as printed maps. We've compiled a list of the 12 best places to live in Italy based upon expats' To have completed it and to have seen and experienced what we experienced, unforgettable. Celestino V and Abruzzo. This time we were a bit challenged as it rained all day and the trails and fields turned into a mud bath with footing a bit precarious. And once we get settled, travel is definitely in the works. As you can see, each space had a different tile as do all the rooms on this main floor. A few factors led us to choose this particular cammino, apart from the breathtaking scenery and history. No going back for me. Italy has always been welcoming to foreigners who wish to buy property in their Then there were the solid bonds built between me and the people of SAR, whether in my group or throughout the state. Good for me as well as for those dining near us, especially at some of the nicer restaurants. While we were in the process of retiring from out careers in Virginia, selling our chalet home in the mountains with thoughts of downsizing in Abruzzo, I had been already cruising some excellent home sites and creating our top 20 home list. The gauge is that your pack, with all your stuff apart from food and water, should be about 10% of your body weight. Phew challenge accomplished and we continued on. It is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 8pm, and weekends from 10am to 9pm. I knew how to have a dog as a pet, but to train it to search and locate lost people, a new world opened up to me. The decision was made. What I truly want to share with you is how proud I am of us three and what utterly amazing experiences we had every single day. . John finished painting the house and it glowed. The communities involved in this project include: Carunchio, Castelguidone, Castiglione Messer Marino, Celenza sul Trigno, Fraine, Montazzoli, Municipality of Roccaspinalveti, Schiavi Di Abruzzo, Torrebruna, as well as the Proloco San Giovanni Lipioni. In fact, my mothers father, Carlo De Felice, was born in San Salvo, only 40 minutes from where I live now in Italy. I am always so blown away by the land we live in. With fourth and final search dog, Romeo, and our house completed, I returned to K9 Alert for my final active years in SAR. We assisted the local sheriffs office as well as responded to a few regional searches. Good thing Im hiking a lot as our daily calorie intake is astonishing! I contacted the comune office in Tufillo and was put in contact with the deputy mayor. Whether you need primary care or complex The entrance into the hermitage of San Giovanni is via a staircase and then through a narrow horizontal ledge that in the final part must be done belly on the ground. This particular hermitage can also be reached by a hard surface road so, along with it being beautiful to see, it is very accessible. Once the main kitchen is completed, we will turn the lower one into our dining area. We had guests who came to relax and hardly leave the property. But what is more important than learning the language is that I am feeling part of the human race once more! Through the months of September and October, John and I enjoyed at least one or two hikes together per week. We had done it 6 days chock full of sights and wonders! We finished up the days walk in the historic center of Locorotondo. The sad outcome of the phone call was that a meeting was not immediately arranged. 3. Now the goals for updating our home here in Rocca are a sweet response to us finding family! We had space to accommodate 6 guests, but changed the setup to only allow up to 4 guests the following season. A friend of mine in search and rescue had a motto and she also had her license plate saying something like this: Its Only Walking. It was a very emotional day, as this helped to solidify the reality of my mothers family here in Abruzzo. Once we completed that, we headed out onto the trail, skimming the edge of the valley as we worked our way down to the river. But I would need some help to do this. Would they genuinely want to know me, to take the time even though my understanding of the Italian language is still somewhat basic? Being more of an outdoors person, nothing offered at my church seemed to call to me. Deep ravines, canyons, tumbling waters, alpine meadows, precarious ledges were all a part of our week. Paola located her dad, and we had a few wondrous minutes chatting away. And I highly recommend any guided hike with Ercole! He and Giacomo make a good team. The forests were mystical with fog and I hoped that we would see a wolf or fox. We entered the church, then worked our way through the complex of rooms & staircases, climbing higher against the cliffside. It was a perfect match for us. It began with the woods and dogs, both which I were very comfortable with. Onward to our destination, we passed many free-ranging horses enjoying the mountain pastures. At some point during those years, I found out that I could apply for my Italian citizenship. A chance to cool off, marvel in the construction, share in its beauty with other hikers and families before we started our climb out of the canyon. The pathway was quiet and soft under foot and eventually we started to lose altitude to arrive at the hermitage. It was amazing. We all headed back up to the main trail and onward to Rifugio Di Marco and the meadows of the Majelletta. You may gather that I was excited when Angela set a date for coffee at her fathers house. Our accommodations range from B&Bs, hotels and an agriturismo, and I used various sites and apps to make reservations. And just because you speak the same language, you may find that you dont share similar interests and it is hard to include them in your tribe. Location for training could be 20 minutes up to 3 hours from my home. We do it for many reasons and I have to say that we are a bit tired and overwhelmed, but so very happy. Mom wasnt big on us having pets, so once I got married, all bets were off. Our day passed through quaint hamlets of whitewashed trulli.. a very picturesque day culminating in baroque adorned Martina Franca. We quickly exited the lovely city of Locorotondo to the countryside into a wooded trail. Some of the accommodations I chose for this week were a bit more basic than others, but all facilities were clean, food always great, and hosts helpful and gracious. John and I divided the labor. I encourage you to browse the various pages of this site to better understand the objective of the project, which involves the Alto Vastese and Valle del Trigno Study Center (altovastese.it). William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. All these individuals become part of your support network and many lifetime friends. Thank you! It was a grand gathering with six of my cousins! As always, we wish you all good health, a time to find blessings even during these unsettling months, hope for some normality in the New Year, a visit to Abruzzo and maybe even to Roccaspinalveti in 2021. He is the type of mountain guide you can trust with you life, but also a fun guy who shares his wealth of knowledge and absolute love of the mountains with you. He can no longer handle the long hikes, but we do get him out for neighborhood walks and sometimes a short one up the mountain. We had an evening walk around town and then enjoyed a delicious meal before a very sound nights sleep. During my adult years, a desire to visit my familys homeland grew stronger. Here there is so much beauty with the surrounding mountains and hilltop villages, local artists and artisans, welcoming citizens, and pristine beaches a short drive away. It encompasses all of this, and more. Abruzzo is in the center of Italy, with its western border a mere 31 miles from Rome. Long considered part of southern Italy politically and culturally, it enjoys a central location that is bordered by the Adriatic Sea on the east, Le Marche on the north, Lazio on the west, and Molise to the south. 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