Exploring my grandparent's region of Abruzzo – and more of Italy
Arriving in Scanno is a feat with its torturous winding roads, one-way tunnels, and breathtaking scenery. Once there, you have to navigate skinny roads that climb upwards (and hope no one is coming at you) to find a narrow parking spot. But it's all worth it when you step out and breathe the mountain air. Scanno is a... Continue Reading →
Those of you familiar with the central Adriatic coast of Italy, from southern Abruzzo to northern Puglia, might know about the unusual-looking trabocchi (the plural of trabocco). They are spidery-looking wooden fishing houses at the end of a long plank, off rocky areas of the coast. Nets are suspended from the long arms to hopefully... Continue Reading →
Abruzzo's most populous city, Pescara, has a reputation as a brash new city, however its history pre-dates the Roman Empire. The Lombards, Spaniards, Turks and French have all attacked or ruled over the centuries. As a key Adriatic port city, much of the old medieval centre was bombed and destroyed during WWII. It has the appearance of... Continue Reading →
During my recent trip to Italy I organised a half day of food and sightseeing for family and friends with Emiliana of Abruzzo4Foodies. Emiliana is a native of Abruzzo with a passion for travel, food and the Abruzzo region. She runs customised tours in a few languages, including English! We were staying in Manoppello (see previous... Continue Reading →
A weekend in Sulmona is not enough. But I reckon even a short time spent there is better than none. I’d been to Sulmona once before and enjoyed its refined, historic centre and relaxed vibe. Nestled in the Peligna Valley and surrounded by mountains, Sulmona is a destination in itself as well as a great jumping... Continue Reading →
Reaching Roseto degli Abruzzo is easy from Rome. There is a Baltour ticket window at Tiburtina Station. Buses depart in morning, midday and late afternoon and take about 2 and a half hours. On departing Tiburtina, you're soon out of the built up urban area and the scenery changes from light industrial to rural. The Apennine mountains appear quickly... Continue Reading →
There's a sense of excitement when you look out the window and can clearly see the place where you are headed, like flying into Sydney and seeing the iconic Opera House or into JFK and seeing the Manhattan skyline. And two weeks ago when I flew to Rome, we crossed over southern Greece then headed... Continue Reading →
Abruzzo is never far from my mind. I am planning a trip of my own later this year. But, as always in April, my thoughts turn to my late mother Louise Pergolini Tucker. She would have been 89 this week. Not only was she born on the 10th of April but she also died on her 81st... Continue Reading →
Out of sheer necessity, my mother Louise Pergolini, made simple meals at home. She was usually feeding anywhere from eight to 12 people each day. When she knew she'd be home for a few hours, she'd often made a big stock pot of sugo, an all-purpose tomato sauce for pasta meals or braised meat dishes. It normally... Continue Reading →
Heart in Abruzzo 