Abruzi National Park

About 1/3rd of the Abruzzo territory is protected by laws for environmental protection, and no other region in Europe is in a position to beat the Abruzzo record. Its nickname the park region is justified as it consits of three national parks, one regional, and a dozen protected natural reserves. Dominated by an impressive 16th century castle - which houses the National Abruzzi museum -, L'Aquila is endowed with splendid civil and religious monuments dating back to the Middle-Ages and the Renaissance era.

Skiing is also a part of Abruzzo, as it is equipped with ski resorts: Roccaraso, Campo Felice and Campo Imperator. Located in the highest region of the Apennines, these ski areas are at heights nearly comparable to many Alpine resorts.

However Abruzzo also has a long stretch of sandy beach and many resorts resorts of the kind, including Vasto on the southern coast, Silvi Marina on the mid-coast, and Alba Adriatica on the northern coast.

The other regional capitals are Chieti, Teramo and Pescara, the largest of all, with a population of 123,000. If you are lucky you might even here some of the locals speak their own dialects, the Sabine dialect from the province of Aquila; the Abruzzo Adriatic dialect, from the provinces of Teramo, Pescara and Chieti, that is virtually abandoned in the province of Ascoli Piceno; the Abruzzo western dialect, in the province of L'Aquila.

Over all the Parks are lovely to see and wander around, and you may be surprised at all the wildlife you will surely encounter!