My family (2 adults, 3 teenagers) will be visiting San Benedetto del Tronto for about 12 days in July. We fly into Rome and then will drive there. We visited this city in 2002 for a few days, and stayed at the Hotel Villa Corallo, and we will return there. We had not planned to go to Italy this year, but discovered that this trip would actually be less expensive than our 2 week stay at the Jersey Shore!
My husband insists that we are trading a beach vacation for a beach vacation -- in other words, I shouldn't plan on doing much sightseeing. However, I know that after a few days at the beach, even Leo will be ready for a change. I would love to hear from anyone who knows this area, especially in regard to day trips and restaurants. Our girls are 14, 15 and 16.
On out last trip in 2002, we went to a wonderful restaurant ("Zenobi") in the hills outside Colonella (in Abruzzo) and also spent one evening (ONLY!) in Ascoli Piceno.
My husband speaks Italian, but I speak only a little -- basically, enough to get by in a restaurant, LOL! This will be our 4th trip to Italy. My oldest daughter celebrated her 10th birthday on Capri -- I never even got to Italy until I was 50!!!!
Thanks for any suggestions or ideas!
Posts: 407 | Location: Pittsburgh, PA suburb | Registered: 04 June 2005
Welcome Mary; I guess I'll start the ball rolling.
S. Benedetto I've merely crossed in trains a coupla times, on my way to/from Ascoli: like me, you realize Ascoli deserves another few days! One of the five or six most beautiful towns of Italy I know. You might find my diary useful, here (23‑26 Aug, 3 pages).
The great sights in the area are apparently Offida and Ripatransone. What the Guida DeAgostini recommends as a car itinerary is SB del T, Vallata del Tronto, Ascoli, Offida, Ripatransone, Grottammare (91 km); elsewhere, I've found their judgment pretty good so far.
mary .. abbruzzi is full of fantastic agriturism restaurants.. there are plenty around the area ..their fantastic ..cheap and the best food possible.. spent a glorious month in the region near teramo.. just ask one of the locals and they will direct you..
Very close to you in a piccolo town called Controguerra is the small but interesting Museo della Civiltà Contadina run by nice chap who is also a winemaker. A bit to the south in Pescara is the Museo dellle Genti d'Abruzzo. Open just a few years and definitely worth the effort if you have any interest in the Abruzzo life of the peasants in the 1800's.
Originally posted by Mary Hitt: My family (2 adults, 3 teenagers) will be visiting San Benedetto del Tronto for about 12 days in July. ... We had not planned to go to Italy this year, but discovered that this trip would actually be less expensive than our 2 week stay at the Jersey Shore! ...My husband insists that we are trading a beach vacation for a beach vacation -- in other words, I shouldn't plan on doing much sightseeing. ...Thanks for any suggestions or ideas!
The expensive Jersey shore!
For restaurants in nearby Teramo Province for outstanding Abruzzese food, I can recommend the following without hesitation: Ristorante Antico Cantinone Via Ciotto, 5 Teramao City Telephone 086 1248863 This is right within the walled part of the city and closeby to many Roman ruins. Walk around the area and eat here.
Podere San Domenico Contrada da Berrettino di Atri, Atri Closed Wed (for sure) Tel. 085 8710025 Visit the ancient hill town of Atri and its cathederal built in Roman ruins. Beautiful town! and this Agriturismo restaurant is outstanding with many tranditional dishes.
Hotel Insula Ristorante Borgo S. Leonardo, 78 Isola di Gran Sasso Tel. 0861 976202 Set right at the foot of the Gran Sasso. Beautiful and cool in the summer. Very near to Castelli where you can browse for Majolica Ceramics in another beautiful small town with a great view of the Corno Grande and Corno Piccolo and La Camicia in the mountains. A nice half day trip is Civitella del Tronto to visit the Fortress being restored. This fort was the outpost of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies at its northern boundary. The town is a nice place to wander as well and maybe discover a good place to eat. If you want to venture further into Provinces of L'Aquila or Pescara, let me know. I have more for you then. Enjoy! Calanchi, girasoli e olivi da Podere San Domenico This message has been edited. Last edited by: avvocato,
Posts: 874 | Location: Palmyra, NJ, USA | Registered: 29 July 2003
WOW!! What a bunch of wonderful replies. Thank you so much to everyone who responded. Your information is invaluable.
I promise to write a trip report when I get back. In the meantime, I'm working on my Italian lessons and trying to glean as much information as I can from these boards.
Thanks again, everyone!
Posts: 407 | Location: Pittsburgh, PA suburb | Registered: 04 June 2005
We had not planned to go to Italy this year, but discovered that this trip would actually be less expensive than our 2 week stay at the Jersey Shore!
Tell me about it! I can't believe what they're getting for rentals down by my parents. Though I think if we had to pay airfare for all of us we couldn't pull Italy off cheaper than the shore (but it would be more fun!)
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What a bunch of wonderful replies. Thank you so much to everyone who responded. Your information is invaluable.
