Travelingwithbaby

Hi everyone,

It's me again! My husband's grandparents are from two small towns in the Abruzzo region: San Donato Val di Comino and Sulmona. Best I can tell San Donato is here.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&sour...,+Lazio,+Italy

I'm not sure where Sulmona is? Google maps only shows Sulmona Aquila. I don't know if that's the same thing. The info I have says Abruzzi region so I'm thnking that maybe right.

Anyhow anyone have any experience driving in this region or staying in this region? Right now I'm trying to decide between a few options 1) renting a car in Rome and day-tripping here, 2) renting a car in Rome and staying somplace for a few nights in this region while we explore both home towns and other things this area has to offer, or 3) renting a car in Rome, exploring one of the towns, and then heading south to stay for a few nights.

Anyone have any suggestions? Oh I guess another option is using public transportation, but since we are traveling with our 14 month old that is a little less desirable (I think). Any help? We'd love to stay in an apartment like setting or at least someplace with a minifridge.

Travelingwithbaby

Okay, now I feel like an idiot. Just looking at my guidebook and Sulmona comes up as the hometown of Ovid. Color me ignorant. I guess its not so small.

susoir

Sulmona is an enchanting small city surrounded by mountains. It's one of my favorite places in all of Italy. I highly recommend spending a few days there, rather than daytripping to Abruzzo from Rome.

I think Sulmona would be a great place to visit with a baby. There's a huge piazza on one end of the historic center with plenty of room for the baby to toddle around, and a lovely, car-free park at the other end of the center. Every evening from 6 to 8 p.m., people come out for the "passeggiata," a stroll up and down the main street and through the park. I imagine your baby would get a lot of smiles and attention on the passeggiata.

Also, Sulmona is the city of "confetti" the sugared-almond candy given as wedding favors in Italy. All through the city are fun confetti shops, all decorated with bunches of colorful "flowers" made out of candy. From a distance, they look like flower shops, but when you get close, you can see that everything is made of candy. In other words, lots of colorful, pretty objects for the baby to look at as you walk around the city.

Driving in and around Sulmona is fine; beautiful roads and not too much traffic. You do need a parking pass to park in the historic center of Sulmona, but your hotel or b&b should have one to give you if you're staying in the center.

My brother and I stayed at (and loved) B&B La Dimora, which is perfectly located right in the center of the city.

http://www.bandbladimora.com/ingles/index_in.html

There were no fridges in the rooms, but there's a fridge in the breakfast room where they would probably let you store milk and other baby supplies.

annhig

interesting thread, travelling. it's not a place I'd ever heard of either, but it looks like quite a good centre for touring this area.

just too little time to visit everywhere i want to see.

petertherabbitt

go to the small town of ortona di marsi beautiful small town with an excellent restaurantthere is only one)

Travelingwithbaby

Just wanted to update. I found and booked the most lovely bed and breakfast. It is just outside of San Donato Val di Comino. We are really looking forward to this leg of our trip. Thanks for everyone's input.


http://www.ilbrucobedandbreakfast.it/jhome/

annhig

travelling - that place looks terrific.

I've marked it for future reference.

Travelingwithbaby

Thanks Ann, all the cottages are so charming.