Italy Abruzzo. Accomodation.
 

We want to take a night somewhere between Gargano and Rome at the start of September. We see that Sulmona may be a good place .
Has anyone any recommendation for places to stay here or indeed anywhere else which would be convenient on this route?
We are looking for somewhere with local charm no more than 150 euros for the room and good food within walking distance.
With thanks

I spent four nights in Sulmona just a few weeks ago. My brother and I stayed at B&B La Dimora, which I can definitely recommend. Their double rooms are 75-85 euros per night. The location is perfect, right on Corso Ovidio, the main street of the centro storico. The manager of La Dimora, Oscar, speaks good English and is very friendly and helpful.

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

In Sulmona, the tradition of the "passegiata" is still going strong, and every evening from 6-8 p.m., people of all ages stroll up and down Corso Ovidio and through the adjoining park arm-in-arm, greeting friends and enjoying the fresh air.

Two blocks away from La Dimora is the wonderful restaurant La Cantina di Biffi, where my brother and I dined our first two nights in Sulmona. There doesn't seem to be any printed menu there, the (owner? manager?) just comes and tells you what "mama" (the chef is his mother) is cooking that night. The atmosphere was casual and fun, and the food was fantastic.

http://www.cantinadibiffi.it/index.htm

We loved Sulmona! You'll wish you had more than one night there.

That looks absolutely perfect -and a restaurant too!
Whilst I was hoping someone would reply I turned up The Belvedere in Subiaco which also looks great. Does anyone have any experience of this ?

I wish we could read more reports here about this region!

Though living in Como as some Fodorites may have gathered by now I do visit the Abruzzo region quite often.

It is said in Italy that the people from Abruzzo are not the brightest or rather the brightest have already left. One individual is Sergio Marchionne of Fiat and now also of Chrysler fame. However, I know a number of very bright individuals who live in Abruzzo and would point out the reputation of the University of Chieti and in particular ITAB (the Institute for Advanced Biomedical Technologies) which is a world leader in the fields of MRI and biomagnetism (MEG & MCG).

The weather in the region can be magnificent - I have even skied in the morning at Roccaraso and sunned myself the afternoon on the beach at Pescara!

The wines are magnificent and for anyone interested I would strongly recommend those of http://www.pasettivini.it/index_en.html

Food wise Abruzzo offers a lot. I am not a great fan of arrosticini - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arrosticini
However, the fruit and vegetables are unbelievably fresh. This is truly a region where you should eat what is in season. You won't be disappointed. Also in Pescara I have eaten in the most amazing fish restaurants. Many in fact will not even open if there is bad weather and there is no fresh fish. I have been to fishmongers and they have fresh fish which comes in early for lunch and again at around 4 in the afternoon for dinner. I have eaten antipasti of raw fish so good (including raw scampi) that a Japanese restaurant would not have a chance there.

Will add to this posting further if there is interest.

It is a somewhat unknown region of Italy even to Italians partly because transport links are so poor. There are not many flights to the airport of Pescara though Ryanair flies to both London Stansted and Frankfurt Hahn (neither of which have great onward connections - especially Hahn). Flights to Milan are very expensive and are generally for businessmen flying to Milan and back the same day. However, every summer there are direct flights to Pescara from Toronto operated by http://www.airtransat.it/it/index.aspx due to the expatriate community.

Though Pescara is at the same latitude as Rome the train connection from Milan is a lot slower - 3 1/2 hours versus 5 hours. The train connection between Pescara and Rome is appalling with trains that seem to be pre-war (the second world war!). The best way to travel (other than by car) is by bus to the Rome Tiburtina station.



http://www.sportingvillamaria.it/ing/percheDaNoi.php

Sorry - forgot to add that Sporting Villa Maria at Francavilla is a wonderful hotel that I would strongly recommend.