kawh

We truly loved Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso this summer... the drive up is gorgeous and there's quite a choice of hiking, from lazy to serious. "is it open in October"... I'll just say that we woke to almost half a foot of snow at the beginning of June this year, after 3 really warm/hot days! However, the wild road down the mountains was cleared within hours, even as it continued to snow so it was great!!

We loved the Abruzzo, which is easy if you are visiting the area near Rome. We liked how unspoiled the small towns were there and the birdwatching is really good. (my hubbie's hobby). We were there almost 10 years ago, and the park ranger actually drove us around the park... don't know whether they will still do that for us foreign tourists.

We also liked Parco Nazionale del Gargano which is another super birding spot. The hiking there can be very gentle and forested. Nothing "spectacular" like the alps, but a beautiful and green area, close to some beautiful coastline areas.

zxcvbnm

thanks kawh. it did look pretty from all the pictures. can't believe there was snow in june. So it might be really bad in oct

neckervd

"thanks kawh. it did look pretty from all the pictures. can't believe there was snow in june. So it might be really bad in oct"
Wherever you go in the Alps, there will be more snow in early June than in early October. Actually, the snow limit in the Parco Nazionale del Gran Paradiso is around 3000 metres.