Cath's Grand Tour

My last dinner was at Il Salice. A lovely family run restaurant near the river that has been there for 30 years. We had a variation of local seafood.

I took another stroll around the town this afternoon. Here are some snapshots.

We arrived in Pescara in a bit of a downpour, but it cleared after a while and turned out very hot and humid. It's a port city and the beachfront is very copacabana. Loads of restaurants and beach bars etc. No waves, but very warm water I believe. Had a lovely catch up with Christian, my friend from matric. On the way back we saw this very cute little church.

Roberto drove me to Pescara and we stopped in at Chieti on the way. Another old hill town. The San Giustino church has a small old church and a larger more modern cathedral. Beautiful views out over the farmlands. Olives and grapes mostly.

I took a walk around Capestrano early this morning to look at the houses. So beautiful. And apparently the old houses in the hill towns were built to withstand earthquakes. Many of them have been here since the 1400's. Quite a few are not inhabited and a few are for sale.

Just got back from a delicious dinner outside on a perfect weather evening. This was just the beginning of the starters. Followed by another platter, followed by endless bowls followed by arrosticini (local speciality, like skinny sosaties) and bruschetta. Needless to say, no dessert necessary or possible. Loads of people out on the piazza still and kids riding bikes and playing. A very different way of life.

On the way back to Capestrano, we went to a gorgeous nature area: Lago Sinizzo. Fantastic for a relaxing day of swimming, picnicking and snoozing. Of course if you're happy to swim with plenty of fish and turtles.

We stopped for lunch at La Rocchetta at the river. Another lovely setting and a very tasty + filling lunch! We started with an antipasto platter too.

We drove up to the Gran Sasso mountains which are covered with snow in Winter. And then down through beautiful forests. Our guide was Ugo Migliorati. His family has lived in Capestrano since the 1400's and he used to travel these roads by horse from the time he was 10. He's now 79 and retired, just inherited a 100 room Palazzo (large house) which he plans to have restored.

The fountain in the middle of the piazza. It feels as though the streets are just passages and the piazza the communal garden/lounge...all of life seems to revolve around it. From coffee and pastry, to the Friday market, to late afternoon chilling to kids playing and riding bikes until late. A cafe and a few restaurants are dotted around the centre.

Capestrano is idyllic...so beautiful and just like in the movies, complete with small town gossip and intrigue. It's seriously medieval...some houses have been restored, but remain authentic. Most are from the 1400's and have the original old roof tiles and made of stone. Lovely and cool inside. I have my own little housie all to myself! Will take more photos as we go...hope to take a wander early evening when we get back from our day out.

We drove up, up and up to get to the Monastero Di San Benedetto. St Benedict started off living in the original cave from around 48 AD and the monastery was gradually built around it. One can still go into the original cave. The inside of the monastery is covered in paintings. It's very quiet and peaceful up there...just birds tweeting.

We saw some beautiful hill towns en route...amazing how high up these little villages are. Lovely green landscape. And a Roman bridge. Found a little restaurant out of the way in Subiaco, near the river. Ristorante Origini. Great setting, food and service.

On the way out of Rome, Roberto took us on a scenic route to show me some of the old and important sights. We stopped to fill our water bottles with 'holy water' (the water runs from underneath the church). The dogs love the fountain too and it seems to have a steady stream of visitors. The church is Parrocchia Sante Croce in Gerusallema and contains a number of holy relics including wood from the crucifixion cross.

Popped down the road to see the local market. Fresh fruit and veg, meats, cheeses, clothing and even pet accessories. A lot less of a picture-perfect setting than the French markets, but very nice looking produce. And nice to be out - another gorgeous day. Stopped for coffee and a pastry for breakfast. Next up, Capestrano.....can't wait.

We walked around before supper and amongst other things, saw the Trevi Fountain. It is exquisite. Must be one of the most beautiful fountains in the world. Dinner at a lovely restaurant called Osteria del Sostegno. Started with octopus carpaccio, then aubergine parmigiana, followed by a mille feulle with creme patissiere.