Abruzzo Sept 24 - 30, 2023

Interesting region of Italy! May I ask, why did you select Abruzzo? Where will you be before and after?

Abruzzo is a fairly large region - where in particular are you looking to go? Most towns in Abruzzo are small and have little in the way of public transportation. There are busses, but logistics will be difficult because they are not geared towards tourists. Is there any way you could rent a car?

I have been to this area three times and relied on public transportation only, and was able to go everywhere I wanted to go. The train ride from Rome Tiburtina to Sulmona is a beautiful journey. You didn’t mention where you want to go other than “Abruzzo” which is the region, but any towns in mind?

The Pescara airport is very sweet. It’s very 1960s, with a 1980s renovation and untouched since. The terminal is all on one level, no jetways. The one runway is surrounded by grass and scrub. But it’s efficient and has the basics: bathrooms, car rentals, a cafe. Lots of inexpensive parking outside. No need to plan for three hours to get through security.

I hope your tour based in Vasto will give you good exposure to seaside towns. If you pick a handful of other towns, you can check bus schedules on Trasporto Unico Abruzzo to see how well a transit-based plan works for you.

A base in a slightly bigger town will likely work better for transit. Options include Sulmona, Chieti, Tagliacozzo. Maybe L’Aquila, Lanciano or Atri. It’s hard to recommend hotels until you’ve picked a base town, so do post back when you’ve narrowed your choices. booking.com is always my first stop when I’m looking for a place.

There is a Bradt guide to Abruzzo that has some very good details, though it was published pre-pandemic. Hope this helps with your planning.

We booked a tour in Vasto. I am looking for a base town close to Vasto because I would like to fly into Abruzzo, rest up a few days before our tour begins. We selected this area because we have had the wonderful opportunity to visit the main cities in Italy. This tour will accommodate only 12 people at a time. I like that.
If we can use the public transportation in Vasto or Chieti, that would be great. We are used to public transportation. I realize public transportation is more available in some larger cities.
Has anyone taken the train from Rome to the Abruzzo region? I'm still getting acquainted with the area.
Thanks again for your input.

Always start with a search on the two official train company websites: Trenitalia and Italotren.
I'd look for the Bradt Guide, as even if it is older, you will have some help sketching out the transport options.

If you decide to eat at the famous 3-Michelin-stars restaurant that's in the tiny village of Castel di Sangro, be aware that all types of Abruzzo foodies happen to dine there:
https://www.ilmattino.it/animali/l_orso_juan_carrito_visita_il_ristorante_di_niko_romito_lo_chef_ci_scherza_su_chiedeva_un_panettone-7124365.html
And they don't even reserve in advance, talking about double standards!

Just a clue about how remote actually are some of the remote villages of this Region.

Always start with a search on the two official train company websites: Trenitalia and Italotren.

Italo does not run down the Adriatic coast, or across the peninsula west to east, only Trenitalia. The fast Frecce trains do an Adriatic run, as well as local trains. West to east you will only find regionale trains, but try to choose regionale veloce which make somewhat fewer stops.

DiCarlo bus service runs a very comfortable coach bus direct from either Fiumicino airport or Roma Tiburtina train station. It takes about 4 1/4 hours, no changes and few stops.

Trenitalia runs from Roma Termini to Vasto every few hours. Choose carefully though, as it can take from 4.5 hours, 1 change to 7.5 hours, 3 changes depending on the time you choose. It's fine, I use the train often even though we're on a branch line that is slower yet. It's not going at 300 km/hour like the Frecce trains, but it's comfortable enough and travels through pretty scenery.

The bus costs 20 Euros, the train about 25 Euros. so price is not a differentiator.