central and southern italy

See if this would be something that would interest you.

From Matera head to Policoro one of Italy's most beautiful villages. Then to Maratea, about a 2 hour drive from Policora. From there on to Palinuro and finally Santa Maria Castelabate.
Heading back to Rome from Castelabate, you could drop the car in Salerno and take the train to Rome.

Yes sorry we will be there in Italy the whole month. Thank you for the reply, in these towns anything especially we should see, we are from Australia so I know it will be all different . I will do my research on the places you suggest. What about on the drive to Pescara, which will be our first 2 or 3 nighter, I was thinking of going via L'Aguila perhaps on a main highway then get off onto Popoli. I was also looking at Agriturisimos?? along the way any thoughts. A lot to ask I know but I am in my 60's and my husband and friend tend to just follow , so trying to come up with something different. thank you

On michelledamiani.com, look up her post about Sulmona. Sure makes ME want to go there - and it looks like you have the perfect opportunity.

Gidday Loretta, you have chosen a good time slot. Agritourismo’s are our preferred accommodation. We go direct to the accommodation, emailing and perhaps telephoning. Treat the people like your best mates, take the initiative and you should be fine. Have not had a bad encounter. The highway from Rome to Pescara is a good drive. Haven’t been into L’Aquila, just through the suburbs. Lots of reconstructions happening. Pescara doesn’t attract me but is a popular seaside escape in summer for Italians. Can’t see why, ocean is a surfer’s delight, flat as a board. The surrounding countryside and hilltop villages are delightful. I assume someone has experience driving on opposite side of the road. It seems that the first day or so needs to go slowly with a concentrated effort, after which the brain moves into accepting the new way. The hard bit is returning home after 2 months and having to reset the brain for the normal side. Haven’t been into the south yet. My wife and daughter-in-law are planning to have us in the region for 2 Weeks in mid Sept. Might be in adjacent places at the same time. Any questions about flights, arrival procedures, monies I will see if I can help.
Good choice renting for 7 days in one place. Our preferred method.
Hope you had a nice Aus Day long weekend.
Regards
Ron

Hi Ron, thank you for your reply. Yes we are alright with driving on the other side of the road, but of course will take it easy. We have decided to go to Sulmona instead of laAquila which was mentioned by a kind lady on another post. I did hear that Pescara was a pretty place but will decide whether to stay a couple of nights at Sulmona or Pescara. When you say the hills around Pescara is it worthwhile staying away from the water front, as none of us are surfers!! From here we are thinking of heading down towards Vieste, around the coast towards Bari, but will avoid Bari and cut into Alberobello then down to Ostuni. we will cover the point from here in the 7 days. I received some good information from a post saying that to get back to Rome head to places like Policoro and Santa Maria Castelarate. trying to avoid Naples but I want to spend the last couple of nights in Anzio. how does this sound to you. thanks Loretta

Hi Ron do you have any info on Agritourisimos in any of those areas.

Loretta (Queensland)

Loretta, I think I may have confused you. I have seen no useful surf whilst around the Abruzzo coast. Only flat water, great if you cannot swim. Apparently Pescara was heavily bombed during WW2 and rebuilt along the lines of Surfers Paradise. Didn't spend 22 hours in an a380 to see modern buildings similar to the Gold Coast, and then have to pay for access to the sea. Just my view, no doubts others have a different take on it.

The countryside to the west and older hilltop towns are more of interest to me. Silvia Colloca from SBS TV features her families' homes in Teramo and Chieti which are inland from Pescara.
I spent a day at Sulmona on market day. It dates back to the roman times and has some interesting things in the old town. I like the town and had an enjoyable time there. I would be happy to stay in the area. We have taken a house to the north east in San Valentino for 3 weeks Aug/Sept.

Try agriturismo.it. Should be in English, navigate around the site to get the hang of how it works.
You also might like to try you tube: Italy Unexplored Abruzzo Series Vincenzo's Plate. Vincenzo is from Pescara but now lives in Sydney, good scenery and may answer many of your questions.
My daughter-in-law just received a book - "Italy: Abruzzo by Luciano di Gregorio" via book depository. Apparently Sir Michael Palin thinks they are alright. Haven't seen it yet but if a Sir Michael puts his name on the cover it should be ok.
Our experiences with agritourismo has been mostly in Tuscany, Umbria and Massa Lubrense. Venturing further south this year into the area were you are going, so cannot suggest anything their yet.

Regards
Ron

no all good thanks Ron, I have gathered some great information both from you and others, thank you I will look up all those tips, I hope you have a great trip and perhaps we can compare notes on return. if you think of anything else let me know.

cheers Loretta

For some info on this area of Italy, this is a great spot to start.

https://www.neverendingvoyage.com/gargano-italy/

I've not spent a lot of time by Pescara, more in the southern Marche region, but from Vieste south have enjoyed these towns.

Barletta, Trani, Bari, Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, Alberobello, Locorotondo, Martina Franca, Ostuni and Lecce.

Edit.
After a three nite stay in Matera, We stayed in Polignano, Locorotondo, and Lecce.
These are all included in the link above. Hope they give you some great ideas.

thanks gerri, great information, thank you

Hi Geri, okay I have booked Residence Maresol, looks great and they have been very helpful. I have also booked our first 2 nights in Sulmona, what I need is to spend at least 3 nights somewhere north (a few hours or more) north of Pescara. After Sulmona and before Residence Maresol.

Reason being we are booked into a Trullo in Ostuni from the 12th to the 19th. Giovanna from Maresol has advised we spend 2 nights in Barletta or Trani.

If anyone has any ideas I would really appreciate it for an interesting place either inland or the coast north of Pescara keeping in mind we will be travelling from Sulmona.

thanks Loretta