We are considering Ortona for a longer term (1-2 month) stay in Italy. Has anyone been there? Is it walkable? On train route? I have found a lovely apartment for rent there for about $800/month, and we want to immerse ourselves in the culture, while also using it as a base to make short trips. Thanks!
Posted by
Seattle, WA, 98117
20 posts
We've been to Ortona. We went there for an overnight in October 2015, because we were traveling with friends with relatives there. The relatives live in modern apartments outside the center of the city, but we did walk the center and the promenade, and visit the beach. The town was badly bombed in WWII, so doesn't have much old-world charm, but the reconstruction was tasteful - not glaringly mid-century.
There seem to be lots of large tourist hotels outside of town, on the waterfront, which seem to operate only in the summer, primarily for Italian tourists. We didn't visit any restaurants, as we were fed about 12 courses of all the relatives' specialities, so can't give any advice there. Everyone we met was very friendly, but the only person who spoke any English at all was 10 years old. We did have an Italian cousin who lives in Rome with us, and he speaks excellent English, so we were able to converse.
Since we drove there from Rome, and were driven around by the relatives while there, can't comment about trains. It's not a long drive from Rome, and there are interesting towns, and national parks to visit in the area.
Posted by
OP
133 posts
Thank you! I will explore further, because a town with more "old world charm" may be more what we want.