In late September we will be doing a one week tour of Naples and the Amalfi coast. As a trip extension I’d like to rent a car or take a train to visit Torricella Peligna (Abruzzo region), where my Grandmother was born. Does anyone have a suggestion for other towns in Chieti province, near Torricella Peligna, that would be interesting day trips? We plan to spend 3 days in the Abruzzo region and I believe that Torricella Peligna is rather small, so I’m also open to ideas for a good base for traveling in the area.
Can anyone offer input as to whether making the Naples to Abruzzo trip would be better done by car or train?
Thanks for any recommendation!
Posted by
4424 posts
I have not been to Abruzzo but love small town travel. I have heard Sulmona mentioned often -- and it looks quite lovely, googling it led me down quite a rabbit hole! Plus, it is close to TP.
If I am correct, it looks like a quite a bit of bus travel to get to the area, but it could be that you could get close and then pick up a car (perhaps Isernia?). I would rent a car for sure.
Posted by
Hobart Tasmania
358 posts
@ Karen
I have been around your grandmother’s birthplace. But not the actual town. Is now on my list for later this month. History on the town website is intriguing. To me it is a beautiful rural area. Will be staying for a week from 20th April just to the north at San Valentino.
About 10 kms east of Torricella Peligna, late September 2018, had a wonderful al fresco lunch in Roccascalegna looking west toward old castle ruins. Glorious azure blue, lazy, cloudless day.
My first suggestion is to get your hands on a copy of Bradt’s guide to Abruzzo to see what may interest you. https://www.bradtguides.com/destinations/europe/abruzzo/
Rather controversially, my family and I have decided that leasing cars is best fit for our purposes. In my mind driving from Napoli to and around Torricella Peligna is the most effective way. Must acknowledge that we have not tried trains or busses in this region. The coastal strip of Abruzzo was heavily bombed by the USAAF in WW2 and to my eyes is ugly post WW2 concrete constructions. The interior harder to get places retain their history and patina. Even if showing scares of many earthquakes.
My DIL’s heritage is via her paternal grandparents and has many relatives in northern Abruzzo, and now so do I.
Some words I have written earlier. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/gran-sasso-area-of-abruzzo
Some more stuff with nice words from Nelly who now lives close by in Abruzzo to your town. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/rome-abruzzo-amalfi-or-rome-amalfi-abruzzo-and-any-other-helpful-thoughts-or-suggestions
To me it is educational to see static displays and wonderful work left behind by talented artists. My best bits have been interaction with the people. I urge you to contact you distant cousins in Abruzzo and other parts of Italy. I am sure they will welcome you with open hearts.
Regards Ron
Posted by
Abruzzo Mountains
1034 posts
I’d say definitely drive from Naples. It’s only a couple of hours (2:30 to be precise) and once out of Naples it’s a gorgeous drive across the Apennines.
Roccascalegna, as suggested by Tassie Devil, is a great choice. A cute town and a great castle ruin to clamber around. For day trips, Lago di Scanno and the town of Scanno are a top option. The lake is literally shaped like a heart and the town is full of character (and steep climbs.) For a really unique experience, Agnone has a 1000-year-old bell foundry which still today casts most of Italy’s church bells.
Neither of those options is in the province of Chieti. To stay in Chieti, try Guardiagrele or head to the coast to Ortona.
The Bradt guide recommended above is your best written resource.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
I appreciate all of the suggestions you have posted! It seems that the Abruzzo region has not been as easy as some of the others to research in terms of tourism.
Valadelphia, I have actually read a description of Sulmona and I agree that it sounds worth a visit.
Tassie devil, thanks for sharing your recommendations, as well as the pleasant memories that made these towns “come alive” in your visits.
Nelly, Scanno, Guardiagrele, and Roccascalegna are now on my search list. It’s obvious that you have a great fondness of the region.
I will look into the Bradt guide to Abruzzo. As for doing the trip from Naples to Abruzzo by car, you all have confirmed my idea that it’s a more practical way to visit the smaller, out of the way towns. That being said, my greatest misgiving in choosing to drive is not being familiar with the condition of the mountain roads, whether most have guardrails, are narrow, etc. Thank you for your advice!