Casa Lucciola is situated in rural Abruzzo, between turquoise sea and majestic mountains.
Abruzzo is a mountainous region which overlooks the Adriatic Sea. Nearly half the region is designated as national parks and nature reserves. These parks are home to the Marscian brown bear and the Apennine wolf. Medieval castles, hilltop villages, monasteries, and Roman ruins are abundant in the region.
You will be staying in a stunning two-bed apartment recently renovated to a high standard. The master bedroom enjoys spectacular mountain views, there is a comfortable king size bed plus an ensuite shower room with W/C. The twin room with views to an olive tree covered hillside, uses a separate family bathroom. The large kitchen/dining room is well-equipped for making family meals. The spacious living room has been renovated retaining some of the original farmhouse features and has an exposed oak beam ceiling, there are two sofas to relax on and a large television with access to the internet. Stepping outside the kitchen you will find a picturesque terrace for outside dining, there is a further seating area in the olive grove with stunning views of the mountains and surrounding countryside, from where you'll be able to enjoy a glass of the local Montepulciano wine and watch the sunset.
The property is located between the beautiful hilltop village of Castiglione Messer Raimondo and the picturesque town of Bisenti, famous for its Montonnico wine festival, both have small convenience stores for picking up groceries. The historical towns of Penne and Atri are within easy reach, where you can spend the day wandering the beautiful streets and piazzas, then sit and relax while watching the world go by while sipping a cappuccino or enjoying an Aperol Spritz at one of the local bars. The nearest city is Pescara which is approximately 45 minutes away and boasts many museums, galleries and shops, it has a vibrant seafront with plenty of bars and restaurants. You can also pick up buses and trains to Rome or other parts of the country from here or use the international airport to fly in and out of Abruzzo.
The apartment has its own entrance and is part of a large farmhouse on 8 hectares of land, including fruit and olive trees. You will find yourself submersed in nature with a wonderful array of birds and animals spotted around the property, deer are often seen wandering through the fields and falcons hovering in the sky, while cicadas will serenade you to sleep. The name Lucciola means firefly in Italian, in late May and early June the fields and hedgerows light up with what looks like thousands of fairy lights but it's fireflies communicating with each other to give a magical nighttime performance.
You can easily enjoy walks from the house, there is a gravel road that leads to Castiglione MR which you can walk along, or venture up to the Mountains where you can explore Campo Imperatore a vast plateau in the middle of the Gran Sasso National Park, from which you can take one of the many well-signposted walking paths or mountain bike trails. Apart from at weekends and public holidays, you will probably encounter more animals than other tourists, it is not unusual to be held up by a herd of cows or the horses that roam freely or a shepherd with his flock of sheep. On a hot summer's day it is the place to cool off while enjoying a picnic or try some arrosticini, a traditional dish of skewered grilled lamb, sold by restaurants on the Campo and then cook them yourself on the barbecues provided, then take a drive to Rocca Calasico a spectacular castle with stunning views.
There are many excellent beaches in the area where you can hire sun lounges and umbrellas for the day, Pineto Beach is about a 40 mins drive with plenty of stabilimenti (Beachside Bars with private beach facilities) to choose from and a free beach near the Cerrano Tower, other beaches close by are Silvi or Pescara both well provided for. Further afield is the Trabocci coast named after the famous cantilevered fishing platforms, some have been transformed into atmospheric restaurants where you can sample the day's catch.
Local pizzerias and restaurants provide traditional Abruzzese dishes, cheeses, and wines. You can also visit one of the many wineries located in the area, including Cantina Ciccone, seen from the house. You can taste their delicious sparkling white wine or the Montonico wine made from a local grape variety.
The property has ample parking, free WIFI, BBQ facilities, use of Washing Machine, hairdryer,
Pod coffee machine, Bluetooth speaker,
All bed linen and towels are provided
A cot and highchair can be provided on request
Long-term stays available on request
A car is required for transport to and from this property