If you love horses and beautiful scenery and you were considering a holiday in Italy then you might want to think about booking a villa in Abruzzo. This charming little region of Italy is a place that has remained largely untouched by human hands and, therefore, boasts an unspoiled and incredibly stunning landscape of wide plains, towering peaks, dense forests, gorgeous jewel-toned lakes, and a lush and sweeping coastline, overlooked by romantic crumbling castles and picturesque medieval towns perched on high ground. It is also home to the Gran Sasso, the longest horse trail in the country (in addition to being a national park and part of the country that abounds in hiking and cycling trails), and plenty of horse-riding schools and equestrian centres that take visitors out on guided trips.
For those who want to delve into the fairytale scenery of picture-perfect Abruzzo and see it in perhaps the most atmospheric and romantic manner possible, an outing along even a small stretch of the Gran Sasso will be a wonderful introduction to this magic part of the world and an ideal addition to a holiday in Abruzzo. Make special memories that will last a lifetime and come discover the lesser-known wonders of a vacation in Italy!
The Gran Sasso is a whopping 320km long and passes through three provinces of Abruzzo - l'Aquila, Pescara and Teramo – and various protected landscapes. It is also well-equipped with various shelters and refuges along the way for those interested in tackling more intense multi-day itineraries. Of course, the vast majority of the tourists who find a villa in Abruzzo and are interested in heading out along the Gran Sasso on horseback are unlikely to go for these options over days and days but it is good to know that such an immense trail passing through such rugged landscapes is fully prepared for all sorts of possible scenarios. For those only out for short periods of time, though, it is still comforting to have proper rest-stops at hand should you want to make use of them and there are all sorts of other tourist services and facilities on offer in addition to the shelters to ensure you have a pleasant and safe experience as you delve into Abruzzo.
Hiking and mountain-biking are also popular all throughout Abruzzo and you will likely encounter others along the Gran Sasso who are out powering their own expeditions either on foot or by bike. Each method of travel has different pros and cons and will be more or less appealing depending on your own needs and tastes but all of them really allow those who have found a vacation rental in Abruzzo and are exploring the region to really soak up the peace, calm, fresh air, and impossible natural beauty of this magical area in Italy. For those looking for adventure and to enjoy the great outdoors, Abruzzo really is a perfectly scenic and lovely option!
So, if you have been dreaming of a getaway in Italy and you are a horse-lover, a fan of hiking or mountain-biking, a person who enjoys stunning views and fresh air, or all of the above, you will find that this lesser-known gem of a region delivers on all fronts in addition to boasting some incredible wines, a culinary heritage that boasts strong flavours and incredible local chefs, ski resorts and charming seaside towns only a stone’s throw from each other, and more.
Additionally, as it is largely untouched by mass tourism, a holiday in Abruzzo means authenticity, a lack of intense crowds, and the space to really enjoy and take in the immense natural and man-made beauty that can be found all throughout the region. What are you waiting for? Find a holiday rental in Abruzzo today and begin diving into all that it has to offer by setting out on the Gran Sasso trail with a cute four-legged local as a companion.