52
viaggi
Gran Sasso National Park, Abruzzo
For those who need wide-open spaces, Abruzzo is one of the top destinations in Italy, and the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park is the pièce de résistance. With 300km of hiking trails spread out over 150,000 hectares of mountainous land, there is enough to keep any outdoor-enthusiast busy. Monte Gran Sasso d’Italia is the highest peak in the Apennine mountain range, the “backbone” of Italy which runs from Liguria all the way down to Sicily. On its southern slope stretches the Ghiacciaio del Calderone, the southern-most glacier in Europe. Keep your eyes peeled for one of the highly endangered Marsican brown bears, of which only an estimated 40-50 are left, and only in this region. Also native to this region are the Italian wolf, chamois, lynx and golden eagle.
Ascoli Piceno, Le Marche
This town on the Marche/Abruzzo border is perhaps most famous for its olive production, and for the “olive all’ascolana” dish; olives stuffed with meat and fried in breadcrumbs. Piazza dell’Arengo, in the centre of town, is faced onto by the 12th-century Palazzo dell’Arengo, as well as the Duomo. The skyline is dotted with towers constructed over the centuries, around 50 according to some estimates.
Urbino, Le Marche
Slightly isolated up in the hills of Le Marche, Urbino is all too often overlooked by visitors to Italy, perhaps because of its location. The heart of the city, dominated by the Palazzo Ducale and Duomo, was all constructed in the same style, making it appear as one contiguous block. The city is particularly famous for its contribution to the arts, as the home of the Renaissance maestro Raphael, to whom there is a dedicated museum in the house he was born in. Head up to the Giardini Pubblici for a wonderful view over the whole city from above.
Flikr- Frank Abbate