"He who has been in Italy can forget all other regions. Who has been in Heaven does not desire the Earth."
(Gogol)
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Abruzzo
Undiscovered Italy
Experiencing beautiful Abruzzo is like reading a great book. As you devour each page,
you are hungry for more and hope it never ends. By leaps and mouthwatering bounds the
cuisine of Abruzzo is the best in Italy! Whether it's a simple traditional dish or an
inspired recreation of recipes dating back thousands of years, your palate can distinguish
and savor each ingredient. This is the sign of true cooking mastery. The next striking image of Abruzzo is one of immense snow-capped mountains. The ranges
of the Gran Sasso and Maiella cover hundreds of square miles and form vast national
parks dotted with abbeys, villages and ruins of past civilizations. Together, these peaks
rise above a sea of olive and vine-terraced hills, fertile river valleys and white sandy
beaches.
Over five hundred castles grace the land, more than any region of Italy.
In seeking them, you will encounter hill towns that were already ancient and wise while
the founders of Rome suckled on a she-wolf. Devoid of meaningless commercialism, infernal
tour buses and tacky souvenirs, each village is a welcome oasis. To this day, Abruzzo is
rooted in customs predating Christianity. The entire region is awash in rituals and festivals
that border from the miraculous to the ridiculous. The modern mind reels, protests and finally
gives way. The generous, unassuming Abruzzesi are impossible to resist. They give more of
themselves than you have reason to expect and seek nothing beyond a smile and a place in your
memories. From the warm Adriatic to the snow- covered Gran Sasso, and all that flourishes in
between, Abruzzo is truly an irresistible masterpiece.
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