Places To Stay In Abruzzo

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We are very pleased to present Villa Dragonetti, an exquisite patrician villa built in the 16th century and entirely frescoed in the 18th century. It offers an extremely rare opportunity to stay in a museum-quality home filled with priceless antiques and artistic treasures and a brand-new swimming pool; it is also in a small authentic village that has very little tourism, set at the foot of the mountains and only 7km from L'Aquila. The villa's frescoes were damaged by the 2009 earthquake but the structure underwent no harm whatsoever. From 94. EURO/night. Click here for more details.

In Italy Online does not currently work with the properties below, but we are always happy to inform our readers about places we or other readers love (or hate!). We cannot help you book these properties. To do it on your own, contact them well in advance. We recommend you telephone first, then follow up by sending our form letter in Italian.

• Only 2km from the beautiful medieval town of Sulmona, Europa Park (SS17, bivio Badia, 67039 Sulmona; tel. 0039-0864-251260, fax 251317) is located at the intersection of several state roads. More like a large motel, it is managed by a very friendly staff and the prices are rock bottom. The rooms are fine, the bathrooms are modern and there are all sorts of shops in the lobby.

• By the sea in Roseto degli Abruzzi, Residence Felicioni is open all year, only two hours from Rome. 72 flats with a cooking area, dining room with table, chairs, air conditioning/heating, TV, telephone, sofabed for two people, toilet with shower, bedroom sleeping four, a large balcony with a table and 4 chairs. Also features a cafeteria, bar, swimming pool with hydromassage, parking, and from June to September, beach service (1 umbrella + 2 chairs for each flat).

• Abruzzo (Viale Abruzzo 2, 64026 Pineto; tel. 85/949-1021, fax 949-1699). Three stars, with private beach, restaurant and parking. $75.-100./double.

• Garden (Viale D'Annunzio 203, 64026 Pineto; tel./fax 85/949-1430). Three stars, with swimming pool, garden, restaurant and private beach. $75.-85./double.

• Rendez Vous (Viale D'Annunzio 199, 64026 Pineto; tel. 85/949-0679, fax 949-0523). Three stars, with beach access, garden, parking, restaurant. $65.-75./double.

• Olearium occupies a recently-renovated ancient house in the center of a small town at the foot of Gran Sasso.

• A delightful place to stay in Scanno is the Albergo Mille Pini (Via Pescara 2, 67038 Scanno; tel. 011-39-0864-74387). Surrounded by a pine forest, at the base of the chair lift to Monte Rotondo, this modern hotel looks like a simple alpine chalet. All rooms have private bath and telephone. No credit cards accepted.

• Also in Scanno, the Garden (Viale del Lago 79, 67038 Scanno; tel 011-39-0864-74382, fax 747488) is a modern hotel with restaurant, disco, bar and a garden.

My husband and I went to Italy on our honeymoon. We visited Venice, Florence, Pescasseroli in L'Aquila, Abruzzo and Taormina, Sicily. Without question, Abruzzo was our favorite place, and we plan to return. I'd just like to say that we stayed at the Hotel Valle del Lupo in Pescasseroli (tel. 011-39-0863-910534). It was incredibly affordable, $40 for a double with bathroom, very clean and beautiful. Located in the mountains, the view was wonderful. You stepped outside in the morning to cows with bells. The cost of the room included breakfast in the morning in a lovely great room. The host was incredibly helpful even though we didn't speak much Italian, and he spoke no English. He helped us choose hikes through the park and set up a horseback riding excursion for us. Great place, highly recommended!

• Vittoria (Via di Rienzo 46, 67038 Scanno; tel. 011-39-0864-74398). A small inn with a tennis court.

• In Barrea, Holidays is a three-star in a breathtaking setting.

• Filippone (Via Duca degli Abruzzi, 67055 Gioia de' Marsi, tel. 011-39-0863-88111, fax 889842). Three stars.

• Grand Hotel del Parco (Via Santa Lucia 3, 67032 Pescasseroli; tel. 011-39-0863-912745, fax 912749). A large hotel with an outdoor pool, this is considered the best in town.

• Edelweiss (Via Colli dell'Oro, 67032 Pescasseroli; tel. 011-39-0863-912577, fax 912798). A small hotel with a restaurant, disco and parking.

• About 25 miles from Pescasseroli, the Castello di Balsorano medieval castle (67025 Balsorano Sora; tel. 011-39-0863-951236) is a most economical 13th-century fortress whose rooms still preserve the atmosphere of a medieval castle, with luxurious furniture and modern bathrooms. Closed in November, no credit cards accepted, not advisable for the disabled.

• Italia (Piazza Salvatore Tommasi, 67039 Sulmona; tel. 011-39-0864-52308). Centrally located and charming, if bare-bones. Make sure you ask for a room with bath.

• Albergo "Stella" in Sulmona.

• Eden (tel. 011-39-0864-641414). In Pescocostanzo. Three stars.

• Moretti (tel. 011-39-0863-705174). In Ovindoli. Three stars.

• Grand Hotel Abruzzo (Via A. Herio 20, 66100 Chieti; tel. 011-39-0871-41940, fax 41960). Centrally located, this 66-room hotel has nicely furnished rooms, modern baths, parking and cable tv.