Abruzzo is a seductive combination of mare e monti (sea and mountain) and even snow. The region has three national parks, another regional and 44 protected areas.
The Giro d'Italia starts in Fossacesia Marina, a pleasant town nestled on the beach. Pescara, with 70,000 inhabitants, comes from a rich pescaria rich in fish and prawns from World II, but was largely destroyed in its old town of L'Aquila.