Coast/Beach:

The sandy beaches of the Adriatic are just 30-40 minutes from our villa. Abruzzo has a very long coast line of pine-fringed, clean, sandy beaches that stretch for more than 15 miles. The shallow, warm waters of the Adriatic are ideal for safe family bathing.

Nearby Pescara is a modern town with a full range of facilities including an outstanding international airport and a large tourist marina, considered to be one of the best marinas in Italy.

Walking/rambling:

National parks cover one-third of the territory of Abruzzo, so there is an abundance of walks and trails of various lengths and levels of difficulty.  You can enjoy majestic mountain scenery with a wide variety of flora and fauna, and, if you are lucky, you may spot a wild bear, wolf or chamois.

Walks include:
1.  Castelli and its surroundings - pottery and high mountains.

2.  Calderone glacier (the southernmost glacier in Europe).

3.  Along the sheep-track from S.Demetrio ne'Vestini to Peltuinum and Bominaco.

4.  Monastries of S. Bartolomeo and S. Spirito

5.  From Fara S. Martino to the Vallone di S. Spirito, visiting the most spectacular gorge in the Maiella mountains.

6.  The Rosello fir-wood.

7.  The rocky coast of Punta d'Erce.

8.  On the banks of lake Campotosta.

9.  Cesacastina to the Hundred Waterfalls.

or you can just enjoy walking along the by-roads and tracks around Villa Collecimino itself - we have put together a list of approx. 8 local walks (between 1.5 miles and 6 miles in length) which are available in our 'Guest Information' folders in the apartments.

History and architecture:

No visit to Abruzzo is complete without visiting some of its beautiful historic medieval towns and villages. Abruzzo has 10 villages (more than in Tuscany!) that have been named as being amongst 'Italy's Most Beautiful Villages' ('I borghi piu belli d'Italia').' Castelli, one of these 10 villages is well worth a visit. It is a beautiful medieval town nestled in the mountains, and is renowned for its hand-painted ceramics. Also worth visiting are San Stefano di Sessanio, Castel del Monte, and Calascio.  Just 15 minutes' drive from Villa Collecimino are the towns of Castiglione Messer Raimondo, Loreto Aprutino and Penne and about an hour away is L'Aquila, the capital city of Abruzzo, which is drenched in history and atmosphere. 

In San Giorgio itself, Neolithic and bronze remains reveal that the area was inhabited since prehistoric times. Remains of a II century temple were found in the same site.

Thermal baths:

If you feel the need for some pampering, then you could try one of Abruzzo's famous thermal spas. Situated in the Maiella National Park there are thermal spas at Caramanico Terme and Popoli to name just two. The waters in this area are renowned for their healing and detoxifying properties.

Further details:

Villa Collecimino, in the hamlet of San Giorgio, is set in 3.5 acres of land including garden, olive grove, fields, etc. with parking for cars.  It is situated 550 metres above sea level in a hamlet which has a bar, a general store, and regular visits from a mobile baker, butcher and fishmonger.  There is a large supermarket just a 10 minute drive away in Cesi, where you will also find a bar, pizzeria, cake shop, fruit & veg shop and a florist.  Nearby Castiglione M.R. (15" drive) has additional shops, including an excellent butchers and fresh pasta shop, as well as a bank and post office. Also, Penne (15" drive) has a wider range of shops, lovely cafe/bars and a lovely old medieval section.

There are also several very good 'agriturismos' in the area, (there are two in San Giorgio within walking distance) namely, authentic farmhouse-restaurants cooking with food grown largely on the attached farms.

Travel:

Pescara International Airport is 40-45 minutes' away.  Inexpensive flights are available to Pescara from London Stansted with Ryanair.  Alternatively, you can fly from Stansted with Ryanair to Ancona which is about a 2 hour drive from us.  Or we are just over 2 hours from Rome, (with many more flights), linked directly by motorway - through the mountains - to Pescara.
Car hire is essential.  We recommend hiring at the airport in Pescara, Ancona or Rome.