PESCARA, ITALY

Located about 150 miles east of Rome on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, Pescara is the largest city in the Abruzzo region of Italy, home to some of the oldest ruins from the ancient empires of Rome and Greece. In fact, it was in the rustic Abruzzo region that the word “Italia” was born, after the ancient tribe of Itali.

Pescara is less than a three hour drive or train trip from Rome and offers a pleasant contrast to the crowded and commercialized capital city. Situated on the beautiful blue-green waters of the Adriatic Sea, Pescara enjoys a temperate climate with a long, warm summer. Winters are cool, but with little snow. Similar to Miami Beach, the city of Pescara has many public parks, plazas, bazaars and shopping centers best enjoyed by walking and exploring.

Nearly destroyed during World War II, Pescara has since been rebuilt into a bustling and thriving port city and tourism center. In addition to tourism and fishing, Pescara’s main industries include the manufacturing of pasta, clothing, shoes and porcelain products.

POINTS OF INTEREST

The Riviera, Pescara’s main beach road (similar to famous Collins Avenue) is lined with modern hotels as well as discos and pizzerias. Construction is not allowed on the beach side.

Occupying a huge track of land in the mountainous wilderness southwest of Pescara is the famous Abruzzo National Park, one of the largest natural preserves in Italy. Just a two and half hour drive away, this is one of the region’s main attractions that anyone in Pescara should plan to visit.

West of cosmopolitan Pescara is the Apennines mountain range, where hiking, mountain miking and even skiing can be enjoyed in a region full of thermal-bath spa resorts which are sure to please any active traveler.