International Travel Archives - Page 2 of 2

After my time in Rome, I ventured across Italy to Pescara. Pescara is a lovely town right on the Adriatic Coast. My only problem was that I was staying on the wrong side of the pedestrian bridge.

If you travel to Pescara, I highly recommend that you stay near the center and not far from the train station. There is a large pedestrian central square about two to three blocks from the seaside that is packed with restaurants, bars, and shops. There are also beachside restaurants and shops on the street that runs along the beach – Lungomare G. Matteotti – that has both nice restaurants, casual dining, and gelato shops.

Unfortunately, I stayed on the other side of the pedestrian bridge where there were only a few restaurants and not many shops. I was recovering from Rome though so I was content to stay around the hotel.

Travel further with me through Italy today as I revisit Pescara and Bari.

It was a perfect beach day – warm and sunny; the water was cool and refreshing, but not cold. Perfetto!

I took a walk before dinner and was mesmerized by the port side of town.

Views from the pedestrian bridge in Pescara.

I crossed the pedestrian bridge into central Pescara and discovered a whole new world! Beautiful beach with a long promenade and a charming piazza and shopping center.

Beautiful flowers filled the medians in Pescara.

While in Pescara, I took a private wine tour of two family-owned wineries. The wines were fantastic. I met the tour leader in Scarfa, about 20 minutes away by train from Pescara.

The scenery in Abruzzo is stunning and breathtaking and the wines were delightful. We went to the Chiesa di San Donato where locals bring in their containers to fill right out of the vats for the week. Each container only cost a few Euros to fill. The family was very nice and the owner smiled and often repeated: “Wine is life.” With the views, the wine, and the ambiance, I can’t say I disagree.

The second winery, Castello dei Caracciolo, was located in Tocco da Casauria. We toured their 200-year old cellar and tasted their wines and olive oils. This was another wonderful winery and a thoroughly enjoyable part of the trip.

I would recommend this Private Wine Tour – which I booked through Viator. The tour leader was very knowledgeable and interesting and provided local meats and cheeses to complement the wines. We tasted Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Trebbiano, Pecorino, and Cerasuolo – all lovely wines even fresh from the steel tanks!

Driving through Abruzzo, I was overwhelmed by the beauty around every turn.

After leaving Pescara, I traveled down the coast to Bari. I stayed in a converted Abbey which was rather remote and had terrible internet service, but it was modern inside and quiet.

Steps leading up to the room and outside view of the Abbey.

Bari is a beautiful city – I even came unexpectedly on singing priests walking down the street. That doesn’t happen every day, at least not in my life!

The architecture and sites in Bari are beautiful!

I took a recommendation and went to explore the Strada Arco Basso – this charming street where women sit outside in the street to make and dry pasta to sell in the local shops. It all looked delicious!

I hope you’re enjoying my trip through Italy – it certainly beats sitting through a slideshow! I welcome all comments on new places to explore in Italy. Come back next week to see what I did in Brindisi and Lecce.

Until then remember, wine is life!

Rome

For a large city, Rome is incredible. It manages to be both modern and ancient at the same time. Every corner you turn, you have the opportunity to discover a ruin, a beautiful fountain, or even the Colisseum.

I have a balcony at my Rome hotel. Not much to see, but this is what 6 stories over the rooftops looks like in Rome.
Random Roman ruins.
Obligatory Fontana di Trevi photos. I stayed up top and did not contribute to today’s collection.
Then you turn a corner and see this amazing bit of historical architecture!
Also obligatory- Spanish Steps.l and charming neighborhood streets. Way more crowded than last time we came.
Down the road from the Spanish Steps – hard to believe it is still Rome!
Dinner tonight: cheese with arugula and thick warm honey and pizza with tomato sauce, cheese, and prosciutto. Followed by a small gelato on the walk home. 21,000+ steps, so I could splurge a little.
Random stunning piazza I discovered while wandering around.
Mysterious steps…
Roman Forum

Rome

Frascati

I took a 30-minute train ride to Frascati for a pizza making and wine tasting class. It was amazing! Slightly cooler (maybe only 90 degrees) and absolutely stunning. Sampled some local reds and whites, nibbled on delicious appetizers, learned how to make amazingly authentic pizza, tasted wine donuts that are made to dunk in your wine, and met some fun people. A fun and worthwhile experience if you’re ever in the area. Our guide Max was interesting, fun, knowledgeable, and very charming. I can’t say enough nice things about this tour!!!