Rocca Calascio

 This trip went to San Stefano and then back to Rocca Calascio.

Photo by Josefin

Sunday: I am so sorry that many of you have been missing your Italian virtual summer vacation, but we have been so busy being on vacation that there has been no time or energy to write.

The day after J & G arrived we drove to Rocca Calascio. If you come we will take you too. It is one of the most amazing places I have ever been and, although you are on top of the world,  you do not need bottled oxygen. It is a full day trip from CVS and back, but the drive takes you up and down with plenty of hairpin turns to keep anyone happy, agricultural valleys over looked by hill town. Getting lost is no problem when you have a Jeneane to say, “Dove la strade guste…..?” (fill in the town name) I got to do that a couple of times and I am proud to say I understood and was understood.

 On the road to San Stefano

All of these unscheduled adventures took longer than expected so we headed straight to the campground at San Stefano for lunch. We were the only diners. We sat outside before we realized the young man of the couple who run the restaurant had a broken hand and a cast to his elbow. We did try to be helpful. This restaurant makes there own pasta and only serves food from the region. I had  spaghetti with saffron oil, sun dried tomatoes and cheese. Exquisite! We know of this place because once we were in San Stefano for an art exhibition and the Italian who was with us asked some policemen where to eat. We have been back every year since. (whoa we have come a lot of years now!! Jim five, me four)

 Small things and views of San Stefano.

San Stefano is an “Albergo diffuso”. This means it is one hotel with rooms throughout the town. This year I have seen two other towns that have signs up for this option. We didn’t stay long, as the object of our trip, after lunch, was to go to Rocca Calascio. This proved slightly harder than expected because of the giant road working equipment that was tearing up a trench to lay a big cable. It is the unexpected that adds flavor to the expedition. But, soon we were walking up from the parking area toward the top of the world. This trip was the first one we have made when the Gran Sasso was not covered in clouds. We could see Conetta Grande, the highest peak, up close and the start of the Campo Imperatore.

 There is a small village above the parking area for Rocca Calascio. I believe that people live there, but mostly it is small tourist shops of goods produced locally. I love this sign so I am sharing it again.

Two views of Conetta Grande: Mussolini was kept prisoner near here during WW2, 

but the Germans rescued him by air.  

The Castel

The church with Campo Impertore in the background.

Castel walls.

My feet looking out an archer's opening.

Irresistible to not take more and more photos. This time out of an archer's opening.

It is a privilege to return to a spot like this multiple times. It is the most photographed place in Abruzzo, but there are never more than a few people. This is a must see on your trip to CVS.