Pacentro, Abruzzo

Pacentro (690 meters, 1405 inhabitants)
Chieti Provincia

Pacentro is situated on the boundary of the Parco Nazionale Della Maiella at the base of a mountainside and is about 280 meters above the city of Sulmona and the Gizio River valley. The town runs east to west along a ridge with sweeping views of the mountains and valley below. The well preserved medieval section of town is located closer to the mountain and the streets are very narrow but walking through them you will be rewarded with quaint homes, shops and eventually you will arrive below the towering fortress ruins.

You will find a full array of stores to meet day to day needs including several bars, restaurants, groceries, a post office, bakery, tabaccheria, newspaper stand, and other assorted shops. Major/larger stores are located in nearby Sulmona. The people you encounter are friendly and welcoming.

There is easily access by paved road from Autostrada A25 and about 50 minutes from the Autostrada A14 at Pescara to the east and about 2 hours from Rome to the west via the A25/A24 connection. Pacentro is about 15 minutes from Sulmona. There is train service from Sulmona to other parts of Italy.

Jesi, Le Marche

Jesi (40,000 Inhabitants, 97 meter altitude)

Jesi is a popular destination for those who want to experience some of the art and wine that this central portion of Le Marche has to offer. The centro storico stretches along a ridge above the Esino River and you can spot its brick colored walls and towers as you approach from all directions. The rolling hills surrounding the city have many interesting towns to visit.

The mighty Frederick II was born here, on public display in the main piazza that now bears his name. The architectural stamp of his reign is evident throughout the southern portion of Italy. The streets bustle at night with people enjoying the shopping districts filled with a full assortment of shops, eateries and bars. There are several museums of note to visit as well as a regional enoteca to sample the famous Jesi Verdicchio.

This city is large enough to supply all that you might be searching for and is on main traffic connections to the autostrada A14 along the Adriatic Coast. Jesi has become increasingly popular as it is only minutes from the airport at Falconara with flights to destinations in Italy and other parts of Europe. To the west you have connections along the S76 to the Frasassi caves and further along to Umbria.

Useful link: Le Marche/Jesi

Improved link Comunanza/Roccafluvione

SP237 access

This spring they opened a new road section between Ascoli Piceno and Comunanza along the SS78, designated the SP237, providing easier access between these two areas. This is especially helpful for those who want to get to the Amandola and Sarnano areas in the western portion of the Ascoli Piceno Provincia.

Previously the SS78 between Roccafluvione and Comunanza was a road with a lot of sharp turns going up, over and then down the other side of a high ridge. Many people avoided this drive since their passengers were frequently feeling a little motion sickness by the time they arrived at their destination. With this new road section, including a tunnel at each end, the majority of the treacherous road has been eliminated. The time to go from the Via Salaria to the Aso Valley has also been shortened to less than twenty minutes.

Now those in the Golden Triangle area have other travel options that can include Roma in addition to Ancona and Pescara.