In the heart of the Parco Nazionale d’Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise generally shortened to PNALM and close to the Apennine Mountains Pescasseroli in the Italian region of Abruzzo is ideally situated for both summer and winter holidays. The accommodation available is as varied as the activities visitors will find in the surrounding area. Walking and horse-riding are very popular in the summer and, of course, skiing is top of the list in the winter. Of the fifty-three hotels in and around Pescasseroli sixteen of them are currently part of the Associazione Albergatori e Operatori turistici del PNALM. Below is a small selection of accommodations available.
Villino Quintiliani
The small yet elegant, four-star Villino Quintiliani is set in its own small park close to the town centre yet far enough away to enjoy the peace of Abruzzo’s National Park. The main building has been beautifully refurbished in the style of the period during which it was built – the English would call it Art Deco but in Italy this period is known as Liberty style. All the rooms reflect the style of this period subtly combined with the modern conveniences of today. There are eleven bedrooms in the main building all of different sizes and décor. The restaurant serves excellent food and its patio is ideal for a leisurely coffee while relaxing outside enjoying the natural ambience.
This hotel also caters for those who prefer self-catering accommodation with five lovely modern apartments in a separate block.
Villa Mon Repos
Villa Mon Repos was built in late Liberty style. This very distinctive building was once owned by a member of the Sipari family, famous in Pescasseroli as it was a member of this family, Emilio Sipari, who founded the Abruzzo National Park. The villa was abandoned in the mid-twentieth century and was in danger of being demolished when it was rescued by the Decina and lovingly restored to its former glory featuring crystal chandeliers, liberty lamps and marble mosaic floors. It is a show-piece of its period with the benefits of modern facilities in all the rooms varying from standard bedrooms to luxurious suites.
The building has fifteen bedrooms and is surrounded by a large, shady garden and the conservatory styled restaurant actually has a tree growing in the middle of it.
Hotel Corona
Also close to the town centre the purpose built, four-star Hotel Corona offers thirty-nine comfortably furnished rooms some of which are easily accessible for those with special needs. This hotel features a stunning spa where guests can indulge in a variety of massages and treatments or simply wallow in its Jacuzzi or take advantage of sauna and steam rooms. A well-equipped gym is available for the more energetic and bikes are available to hire for guests wishing to explore the area.
Azienda Agrituristica Centro ippico Vallecupa
Moving away from the town centre the Azienda Agrituristica Centro ippico Vallecupa is an equestrian centre with accommodation. The main building with its fifteen guest rooms is surrounded by fields, paddocks and stabling for the horses as well as other animals. Perfect for families with energetic children.
The centre was established forty years ago and offers a variety of courses in riding and the training of horses. Excursions on horseback are also available in both summer and winter. But that is not all as its location is ideal for a variety of trekking and mountain bike excursions that are organised from here.
Hotel Iris
Hotel Iris is also away from the town centre but with its own outdoor swimming pool, children’s playroom and a games room for guests of all ages there is plenty to do. The hotel offers organised recreational activities in the surrounding area.
Summer guests can relax in the garden and winter guests can gather around the open fire in the large lounge after a day on the ski slopes – enjoying the hospitality of this well-established family-run hotel.
Hotel Residence Club Primula
Hotel Residence Club Primula offers a completely different holiday experience especially for large groups as the facilities for sporting activities are excellent. Guests who prefer a more relaxing holiday can take advantage of the surrounding parkland for a gentle stroll or sit in the shade of the surrounding pine trees.
Hotel Primula can accommodate six hundred guests and its facilities include a mini-market, a free shuttle bus into town or to the ski slopes in winter, a programme of activities organised by the Primula club (daytime and evening) and both indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Its leisure centre offers archery, tennis, basketball, football and a large, very well-equipped gym. Bikes are available to hire and in winter ski and snowboarding equipment can be hired here.
So, what are you waiting for? Get organised and get packing – there is something for everyone in Pescasseroli the ideal holiday destination.
Getting there
I flew from London, Heathrow, to Rome, Fiumicino with Alitalia. There are regular long-distance buses from Fiumicino to Alba Adriatica in Abruzzo where I started my tour, run by Gaspari which are easily booked online. Thereafter I used local trains and buses. But Abruzzo does not have a very good public transport system (part of its charm for me) so hiring a car is probably preferable. It takes 2 to 2½ hours to drive from Fiumicino Airport to Pescasseroli depending on the traffic.