Below you'll find a list of all posts that have been categorized as “Abruzzo FREE”
In the Abruzzo episode of the second season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy enjoys nature in the greenest region in Europe. Abruzzo is known as the greenest region in Europe, partly for its Gran Sasso National Park. Among the largest protected and most biodiverse places in Europe, the park contains the rocky Gran Sasso massif, the highest mountain …
In the Abruzzo episode of the second season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy visits an archeological site home to discoveries dating back to 6th century B.C. Nestled in the Gran Sasso National Park, the town of Capestrano has a fascinating and ancient archaeologi- cal history. In 1934 archaeologists discovered the limestone statue of the Warrior of Capestrano, which …
In the Abruzzo episode of the second season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy visits a local winery and tastes some of the region’s most iconic wine. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, a dry, medium-bodied red wine with dominant fruit flavors, is the region’s most famous wine. Its Denominazione di Origine Controllata status covers all of Abruzzo’s four provinces, and ensures that …
In the Abruzzo episode of the second season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy learns about a unique slithering reptile celebration in Cocullo. The patron saint of Cocullo, San Domenico, also protects people from animal bites, and it is said that serpents came to honor him in pagan times. Held annually on May 1, the town’s snake festival dates …
In the Abruzzo episode of the second season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy tries a one-of-a-kind dessert at Caffè Ovidio. Like its name, the ca’ffetto drink is a mash-up between coffee and confetti in an espresso-sized glass. The original creation, invented by Vincenzo of Caffè Ovidio (Corso Ovidio, 224), combines espresso with syrup, sweet almond paste and crushed …
In the Abruzzo episode of the second season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy visits the factory of a 7th generation family business of hand-made delicious candy coated treats. Confetti, those colorful candy-coated almonds known to Americans as Jordan almonds, was created when the Pelino family opened their confetti factory in the beautiful city of Sulmona in 1783. Seven …
In the Abruzzo episode of the second season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy learns about the therapy provided by donkeys at a local farm and even rides one herself! Asinomania is dedicated to donkeys, which are native to Abruzzo but not as numerous as they once were. Eugenio Milonis, the farm’s owner, uses calm, docile therapy donkeys to …
In the Abruzzo episode of the second season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy visits the nearly 1000 year old monastery of San Giovanni in Venere. San Giovanni in Venere Abbey in Fossacesia originated around 80 B.C. as a pagan temple to Venus and was later used as a monastery for Benedictine monks. The current structure was built in …
In the Abruzzo episode of the second season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy learns about the region’s musical traditions and Saltarello dance. Orchestra Popolare Del Saltarello, created by Danilo Di Paolonicola, is dedicated to preserving the traditional song and dance of Abruzzo, and mixes traditional and modern musical elements. Instruments such as accordions, flutes, tambourines and guitars accompany …
In the Abruzzo episode of the second season of Dream of Italy on PBS, Kathy enjoys fresh seafood in an old fishing hut turned restaurant. Trabocchi were traditionally stilted fishing huts along the coast of Abruzzo between the coastal towns of Ortano and Vasto. Many have now found new life as restaurants serving the freshest seafood imaginable – caught just …
