Historical centre of Penne, lively Abruzzo hill town near mountains and beaches

Spacious, carefully restored house inside medieval walls, two terraces. Part of an old palazzo, vaulted brick ceilings on ground floor, frescoed vaults on piano nobile, handmade terracotta tiles, travertine in bathrooms, oak parquet in bedrooms and living room. Large well-equipped kitchen with a generous dining area. 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Large terrace facing the Duomo and the Majella mountains, small terrace downstairs. Blend of antique and modern furniture. Wireless broadband internet.

Three min from the main piazza. Stroll the cobbled alleys of this bustling town, famous for its brick facades; drop into one of its museums; enjoy a drink in one of the many cafés, a splendid meal in one of its better restaurants; or explore the pleasant tracks of nearby Lago di Penne or the hike to Mount Bertona and beyond. Beaches or tracked mountain routes are within half an hour’s drive. Easily accessible from international airports in Pescara (35 min) or Rome (2,5 h). Inexpensive rental car from the airport.

Penne is beautifully located at the foot of the Gran Sasso, with the highest peaks of the Apennines, yet only half an hour by car from Pescara and other Adriatic beaches. Unlike many old hill towns, Penne remains vibrant with lots of restaurants, cafés, and shops of all kinds inside the medieval walls, as well a cathedral and numerous churches and museums. Big street market on Saturdays. Nice tracks around the Lago di Penne, a WWF site with more than 160 bird species only 5 minutes outside town, splendid mountain hikes from nearby Montebello di Bertona (15 min drive). Penne is older than Rome and was the capital of the Vestini people before becoming an important Roman town. Later it was the seat of a countdom; its rebellion in 1837 against the Bourbon rulers of Naples and Sicily was among the early sparks of Italy’s risorgimento and unification. Only 35 minutes from Pescara’s international airport.