You wake up a little early today. Try something a little different. As another gorgeous Italian day awaits, you set up shop for a look at the magnificent scene that is about to unfold. The scene has repeated itself over and over again for centuries, yet the scenery always somehow changes. From majestic glows of yellow and orange to hints of azure blue and bright reds the main characters of this daily performance come alive each day as if it were opening night every day. Slowly, the curtain starts to rise. From complete darkness the theatre has been slowly lit, with hints of gray shadows and black silhouettes. Inching along, the stage comes nearly set, as the house is now filling with bright, brilliant rays of light, until the entire horizon is engulfed in yellow and white. The sun shimmers up out of the water of the Adriatic to signal another gorgeous Italian day in the beautiful coastal town of Pescara.

Pescara, located along the Adriatic coast of Italy, sits in a beautiful spot along the country's eastern seaboard.  Many who come to Italy speak glowingly of the beauty of the Amalfi coast, the history of Rome, the culture of Florence and the uniqueness of Venice.  However, not much is said of the beautiful eastern coastline of this ancient country.  Pescara is one of the larger cities along this stretch of coast.  Located in the Abruzzo region of the country, it is the main character in this Adriatic coastal performance.  It has a great supporting cast, as well, with towns up and down the seashore.

 

Take a trip farther down the coast from Pescara and you will find those towns that make this region a hidden gem for many.  Francavilla al Mare, Ortona, S. Vito Chietino and Vasto have many charms that you would typically associate with coastal villages.  From small restaurants serving fish caught a few hours before to breathtaking views of the Adriatic, these towns have this and more.

 

Even though Pescara and the many coastal towns surrounding it are not on the tip of many tourists' tongues when planning their Italian trips, they do have a following.  The areas swell in the summer months, especially in the vacation month of August.  Many from northern Italian regions as well as those from Switzerland, Austria and some as far away as Germany have found these areas to be quite the ideal spot when on "holiday".  The temperate sea climate, small village shopping and local nightlife make Pescara and its surrounding areas a magnet for those in other European locales.  The magic spell is placed on these tourists that keep them coming year after year.

Many come to explore the many natural wonders of Pescara and its cousins.  Look one way and you are captivated by the beautiful views of the Apennines mountains that stretch down this way from the northern part of the country.  Called the backbone of Italy by some this mountain range presents a beautiful backdrop to the sea.  Then, as you head to explore the Apennine mountain ranges make sure you turn your head back around and take in the mesmerizing view of the Adriatic.

The Beach of Pescara, Italy.

Pescara, at about 200,000 residents, is the largest city in the region and one of the main business and tourist centers along the east coast.  Easily accessible by rail, car and air, since just outside of town the Abruzzo International Airport welcomes passengers from all over the world.  Again, when thinking of getting to Italy it is usually Rome or perhaps Milan as an air destination, but the other international airport sits right outside of Pescara.

Being a larger city, Pescara boasts a thriving industrial and business district, which took off as the Marshall Plan was taking full effect in the years after World War II.

Like many of these areas devastated by the war, the turnaround was not immediate.  Post war reconstruction did not happen overnight.  In fact, it was not until the early sixties that the region's development started to spiral upward.  Springing up out of this growth were some of the other neighboring towns like Francavilla, Spoltore, Citta Sant'Angelo and Montesilvano.  This build up has been so much so, that this area now houses about one third of the population of the entire region of Abruzzo.

 

The city is looked after by its patron saint, Cetteo, a bishop of the area in the 6th Century AD.  Persecuted by the Lombards, his relics were moved from Chieti to its rightful place in Pescara in the late 1970's.  Over the years the city has reflected many other parts of the country, in that it had been conquered by many peoples, from the Barbarian invasions, Byzantine domination, Lombards and the Normans until it united with Italy as a country in 1860.  From there it became the province capital in 1927.

Pescara is full of savory restaurants and trattorie serving the freshest seafood made from original recipes of maritime lore. There is nothing like sitting down to be enraptured by the wonderfully prepared dishes of the area overlooking some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country.  Fresh off of a walk along the beach or a trip into the mountains, the enjoyment of a meal made in expert Abruzzese fashion is truly a great reward.  Looking for something to satisfy your palate after an evening stroll under the stars?  Don't forget the connoli or the ice cream. Pescara is filled with many traditional ice cream shops right along the seafront.  That is all part of experiencing the culture of Abruzzo, right?

Adriatic at Pescara Italy.

As you look to explore locales around Pescara, you cannot escape it's almost 20 km of beach, which stretches from Francavilla to Montesilvano.  The greens and blues of the sea capture your imagination as you think of that sunset you saw this morning.  But now the umbrellas are out, and you are enjoying both the soothing sounds of the waves and the fresh air of the Adriatic. Pescara is truly a gem.

Select ratingPoorOkayGoodGreatAwesome

Your rating: None Average: 4.9 (7 votes)