Abruzzo Parks, Food, Beaches

Book excerpt: Abruzzo holds a record: environmental laws protect 30 percent of its territory, and no other region in Europe can boast as much. It is not without good reason. It is known as the region of parks, the ideal target for a naturalistic vacation. There are three national parks, one regional park, and many protected sites and nature reserves: in a region like this, it seems natural that the provincial capital is called L'Aquila (The Eagle). This guide lets you visit Abruzzo, starting from L'Aquila, and see Gran Sasso and Maiella. It includes a detailed list of the resources available to visit the Parks with local guides and encounter the local wild fauna. It has a list of local guides and of the services they provide. It covers Abruzzo cuisine with a section on the specialty Foods of Abruzzo and lists many regional recipes with active links to the recipe pages. It also contains local wines. It includes a comprehensive section on Abruzzo's history, from the pre-Roman age to the historic Roman era, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance and Baroque periods, and the Modern Age. In addition, it includes photos and descriptions of the attractions and travel info. The guide has many reviews of the restaurants in the localities covered.