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Looking for an Italy that feels authentic and untouched by mass tourism? Abruzzo is a region of soaring mountains, rugged coastlines, time-honored traditions, and unforgettable cuisine. Discover charming villages, breathtaking landscapes, and insider tips for experiencing true Italian hospitality in one of the country’s best-kept secrets.
Summary
We welcome back Cassie Tresl, Untold Italy trip consultant and Abruzzo local from the US. Cassie reveals what makes Abruzzo so special – from vibrant festivals and family traditions to landscapes stretching from mountain peaks to the Adriatic. Life in hilltop towns, mouthwatering food like arrosticini, and the region’s warm hospitality all shine through.
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What you'll learn in this episode
- August’s Ferragosto holiday transforms Italy as city locals head to the mountains or coast and towns host concerts, parades, and lively food sagre
- Abruzzo’s villages rival Tuscany’s beauty but remain crowd-free, offering an authentic, family-oriented culture and preserved traditions
- The region stretches from Apennine peaks like Gran Sasso to the Adriatic coast, with national parks and rustic landscapes to explore
- Local cuisine highlights include arrosticini skewers and quirky festival foods, reflecting seasonal rhythms and deep regional pride
- Traveling here often requires a rental car, but the reward is access to hilltop towns, heritage connections, and life at a slower pace
Timeline Overview
- 13:02 Abruzzo’s charm lies in its quiet villages and slower pace, far from mass tourism
- 16:37 Gran Sasso and Abruzzo’s mountains shape the region more than its coastline
- 25:48 Local food traditions like arrosticini and sagre highlight pride and simplicity
- 32:46 Seasonal produce and rhythms of nature define daily life in Abruzzo
- 37:09 Abruzzo remains an under-marketed gem, perfect for return travelers seeking authenticity
About our guest – Cassie Tresl from Adventures of Ace
Cassie, along with her husband Alex and Emmy make up ACE – a family who believes that travel isn’t just for solo adventurers or couples. Cassie and Alex, both from Seattle, USA, embarked on their big adventure in 2019 moving to Europe, starting off in the Czech Republic, which would be their home base for the next couple of years. They were lucky enough to stay with family when they weren’t traveling, which meant they weren’t spending money on rent. The next move was to buy a car and begin traveling throughout Europe, experiencing as much as possible.
In December of 2020, life threw them a new adventure when they welcomed their daughter Emmy into the world. Cassie and Alex knew their hunger for travel would not stop, but it would be a little different. Their little family of three (plus furry companion) has continued to travel, with road trips being their weapon of choice. Whether they are on the road for two days or two months, they don’t plan on stopping any time soon.
They currently reside in a small town in Abruzzo, Italy, and as well as being eager to take the opportunity for Emmy to learn Italian at a young age, they are exploring their current home country on family road trips – discovering hidden gems and making unforgettable memories, all on a budget.
Follow Cassie here
Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned
Places
- Abruzzo – this central Italian region is known for its coastline and mountains, with the Apennines running through the region
- L'Aquila – the small capital city of Abruzzo
- Pescara – the larger, main city in Abruzzo with a small airport
- Teramo – city in Abruzzo, 150 kilometres from Rome, situated between the highest mountains of the Apennines and the Adriatic coast
- Chieti – province located in the eastern part of Abruzzo
- Molise – mountainous region of Italy with a small part on the Adriatic coast below Abruzzo
- Le Marche – the region above Abruzzo
- Traforo del Gran Sasso – the Gran Sasso tunnels are part of the A24 Motorway linking Rome and the Adriatic Sea, through the Apennine Mountains. There are two tunnels, running at 10,176 metres long
- Sulmona – charming town in Abruzzo, located at the foot of the Majella
- Gran Sasso National Park – one of the largest national parks in Italy
- Campo Imperatore – part of the National park – it is a vast, basin-shaped alpine plateau known as the ‘Little Tibet' due to its high altitude and unique landscape
- Pacentro – medieval village in Abruzzo and one of I Borghi più belli d'Italia (most beautiful villages in Italy)
- Trabocchi Coast – a stretch of the Adriatic coast in Chieti. Famous for it of Trabucco, which are structures for fishing that stretch out to sea
- Polignano a Mare – beautiful old town with dramatic cliffside and very quiet offseason
Food / Drink
- cipolla – a sweet onion from the town of Tropea in the Calabria region. Used as an unusual gelato flavor – an acquired taste
- cream of rosemary – another unusual gelato flavor
- arrosticini – lamb chunks on skewers often cooked up in the mountains
- le sagne al cotturo – the very local and unusual pasta dish where you use the rectangular pasta to eat the sausage. See it in action here
Words / Concepts
- Ferragosto – yearly celebrations and public holiday in Italy on 15th August
- Borghi più belli d’italia – an association of small Italian towns of historical interest
- Trabocchi – the wooden fishing pontoons/piers that have been around since the 1400s, out in the sea. Many now converted to restaurants
- Transumanza – the twice-yearly event where large flocks of sheep are driven south from the hilly and mountainous regions
- Maremmano-Abruzzese Sheepdog – the large, white sheep dogs they use with their herds of sheep up in the mountains
Related content on Untold Italy
Podcasts
- Ep 291 – 8 Enchanting Italian Towns to Visit in Autumn
- Ep 262 – Road tripping Puglia and Basilicata
- Ep 143 – 7 Delicious local dishes from Abruzzo
- Ep 063 – Amazing Abruzzo – from Coast to Mountain Peaks
Articles
- Hidden gems in Italy – off the beaten path from North to South
- Italy for Return Travelers: 12 New Places to Explore
- 50 incredibly beautiful small towns in Italy
- Regions of Italy
- A Traveler’s Guide to Driving in Italy
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