Sextantio – unique world class hotel

There are places and things to see which at times need no description at all. Either because everything’s already been said or nothing has to be said at all because you have to experience it for yourself in order to do it justice. Sextantio, the “Extended Hotel” located in Santo Stefano di Sessanio is surely one of these places.

Let’s start things off simply: Santo Stefano di Sessanio is an abandoned medieval mountain town in the heart of the raw Apennin mountains located approximately 5 Kilometres from Rocca Calascio in the province of Aquila which was brought back to life by Daniele Khilgren. … Continue Reading

Mountainbiking in Abruzzo – by Norbert Hein

It must have been a heavy case of amnesia. Yesterday I enjoyed my Latte Macchiato at an Italian Bar – Dolce Vita in a Mediterranean ambience. Today the world seems to have turned around completely and I don’t have a clue what’s going on. Did I time warp straight to the Bonanza-Ranch?

After a few meters of altitude on today’s ride, a 30 km long and 8 km wide plateau rolls out in front of us. Dimensions like the one’s you see in the most monumental western flics. No tree or bush to block your site. … Continue Reading

La Torre di Pretoro – Restaurant

“La Torre” was to my knowledge the very first restaurant in the historical center of Pretoro. And what a first it was. Pretoro is a very characteristic mountain town built directly upon the sloping walls of the Maielletta mountain (part of the Maiella range) at approximately 600 meters above sea level. On a clear day you can see the Adriatic over 30 kilometres away. … Continue Reading

Agriturismo La Brocca – Restaurant

Agriturismo “La Brocca” (Winner of the “Ospitalità Italiana” ISNART Award) is owned and run by Carla Di Crescenzo and her family: daughter Filomena, husband Maurizio and the “grandparents”. Founded in 1999, it has become quite an institution in the Chieti region and is popular with insiders for its authentic regional cuisine followed by very modest prices: where else can you get a 3 course meal for EUR 16,00 (wine and coffee included) and actually think, “Why aren’t I paying triple for this?”. That’s how good the food is here… and once again, priced very fairly. … Continue Reading

Antonio ed Elio Monti – Winery

The fact that some of the finest wines produced in Abruzzo come from the Controguerra region (in this case Contrada Pignotto) isn’t a secret but the wine’s being produced by Azienda Agricola Antonio ed Elio Monti, now run by cousins Emilia and Bruna Monti, still seem to be. The wines coming out of this family run winery are truly exceptional and by all means very serious in regards to their winemaking capabilities… the fact that Riccardo Cotarella has been at work here is very obvious. He’s been rated by Robert Parker as one of Italy’s top winemakers along with Angelo Gaja. … Continue Reading