Posts Tagged ‘mountains’
Let it snow … in Abruzzo
In mid-December, I had to run out to Abruzzo for some errands. I was out in the town of Ovindoli only for the day – and what an unseasonably warm day it was! There was at least a little bit of snow on the ground, but not that much for December. The ski slopes had…
Read MoreTaking time to spot the gnomes
Friday musings during a grey and rainy month in Rome. I saw this photo and thought of when I took it – during a hiking trip I took with my younger son during a hot September weekend. This was out in Ovindoli, in the mountains of Abruzzo – about 1.5 hours east of Rome. We…
Read MoreVisiting the birthplace of the nativity scene – in Greccio, Italy
For years I have “meant to” visit Greccio. My luck changed when my youngest son joined the track team in nearby Rieti, about 16 kilometers from this tiny town. Since we are often in Rieti for races, and since this last visit coincided with sunny skies, I finally got my wish post-race. Greccio is a…
Read MoreFrom the top of the world. The Pizzo di Ovindoli, Abruzzo
On a hot summer weekend, I took my kids out to our place in Ovindoli – in the mountains of Abruzzo, Italy. An hour and a half away in Rome, it was sweltering, but at 1400 meters/4500 feet from sea level, we could be active all day, without succumbing to heat stroke. My older son…
Read MoreBetween Italy and Austria in Bolzano
I’ve already written about the luck my family and I had visiting Bolzano on Saturday for market day and how we stocked up on all the specialties from Alto Adige/Austria. Bolzano is the capital of Alto Adige, the German-speaking half of Italy’s Trentino Alto-Adige. From the architecture and the language spoken around you, you’ll feel…
Read MoreCommemorating WWI soldiers in Abruzzo
On my recent ski escape, I was in Ovindoli, in Italy’s Apennine mountains of the Abruzzo region. Like most little mountain towns, Ovindoli has a memorial to the soldiers who died both in WWI and WWII. For those who know the region well, most of these towns have much longer lists for the First World…
Read MoreSnow was only okay, but the skiing was fabulous. Abruzzo
Is there anything more magical than the first ski run of the season? Even after all these years, it never fails to put me in a good mood. I’m generally loathe to organize complicated travel plans for the Christmas holidays, since I hate to travel at on of the most chaotic times of the year.…
Read MoreGreetings from the slopes
With any luck, when this post goes out I’ll be here. Looking forward to a little time relaxing on the slopes. I so love being out in the mountains, enjoying fresh, mountain air, feeling that nagging pain on my muscles after the end of a long day of skiing, and enjoying a good book in…
Read MoreSheep, cows and horses, oh my! The perils of mountain biking in Abruzzo
My older son plays Varsity tennis each fall and is often traveling around Italy for matches on weekends. My younger son and I often use this as an excuse for a solo escape to the little town in the mountains of Abruzzo for some fall foliage and mountain biking. This year was no exception. Earlier…
Read MoreHiking the Celano Canyon in Abruzzo, Italy
Earlier this summer, during a particularly steamy Roman week, I found myself daydreaming constantly about a weekend escape to Abruzzo. I often get out for weekend to the town of Ovindoli, about 1 1/2 hour drive from Rome. Since the town at 1400 meters from sea level it is much, much cooler than Rome ……
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