Thursday 8 June

After a modest breakfast we set off to find a particular hotel in a seaside town called Roseta degli Abruzzi. We had been using a book of Italy's Hotels de Logis and each one had been excellent. The Hotel del Lido here was the only one in the book for this area, so after the previous day's experience in finding what we wanted we decided to plump for this one and check in for a couple of days.

This is where we met Franco, the hotel owner. What a man, he could talk for Italy. Although alteration work was still taking place on the hotel he made us so welcome and was so proud of his half completed establishment. He could not do enough for us and he spoke excellent English, so we immediately felt very comfortable. We had a nice room with a large patio next to the garden (and not too far from the sea one way and the railway line the other - you cannot win them all!). As his dining room and kitchens were not completed he served our breakfast on our patio - what silver service for breakfast! It was great.

There was nothing remarkable about Roseta d A, it has long sandy beaches, all geared up for hundreds of sunbathers but it was still off season so we were able to wander unimpeded. We sorted our clothes out first and gave them a good airing (the bags were getting a bit smelly!). Then we had a lazy lunch of calamari at a beach cafe and spent the afternoon catching some rays of sunshine. We ate extremely well that evening in a fish restaurant where the first course was a series of fish dishes, small portions similar to a meze, they included octopus salad, fresh anchovies, oysters and prawns. Second course was an assortement of small fish and squid deep fried - a beautiful meal.

Our friend Franco recommended that we explore the interior of Abbruzzo a little and with his advice we headed for a small hilltop town that overlooked Roseta d A. It was only small but very old, and walking down its narrow streets we would turn a corner to be confronted by the most wonderful views, some down to the sea and others over the hills and others to the Gran Sasso mountains with snow covered tops. From there we went to a town called Teramo. Again an ancient centre, beautiful piazzas and lovely old buildings. We could have spent much more time there but on Franco's agenda was a visit to Citaveli de Tronto. This we could not have missed. Dominating the countryside for miles around is this huge fortress on top of the hill and the old medieval town tumbling down the sides. We have never seen such a huge fortress and still very much intact (after some resturation of course). It contained 3 huge plazas for the parading of the troops, accommodation for men and horses still intact but most striking was the size and the area it commanded. Well when we got back to Roseta it was "thank you Franco" for giving us the information for such a great day. On this little taster we know there is much more to explore in Abbruzzo so if you are looking for somewhere different for a holiday, think of this area, maybe even combine it with Florence. We can assure you of a great welcome.

The best was yet to come though. Jeff and I were getting a bit "fished out" food-wise, so we went on a serious search for some red meat - and it was not easy to find. We didn't want to drive and many of the smarter restaurants doing local food were just out of town, however we spotted a sign for a restaurant at the back of the town. I wrote what we had in a little note book I carry, because I would not have been able to remember it all. Here goes: First complimentary aperitifs of Spumanti and Tomato Bruschetta.

We shared the started which consisted of little portions of:
Apple Slices on Cheese
Tomatoe sliced with soft cheese
Ham rolled around grapefruit
Rice Mixture
Bressano ham
Tomatoe and sieved egg on bruschetta
Proscuittio wrapped around nectarine
Sweet grated carrot
Potato, cheese and ham slices
Ricotta & herbs
Courgette wrapped around soft cheese
Flagelot beans on bruschetta
Spinach with grapefruit
all served with the most delicious olive bread.

Our main course was the most delicious entrecote steak with a mixed salad
and all this was washed down with some gorgeous red wine at EU4 per carafe!
No we didn't have room for pudding..............