Pescara

The 16-kilometre stretch of wide sandy beaches along the Adriatic coast is what makes Pescara a favourite holiday resort for thousands of Italian families and an increasing number of foreign visitors. The long promenade, Viale della Riviera, is the real heart of Pescara, and a stroll along the seafront is essential for any visit to the town. Along the beach, you can also join one of the 'stabilimenti', clubs where you can find restaurants, playgrounds and umbrellas to use on the beach.

This cathedral is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, and it boasts some magnificent artwork, as well as the marble mausoleum of Gabriele D’Annunzio's mother. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century, although the façade had to be reconstructed after it was damaged during World War II.

On the façade of this government palace (Palazzo del Governo), you can see a collection of statues by Guido Costanzo, from Ortona. The four large sculptures symbolise the Mines, Agriculture, the Sea and the River, the four foundation pillars of Pescara. In the Hall of the Provincial Council, you can also admire the large bronze bust of poet Gabriele D'Annunzio.

Located only twenty minutes from Pescara, Chieti is a pleasantly provincial hillside town. A magnificent Gothic cathedral looms over Chieti, offering fantastic views of the surrounding mountains. The local Archaeological Museum (Museo Nazionale Archeologico di Antichità) is particularly intriguing. It is situated in a villa surrounded by a park and contains various archaeological finds, such as Roman statues and tombs.