I am Abruzzese. The blood of Abruzzo runs through my veins. My grandparents grew up in Pettorano Sul Gizio (photo above and below), a small town in the center of a protected reserve. When I obtained my Italian citizenship, I established my residency in Carunchio, another small town in Abruzzo, to maintain the connection.

When someone tells me that they love Tuscany, I often ask what it is that makes them love it. Most of the time, they answer that Florence is beautiful. While Abruzzo may not have the big-city draw of a Florence or Venice, it offers so much more. Let me introduce you to it.