ABOUT US
ABOUT US
OUR STORY: FROM NOSTALGIC ROOTS TO A PASSION PROJECT
It all began on a Sunday evening in October 2019, as we queued to board our plane back to London from Pescara. We—Idania and Armando—were already reminiscing about our week off, the quality time with family and friends, and the incredible places we’d visited. This sparked a brainstorm: How could we promote Abruzzo as a must-visit destination for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path Italy travel tips? We saw it as a hidden gem often overlooked in the world of tourism, and that’s how The City Next Door was born. Our Abruzzo travel blog is designed to share insider insights, authentic experiences, and practical Italy vacation ideas that could inspire you to add Abruzzo to your travel bucket list.
Our connection to Abruzzo runs deep, tracing back to our childhoods. With our dad hailing from the region, we spent summers there, soaking in its essence and visiting our grandparents. It’s woven into our roots and has shaped who we are today. We pour that same passion into every post, hoping you’ll enjoy discovering Abruzzo through our lens as much as we love sharing it. Whether you’re planning a romantic getaway, a family adventure, or a solo journey of self-discovery, our content is tailored for discerning travelers like you who crave genuine, soul-enriching trips.
WHY THE CITY NEXT DOOR? A NAME THAT CAPTURES THE MAGIC
The name came to us on a cold but sunny Saturday in February 2020, while sipping coffee in a cozy London spot called The Timberyard. After tossing around ideas, “The City Next Door” clicked instantly—it perfectly encapsulates Abruzzo as a beautiful, pure, and heartwarming escape right next door to Rome, one of the world’s most visited cities. Yet, it’s such an under-the-radar destination, where natural wonders around every corner make you fall in love and never want to leave. For us, it’s about getting lost in authentic Italy and finding yourself again. If you’ve ever felt the pull of your heritage or the need for a rejuvenating break from urban life, this Abruzzo blog guide is your invitation to experience it firsthand.
MEET THE TEAM: ARMANDO AND IDANIA
We’re a small, dedicated team of expats fueled by our deep love for Abruzzo, driven to showcase it as the ultimate haven for those craving a true escape. Imagine a place where you can finally disconnect from the chaos, embrace the quiet, and take the time to hear and heal yourself— that’s the Abruzzo we know and adore.
ARMANDO
Armando’s journey took him to Italy at 16, where he lived with his grandmother Assunta in a charming Abruzzo town -Giuliano Teatino-. He attended high school in Chieti, university in Pescara, and even played football in Francavilla, forging lifelong friendships in the region. Returning to Caracas in 2008, he earned an Economics degree, got married, and eventually moved to London. Today, he balances time with his wife, managing The City Next Door, staying active with workouts, reading, and pursuing personal projects. His deep-rooted passion drives our mission to showcase Abruzzo’s authentic experiences to fellow expats and travel enthusiasts.
IDANIA
Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Idania moved to the UK with her husband shortly after earning her Engineering degree. After eight years in Cheltenham, she relocated to London in 2016. Now embracing the joys of new parenthood, she juggles a full-time role in the finance sector.
Through The City Next Door, we invite you to discover Abruzzo in a way that feels personal and familiar. It’s not just about visiting – it’s about connecting with the rhythms of local life, sharing stories over a glass of Montepulciano, and finding comfort in traditions that make you feel at home. Whether you’re wandering through medieval streets or savouring homemade pasta in a family trattoria, we help you create memories that bridge the gap between where you come from and where you belong.
OUR STORY
It was a Sunday evening of october 2019 and we were queuing to board our plane back to London from Pescara. We were already reminiscing about our week off in Abruzzo, the quality time we had shared with our family and friends and all the nice places we had visited. Nearby to our boarding gate there was a shop selling typical Abruzzese food (made from local producers) called Iannone, so we started to mention how nice it would be to set up a shop like that in London (the idea is still hanging!).
This prompted us (Idania, Enzo and Armando) to start brainstorming about ways we could promote Abruzzo as a tourist destination. We believe this region is a hidden gem getting missed in the world of tourism . . . and this is how everything started! We created this blog to share with the world all the wonders Abruzzo has and why after reading our content you might decide to include Abruzzo within your annual travel schedule!
Our reminiscence of Abruzzo goes well back into our childhoods, our dads are from Abruzzo so we used to visit during summer to enjoy the region and of course, visit our grandparents. Abruzzo is part of our roots and it has played an important part in who we are, so we hope you enjoy reading this blog in the same way we enjoy writing it for you!
SO . . . WHY
THE CITY NEXT DOOR?
At this point you may be wondering how “Abruzzo” relates to “The City Next Door” so, here it comes! It didn’t take us too long to find a name for the blog. It was a cold but sunny Saturday of February 2020, the three of us sitting in a pretty coffee shop around central London called The Timberyard when the click moment happened. After a few ideas and weird words, something resonated with us at the same time. We look at each other and confirm: this sounds actually good!
The name The City Next Door turned our ideas into something tangible. Sounds cool, right? Abruzzo is this beautiful, pure and heartwarming place that makes you feel all types of feelings. There’s no pretending, its natural wonders in every corner will make you fall in love and feel like you don’t ever wanna leave. A place to explore, get lost and find yourself again.
SOME OF THE WONDERS YOU WILL IN ABRUZZO . . .
Trabocco Punta Cavalluccio
Costa dei Trabocchi
Valle dell'Avello
Balzolo
The Castle of Roccascalegna
Roccascalegna
NICE STORY BUT . . .
WHERE IS ABRUZZO?
Abruzzo is one of the 20 regions that form Italy. Officially belongs to the south of the country but geographically is in the centre, right next to Rome! (Literally next door), approximately 150 km from it. That would be 1h and 30min driving, (it varies based on where you want to go in Abruzzo, the nearest location is Aquila).
Just so you know a bit more about Abruzzo: it borders to the north with the region of Le Marche, to the south with the region of Molise, to the west with the region of Lazio (where Rome is based) and to the east with the Adriatic Sea.
Abruzzo is also formed by four cities: Aquila which is the capital (also known as capoluogo), Chieti, Pescara and Teramo. Each of these 4 cities has under its jurisdiction smaller cities and several towns. For instance, Sulmona is a small city that belongs to the jurisdiction of Aquila, Lanciano, another small city, belongs to the jurisdiction of Chieti and so on.
Once the Covid 19 restrictions are fully lifted, Abruzzo should definitely be on your list. Please get in touch via the contact section and we will be more than happy to help you plan your trip!
HOW DO I
GET TO ABRUZZO?
If you are coming from a different country, it’s important for you to know that there is only one international airport in Abruzzo, the Aeroporto Internazionale d’Abruzzo, located in Pescara. There are a total of 10 routes available operated by Ryanair, and these are: Warsow (Poland), Krakow (Poland), Dusseldorf (Germany), Frankfurt (Germany), Bucarest (Romania), London (United Kingdom), Barcelona (Spain), Brussels (Belgium), Praghe (Czec Republic) and Tirana (Albania).
On the other hand, if you are coming from Italy, there are some routes available between Abruzzo’s airport and other cities. These routes are: Alghero, Bergamo, Cagliari, Catania, Milano, Olbia, Trapani, Treviso andTorino.
Once in Abruzzo’s airport, the best option to move around is renting a car; Europcar and Avis are good options.
If you arrive at one of the Airports in Rome (Aeorporto di Fiumicino Leonardo Da Vinci or Aeroporto di Ciampino Giovan Battista Pastine), renting a car is always the best way to get to Abruzzo. There are two highways that connect Rome with Abruzzo. The Autostrada A24 (A24 highway) and the autostrada A25 (A25 highway). Both of them are also known as Autostrada dei Parchi (Motorway Parks).
However, there are other options like bus and train. Clikbus offers good bus service at competitive prices.
By train, you can visit Trenitalia’s website and check the routes available.
Tip: if you intend to go from Rome to Chieti or Pescara by train, tickets might be more expensive and it takes a bit longer to get there compared to the bus option.