Is Abruzzo worth visiting?

Without hesitation. Mountains, beaches, medieval villages and extraordinary food and wine — without the crowds or prices of Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast. It is one of the most authentic and underrated regions in all of Italy.

Why is Abruzzo called Italy's best kept secret?

Because despite being right next door to Rome — less than two hours away — Abruzzo remains almost invisible on the international tourism map. Less than 3% of foreign visitors to Italy make it here. Those who do rarely leave without wanting to come back.

What is Abruzzo famous for?

Abruzzo is known as the greenest region in Europe, with three national parks covering more than a third of its territory. It is home to some of the most beautiful medieval villages in Italy, the Costa dei Trabocchi, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wine and arrosticini.

Is Abruzzo better than Tuscany?

It depends on what you are looking for. For authenticity, value for money and unspoiled nature — Abruzzo wins. For world-famous art cities and rolling vineyard estates — a different experience entirely. For travellers tired of the obvious, Abruzzo is the answer.

How many days do I need to visit Abruzzo?

Seven to ten days to experience it properly — combining the coast, the mountains, the villages and the food. Five days is enough for a first taste but you will almost certainly want to stay longer.

Do I need a car to visit Abruzzo?

Yes — and not just for practicality. Driving through Abruzzo is an experience in itself. The landscapes along the national park roads, the mountain passes and the coastal route of the Via Verde are some of the most extraordinary drives in Italy.

What is the best time to visit Abruzzo?

Abruzzo is a year-round destination. In summer you have the beaches and the mountains. In autumn the harvest festivals and the colours. In winter the ski resorts of Campo Imperatore and Passo Lanciano. In spring the blooming national parks. The summer months are the busiest — but every season has something extraordinary to offer.

Is Abruzzo expensive?

Abruzzo is one of the most affordable regions in Italy. Compared to Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast, prices for accommodation, food and activities are significantly lower. It delivers exceptional value for money.

What is The City Next Door?

The City Next Door is the go-to English guide to travel, food and wine in Abruzzo, Italy. Written by Armando and Idania — two Venezuelans with roots in the region, living in London — every post is based on firsthand experience. No sponsored content. No guesswork. Writing about Abruzzo since 2020.

Who writes The City Next Door?

Armando and Idania. Armando grew up spending summers in Abruzzo, lived there at 16, studied in Chieti and Pescara and considers it home. Idania brings the eye for detail and the love for authentic experiences. Together they have been writing about Abruzzo since 2020.

Is the content on The City Next Door sponsored?

Never. Every post on this blog is based on firsthand experience. We have eaten in the restaurants we review, visited the beaches we recommend and stayed in the places we write about. We have never accepted payment for a review and we never will.

What does The City Next Door mean?

Abruzzo sits right next door to Rome — one of the most visited cities in the world — and yet remains completely off the tourist map. The name is an invitation to discover a place that has been hiding in plain sight.

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 in Abruzzo. The quality time with family and friends. The places we had visited. The food. The wine. The air. And somewhere between the departure gate and the boarding queue, a question started forming: why does nobody talk about this place?

Abruzzo is one of Italy’s most extraordinary regions. And yet, compared to Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast, it is almost invisible on the international travel map. We saw it as a hidden gem getting missed by the world of tourism. And that is how The City Next Door was born.

Why The City Next Door?

The name came to us on a cold but sunny Saturday in February 2020, sitting in a coffee shop in central London called The Timberyard.

After tossing around ideas, “The City Next Door” clicked immediately. Abruzzo sits right next door to Rome — one of the most visited cities in the world — and yet it remains completely under the radar. That contrast felt like exactly the right name for what we were trying to do.

The City Next Door is not just a name. It is an invitation. To go somewhere that feels familiar and extraordinary at the same time. To discover a region that has been hiding in plain sight.

Our Connection to Abruzzo

Our relationship with Abruzzo goes back to childhood. Our dad are from the region, so we spent summers there — visiting grandparents, exploring villages, eating food that tasted like nothing we could find anywhere else.

Abruzzo is part of our roots. It has shaped who we are. And that is what drives every post we write — not a travel itinerary, but a genuine connection to a place we love.

Armando lived in Abruzzo at 16, staying with his grandmother Assunta in Giuliano Teatino, attending high school in Chieti, studying at university in Pescara and playing football in Francavilla. Abruzzo is not just a destination for him. It is home.

Meet the Team

Armando

Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Armando moved to Abruzzo at 16 and spent years living, studying and playing football across the region. After returning to Venezuela and completing a degree in Economics, he eventually settled in London with his wife Idania. Today he manages The City Next Door alongside his personal projects, staying connected to Abruzzo through every post he writes.

Idania

Born in Caracas, Idania moved to the UK after completing her Engineering degree. After eight years in Cheltenham she relocated to London in 2016, where she now works in the finance sector. Her eye for detail and love for authentic experiences shape the voice of the blog as much as anything else.

Together, we are a small team driven by one shared conviction: Abruzzo deserves to be known.

What We Write About

The City Next Door covers everything you need to experience Abruzzo honestly and well.

Explore Abruzzo — the villages, mountains, coastline and national parks that make this region extraordinary.

Food and Wine — from arrosticini to Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, the culinary tradition of a region that takes food seriously.

Abruzzo in London — for those who want a taste of Abruzzo without getting on a plane.

Abruzzo Essentials — everything you need to know before you visit.

We write in English, Spanish and Italian — because Abruzzo deserves to be discovered by as many people as possible.

Get in Touch

We would love to hear from you. Whether you have a question about planning your trip, want to share your own Abruzzo experience, or simply want to say hello — drop us a line.

And if you are ready to start exploring, Abruzzo Essentials is the best place to begin. 🏔️