Things To Do
Casa Senatore
Our venue!
Casa Krenisky
Come check out the renovations we've accomplished... and everything we have left to do! Try to convince us we don't have the best view in Capestrano.
Castello Piccolomini
This is the castle located in the main piazza of Capestrano. Typically you can walk around inside for free, but we are told it will be closed for renovations during our wedding dates.
Convento di San Giovanni
James proposed up on the hill just past this convent. It is a really beautiful area with cypress trees lining the pathways. We've never gone inside, but it is open to the public and apparently very beautiful.
La Dama di Capestrano
An art gallery owned by our friend, Simonetta. It is named after the lesser-known partner of the Capestrano Warrier.
Gelateria Bar Tagliente
Gelato is one of the many offerings of this bar/cafe/gathering place. People go here to drink a morning cappuccino, sip a beer in the afternoon, and hang out in the evening. Not ground breaking quality, but it is one of the few businesses that is nearly always open.
Ristorante Il Castello
Traditional restaurant next to the castle. They serve trout (fresh from the Tirino River), lamb, steak, and pastas.
Degusteria Ottaviani
Casual restaurant that serves paninis, pizza, calzones, burgers, and apiritivi (pizza and calzones only on the weekend). The owner, Daniella, is one of the first people we met in Capestrano and is very nice. In the fall/winter, she opens up her grata (cave) for a really cool indoor sitting area. She also sells locally made olive oil and other packaged foods.
Braceria Tirino
This is a butcher shop and steak house. It is only open Friday through Sunday. You can try out arrosticini here and meet the Mayor (also the butcher)!
Alimentari
A very compact grocery store that has everything you could need. You can order prosciutto crudo (the crudo part is important, otherwise you're just ordering ham), cheese (formaggio), and eggs (uovi) from the deli counter. They also sell beer and liquor for a very reasonable price.
Cataldi Madonna
This is pretty much the only wine we drink while in Abruzzo. The Winery is about 10-15 min from Capestrano - in the Ofena valley. Try a glass of the Super Julia for us!
Rocca Colascio
The tallest castle in Italy! About a 30 min drive from Capestrano. The town just below the castle is a very traditional medieval village with interesting shops and restaurants.
Lago di Scanno
A heart shaped lake! About 50 min from Capestrano. There is a farm in this town that produces the best cheese we have ever tried! Website linked bellow.
Sulmona
Sulmona is a larger city about 40 min from Capestrano. They are known for their candy covered almonds and fortified walls surrounding the city.
Chieti
Another larger city about 30 min from Capestrano. This is a college town that has the museum that holds the Capestrano Warier. Chieti is a very pleasant city to walk around on a sunny day - we enjoy looking at all the colorful buildings while sitting on a restaurant patio.
Lo Zio Barrett - Restaurant
This may be the tastiest restaurant we've tried in the Abruzzo area thus far! To be honest, the town of Bussi is not the most beautiful to look at, but it is very close to Capestrano and is right on the Tirino river. This restaurant specializes in meat - steak, arrosticini, chicken (please try the chicken it is so good) and is very reasonably priced for the quality of the food.
Gran Sasso National Park
One of the largest protected areas in Europe, this is a beautiful area to get lost in! Apparently, the Gran Corno is the southernmost glacier in Europe and is partially responsible for the unique Abruzzo climate that creates the delicious wine! We did a day trip in which we stopped in the smaller village of Castel del Monte to explore the well preserved historic district, then made a loop through the national park.
Agricampeggio Capestrano
An interesting website to check out that highlights the beautiful agriculture and nature of Abruzzo. We have never gone here, but it is just down in the valley!