Somewhat isolated from the rest of Italy, the mid-eastern Abruzzo region spans from the calm Adriatic Sea through the mystic Apennine mountains. Its landscape is vast, wild and untamed, lending itself to tales of magic and sorcery. Indeed, the village of Cocullo hosts one of Italy's most bizarre festivals, the Snake-Charmers Procession.

Bears, wolves and lynx roam the protected areas of Abruzzo's three national parks, and eagles are the symbol and namesake for the region's capital city, L'Aquila. The source of water for L'Aquila's Fountain of 99 Spouts remains unknown even after its 800 years, and its massive castle, the Forte Spagnolo, houses a museum of area artifacts. The poet Ovid was first introduced to beauty in his medieval hometown of Sulmona, and some of ancient Scanno's older residents still don the city's historical dress. The tables are laden at daily food markets with fresh fruits and vegetables, and the hearty regional recipes include lamb, mutton, fish and pasta. Transportation hub Pescara sits on the turquoise Adriatic, and travellers revel in the extra-long beach and glamorous nightlife of Alba Adriatica.