Many of the Italian immigrants to Pittsburgh came from Abruzzo, a mountainous region in south-central Italy. Glancing at the map of Italy, one can see that it dits right in the middle of the Apennine mountain range but there is a small portion that includes the Adriatic coastline. Pescara is the most populous city of the region with around 120,000 inhabitants and it was this seaport that we spent our first full day in Bella Italia.
After a typical Italian breakfast of coffee, a cornetto (croissant) and yogurt (which is very different from American yogurt), we headed out to explore the old part of the city south of the Pescara River. Paolo, our loquacious B&B host (who has seen more of the USA than I have – Arkansas, Missouri and Oklahoma as vacation destinations I cannot understand!) gave us some advice regarding walking instructions and restaurant recommendations and then we were off. The day was becoming quite warm and humid, even at 9 a.m. We walked along the lungomare until we reached a pedestrian and cyclist bridge that spanned the river.
The view of the river and city was stunning. Little locks were scattered along the entire length of the bridge’s fence, similar to what’s seen in most other countries
and even on the Panther Hollow Bridge in Pittsburgh.
The south shore of the river is the centro storico (historic center) whereas the north side is called the Porto Nuovo. The city dates back to pre-Roman times, an important port for trade with the eastern part of the Ancient Greek Empire. By the 11th Century it was a fishing village, invaded by the Normans and then by successive invasions of Venetians, ottoman Turks and Spanish. Part of the Kingdom of Naples, it was invaded by the French in 1800 and eventually liberated by Garibaldi in 1860. Little is left of the historic center as the city was heavily bombed during World War 2. The Porto Nuovo has a post-war ambience, albeit with a busy business district on the Corso Vittorio Emmanuele, an impressive miles- long lungomare beach scene, and upscale shops and elaborate villas on the viale Regina Margherita.
We spent several hours wandering the small yet charming old city, birthplace of Gabriele D’Annunzio, one of Italy’s most famous poets/writers/WW1heroes/politicians (he did it all!) whose “sensuous” poetry was quite scandalous for the times. His casa natale is located on a small hidden street two blocks from the river and houses a museum.
Nearby are the Catedrale di San Cetteo, patron saint and bishop of Pescara in the 6th century who was martyred by being thrown off a bridge into the river (his body floated to Pescara), a museum of Abruzzo history and folklore and a great pastry shop that welcomes your pooch to share your sweet treat!
Back on the north shore, it was time for a lunch break at Turchi (via Trento) -it was not a Turkish restaurant but rather a tavola calda – 
sort of like a cafeteria where you choose three items from a buffet of veggies, pastas, meats or fish and the plate is warmed in the oven and brought to your table. A delicious and crunchy corn bread was brought as an accompaniment. This made for an inexpensive and filling lunch. As we are in southern Italy where there is a dopo pranzo pausa (AKA siesta), we headed back for a two hour rest.
At 5 pm, a cousin of one of our traveling companions arrived at the B&B for a visit. They had not seen each other for 50 years so it was a heart warming and emotional visit. After two hours of reminiscing, the family members bid farewell.
Our dinner this evening was at a place recommended by our B&B host ( who by the way is a huge Springsteen fan, and a groupie who has seen “the Boss” 21 times, all over Europe and the USA!). La Rete specializes in seafood ( naturally, as we are by the sea) and as the first of only a few customers this evening, we were treated to some personal attention by the chef. He sent out a chickpea and shrimp purée and sea asparagus as an amuse bouche, two different pastas as our primi piatti (the pasta chitarra with prawns and pistachios from Bronte Sicily was amazing) and a grilled ombrina (fish) with roasted potatoes. A selection of fresh fruit was the perfect dessert. 
We headed home fully sated and ready for a long deserved rest.
Camino Musings 