This one-time fishing port has become one of the most popular seaside resorts on the Adriatic. Offering beautiful beaches with ample opportunity for swimming, strolling, sunbathing and just relaxing, this city is situated in one of the most picturesque regions of Italy.

Pescara hosts the world famous annual Pescara Jazz Festival every July. This festival began as the brainchild of a few local fanatical Jazz fans and over its 26 year history has featured the likes of Duke Ellington, Johnny Hoggings, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn and Bob Dylan. It is a must see for jazz aficionados.

For a little information on the area and its people, the Museo delle Genti d’Abruzzo, built on the site of an ex-Bourbon prison, offers a look into the history of the locals, from ancient to modern. Another interesting site is the city’s avant-garde train station, the city’s monument to modernity.

After a day on the beach or touring around the area and a dinner in one of the city’s many fine restaurants, a night at the Ex-Gaslini Club can be a lot of fun. This club, situated in what used to be a machine factory, is the city’s ultra-hip venue for drinking, dance and live music.

Near Pescara and accessible by car are the Abruzzo National Park and the Apennines mountain range. The Abruzzo National Park is one of the largest natural preserves in Italy and is home to bears, chamois, wolves, deer and eagles. The Apennines offers hiking, climbing, skiing and several thermal-bath spas.

Pescara’s airport offers daily flights to and from all of Italy’s major cities as well as some others on the European continent. Rail is also efficient.