Just a few minutes drive away our local village, Cellino Attanasio, has 15thC. fortified walls and round brick towers with spectacular views. Why not wander the maze of passageways and sit awhile in one of the bars for a gelato (ice cream) or enjoy a pizza at La Terrazza Pizzeria.

Steeped in history, Teramo is a beautiful old walled town some 10 miles away. It has theatres, museums and art galleries, the remains of a Roman Theatre, as well as great shopping and an abundance of bars and restaurants. Also you can enjoy the weekly market filled with all types of stalls including delicious local cheeses and salami.

You can try the "fast food" of the area - Porchetta - fragrant herby slices of roasted pork served in a crispy bread roll. Mmmm!!

The beautiful town of Ascoli Piceno can be found on the border between Abruzzo and Le Marche. The historical centre dates back to the 9th Century BC and has a colourful history much of which is still evident today and is well documented in the town museum.

Known as the City of Towers, (originally 200 towers existed in medieval times) nowadays you can see around 50 and enjoy the various styles of architecture when you visit the Duomo and the numerous churches of Ascoli.

Why not have lunch, or enjoy the famous local liqueur - Anisetta Meletti, when you visit the famous 'Caffe Melletti' in the Renaissance Piazza del Popolo. This beautifully restored Art Déco restaurant bar has been frequented by many illustrious personalities since 1907 and has been the setting of numerous films.

Although this is a one hour drive from us, it makes a lovely day out to combine a trip to Ascoli Piceno with a visit to Civitella del Tronto.

Well worth a visit the Fortress in Civitella del Tronto is one of the most impressive works of military engineering in Italy.

This fascinating fortress has an illustrious history dating back to 1564. Perched high on an escapement, with a medieval village, its strategic position offers panoramic views of the mountains, valleys and the sea.

You can explore the many ruined buildings, including the soldiers' quarters and the Governor's Palace, find a secret tunnel and visit the comprehensive museum with its extensive displays of armour and weapons.

Just 10 minutes drive from the Villa is the picturesque and artistic hill top town of Atri. A jewel in the locality, a visit here is a must for all visitors. Nearby are the famous Calanche di Atri erosion furrows. These are a natural phenomenon caused over the centuries and the area is now a protected Nature Reserve.