Local information L Aquila is the capital city of the Abruzzo region, situated in central Italy. The city is on a hill at 720m above sea level and it is surrondend by the Appennin Montains, with the Gran Sasso d Italia to the north-east (highest peaks, 2912 m). Within the province of L Aquila there are two National parks, Parco Nazionale Gran Sasso Monti della Laga and Parco Nazionale della Majella, and one natural park, Parco Naturale Regionale Sirente Velino. L Aquila s story started in 1254 by Corrado IV, Federico II di Svevia s son. According to local tradition, it was created by joining 99 already existing villages. As a result L Aquila is a collection of many medieval buildings, churches and fountains. The most important of them are Spanish Fort (erected in 1534, massive castle in the highest part of the town), Santa Maria di Collemaggio (completed in 1288, church houses the tomb of Pope Celestino V, and seat of one of the most important Holy Door of the world, after the earthquake in 2009 it has been restored and reopened in December 2017), Basilica of San Bernardino (After the severe damage from the 2009 earthquake, it has been restored and reopened in 2015), the Fontana delle 99 Cannelle (built in 1972, representative of the 99 noble families that founded L Aquila).
One of the characteristics that make L Aquila an unique city in Italy is the combination of Food, Culture and Nature. From a culture point of view, L Aquila is know for its University (www.univaq.it) and the National Laboratory of the Gran Sasso, LNGS, one of the most important particle physics laboratory in the world. L'Aquila: view of the City and mountains L'Aquila: the Medieval city wall L'Aquila: the Spanish Fort L'Aquila: Renzo Piano Auditorium L'Aquila: the Duomo square L'Aquila: Fontana 99 Cannelle
L'Aquila: Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio L'Aquila: Fontana Luminosa General information if Abruzzo Abruzzo is a middle Italy region with area of 10 831 km², located between the Adriatic Sea and the Central Apennines, with county seat L'Aquila. Abruzzo has the title of "Green Region of Europe" thanks to the presence of its three national parks (Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, Majella National Park and Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park), Natural Park of Sirente - Velino, Torre del Cerrano Marine Reserve and thirtyeight protected areas. Due to its historical heritage, Abruzzo boast the presence of 23 villages in the prestigious list "The most beautiful villages of Italy", gaining the second place in Italy. Abruzzo is characterized by the presence of a various and heterogeneous geography; high peaks such as Gran Sasso, and Majella, mild hills and sandy and savage coasts. Due to the origins of the area, there are also lots of caverns and lakes such as Grotte di Stiffe in L'Aquila and Lake of Scanno. The climate Region is heavily influenced by the presence of the Apennines-Central mountain range, which clearly divides the climate of the coastal strip from that of the highest mountain ranges: while the coastal areas have a Mediterranean climate, the more montainous areas have an Alpine climate with cold and frosty winter. The average temperature in L'Aquila is between 2.5 to 22 C (37 to 77 F). Abruzzo is famous for the ski resort (Campo Felice, Campo Imperatore) and termal areas (Rivisondoli) during the cold season and for beaches and sea areas in summer. One of the most famous seaside area is the "Costa dei Trabocchi", which takes its name from "trabocco" an ancient wood fishing machine, now converted in traditional restaurants. The presence of Roman's ruins such as Amiternum in L'Aquila, medieval villages such as Santo Stefano di Sessanio and castle like Calascio, good food and naturalistic parks makes Abruzzo a lovely and unforgettable region to visit and discover.
Lake of Scanno Calascio castle Campo Imperatore called "Little Tibet" Punta Aderci marine reserve on Costa dei Trabocchi Campo Felice ski resort Stiffe Cavern
Transport to L'Aquila L'Aquila is located approximately in the center of Italy, about 120 km from Rome. There are basically three possibilities to reach L'Aquila. The first way is to arrive by airplane to Rome Fiumicino/Ciampino Airport and then take the bus Rome Fiumicino or Ciampino-L'Aquila. The second is to arrive by train to Roma Tiburtina Train Station and then take the bus for L Aquila. The last way is to arrive by car using the Highway exit L Aquila Ovest (you will arrive directly at the Hotel Canadian). By plane+bus If you decide to come by plane (from Europe or Overseas) it is convenient to land in Rome Fiumicino or Ciampino. Once landed in Fiumicino, you have to go to "Bus Station Arrivi Terminal 3" and catch the Gaspari Roma Fiumicino-L'Aquila direct bus. Roma Fiumicino Ariport Bus Stop Once landed in Ciampino, you have to go to Aeroporto di Ciampino bus parking and catch the Gaspari Roma Ciampino-L'Aquila direct bus. Roma Ciampino Airport bus parking It is recommended to buy the bus ticket in advance to make sure a seat is available. Booking can be done online on the http://www.gasparionline.it/ website. The bus stop where to get off is "L'Aquila Hotel Amiternum". Hotel Amiternum bus stop
The trip will last approximately 1.30-2 hours. When you get off the bus, you have to walk five minute to reach Canadian Hotel. Way from Hotel Amiternum bus stop to Hotel Canadian Train+bus If you decide to come by train it is convenient to get off at Roma Tiburtina Railway Station. Then, you have to walk up to Capolinea Bus to take the bus for L Aquila. You can purchase a bus ticket for L'Aquila online (http://www.tuabruzzo.it/) or from the "Autolinee TUA" ticket office near the Tiburtina bus station (stand "C") or with Flixbus (https://www.flixbus.com/) or Gaspari Bus (http://www.gasparionline.it/en/). The journey takes approximately 1.30 hours. You have to get off at the bus stop Hotel Amiternum and not at the last stop L'Aquila Collemaggio. Transport in L'Aquila The meeting will be set in Monteluco di Roio (Department of Engineering). To reach the Department there are a private coach offered by the University; the bus stop will be in front of Hotel Canadian.
Rome Airports Official website Fiumicino/Ciampino: http://www.adr.it/ Airlines operating at Rome airport The greatest part of the existing Airlines have the airport layover in Roma s Airports (Fiumicino and Ciampino) Buslines operating at Rome airport/railway station Rome Airport Fiumicino/Ciampino: GASPARI, website: http://www.gasparionline.it/en/ Rome railway station Roma Tiburtina : FLIXBUS, website: https://www.flixbus.com/ TUA, website: http://www.tuabruzzo.it/ GASPARI BUS http://www.gasparionline.it/en/
Indicative Schedule Schedule are indicative. Please check them before departure. Roma L Aquila Gaspari Bus TUA
G = Corsa Autolinea Giulianova-Teramo-L Aquila-Roma; A = Corsa Autolinea Giulianova- Teramo-L Aquila-Roma in transit to the Hotel Amiternum but not to Collemaggio. L Aquila Roma Gaspari Bus TUA
G = Corsa Autolinea Giulianova-Teramo-L Aquila-Roma; A = Corsa Autolinea Giulianova- Teramo-L Aquila-Roma in transit to the Hotel Amiternum but not to Collemaggio.