Viva L'Italia! Part Two: Central Eastern Italy
(San Vito Chietino, Marina di San Vito, and Mancini, Chieti)
Region: Abruzzo
Day 12: Marina di San Vito
Another train and five hours later, we arrived at San Vito Chietino, the birthplace of my Grandmother. As the story was told to me, my Great-Grandmother lived in Marina di San Vito, the town by the sea and my Great-Grandfather lived in San Vito Chietino, the town on the hill. Upon exiting the train, I discovered that there wasn't a taxi service in town. So, I asked the only bus driver, who was sitting in his commercial bus in the parking lot, if he would take us to our hotel. He said no. We must have looked desperate because he helped us get to what we thought was our hotel, but wasn't. Once discovering our hotel, Hotel Garden, was 2 km down the road from where we stood, we dragged our suitcases and carried our backpacks to the other side of town through laughing eyes of those witnessing our distress. A pebbled beach lay across the road and we were quick to unload our luggage and explore; deeply breathing in the smell of the salted Adriatic Sea spray, finding a seaglass shaped heart that reminded us of our dear friend, Tanjalee, who was soon to meet us on our trip, and climbing the larger rocks with the 'La Costa dei Trabocchi' as a backdrop.
Day 13: Mancini and San Vito Chietino
In addition to my desire to visit the childhood home of my Grandmother, I was on a quest to obtain a legal document pertaining to her citizenship at the municipal office. When I expressed my interest from the hotel staff to find my distant relatives still residing in the area, and go to the municipal office for the document, I was offered a driver, Ernesto, to take us to both places. Ernesto proved to be a blessing to us, as I'm certain I would not have been successful without him. He translated for me with the staff at the municipal office and then waited patiently with us for the essential document, before taking us to see our relatives, whom, as it turned out, he knew! Three hours, many hugs and kisses, stories in Italian and family photos later, Ernesto returned us to the hotel. I was deeply touched by his giving spirit.
That afternoon we trudged along the swirling road up to San Vito Chietino, and were rewarded with the heart-warming, picturesque view of the Adriatic sea.
As we made our way to the top we discovered the pedestrian staircase, a much safer climb than the winding road with no sidewalks, and took it for our descent.
Day 14: San Vito Chietino
Leisurely, we climbed the pedestrian stairs up to San Vito Chietino to the post office to mail a birthday card to my dad. Moving further into town, we discovered that on the other side of town you there is a lookout with the view of the mountains... the sea on one side and mountains on the other! My sister later shared with me that our Grandma expressed this was her favorite place to be, as you could see both spectacular views.
Day 15: Marina di San Vito
Beach, lunch, beach - a much needed relaxing last day.
Eating at Trattoria Adriatica became a regular dining habit, as we returned as often as possible to experience the helpful, smiling staff, the scrumptious, authentic, fresh seafood, and the feeling that I was sitting in my Grandma's kitchen listening to her chatter on, accentuating her comments with her spatula, composing her own song, while she cooked. The restaurant sits under the Locanda dell' Adriatica and is conveniently located on the corner of the road, 50 meters from the sea. Locanda dell' Adriatica is located 250 m from San Vito Lanciano Train Station, a much shorter walk than our hotel.
Day 16: Departure
A day of traveling- sadly, we said goodbye to San Vito Chietini, Marina di San Vito, and Mancini. Our new friend, Ernesto, gave us a ride to the train station so we didn't have to walk or hail a bus!
Abruzzo Tourist Website: https://www.abruzzoturismo.it/en
Tips:
1. Rent a car. If you want to explore the region, which is stunning, you need your own vehicle.
2. The town of Ortona is close by, where the Price of Peace monument is located.
Related Blogs:
Viva L'Italia! Part Two: Central Eastern Italy
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