Hello,
I am planning our first trip to Italy in March. We plan on retiring to the region in a few years. We will be flying into Milan and renting a car and will fly out of Rome.
We plan on spending a few days in the Cinque Terre and then making our way over to the Abruzzo region, before driving to Rome. We want to spend about 1week exploring the Abruzzo region. We are more interested in the areas between the mountains and the coast. Probably driving along A24 and A25 loops. We are looking to buy an old farmhouse, so would like to visit a few just to get an idea of the market. Would like to be in the country, but close to a small town. Any suggestions ??
We are also planning on visiting a WWOOF. (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms)
We welcome any suggestions on routes to take. My one concern is driving over the mountains in March. What are the chances of having snow-covered roads.??? Are there any roads we should avoid.??
Thanks..
Michael
Snow chains are mandatory iin Abruzzo, (and maybe in other parts of Italy too), if you're driving on an autostrada between roughly end-October/early-April, so ensure your rental car's suitably equipped. Carabinieri do regular spot-checks and fines are heavy if you don't have. When snow falls, it's generaly cleared quickly/efficiently. However in March, it's unlikely you'd get big falls at lower levels, though there will be snow cover in the mountains above around 2000m.
Naturally, I'm biased in favour of southern Abruzzo, where there's still a good stock of the kind of properties you mention. Around Lanciano, Guardiagrele, Orsogna and of course Casoli all good places to look.
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I confess to not having visited Abruzzo; however, everywhere I've ever been in Italy requires chains OR snow tires in the wintertime. Not every car rental agency has cars with snow tires and the few that do don't equip all their cars, so they run out quickly.
So if you KNOW you'll be driving on snow, do everything you can to get a car with snow tires. If you use chains, you can only drive quite slowly and the instant you hit dry pavement, you have to remove them. It isn't fun. If you ruin the chains the agency is likely to nick you for 100€ even though they can be bought at any grocery store for around 35€.
If there is only an off-chance that you might get caught in a late season snow shower, then having chains in your car will be fine.
When I moved to Italy I entertained the thought of finding an old house outside a small village and restoring and/or modernizing it. As luck would have it, I found a perfect old stone house which had already been re-done. After learning a lot more about the ways of all things Italian, I thank my lucky stars I didn't go with plan A.
In fact, my wife and regularly congratulate each other over a glass of wine in the afternoon for not making what would have proven to be a regrettable decision. As it turned out, we've done plenty of work on our house fine-tuning it to suit our wishes even though it was in pretty darn good shape when we purchased it. Almost the entire effort has been done by us because the cost, speed, availability, quality, and ability of local workers is not very good. Our only pleasant experience was with the guy who dug up our septic tank to solve a serious drain problem. It took a few hours longer than anticipated because the real estate agent and seller both assured me that we were hooked up to the municipal sewer system. WRONG! Oh well........... live and learn.
Not to say that farm house reconstruction can't be done, but be certain you are comfortable with the way things work in Italy AND be prepared to spend a lot more time and money than many folks (both foreign and Italian) would anticipate spending.
Bob
America seems like a dream to me now.
Snow chains mandatory during that time period in many parts of Abruzzo. Best to check with car rental agency. March is actually a good time to go if you are planning on living there. My experience has been that latter part of March 50-50 chance of warm and sunny vs wet, cold, and rainy (perhaps even some flurries). Going at this time will allow you to perhaps get an idea of what is to come in the winter months should you move forward with your plan. My suggestion is to think about how you want to spend your days in Italy, also what might be your exit plan. I know good number of people who bought farm houses out in the sticks who then later regretted the isolation and/or had difficulty selling their homesteads when it came time to move on.
Italy on a Shoestring Budget
I don't want to appear to be simply argumentative and If I'm wrong I'm more than happy to be corrected, but I can find no evidence that chains are mandatory in Abruzzo. However, I do find many references that say either snow tires OR chains are acceptable. Here is one example published in December 2011, translated into English:
Here are the latest situation with an indication of the road sections and periods where it's OBLIGATION circular with winter tires or snow chains fitted into the vehicle.
Ordinances winter ABRUZZO
Bob
America seems like a dream to me now.
Thanks DeeBee,
I think it will best for me to check with the rental agency to ensure I either have snow chains or snow tires. I would rather play it safe...
I will check into the places you suggested in the south of Abruzzo... I have seen properties listed in these areas..
Thanks
Michael
Bob,
I have considered this also. I have read many stories of the troubles with restoring property. SInce I have a number of years till retirement, I am exploring all options. A property already restored would be great.. (at the right price) As you have stated, I am sure that there will still be plenty of things to do to make it your own unique home.
Thanks for your input.
Michael
As we seem to be in general agreement that chains are legal in-car equipment for autostrada driving in Abruzzo - and elsewhere - mid-autumn - mid-spring, find it outrageous (bearing in mind you'll be fined if you don't have them) these are not standard rental car equipment every bit as much as a spare tyre and a jack.
Hunt around for a renter who'll confirm in writing that chains are part of the deal.
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