B&B Scacciapensieri

We had such a lovely stay here. The B&B has an organic feel, which is good to know, and Bruno and Lorena made us feel very welcome. They can both put together a really nice dinner, and Bruno is especially good at showing you around the region. I’d stay for at least two full days to enjoy the place properly. Such a joy.

The B&B sits among greenery, with the Gran Sasso mountains in view. We came for an Altura wine tasting booked through the free Abruzzo Welcome program, which applies in July and September, and the tasting of wines and local products was even better than we expected. The Altura wines were fantastic, as were the different siegfried desserts we tried. The owners are warm and helpful, and you can tell they care about nature and using ingredients from nearby. For the drive there, we recommend taking the SP41 and avoiding the power plant.

The owners really made this stay for me. They were kind, open to accommodating me, and gave me priceless suggestions for hikes and places to see. Their friendly, almost family-like way of welcoming people made the experience surprisingly special. I even got to go to a concert with them and meet two jazz legends I’ve always loved, Alain Caron and Dave Weckl. Incredible! The B&B itself is beautiful, on a hill 500 meters above sea level, with a breathtaking view across the eastern side of the Gran Sasso. Seeing it at first light is something else. The rooms are comfortable, tidy, and very clean. The only real downside is that the access roads aren’t well maintained. They were also happy to cater for me as a vegan, even though I know that can be inconvenient. There’s a chance to taste the “Altitude Wines,” which are aged at high altitude, though I can’t really comment on that part because I’m completely clueless about wine. Congratulations!

The setting is lovely, with plenty of outdoor spots where you can sit and take in the view. The Scirocco room is spacious and done in calming colors, and Lorena and Bruno keep the whole place beautifully cared for down to the smallest details. They’re clearly passionate about sharing what makes this corner of Abruzzo special. Breakfast and dinner were both excellent, and the mountain wines aged through winter in the park’s snow and rocks are well worth trying. They also give advice for all kinds of outings, with loads of detail about mountain trails. This is much more than just a nice place to sleep.