Our house was fully restored in 2013 to the highest standards and is situated in the historic medieval village of Introdacqua near the town of Sulmona in the L`Aquila region of Italy. Within 50 meters of the house are two bars, a patisserie, a convenience store, a fine dining restaurant, a post office and a chemist. Introdacqua is one of the 50 listed 'Borghi più belli d'italia' (the most beautiful villages in Italy). During the summer months the village is particularly vibrant with jazz festivals, live entertainment, dancing and alfresco eating in the piazza.Our house is close by to the center and just a few steps from the piazza, bars, deli, restaurant, bakery, butchers, chemist and bank. Nearby you can find trails and paths for the leisure walker or a serious hiker with trails to suit every ability in the Majella National Park. Not too far away is the Gran Sasso national park with the highest peaks in Italy outside of the Alps. The house has been reconstructed to traditional standards, with stone stairs , some steep, and ceramic floors as is normal for some property in Italy. Therefore care should be taken with small children and those unsteady on their feet. The roof terrace also has a long drop, small children should not be left unattended in these areas. The house is full of character with brick vaulted ceilings, exposed stone walls and archways. The are two entrances along a secluded path along side the house, one to the basement floor which has a large room which, being built into the rock stays a constant temperature throughout the year. The ground floor has a shower room, bedroom with a single daybed. There is also a cosy warm lounge with a sofa. The first floor has the kitchen with mountain views , a dining room and a second bedroom with a bunk bed. The second floor has the master bedroom with a king sized bed, on-suite bathroom with a bath and shower plus a large balcony. The roof terrace has views over the lush green hillside and also towards the often snow capped Blue Mountains. Being newly refurbished through 2013 it benefits from completely new electrical wiring and heating systems. The two fireplaces are not required and now decorative, as the modern gas fired central heating system keeps the house warm through the coldest winter months. There is also free wireless connection available in the bar across the road for those who need to stay online ! The famous Giro D'Italia passes through this region each May, a great base for your cycling holiday. There are many ski resorts in the area, Roccaraso being the largest and suitable for all types of ski and snowboard fans with over . The main ski season runs from January to March.The ski area of Roccaraso, otherwise known as the Skipass Alto Sangro, is the best known of the Abruzzo resorts and has 120 km of piste for you to enjoy (including 8 km at Pescocostanzo). Roccaraso is Italy's fifth biggest ski area. During the week the pistes are blissfully quiet and you certainly won't suffer the queues of some of the better known resorts of the Alps. In Roccaraso they take great pride in keeping their pistes in beautiful condition and they are always well groomed. Many are covered by the latest snow-making technology even though the snow record in the Appenines is excellent. Modern, high speed chair lifts access the area from the bases at Aremogna, Pizzalto and Monte Pratello. Many of the runs will take you through beech forests that give this area such a distinctive character. The majority of runs are intermediate but there are some great beginners' slopes too at each of the base areas. During the summer there is also plenty to do with organised walking and cycling tours through the national parks. Sulmona is just a few km away where you will find the twice weekly market in the huge tree lined Piazza Garibaldi surrounded by cafes, bars and restaurants.Every summer during July there is a jousting competition which is attended from entrants from all over Europe. There are many boutique style shops and a few well know high street names. There is a regular bus service from Introdacqua, but a car is recommended to make the most of what the area has to offer. Within 30 minutes drive you'll find lakes, natural springs, ancient hermitages, national parks, Roman architecture, historic churches and much more, all set in stunning, green mountain scenery. The beaches along the Adriatic coast are less than an hour away. Rome is only two hours away (by car) or there's a train or regular coach service from Sulmona, with Naples, Pompei and the Amalfi coast three hours away. Airports are Pescara (40 minutes drive) and Rome Ciampino (1 hour 20 minutes) and Fiumincino (2 hours). The main east west motorways pass within 10 km of Sulmona so you are within easy reach of both coasts.