Pescara’s new Ponte del Mare, by architect Walter Pichler, is one of those civil engineering feats that combines practicality with tourism appeal. The long bridge offering a cycling and walking path, unites both shores of Pescara’s river. The two paths start together on the shores, and then fork either side of the huge pylon in the middle.

The new Pescara bridge is 440 metres long for cyclists and 465 metres long for walkers. It is lit up at night, providing an atmospheric touch, and the central pylon changes colour. To see more of the bridge, including images from its construction, see the Ponte del Mare website of Pescara’s city council. More building is to be undertaken in the area, including the “museo del mare”, or maritime museum, which should also be built in a similar modern style. You can reach Pescara by train, try the bus from Rome or fly direct to the Pescara airport, which now also flies Ryanair.

Continue reading: Touring Italy: Pescara bridge cycling or walking

Following the violent earthquake which devastated the Abruzzo region, the city of Pescara has announced ambitious plans to create a new wellness district; the main idea behind this project is to have a whole area devoted to health spas and wellness centres which can successfully compete with those present in other regions or provinces. Alls pas around the city of Pescara (including Caramanico Terme and Poli, two of the most important centres in the region) have long been held in excellent repute and have always provided state of the art treatments and therapies. So let’s now wish renewed hope, a new vision for the future and lasting regeneration to the city of Pescara and the whole of the Abruzzi region which has been visited by such an alarming tragedy; indeed our thoughts are with you for your recovery.

Continue reading: Health spas breath new life and hope into the Abruzzo region

Tickets for the Mediterranean Games in Pescara are already on sale, with seats still available for opening ceremony and for the finals. The Pescara opening ceremony will take place in the new Adriatic Stadium and tickets range from 15 to 60 euros. Information is on the K-Events site, while tickets can be purchased from the Pescara 2009 official site.

You can also visit the games headquarters in Pescara itself for tickets. Some of the finals have reasonable ticket prices, for example the basketball taking place in Roseto costs only ten euros, while the Mediterranean Games football final costs between ten and 15 euros. Other events have free access. See the official Mediterranean Games video commercial above.

Continue reading: Pescara 2009 Mediterranean Games tickets on sale

The southern Italian city of Pescara is preparing to host the Mediterranean games from June 26 to July 5th. The games involve 23 nations around the Mediterranean, in addition to Andorra and Serbia, with a total of 4,115 athletes across 29 disciplines.

Pescara has been reconstructing some of its sporting facilities and conducting other urban changes around the city for the event. The new Stadio Adriatico or Adriatic Stadium, has been inaugurated, and currently a cycling and pedestrian bridge is under construction. The opening ceremony has been adapted to include elements of solidarity after the Abruzzo earth quake, with the flame procession departing from the Abruzzo students quarters, and then moving around the towns worst hit.

If you’re planning on visiting during the games, bear in mind that in addition to road and rail transport, Abruzzo also has an airport, serving 24 destinations, with Ryanair servicing the airport as its eighth base in Italy.

Photo | Flickr

Continue reading: Mediterranean games in Pescara

It seems the Abruzzo will soon be the new Tuscany and this not so surprising piece of news has been given by one of the most prestigious newspapers in England: the Independent. Holidays in Tuscany are too expensive and people can’t afford them any longer. Abruzzo is beautiful and above all affordable. Why not give it a try? Pescara for instance has miles of sandy beach and posh four-star hotels where you can book a room with a sea view for 150 euros.

You can also hire of your own beach umbrella, two sun-loungers and a deckchair for only 20 euros a day. Moreover the local cuisine based on fish and meat is really divine. Trust me, holiday-makers will have the time of their lives.

Photo | Flickr

Continue reading: Summer holidays in Italy: Pescara in Abruzzo