The Apennine Mountains Holidays

Stretching 1200 km from Altare in North West Italy through to Reggio Calabria in the South West, the Apennine Mountains are as diverse in their scenery as they are long. This chain of mountains is divided into the Northern, Central and the Southern Apennine ranges with each of these areas having its own sub-group. In the Northern Apennine region lie the sub chains of the Ligurian and Tuscan Apennines. On top of every rolling hill in this area lie unique and beautiful medieval towns for you to discover. The main airport in the area is Pisa Galileo airport which is served by both Ryanair and EasyJet from quite a number of European destinations.

 

Within the central Apennine chain lie the regions of Abruzzo, Marche and Umbria. Considered a hikers paradise, the area consists of fertile valleys, waterfalls and vast tracts of unspoilt woodland. The central Apennines are home to the Abruzzo national park, protected since 1923. One may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one of the several protected species here including the Mariscon Brown Bear, the Italian Wolf and the Roe Deer. For climbers, the area hosts the Gran Sasso d'Italia mountain in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park. This is the highest mountain in central Italy and, due to the mild climate, can be climbed all year round with a variety of routes suitable to different levels of experience.

 

South of the Sangro valley the Appenines are divided into smaller ranges including the Matese range; the highest peak of which is Monte Mileto. The Southern Apennine range features the active volcanoes of Vesuvius and Etna in the far west of the country, and is an altogether more arid region. Depending on the area of the Southern Apennines one desires to visit, the Southern Apennines may be reached through a number of airports. Palermo Falcone e Borsellino in the South West caters to a number a small regional airlines, while further north there is the option of Brindisi which is served by Ryanair, and north west of there the lies the larger International airport of Naples served by EasyJet and British airways among others. Whether it is a northern renaissance holiday, a trek in the national parks of the central region or the warmth of the south, the Apennine Mountains have diversity to please everyone.