Bella Sulmona

So I really wanted to see eastern Italia. Rick Steves told me that it was super cheap to get to Abruzzo, the region next door to Lazio (in which Roma is located). And so it was decided by me that my roommates and I should take a trip to Sulmona, located in central Abruzzo at the feet of the Apennines- a central Italian mountain range. And a mountain town it was- sleepy, with a centro storico that was literally all there was in the town. A few hotels, no hostels, and some restaurants. On the recommendation of Let's Go! Italy, we found Hotel Italia-- an old mansion filled with antiques and a really nice old nonno running the place. We were literally the only tourists in town.. and no one spoke English at all. SWEET!! Finally an escape from the oppressive tourist mobs in Roma. It was also really cool there, temperature-wise.. hooray mountains!
We left Saturday, were stranded in Avezzano (tinier town) for a few hours, and then finally got to Sulmona. The train ride there was worth every euro- trenitalia took us up way high.. so we got to see some incredible mountain views. Sulmona's main claim to fame is its signature candy, confetti, which are candy-covered almonds. However, confetti are not like your classic wedding almonds- here they twist them into flower shapes and sell them in bouquets! We toured the candy factory and museum (.....good thing it was free. kinda boring but definitely fun) and then explored the beautiful, beautiful, bella Sulmona for a few hours until dinner. The locals were REALLY friendly and all about great small town manners, which is something that's not always present in a huge city like Roma. Dinner was at the best pizzeria in town, which it totally was. :)
On Sunday we woke up and explored again- this time, to see the mountains and peek into all of the churches in town. We also ate the best pasta in the ENTIRE WORLD, EVER. If you ever find yourself in Sulmona, go to Al Quadrivio. Get the gnocchi ai 4 formaggi. Your life will be complete.

And so was our 2-day trip to see the mountains and a sleepy mountain town in Abruzzo. Legit italian life. Bella Sulmona..