19/04/2025
Thank you so much Wee Binnian Walkers! Your enthusiasm is contagious! I just want to tell you that your words and your satisfaction are the greatest reward for the effort we put into creating the routes and guiding you through the beauties of the Gran Sasso National Park. See you soon for other unforgettable walks!
Our trip to Italy and the beautiful Abruzzi area is, unbelievably, almost a week behind us. The Gran Sasso National Park, in the majestic Apennines mountains, an area not familiar to us but safe to say it did not disappoint. Now back home it would be remiss not to mention those who made this trip happen. When our Trips’ Team [thanks, Julia and Teresa] first approached Mark at OHanrahan Travel to ask for help in putting together another trip they knew, having worked with him on our trip to Spain [October ‘22], he wouldn’t let us down. Thanks to Mark and his contacts at Best Holidays in Italy – you certainly lived up to your name. The hard work to ensure our requests for three levels of hiking could be accommodated was much appreciated.
Based, for the week, in the town of L’Aquila staying in the fantastic My Suite L'Aquila A comfortable and clean hotel with incredible food. We had Roberto and Luca looking after us in the evening and the team, in the kitchen, at breakfast ensuring no one left hungry with a hearty packed lunch available to anyone wanting it. All staff couldn’t do enough for us and without wishing to single anyone out Maria, at Reception, deserves praise for handling such a large number of people descending on her late on a Saturday evening.
We had five fantastic hikes. Each day in a different location with spectacular scenery and weather. Even the snow was fabulous and the après walk entertainment was great craic. None of this would have been possible without our guides. A special word of thanks to Pasquale Mangione - Accompagnatore di Media Montagna , Andrea Tomassetti, Georgio; Rosella; Fausto and Ursa Maior escursioni
Declan from Yellow Line Coaches for transport to and from the airport. Efficient and professional, as always, and so much easier than having to drive to the airport, find parking and much more environmentally friendly into the bargain.
We finished with an overnight in Rome staying at the Crowne Plaza Rome, St Peter’s [www.ihg.com]. Another great hotel, located approx. 20 minutes [by car] from the centre of the Eternal City, with great transport links.
A special word of thanks to Eileen, Club Secretary, who doubles up as our social media manager. Despite a long day of hiking, herself, she managed to navigate round a plethora of photographs to ensure that both those on the trip and anyone back home could see what we had been up to.
As always Binnian trips generate their own energy. Our last trip, abroad, took place post Pandemic. This time we had no such drama but there is no doubt it will also live long in the memory of those who were there.
Grazie, Gran Sasso – you have stolen our hearts. It’s not addio [farewell] but arrivederci [goodbye, till we meet again].
