Vasto - Central Italy - By Day

High Town Low Town Day Town Night Town

A journey up the east coast of Italy will lead you to many seaside towns full of charm and history. Rimmed by the blue, blue ocean and long stretches of sandy beach, these are glorious places to spend some time. Vasto is a town such as this, dominated as it is by its multi-layered castle and walls, with the town clustered around the foot of the castle. Vasto is divided between the hilltop town where the castle and Centro Storico can be found, and the low lying beach-front town of Marina de Vasto where most of the tourist hotels and shops are based.

The hilltop Centro Storico however, has a charm all its own. Much of the ancient town remains in tact, and the towers and walls surrounding the castle are weaved into the fabric of the town itself. Restaurants tuck into the shelter of the old stone walls. Wide stone walkways weave in and out of the town, circling the castle, opening out into spacious squares and plazas then closing in between tall plastered walls.

From many vantage points the views spread out across the Marina de Vasto below. The wide expanse of golden beach clings to the curve of the bay and the buildings camouflage among the many trees clustered along the shore. The low-rise urban landscape folds pleasantly into the leafy plane of the bay. Many of the hilltown cafes and restaurants take advantage of this panoramic spectacular view.

Vasto has a long history - its oldest buildings dating from the fifteenth century - and many of its oldest buildings are built over even older remains which once occupied the same sites. It is not just the historic castle to see in Vasto. There are beautiful gardens, pleasing squares and fountains. The Palazzo d'Ávalos is full of colour and charm. There are layer upon layer of ancient buildings pressed in around narrow streets; there are gates and arches, cobbled lanes and interesting nooks and crannies to explore.


Near to Vasto you will find the odd trabucco where you may see the vast nets being hauled out of the sea heavy with fish. On a sunny day there is no place nicer to spend some time than Vasto. However it is at night that Vasto truly comes alive. (see Vasto by Night)

Also Pip McCurdy's New Zealand posts:

On Blogspot, Pip McCurdy on the Road

Website: http://www.unusualstays.com/

https://www.facebook.com/Stay-Somewhere-Strange-273777766054597/