Molise, do you know where it is? Just in case you don't ...
Let me tell you, all about it
It is probably one of Italy's best kept secrets tucked away just below Abruzzo and above Puglia. One side it reaches down to me the sparkling blue Adriatic sea, and the other the Matese mountains.
A very small region, in fact, the smallest after Piemonte it is exceptionally beautiful.
Even visiting for a short time there is the opportunity to see so much literally travelling from the mountains to the sea.
Unfortunately, some of the roads are a little rough in places but if you are travelling by car do not let this discourage you as your efforts to find places will be well rewarded with exceptional views waiting for you at every bend.
Why I am here and waxing lyrically about it's beauty, well let me tell you.
Having lived in the North of Italy previously I decided to return and began to explore further south. The estate agents showed me a lot of house in Reggio Emila and Abruzzo but as soon I stepped over the border into Molise I fell in love with the region.
My rather dilapidated tiny farmhouse sits on the hillside above the village of Lucito, with a commanding view of the valley below.
From my balcony, you can see the Matese mountains on one side and the far distant Tremiti islands on the Adriatic sea on the other.
I have a lot of land, and need to do something with it, but as I am not really a farmer I have to wait for my partner T to join me from England, and there are still a lot of loose ends to tie up, but the plan is they will join be by the end of this year.
Work is not easy to find here as it has relied mostly on agriculture on a small local scale and still does, but now as the local population is in decline many villages are struggling to survive.
This, however, does not retract from the beauty of the area which takes your breath away as you climb to hilltop villages and hilltop castles, discover churches richly adorned in frescos.
With 138 towns and villages to explore I still have a lot to do and see but as they say here "Piano, piano". I must admit to finding this phrase rather frustrated as you cannot eat "slowly slowly"
However, with determination and effort, I am writing about the region and trying to work with others to really help Molise realise its potential with tourism.
I have had invitations from many towns and villages and still hope to see more.
Everyone has been very hospitable, friendly and supportive as indeed most are convinced of the need for economic growth in the tourism sector.
There are many projects working on ideas to increase tourism but there really needs to be a more concerted effort regionally to make a difference.
I have never put down roots, but may actually do that here in Molise and make it my home.
I am happy Molise to be here.. Thank you
Let me tell you, all about it
It is probably one of Italy's best kept secrets tucked away just below Abruzzo and above Puglia. One side it reaches down to me the sparkling blue Adriatic sea, and the other the Matese mountains.
A very small region, in fact, the smallest after Piemonte it is exceptionally beautiful.
Even visiting for a short time there is the opportunity to see so much literally travelling from the mountains to the sea.
Unfortunately, some of the roads are a little rough in places but if you are travelling by car do not let this discourage you as your efforts to find places will be well rewarded with exceptional views waiting for you at every bend.
Why I am here and waxing lyrically about it's beauty, well let me tell you.
Having lived in the North of Italy previously I decided to return and began to explore further south. The estate agents showed me a lot of house in Reggio Emila and Abruzzo but as soon I stepped over the border into Molise I fell in love with the region.
My rather dilapidated tiny farmhouse sits on the hillside above the village of Lucito, with a commanding view of the valley below.
From my balcony, you can see the Matese mountains on one side and the far distant Tremiti islands on the Adriatic sea on the other.
I have a lot of land, and need to do something with it, but as I am not really a farmer I have to wait for my partner T to join me from England, and there are still a lot of loose ends to tie up, but the plan is they will join be by the end of this year.
Work is not easy to find here as it has relied mostly on agriculture on a small local scale and still does, but now as the local population is in decline many villages are struggling to survive.
This, however, does not retract from the beauty of the area which takes your breath away as you climb to hilltop villages and hilltop castles, discover churches richly adorned in frescos.
With 138 towns and villages to explore I still have a lot to do and see but as they say here "Piano, piano". I must admit to finding this phrase rather frustrated as you cannot eat "slowly slowly"
However, with determination and effort, I am writing about the region and trying to work with others to really help Molise realise its potential with tourism.
I have had invitations from many towns and villages and still hope to see more.
Everyone has been very hospitable, friendly and supportive as indeed most are convinced of the need for economic growth in the tourism sector.
There are many projects working on ideas to increase tourism but there really needs to be a more concerted effort regionally to make a difference.
I have never put down roots, but may actually do that here in Molise and make it my home.
I am happy Molise to be here.. Thank you
