A third of the land in Abruzzo is made of national parks, like the Majella and the Gran Sasso d'Italia. It is known as the "green region of Europe," with seven lakes (including Lake Bomba and Barrea), sandy beaches in Chieti and Teramo, and spectacular skiing and hiking trails. Abruzzo is definitely a wine destination, thanks to the Montepulciano d'Abruzzo grape. From the mountains of L'Aquila to the coast in Pescara, the cuisine changes with the landscape; local dishes range from everything saffron, to bombette and arrosticini, spaghetti alla chitarra, and Sulmona's sugared almonds, the first Italian "confetti".
