Casa Del Falco is a small working olive farm lying deep in the Abruzzan countryside. Reached only by somewhat rutted 'white roads', it provides an authentic flavour of rural Abruzzo. Casa Del Falco is situated midway between the small hill towns of Castiglione Messer Raimondo and Bisenti. Both towns have populations of around 2,500 people and have beautiful medieval centres that have so far escaped 'gentrification'. 
 
Good local shops provide an abundance of fresh local food and wine and the area is well served for meals out by pizzerias, rosticcerias and agrotourismo restaurants.  
 
The historical centres of Penne (Roman Pini) and Atri (Roman Hadri) are within half an hour's drive and within three quarters of an hour, you can be on the coast or deep in the mountains of the Apennines. Abruzzo has the highest percentage of protected rural areas of anywhere in Europe (33% of its entire area). 
 
With magnificent scenery all around, the white roads are well suited to walkers as well as the more adventurous motorist. The farm is bounded by two deep, wooded "fossa" (gullies) that provide a haven for birds and, in May/June, fireflies. Throughout the summer, there are lizards everywhere, crickets can be heard and there are wild flowers in profusion. The farm has a number of fruit trees, including peaches, figs, pomegranates and walnuts, which can be freely picked in season.

Bisenti (6km) has an attractive medieval centre, 2 excellent supermarkets, a good variety of shops including a wonderful if expensive chocolatiere and a street market every Tuesday morning. There are also several bars and a couple of pizzeria. 
 
Castiglione (6km) also has an attractive medieval centre but fewer shops. There is a nice walk below the ramparts on the SW side of the village.  
 
Castelli (25km) is a small town overshadowed by the Appenines where they have been making ceramics since the middle ages. Don't miss San Donato, 1km from the town, with its 16C ceiling entirely decorated with ceramic tiles painted with coats-of-arms, human figures and animals etc. Also a fine museum.  
 
Penne (6km) (27km) was once the ancient centre of the Vestini, but little of this remains. Amongst its churches are: the Duomo, the Church of S. Nicola and the Church of S. Agostino. Palaces include the Palazzo Castiglione, the Palace of the Bono-Pilotta (17C), and the Palazzo Castiglione De Leone (17C).  
 
The Campo Imperatore (50km) is a large plateau high the Appenines. Carpeted with wild flowers in the summer, but deep in snow in winter. Mussolini was imprisoned here and the Campo has served as a location for several spaghetti westerns.