Rome – Sulmona – Tocco

Friday 29th May 2026

Our accommodation house, Domus Maggiore is located on the secondo piano or second floor of a building that is well over a century old. The complex has been restored internally to accommodate modern facilities. Entrance is via the original twin wooden doors built into the stone archway that is four metres tall. The entrance passage is very wide and leads to an internal courtyard off which access can be gained to three separate sections. The apartments can be reached by individual wide, marble staircases. As part of the recent renovation a narrow lift has been incorporated very cleverly into the stairwell. The lift can carry 2 people or 1 person and 2 suitcases, at a squeeze. I was very happy to squeeze in with the suitcases rather than carry them up the stairs. There were 2 apartments on our floor and, within our apartment we found 4 hotel style rooms. Our room was on the corner of the building looking out over the Piazza di Santa Maria Maggiore. The balcony was a bonus. Very few rooms have one.

 

 

 

Following breakfast downstairs at the cafeteria we explored the area, before returning to pack. We walked over to Rome Termini (train station) to meet with Gaill and David Macciocca, Gaill’s cousin, Amber and Gaill’s childhood friend Anne.

We swapped travelling stories as we waited for our car and driver to get sorted.  Gaill has organized us to collectively hire a comfortable people mover with a tour guide/driver who travelled over from Tocco to meet us in Rome. Just to add a small complication there is a train and bus strike today.  That is a common occurrence, so much so that “strike action” has it’s own page on the official Trenitalia website and Travel App. Our driver, Lucio had a complicated journey into Rome but eventually we were on the road. Although we were told it would be absolute chaos on the roads, I didn’t think the traffic was all that bad, just the normal levels of chaotic.

We set out on our 2-hour drive east towards Tocco. We had to cross the Apennines which involved many tunnels through the mountains and massive concrete elevated roadways across the various ravines. We took a detour into Sulmona for a short visit. The town is more than 2000 years old however there have been many changes throughout the centuries due to wars, earthquakes and economic cycles.

We visited the confetti factory (no more than a little shop) of Mario Pelino. Confetti are the well-known Italian confectionery of sugar-coated almonds traditionally given to guests at weddings. I recall as a child the pink, blue and white sugar-coated almonds being wrapped in tulle and tied with a coloured ribbon that matched the bridesmaids’ dresses. Well, it seems that confetti has moved on from the pink, blue and white. Now, there are all the colours of rainbow plus every flavour imaginable. We sampled lemon, strawberry, chocolate and more. But it doesn’t end there. The confetti are crafted into flowers and animals.

 

 

 

As 6pm approached Sulmona began to awake from siesta and we wandered down to the main piazza past the 12th century aqueduct and onto the Sulmona Cathedral where we were greeted at the door by the priest who was very happy to show us around his church.

 

 

 

 

 

We eventually bid Sulmona goodbye and took a short drive up the hill into Tocco da Casauria or as we will call it Tocco. We checked into our B&B La Casa Di Tocco. Geoff and I were on the top floor and enjoyed views to the north and the east depending on which balcony we stood on.

 

 

We dined at a local restaurant. I enjoyed a pasta whilst sipping on some Montepulciano from the Filomusi Guelfi winery.  I slept very well.