Hello friends, how are you?
It’s been such a long time since we last connected, and since I last wrote here, but unfortunately, I’ve been really busy lately with university and the move, which was quite problematic due to how difficult it is to find a rental house in Italy.
But today, on a lighter note, I want to share with you a wonderful experience I had a few months ago. You should know that since I was a child, I’ve learned to ride horses—it's something my father has always valued, and we can almost call it a tradition in part of Sicily.
In fact, I never pursued it again after I moved to Bologna for university, but a dear cousin of mine who lives in Lazio gave me the opportunity to have this beautiful experience. Together with him and another person, we went to discover the Santuario di Maria Santissima di Canneto in the province of Frosinone, right in the heart of the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo.
It was such a great experience, and it’s always nice to ride in a group, especially in such natural places. However, the sanctuary is located at an altitude of about 1,000 meters, so it was quite cold, and I have to admit, this is the part I enjoy the least when doing these kinds of activities.
I’m also very happy because I did quite well, considering it had been so long since I last rode a horse. However, after several hours on the saddle, despite it being quite comfortable, my backside was definitely sore.
I was also really happy because I took some beautiful photos of the surrounding valleys, with the mist covering the towns. Along the way, we were able to stop and admire some stunning waterfalls, which were at their peak after some rain the previous days.
We even reached a point where there was a natural-looking pond, which was very beautiful, I must say. After many hours, we finally arrived at the Santuario di Maria Santissima di Canneto, an important pilgrimage center dating back to the 12th century. As you can see, it’s not only stunning for its panoramic position, but also an important spiritual site.
I also consider the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo to be one of the most beautiful parks in Italy, although, in my opinion, it could be better promoted. Like many things in Italy, it is often overlooked and underappreciated.
My story ends here, but I hope to see you again next time, reading my words. See you soon, friends.
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