Collimento is a tiny medieval village in the Apennine Mountains in Abruzzo in the centre of Italy where we have a studio apartment for rent. It's a tranquil spot to escape the hustle and bustle; meditation comes naturally on the terrace, with only the sounds of birds and a mountain stream to keep you awake! "Colle" means hill and "mento" chin, and the village juts out like a chin on the hill, giving stunning views up and down the valley.

The studio apartment is the upper floor of a detached house on the edge of the village of Collimento. Park in the village and then after a few minutes winding your way through the cobbled streets and under the arches you find the house overlooking the peaceful valley. The house was originally built as a live-in stable: humans on the upper floor and animals on the lower. Today there's a covered terrace and an open plan living space with wooden beams and a terracotta floor. The apartment is ideal for a couple (one double bed) with an additional single bed on the mezzanine floor (suitable for an older child/teenager/adult). The kitchen has a full size fridge/freezer, hob and washing machine. Unfortunately the position of the apartment could be difficult to navigate for anyone with mobility issues.

The village has a shop/cheese maker who produce beautiful pecorino cheese and mozzarella, and all manner of good local produce and staples. There's a bar for your morning cappuccino and evening aperitif and the next village (5 minutes drive) has a good trattoria specialising in local food, with many more restaurants within a short drive.

It's a beautiful undeveloped area (75% of Abruzzo is National Parks) with a ski resort and endless trails that make the forests and mountains easily accessible to walkers all year round. In spring the wildflowers are spectacular, with poppies forming red meadows. Through summer and into the autumn the mountains change colour from bright greens to deep golds, with snow on the mountain tops till early summer. There are ancient sheep tracks still used by shepherds; mountain breezes temper the summer heat whilst you look for the perfect picnic spot, eventually finding a mountain stream with just the right amount of shade to enjoy your panini stuffed with fresh mozzarella and ripe tomatoes!

In November the snow arrives and the mountain slopes are transformed into a white landscape that bears little resemblance to the glorious summer scenes. The ski resort of Campo Felice is about 20 minutes drive from Collimento and is a friendly, family ski resort. There are another 2 ski resorts within an hour's drive. Snow chains/tires are obligatory from November to April.

The ancient history and culture of the medieval villages and towns of Abruzzo is all around, from the frescoes and liturgical calendar at the churches in Bominaco, to the high villages of St Stefano and Castel del Monte, it's impossible not to become immersed in a history that spans pre Roman to present times. The local church is a 12th century abbey, whilst at the Roman settlement at Amiternum you can explore the Greek and the Roman amphitheatres. The Etruscan settlement at Alba Fucens (45 minutes drive) allows you to walk the original streets and imagine the shops and businesses which once existed there, sometimes you find yourself walking on original Roman mosaics laid on top of the Etruscan foundations.

The village of Collimento is easily accessible via the motorways: from Rome Ciampino Airport it's approximately a 90 minute drive and there's a good bus service from the local town, L'Aquila to Roma if you fancy a day in the capital but don't want the hassle of driving/parking. It's also approximately 90 minutes from Pescara airport on the Adriatic coast. L'Aquila is approximately 20 minutes drive from Collimento and has all the shops and amenities of a university town. Having a car is essential in order to enjoy Abruzzo.

Discounts available for longer bookings, from a week, month or longer