We wanted to buy a house in an undiscovered part of Italy & Abruzzo really fitted the bill. You can literally go 2 weeks without hearing anyone else speaking English. The scenery is just fantastic, not quite as rolling as Tuscany, but all the bright colours you expect of Italy in summer. The beaches are some of the best in Italy (Rough guide 2013) & having travelled to many different areas in Italy since buying the house, we always think that Abruzzo is just the best all round.
Having the mountains 30 minutes one way and the coast 20 minutes the other is what we always wanted & we've got it. Siamo molto fortunati!