Rieti i okolica
Nicely situated, but definitely boring RIETI is the capital of the largest province of Lazio and lies in the geographical center of Italy, as confirmed by the plaque in Piazza di San Rufo. It was a key region in Roman times, the so-called Umbilicus Italiae (Navel of Italy), through which she led via Salaria, that is, "Salt Road”, constituting the main salt trade route, mined in Ostia and delivered to the Sabines who live here. Currently, the region has clearly deteriorated; in terms of population density, it ranks second to last in the country (after Aosta). Just like in the south, there is a phenomenon of escaping from the countryside to the cities. From 1950 r. three quarters of the rural population fled the area, moving mainly to Rome, and it doesn't look like it, that this process would be stopped. Poor communication hampers any industrial initiative, which is good for tourists, and also residents, because the Rieti plateau surrounded by mountains is almost entirely devoid of factory or residential buildings.
City
In Rieti, you can spend an hour waiting for the bus at best. Don't be fooled by the beautiful images of medieval walls and hatches in the tourist office: the only remains from old times are the cathedral and Palazzo Vescovile near the main street and a short stretch of 12th-century walls north of the center. If you are planning serious hiking or camping trips, please contact the EPT office at Fr. 50 m from the cathedral in via Cintia 87. You can get city maps there as well, more importantly, detailed alpine tour routes around Rerminillo. The office will also help you arrange a tour of the four Franciscan monasteries around Rieti. They are all related in some way to the Jew Saint Francis and are quite picturesque, but those not particularly interested in the saint's biography may be bored. The most famous of the monasteries is GRECCIO, in which St.. Franciszek organized the first Christmas nativity scene in history (with live cows) for local peasants.
Practical information
The Rieti train and bus station is just outside the city center towards the north, at the end of viale L. Morroni. The train from Rome to Rieti takes three hours; there is no direct connection and you need to change in Temi (and sometimes still in Orte) to another, which goes on to L'Aquila and Sulmona. There are a number of direct bus connections to Rome, and the journey takes roughly the same time. Without going too far from the station, you can eat cheaply in the bar-pizzeria Al Girarrosto in Piazza Mazzini. On the other side of town is a cheap pizzeria II Pappomondo, Piazza Cavour 63, located close to the river and the local bus terminal. The best of a handful of upscale restaurants is Brucchietti in via San Rufo 5 (block via Roma). You can spend the night in a cheap Moderno, Via Tullio Crispolti 36 (*0746/44784) or the slightly more expensive Stella on the same street, at the exit via San Rufo (*0746/44164).
Okolice Terminillo
Located less than 20 km od Rieti TERMINILLO (breakneck access by bus) lies among the perched on 2000 m mountains, making up beautiful, almost alpine landscape. This ski resort is considered to be quite an elite tourist resort, therefore, the city is dominated by a complex of greats, modern hotels, ski lifts and other facilities related to practicing winter sports. In summer, all these devices seem strangely out of place. Terminillo itself is not very attractive and is more of a cluster of ski resorts than a city. However, it offers many possibilities for excursions in the surrounding mountains. There are hostels there, where you can stay.
Italian Alpine Club, via Garibaldi 264b in Rieti provides information on the most difficult routes. The AAST office is located in Terminillo-Pian de Valli, on via Covemese (0746/61121), where you can also consult a language regarding accommodation. There is a youth hostel in Terminillo-Campoforogna (Snow Hostel; 0746/61169). Hotels are often full in high season, do not go below two stars. We recommend 11 Icicle w Campoforogna (0746/61240) i Regina w Pian de Valli (0746/61375).
From the easier routes you can go beautiful, along the low La Valle Scura trail to Fr. 12 km away from SIGILLO. People wishing to get off the beaten track should remember, that not counting the ski slopes, the slopes are densely forested here, especially in Vallonina towards Leonessa and you often have to climb very high, to go out into the open. Another good base for excursions is AMATRICE, which can be easily reached by hitchhiking from Terminillo. The city itself is quite gloomy, founded in 1529 r. on a chessboard plan and known only for the spicy pasta dish invented here, spaghetti aWamatriciana. The surrounding Monti di Laga (Laga Mountains) reach heights 2400 m and go all the way to Abruzzo Gran Sasso D'Italia. Biuro AAST przy via Madonna della Porta 19 distributes a detailed map with a number of marked trails, most of which deviate from unpaved roads above the villages of SAN MARTINO and CAPPRICHIA. If you want to spend the night here, the cheapest hotel is La Conca on via della Madonnella (*0746/ 85267).