Come on a journey with me to discover Molise,
and I know you will leave your heart here too.
I began my journey here just over a year ago when I decided to make the area my home, and am still discovering the region's secrets.
Let's start our adventures at the border where the lower Molise region brushes up against Abruzzo on one side.
The region sweeps down from the mountains and hills to the Biferno river valley and onto Adriatic sea. 
The land is this area is richly cultivated, carpeted with lush vines, which produce some of the best red wine in Italy from a grape called the TINTILIA, as well as an abundance of vegetables, and a vast array of delicious fruit
A joy to see all year round, the waters of the ADRIATIC SEA
are as the bright turquoise skies above it.
The richness of it's BLUENESS is so constant, only is it rarely scattered with clouds. My heart soars every time I drive along the coast or meander along one of the sandy beaches.
Let's start our journey in Termoli, one of the three principal cities in the region.
In the summer bustles with tourists, the seafront scattered with beach bars umbrellas, and abundance of places to eat
The city centre has a pleasant promenade, liberally sprinkled with shops and bars with something to suit everyone.
The city is dominated by a large promontory, dominated by the majestic castle which sits proudly on a promontory reaching out to sea, the old town.
The views from the castle walls look out over the sea, and views at sunset will set your heart on fire.
I stood there on a number of evenings this summer looking watching the sun drifting down onto the sea, before disappearing on the horizon.
Cobbled streets lead you round the old town leading you past some interesting restaurants and shops are hidden away.
A little secret hidden away in the old town is a REJECELLE, a tiny passageway reputed to be the narrowest in Italy, measuring less than thirty centimetres in width. The length of a school ruler. 
Piazza Duomo is dominated by the vast cathedral, with a rich and colourful history. Its origins can be traced as far back as the 11th Century when a previous church sat on the site.
There are links with Saint Basso, whose remains lay in the crypt, and the site was originally an early Christian Church.
In 1945 the relics of Saint Timothy were discovered beneath a marble tile, and are believed to have laid there forgotten for more than seven hundred years.
Sitting below the castle walls is a Trabocco, one of the region's famous fishing platforms.
A Trabocco is a large fishing platform made from ALEPPO PINE, which still grows in abundance in the area mostly along the coast.
Two long arms jut out from the main platform, which supports a large net called the TRACBOCOHETTO.
They are thought to have been brought to Italy initially by the Phoenicians there are two different types of TRABUCCO, the ones which can be seen along the coast at Termoli and along the coast of Molise then onto Abruzzo, where the water is shallower, but at a depth of at least six metres.
These are called BILANCIA, which houses a winch now often electrically operated
The nets work by four TRABUCCOLANTI, the name for the fishermen working on then. the net down into the water and out again.
Termoli also hosts a large commercial harbour, still home to a fairly substantial fishing industry, although a lot smaller than it used to be, most of which is consumed locally.
If you visit the area there are a huge selection of restaurants specialising in delectable fish dishes to choose from
.
For those of you who like to cook there are a few places where you by fresh fish too. There are opportunities to come for personalised cooking tours at local venues.
WARTIME MEMORIES
Another area of interest in the TERMOLI area is it's link with WORLD WAR II.
A Campaign called OPERATION DEVON took place on the beaches of Termoli and involved the British Army. This was part of an attack on the VOLTURNO LINE
There are two WAR Cemeteries not far from Termoli, one a Canadian Cemetry, at MORO RIVER, and the other a Commonwealth war cemetery at SANGRO RIVER
STAYING IN MOLISE
There are plenty of places to stay here too, so if you want a holiday you can contact me and I do what I can so to help you, as there is a great choice in the town and on the outskirts.
If you want to travel further afield on your stay here then follow my blogs to explore other areas of Molise or contact me for more specific information about particular places, or to follow a particular interest.
.
Molise has so much to offer all year round, from sunning yourself on a beach on the Adriatic coast, exploring ancient hilltop castles, and skiing in the winter.
You will find Rich Art and Cultural roots in abundance, apart from the obvious tourist attractions Termoli also today it hosts a number of interesting festivals, as well as being home to sculptors like Michele Carafa, and other artists working in Contemporary art.
MOLISE ... You might think it has NOTHING, but in fact it has EVERYTHING...............
molisematters@gmail.com
tel 0044 7867 419833
FACEBOOK- Penny Barron
www.madeinmolise.org
whats app 0044776812543
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Twitter pennybarron12
blog molisematters.blogspot.com
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