We, a family of 4 from Hamburg, Germany, stayed at Casa Bramare for two weeks in July 2012.
Rocca San Giovanni is a very special place. It´s a small village that seems to be fallen out of time. It´s a village for the Italians, it fills up with people mostly from Rome in the summer months; we haven´t seen any tourists from other countries during our stay. Rocca San Giovanni has an impressive church, two bars, a tiny butcher shop, hairdressers, a bank, a small supermarket that offers delicious pizza on weekends and, above all, a beautiful piazza that serves as a living room for the entire village after 9pm. Supermarkets are in the next village (Fossacesia) or at the next motorway exit (half-way to Lanciano).
Casa Bramare is located just beneath the piazza. We gladly confirm everything that has been written about the house. It´s comfortable, it´s well equipped, but apart from all its modern amenities the atmosphere is still that of an old village house where the bells of San Matteo church opposite the street set the hours. Casa Bramare is big enough for a party of 4, the two bathrooms are a definite plus. The traditional vault in the kitchen/living room adds to a very cozy feel; we´ve enjoyed our homemade dinners immensely.
The house is taken care of by a very nice american-italian lady who lives nearby. Generally, communication was excellent and very friendly.
Rocca San Giovanni is just a 10-minute-drive away from the coast where the „Cavallucio“ beach club is the place to go. The Cavallucio doubles as a restaurant which is very popular with locals. If you don´t want to spend money on hiring sunloungers and parasols every day, go to nearby Fossacesia Marina where you find a milelong pebble beach. The atmosphere is very much laidback and not comparable to the seaside ressorts around Pescara or south of Vasto. On weekends we recommend to avoid the (then busier) beaches and drive into the Abruzzo mountains instead. The village of Guardiagrele and the small town of Lanciano are particularly pleasant.
Julie, thank you for everything. We wish you and Casa Bramare lots of guests to share the experience. Auf Wiedersehen!