Abruzzo is one of those regions that foreign tourists often skip over on the map—yet Gigia has claimed it paw by paw, transforming it into her personal feline fiefdom. Between the parks of Gran Sasso and Majella—where the mountains rise like sleeping giants against the sky—and the fairytale-like Rocca Calascio, a medieval fortress Gigia scaled with the grace of a miniature mountaineer, this land is a treasure trove of hidden wonders.

Then there’s Lake Scanno, so picture-perfect it looks like it was lifted straight out of a vintage postcard, and the Tirino River, whose crystal-clear waters (perhaps the cleanest in all of Italy) even tempted Gigia into a cautious approach… before wisely retreating to a safe distance, of course.

But the true magic of Abruzzo lies in its people—folks with hearts as big as the mountains who lit up at the sight of Gigia and couldn’t resist offering her a high five. “What a beautiful kitty!” became the soundtrack to our travels, accompanied by invitations for coffee in timeless homes and smiles that made us feel instantly welcome.

The beaches of Punta Aderci and Ripari di Giobbe are gems, where smooth pebbles offer free foot massages (thoroughly tested and approved by Gigia with a satisfied purr), and the rocks form perfect hideouts for adventurous cats. “Gigia?! Where have you gone now?!” became the recurring chorus of our seaside days, among cliffs seemingly designed to hide mischievous felines.

But Abruzzo isn’t just nature—it’s a celebration for the senses. Sausages cured in olive oil, stored in old glass jars like family heirlooms; liver-dried sausage with an intense flavor steeped in centuries of tradition; roasted lamb, tender and fragrant with mountain herbs; the unmissable arrosticini, skewers of sheep meat that are pure grilled poetry; and the legendary porchetta, always present, always sublime—so delicious it could make a saint lose their composure. Gigia, of course, stuck to her strictly feline diet, but that didn’t stop her from inspecting every dish with the air of a four-pawed food critic.

Why return to Abruzzo with Gigia? Because it’s one of the most underrated regions in Italy—and maybe all the more authentic because of it. Because between walks through the Gran Sasso and Majella parks, climbs up to Rocca Calascio, dips in the Tirino, and naps by Lake Scanno, we discovered that here, beauty doesn’t shout—it lets itself be discovered slowly, like a cat that finally decides to be petted.

And while Gigia basked in the sun on the terrace of some countryside trattoria, graciously accepting gifts from the locals, I understood why Abruzzo deserves to be visited—and revisited. Because here, among wild nature, ancient flavors, and golden-hearted people, even a cat can feel a little bit like royalty. And her human? Just lucky enough to follow in her pawsteps.