Petacciato is a town and comune in the province of Campobasso (Molise), in southern Italy. It has become vacation destination area that my family from Torre Annunziata (Napoli) and many others have recently come to for summer vacation.
Petacciato is surrounded by rich history, less than 20km north lays the historic city of Vasto, a hilltop town with an atmospheric medieval quarter and superb sea views; of which can be seen from the location of this geocache. Much of the centro storico dates from the 15th century, a golden period in which the city was known as 'the Athens of the Abruzzi'; but earlier settlers date as early as 1300 BC. It is also distinguished as the birthplace of the poet Gabriele Rossetti.
25km southeast lies the city of Termoli, known for its touristy trattorias and brassy bars and Molise's top beach resort location. At the eastern end of the seafront, the pretty borgo antico (old town) juts out to sea atop a natural pier, dividing the sandy beach from Termoli's small harbor. From the port, year-round ferries sail for the Isole Tremiti.
The town's most famous landmark, Frederick II's 13th-century Castello Svevo guards entry to the tiny borgo – a tangle of narrow streets, pastel-colored houses and souvenir shops. From the castle, follow the road up and you come to Piazza Duomo and Termoli's majestic 12th-century cathedral. A masterpiece of Puglian-Romanesque architecture, the cream-colored facade features a striking round-arched central portal.