On July 1, 2015, we left the Netherlands to embark on an adventure in Abruzzo, the vibrant heart of Italy. We are Tieno Bouman and Jet Verberne, originally from Brabant, specifically Waalwijk and Someren.
After spending numerous holidays in Italy, we realized that Abruzzo was the place where we truly felt at home. Initially, we found a charming apartment to enjoy our vacations, immersing ourselves in the local culture. Later on, we decided to look for a permanent residence, which we discovered in Cologna Paese, part of the municipality of Roseto degli Abruzzi, in the province of Teramo. Our home is called Casa Cologna.
Our retreat boasts breathtaking views of the mountains and the sea. Each day, we revel in the tranquility and space around us. The expansive landscape, the mountains, and the fresh air are daily gifts for us. After a year of intensive construction and renovation work, by the summer of 2016, we completed the apartments, bar, and pool.
We are passionate about hosting our guests and introducing them to the enchanting Abruzzo, away from the usual tourist paths. We enjoy exploring new destinations to recommend exciting excursions. The authentic aspect of this region is what we cherish the most. Here, we experience the genuineness of daily life. We pay attention to the needs of our visitors, providing them with moments of relaxation and space with hammocks, books, magazines, and board games, in addition to guided walks and bike rides, visits to wineries, pizza-making workshops, and plenty of useful information about the area.
We also have two lovely dogs, Milo and Bari, who were adopted from an Italian shelter when they were just a month old. They came to live with us when they were three months old (January 2016). Milo and Bari have their own space in the garden, and guests, especially children, often enjoy taking them for walks, particularly to the large oak tree that is especially popular.
In the garden, there are also two red cats, Robi (red and white) and Turo (completely red). Robi is a bit shy and prefers to avoid being seen by guests, while Turo is very curious and loves to seek attention. For those who aren’t fond of cats, we have a simple spray bottle to keep them at bay. Additionally, we have three hens that daily provide us with fresh eggs: Kentucky, Nugget, and Wing.