Lonely Planet's Top Experiences and Sights in Italy: L'aquila and National Parks of Central Italy

Ten years after a powerful earthquake killed 308 of its citizens and toppled copious historic buildings, L'Aquila is back in business. It's certainly ready to welcome a new wave of out-of-town travellers, who come not just to admire the durability of the town's churches and fountains.
Italy's second-oldest national park is also one of its most ecologically rich: the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo, Lazio e Molise, a 440-sq-km protected area.
The Parco Nazionale del Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga is one of Italy's largest national parks, with a jagged rocky landscape and it is a haven for wildlife.
History, geology and ecology collide in 750-sq-km Parco Nazionale della Majella, Abruzzo's most diverse park, where wolves roam in giant beech woods and ancient hermitages speckle the mountains.
These are the top experiences and sights in L'Aquila, the Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise National Park, the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park and the Maiella National Park according to Lonely Planet.