ABRUZZO TRAVEL ITINERARY
8 DAYS SMALL GROUP TOUR FROM ROME TO BARI
ITALY’S BEST KEPT SECRET
Day 1: ABRUZZO-A REGION WHERE THE WONDERS OF NATURE RULE SUPREME
We meet in ROME railway station at 14.00 for a scenic drive to ABRUZZO region and the enchanting town of SULMONA.Spend the first four nights of your Abruzzo experience at the central boutique hotel “SANTACROCE OVIDIUS” or similar,located near the Cathedral.In the evening we meet up for an Aperitivo at a local bar where to watch and enjoy the passeggiata.Dinner is included this evening in a local tavern where you’ll feel like one of the family.Overnight stay in SULMONA
Day 2: BACKROAD SULMONA, COOKERY LESSON & THE CONFETTI MUSEUM
Situated at the foot of the Maiella Mountains,between two national parks,SULMONA is renowned for its confetti (crunchy sugar-coated almonds) and its master goldsmiths.The central square is one of the region’s most picturesque,framed by a stunning medieval aqueduct. Sulmona is filled with ancient buildings,such as the Palazzo dell’Annunziata,which combines Gothic and Renaissance styles.The Museo Civico holds a collection of local antiquities,costumes and paintings. In the morning, we take a private tour around the ancient town of SULMONA famous as the home of both Ovid with our locally born guide to have the key sights explained to us.The tour includes a visit to the Medieval aqueduct in Piazza Garibaldi and the Church of Santa Maria Annunziata with its stunning bell tower. Continue to the charming village of PACENTRO for an exclusive COOKING CLASS with our friend Giuliana to learn how to make fresh pasta and other Abruzzo specialty.As a conclusion of the day, we shall be visiting the CONFETTI MUSEUM which displays an assortment of antique sweet-making machines and a sixteenth-century laboratory,complete of all manner of mills,toasters and polishing machinesThe evening is all yours to head to the old town for a meal or taking in the atmosphere of LA DOLCE VITA !!!Overnight stay in SULMONA
Day 3: ABRUZZO MOUNTAINS: CHEESE MAKING EXPERIENCE & MEDIEVAL SCANNO
Today’s tour takes you drive across the outstanding Abruzzo Mountains and National Parks visiting the charming village of ANVERSA DEGLI ABRUZZI for an exclusive educational experience with a real local cheesemaker, making cheese and learning all the secrets of this ancient shepherds’ art in the Abruzzo region.We then move to the well-kept medieval hill-town of SCANNO located on a rocky spur by a clear mountain lake.Scanno retains a medieval feel with its narrow alleys,courtyards and Renaissance churches, the most important of which Santa Maria della Valle.The medieval fountain Fontana Sarrocco with its Romanesque arches has become one of the town’s symbols.Artisans still practise crafts such as lacemaking in styles particular to Abruzzo.On the way to Scanno we also visit the hermitage of San Domenico on Lago di San Domenico and the Church of the Madonna of lake Scanno.We conclude the day with a wonderful lunch in a typical Abruzzese trattoria. Eat as a local!!!Overnight stay in SULMONA
Day 4: WINERY EXPERIENCE, ROCCASCALEGNA CASTLE & RURAL PESCOCOSTANZO
When it comes to wine, Abruzzo is known for its MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO and today we venture out to visit a family-run WINERY for a wine tasting accompanied by local appetizers.Following this,drive to the stunning Abruzzo’s castle in the charming village of ROCCASCALEGNA, ranked by Condé Naste Traveller as one of the 9 Most Beautiful Hilltop Towns in Italy. We end the day in the magical town of PESCOCOSTANZO, a true artistic and architectural gem of the Maiella National Park, situated at 1395 meters above sea level. Surrounded by lush highland meadows, Pescocostanzo is a characteristic hilltop town whose historical core has changed little in over 500 years.This evening, enjoy an included dinner in a local restaurant.Overnight stay in SULMONA
Day 5: ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM OF CHIETI,OPERA HOUSE & UNESCO TRABOCCHI COAST
Our day starts with a drive to the nearby city of CHIETI for a visit to the interesting MUSEO ARCHEOLOGICO.Among the most important finds exhibited in this museum there are certainly the Capestrano warrior, the colossal marble statue of Hercules from the archaeological site of Alba Fucens, some funerary beds in bronze and bone and the bronze statuette depicting Hercules at rest, from the school of the Greek sculptor Lysippus. We then continue to the UNESCO TRABOCCHI COAST where examples of vanishing TRABOCCHI can be found.The origins of these strange fishing catching structures are not clear.Some hypothesize that immigrants built them in the late 1600s.Others date their system of engineering to the 8th century.Trabocchi have wooden beams and nets with an intricate system of weights and balances to scoop up the fish,while staying connected to land.A special law now preserves some 20 remaining trabocchi dotted along the coast.After an included lunch in a unique trabocco, continue to Sulmona for the rest of the day at leisure.Overnight stay in SULMONA
Day 6: ABBEY OF S.GIOVANNI IN VENERE & THE ROMAN TOWN OF VASTO
Today, we transfer you to the GARGANO promontory, forming the spur of Italy’s boot, a striking contrast to the Adriatic’s flatter coastline.This is a land of whitewashed coastal towns,wide sandy beaches interspersed with secluded coves,and craggy limestone cliffs topped by deep-green pine and scrubby Mediterranean maquis (underbrush).En-route,we discover Continue to the ABBEY OF S.GIOVANNI IN VENERE, a Benedectine monastery and church dating from the 6th century.The church has 13th century frescoes and a crypt with Roman columns, perched up high overlooking the Adriatic Sea.We end the day in the charming Roman town of VASTO where you will have free time for sightseeing and lunch.Drive to the unique town of VIESTE for the next two nights in a family “PALACE HOTEL VIESTE” or similar. Overnight in VIESTE
Day 7: MAGICAL VIESTE & BOAT TRIP
This morning we visit VIESTE, one of Italy’s most attractive coastal towns, situated on a rocky promontory overlooking turquoise waters with beaches either side.A magnificent town of white houses clinging to the coastline, narrow cobbled streets leading to stairways and agave covered arches.Today, you’ll visit the ancient village with narrow streets that climb towards the Cathedral, between whitewashed houses and colorful bazar.After an included foodie experience,you’ll be sailing around fascinating Vieste and its prehistoric caves (weather permitting). Rest of the day is at leisure. In the evening celebrate your Southern Italy adventure with an “Arrivederci dinner” sharing travel memories and toasting new friends.Overnight in VIESTE
Day 8: ARRIVEDERCI BEAUTIFUL GARGANO
Group Departure transfer from our hotel to Bari airport or train station (3 hrs journey)
Many travelers who claim to “know” Italy have never set foot out of Rome. But plenty of Italophiles say that the fun starts once you leave Rome’s southern city limits. Italians refer to the part of Italy south of Rome as the Mezzogiorno, which means midday and refers to the hot sun that blazes down