Tour description
ABRUZZO SMALL GROUP TOUR
Puglia is the “heel”of the Italian boot,the Gargano Peninsula is its”spur”and Abruzzo form the”ankle”.Hugging the southeastern seaboard of Italy and looking towards the Balkans,the mountainous region of Abruzzo differ considerably from Puglia,the richest of the two.From the dramatic Alpine peaks of thne Gran Sasso to the wild wolves in the national parks;from craggy medieval hill towns to the sandy Adriatic coastline and Slow Food -Abruzzo offers everything an Italophile could wish for.For years the region’s wild beauty was hidden from thne world by the Appennines.Abruzzo is a region that is almost two-thirds mountainous parkland-ideal for hiking,horse riding or, in winter,skiing on the Grand Sasso or Maiella ranges.Gourmands will delight in Abruzzo’s outstanding restaurants,and superb local wines like Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Trebbiano.
Nature’s colors are bold in Puglia, and man-made shapes are simple – with chunky, cubic houses and conical-roofed cottages dotting the countryside. Its extensive coastline bears the marks of many conquering invaders:the Normans, the Spanish, the Turks, the Swabians and the Greeks.The regions to be explored are also rich in their own culinary and folkloric traditions and we take time not only to explore grand palaces and mighty castles but also learn about the local people as we visit their picturesque villages and view their traditional homes. We taste the local produce, sample the local wine and enjoy a display of the local traditional folklore.
This truly unique and very special tour is not to be missed!!
Read what our friends say about the abruzzo small group tour
- Guaranteed departures small group travel: intimate, small, friendly group limited to 12/14 participants only!
- More than 10 included sightseeing tours & cultural experiences
- Tour of the scenic town of SULMONA,birthplace of Ovid and renowned for its sugar almonds
- Try the ruby-red signature wine MONTEPULCIANO D’ABRUZZO
- Fall in love with the ABRUZZESE CUISINE
- Visit the marvels of the medieval town of SCANNO
- Dine in traditional restaurants and taste authentic REGIONAL CUISINE
- Prepare homemade pasta with an Italian MAMMA in PACENTRO
- Visit Abruzzo’s acclaimed extra virgin olive oil and wine makers
- ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM in CHIETI
- Discover the fascinating UNESCO TRABOCCHI COAST-View curious fishing wharves along the Adriatic coastline
- Visit popular UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Exceptional local tour manager
- Transportation on tour, via private air-conditioned luxury 8 or 20 seats motorcoach
- Transfers while overseas, baggage transfers & porterage are included
- Included gratuity for city guides only
- Hotel city tax is included
- Entrances to archaeological sites are included
- No hidden extras
- Our divine included meals: All breakfasts, 2 foodie experiences,3 lunches, 3 dinners (main meals include regional wine, mineral water, espresso coffee or tea only)
- The tour begins on Day 1 at Rome train station with a group transfer departing at 14.00 to Sulmona and end with a morning group transfer to Bari airport and train station on Day 8
- Activity level: Good/Moderate
- Terms & conditions/Single supplement: (View here) & FAQ (View here)
- Trip interruption & cancellation insurance is not included. We highly recommend Travelex-indurance.com to protect your vacation
- Purchase of European Travel & Health Insurance is strongly recommended
- SULMONA, “HOTEL SANTACROCE OVIDIUS” or similar (5 nights)
- VIESTE,”PALACE HOTEL VIESTE” or similar (3 nights)
ABRUZZO TRAVEL ITINERARY
9 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: 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 4: 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 5: CHIETI ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM & OPERA HOUSE, OLIVE OIL EXPERIENCE & 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,drive to Sulmona for time at leisure. Overnight in SULMONA
Day 6: ABBEY OF S.GIOVANNI IN VENERE, THE ROMAN TOWN OF VASTO & THE STUNNING GARGANO PENINSULA
Today’s trip takes you to visit the unique 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 then continue to 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 final two nights at the central, family PALACE HOTEL with breakfast included.Dinner is on your own this evening.Overnight in VIESTE
Day 7: ENCHANTING VIESTE & BOAT TRIP
Meet your tour guide for an included walking tour of 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 house’s clinging to the coastline, narrow cobbled streets leading to stairways and agave covered arche, the Cathedral, whitewashed houses, and colourful bazar.After an included foodie experience, you’ll be sailing around fascinating Vieste and its prehistoric caves (weather permitting).Overnight in VIESTE
Day 8: UNESCO MONTE SANT’ANGELO & FORESTA UMBRA
Meet your local tour guide for a departure to the hill town of MONTE SANT’ANGELO which commands great views over the surrounding Foresta Umbra.It was put on the pilgrim map after Archangel Michael was said to have appeared at a grotto here in AD 493. The Santuario di San Michele has a shrine to St Michael-its bronze doors were cast in Constantinople in 1076. The building has a genuine cave chapel and other shrines including a 16th century statue of Michael in Carrara marble and Frederick II’s Silver Cross, said to contain a piece of the True Cross. Near the GROTTO stands the irregularly shaped Castello Normanno Svevo Aragonese and the large pentagonal Torre dei Giganti. Afterwards,drive to the magical FORESTA UMBRA.With more than one third of Italy’s flora, the wood is a botanist’s dream.Rest of the afternoon is on your own.This evening, enjoy an included farewell dinner in a local restaurant.Overnight in VIESTE
Day 8: ARRIVEDERCI BEAUTIFUL ITALY
Group Departure transfer from our hotel to Bari airport or train station (3 hrs journey)
2023 TOUR PRICE & DATES: € 3,200 SINGLE SUPPLEMENT: € 300 Currency Converter
Price is per person based on double room occupancy for 9 days/8 nights
Abruzzo Reviews Summary
Recent Abruzzo Reviews
Abruzzo - A land of surprises
Hi Aldo-I really enjoyed this tour. Staying in Sulmona at your Hotel was such a relaxing experience. Selecting such central location made it especially nice not having to be out of the hotel so early each day.If you ask me what I especially liked I would have to say several things…The cooking class was so much fun. The wine tasting at Castillo was probably one of the best I have ever attended. What a beautiful place and the wines were superb. It was the first time I have ever wanted to buy all the wines tasted. Unfortunately, shipping costs were very high. I’ll look for them at home.The food was delicious everywhere, but the pasta made with beet juice at our farewell dinner was memorable-so unusual and excellent.Visiting the Gargano was wonderful too. Being so remote, it is not a place I would not normally go so was excited when you included it in this tour. The trabocchi were so interesting to see and lunch was wonderful! I thought Vieste was a very nice place. Again, I felt like I was truly on vacation! Oh I cannot forget Mont St. Angelo. Never did I expect the shrine to Sr.Michael the Archangel to be as beautiful as it was. Very moving for me!Danilo was such a nice young man. He was so knowledgeable and could not do enough to please us. Also it was so nice to see Paola again. She is always so happy and makes you smile.As usual Aldo, your tour was such a nice blend of food, wine and culture.
Thank you for a wonderful trip!
Ciao-
Sandy
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