10-Day Escorted Tour in Abruzzo & Marche

You’ll be picked up at Rome Fiumicino Airport and we will drive directly to Abruzzo through the beautiful ‘Gran Sasso and Monti Della Laga’ National Park, before settling in for the evening in one of the most beautiful little villages in Italy. We’ll be staying inside the old city of Civitella del Tronto for the next six nights. It’s known for its famous fortress as well as being home to the narrowest street in Italy. After checking in, you’ll have time to relax and recover from your flight with a welcome drink. At night, we’ll have our first feast, with a welcome traditional dinner together accompanied by a glass or two of the famous wine of the region, ‘Montepulciano D’Abruzzo’.

(B, L, D)

Learn all about truffles in Abruzzo, where 40% of Italian truffles are sourced. On the second day of our trip, we’ll find and learn about this precious treasure of Abruzzo’s traditional gastronomy. Meet our truffle hunting expert and his dogs and get ready for a private truffle experience in the scenic woods of the ‘Gran Sasso and Monti Della Laga’ National Park. Truffle hunting will be followed by a tasty 4-course truffle meal, including wine from the region.

This will be followed by a guided tour of Civitella del Tronto, one of the most beautiful towns in Italy. We’ll visit the narrowest street in Italy and the city’s famous Spanish-built fortress, now considered to be the largest fortress in Italy.

Enjoy the evening free! We recommend ordering some salami & cheese on the panoramic piazza and sipping a glass of Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo (the first rosé wine with DOC recognition in Italy).

(B, L)

On day three, we’ll visit the workshops of some 50 ‘artigiani’ (craftsmen). Then we’ll make our way over to the ceramic museum before taking in the stunning ‘Sistine Chapel’ of Castelli, a church covered entirely by handmade ceramic tiles from the 15th and 16th century.

This will be followed by a visit to a clandestine winery, which only opens its doors to a select few, where we will enjoy a luxury tasting with an ancient Abruzzese sweet wine of more than 50 years old, the ‘Vino Cotto’.

(B, L, D)

Do as the ‘Abruzzesi’ do and learn how to appreciate and recognize the best picks at the weekly farmers market. We’ll introduce you to the Abruzzo region, our culture and our favorite traditional prepared foods, meats and cheeses. Appreciate the art and architecture of the beautiful medieval towns of Abruzzo while we meet local artisans and taste their culinary treasures.

We’ll stop by a local Salumeria recognized by the Italian food and wine magazine, Gambero Rosso, as one of the best delicatessens in Italy.

Before returning to our accommodations we’ll visit Vincenzo, our neighbor and local beekeeper. We will get to see how the honey is extracted, the bees inside their hives, and to top it all off, we’ll have a tasting of his organic honeys!

You’ll have the evening free.

(B, L, A)

We will start the day with a short panoramic drive to our local cheesemaker Giuseppe’s farm in the countryside. Giuseppe will teach us how to do the cutting of the curd, molding and making of the famous pecorino cheese shapes. We will follow this with a tasting of our cheeses with extra virgin olive oil and other homemade meat and cheese selections.

While waiting for the ricotta to arrive at the proper temperature, we’ll have a tour and visit the animals on the farm: sheep, goats, cows, calves, and Pastori Abruzzesi (Abruzzese shepherd dog). Witness the beautiful landscape of the ‘Gran Sasso & Monti Della Laga’ National Park and its ancient hilltop medieval villages.

In the evening, after a rest at our accommodation, we’ll take a short drive and stroll through the old city of Ascoli Piceno in Le Marche region. We will get the chance to taste the local food treasures, ‘Olive Ascolane’ – Ascoli’s pan-fried olives filled with a delicious secret filling.

After some shopping, we will enjoy an Italian aperitivo on one of the most beautiful piazzas in Italy.

(B, L, A)

On day six we’ll have time to relax as the Italians do and enjoy an essential part of the ‘bella vita’ – wine! We’ll get to visit two organic wineries and taste their local organic wines. The two wineries we’ll visit are an interesting contrast to each other, as they each employ two different winemaking philosophies and are also from two distinct areas.

The first winery is one of the oldest wineries in Abruzzo and the second is internationally recognized. The owners will welcome us to their ‘cantina’ or cellar, and give us a private tour of the vineyards while they share with us their winemaking philosophy. Each tour will be followed by wine tasting and a beautiful view – twin mountains, rolling hills, sea coast, and peaceful surroundings.

We will taste at least three local organic wines at each winery. Wine tastings may vary but some common selections are the famous Montepulciano D’Abruzzo, Trebbiano, and Cerasuolo. This will be accompanied by conversation with the winemaker and a tasting of their homemade extra virgin olive oil and other traditional deli selections.

This will be a relaxed day on our trip and before visiting the second winery, we will sit down to enjoy a traditional Italian meal at a local restaurant.

We’ll end the day with a walk along the old port city of Giulianova and enjoy an artisanal gelato.

(B, T, L)

We leave this day free so you have the opportunity to relax, enjoy and meditate. This can also be the perfect time for you to plan a custom request, such as visiting your ancestors’ towns or for an intimate dinner celebration. We leave this day You are free to do as your heart desires, that may include taking a walk in the park, going for a bike ride, meditating or just enjoying an aperitivo on the piazza.

In the evening, we’ll drive to the city of Pescara, our accommodation for the next 3 nights.

(B)

On this leg of the trip we’ll have the opportunity to visit the south inland of Abruzzo In the province of L’Aquila and learn about the unique culture and local traditions of this area. We’ll take a trip back in history and appreciate the importance of the art, architecture, and gastronomy of Sulmona, reflected in the daily lives of the local people.

We’ll start the day with a stunning, panoramic drive to the city of Sulmona. Sulmona was home to 1st century poet, Ovid, who was not only praised for being the greatest poet of his generation, but was also credited as having a huge influence on the poetry of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, so much so that the 12th century was named the Ovidian age.

Here we’ll taste the traditional products of Sulmona, such as ‘confetti’, an almond coated sweet which is exported all over the world. We’ll meet our local Sulmonese guide who will show us the secrets of the city and then enjoy an aperitivo with a beautiful view from the highest rooftop in the city.

Finally, we’ll head back to Pescara where you will have the evening free. This is a good chance to head out for an evening gelato and a passeggiata (stroll) along the “corso” (social promenade) or “lungo mare” (seafront). Ask your cicerone (guide) Marino for tips on where to get the absolute best gelato.

(B, L)

Don’t forget your sunscreen and best summer dress today as we are heading to the beach! We will make our way over to the beach in the morning to relax, snorkel, sunbathe and sip fresh cocktails.

With its stunning mountain landscapes and ancient villages, it’s easy to forget that Abruzzo has 129 km of coast! Following the beach, you’ll have the afternoon to enjoy Pescara like a ‘Pescarese’ (person from Pescara). The afternoon is a great time to explore the most vibrant city of Abruzzo and its ‘lungo mare‘ (seafront), which offers shops, bars, pizzerie, gelaterie and all kinds of activities.

We will end the day with dinner at ‘Il Trabocco’, an ancient fisherman’s hut converted into a luxury dining experience on the sea. Your senses will be totally immersed and it’s truly an experience you will never forget.

(B, D)

No one likes to say goodbye, so we say ‘arrivederci’ – until we meet again!

After a goodbye breakfast together, you will be dropped off at Pescara airport or station.

Private transfers to airports or other parts of Italy can be arranged upon request for an additional cost. We can also help connect you with other like-minded tour operators around Italy and Europe. Please feel free to contact us [link] if you have any questions.

(B)