Italy, Abruzzo – Explore Vincenzo’s Abruzzo

Art of Making Cheese & Vibrant Pescara City

Visit to an organic farm immersed in a green landscape of extraordinary natural beauty overlooking the Sagittarius Gorges where you’ll learn about protecting the land and the ancient art of producing cheese. It is located in the heart of three national parks, right in the mountainside.

For lunch, you’ll taste a variety of salty and sweet cheeses made on the location (and a fresh one made by you!) alongside several mouth-watering specialties taken from paddock to plate.

It’s the slow food movement experience of a lifetime. The afternoon is spent exploring where you are based for the week – Pescara; a modern Italian city, with one of the biggest marinas in the region. It is a bustling seaside resort with lots of delicious cafes, fantastic shops and of course a seemingly endless coastline.

Here you will enjoy an aperitivo – right on the beach under your very own umbrella – traditional of the area so you can familiarise yourself in the surroundings and local vibe.

Overnight Pescara

Meals B, L

Sailing the Adriatic by Private Yacht

After an early breakfast, you will be escorted to a private port for a unique Yacht tour for the day. Once on board of the Yacht, the journey to one of the most picturesque Islands in Italy begins.

While travelling toward Tremiti island for the day, you will be spoilt with views of endless blue, grottos of varying sizes and enjoy a fresh, homemade seafood lunch, as well as fresh dishes that will have your taste buds dancing .

Take a dip and savor the moment, the crystal clear waters are mesmerizing. Sail, swim, eat, repeat is the motto for the day!

Overnight Pescara

Meals B,L,D

Shopping at the Market in Sulmona & Wine Tasting at Zaccagnini Winery

First stop is the famous market of Sulmona where you have the chance to taste and touch fresh produce from the region including cheese, truffles, seasonal fruit, vegetables, one-of-a-kind red garlic and…PORCHETTA!

After a stroll around the beautiful city filled with history and art, you will then be led to a hidden B&B that has the most priceless view of the 3 surrounding national parks and their mountains. It was awarded a place in the top 3 best B&B’s in Italy and is literally a secret gem that will take your breath away…

Next, it’s off to family owned winery, Zaccagnini for an intimate wine tasting and tour before you taste a selection of Vincenzo’s Dad’s notorious seafood dishes paired with the perfect wines to get your palette dancing (and you might just end up dancing too while you enjoy your favourite drop of wine and watch the sun go down over the vines).

Overnight Pescara

Meals B,L,A

City of Pescara & Dinner on a Trabocco

After a few busy days, guests will be happy to enjoy a sleep-in with a free half day to enjoy the city of Pescara, do some shopping, maybe go for a walk along the divine coast, have lunch on the beach, or even go for a swim.

In the early afternoon we will visit the city of Ortona where we will visit the beautiful Castello Aragonese, a Renaissance castle, overlooking the Adriatic Sea and with a panorama combining Abruzzo’s diverse terrains.

The next stop on this Italian tour will seem like a dream so get your cameras ready, as you’ll want to look back! It is a scrumptious seafood dinner (with ingredients fished the same day) in the most unforgettable setting of a fisherman’s hut overlooking the infinite Trabocchi Coast.

These form one of the most precious stories of Abruzzese history and proud owners of the one we visit love to share not only their family history but also their hearts on a plate with the salty flavours of the Adriatic . The structure alone, will take your breath away…and these are of course unique to Abruzzo..

Overnight Pescara

Meals B, D

Santo Stefano di Sessanio & Rocca Calascio

The day starts on escort to Rocca Calascio, a castle, dating back to the year 1000 that has been selected as one of the top 10 most beautiful by National Geographic. You will be taken to the top of the castle where you will be in absolute awe of the view from the several vantage points – make sure your phone is charged!

From there we will venture to Santo Stefano di Sessanio, one of the most striking and closely preserved villages in central Italy.

Lunch will be served at Hotel Sextantio, one of the most talked about locations in the picturesque village, not only because of its beauty but also thanks to its unique layout as guests stay in rooms spread throughout the town.

Before nightfall, guests will check-in to an exclusive B&B equipped with a spa and pool overlooking the picturesque Abruzzo mountainside and coast. It is a private villa, and you will stay there undisturbed for 2 nights.

Overnight Santo Stefano di Sessanio

Meals B,L,D

Opera Concert & Truffle Lunch

On the second last day you will wake up to a beautiful view and have the chance to enjoy some quiet time by the pool as you start the day a little slower following a very busy week!

From the pool to one of the most coveted mushrooms in Italy – engross yourself in a world of truffle. Guests will arrive in the town of Campli known for it’s endless supply of truffles and lunch will be served at a restaurant specialising in truffle for a gourmet meal certain to invigorate all of your senses – from savoury to sweet, the flavours will surprise and delight!

For the last night of our Abruzzo tour, we will all come together at night to share our favourite parts of the week and enjoy a demonstration of how to make pizza dough before devouring some (made fresh) in front of guests for dinner.

There will also be an exclusive opera performance at some point in the day so you can take in the sights and really feel at one with the culture and the land – not to mention it’s bound to give you goose bumps!

Overnight Santo Stefano di Sessanio

Meals B, L D

Porchetta & Departure

The best is saved until last! The Abruzzo tour comes full circle for the grand finale: “Porchetta Day” with Vincenzo and his wonderful family.

After stopping at renowned Pastry shop “Pasticceria Merlini” to taste the age-old sweet, “Pizza Dolce”, you are invited to feast at the table with Vincenzo’s family, in the town his great grandparents’ were from, and demolish a scrumptious lunch with wood-fire handmade porchetta, homegrown tomatoes, Pappardelle with cinghiale ragu and local antipasti…

Drop – off service to Rome where you will arrive around 7.00 pm.

Meals B, L