Day 1

Arrival to the hotel on the Adriatic coast, accommodation in your reserved rooms.

Day 2

After breakfast departure to Atri, a wonderful artistic town in the countryside . Enjoy a walk in the refined historical centre of Atri, a wonderful architectonic jewel. The town marked the history of the region especially during the Renaissance, when it was under the far-sighted governance of the noble family D’Acquaviva Dukes.
Visit to the most important monuments, The St. Maria dell’Assunta Cathedral, the most imposing monument in the centre, that preserves an extraordinary fresco-cycle in the chorus dating back the 15th century, by the local painter Andrea De Litio.

Monday is market day in Atri, so you will have time at disposal to give a look at the coloured stands with many fresh products. Free time for lunch.

In the afternoon departure to Sulmona, birthplace of the Latin poet Ovid and place where the famous “Confetti”  (almonds covered with sugar) were made for the first time during the pre-Roman age. Visit to the architectonic complex of the palace and the church the Ss. Annunziata, the St. Panfilo Cathedral, the Medieval Aqueduct and the church of St Maria della Tomba.

Return to the hotel.

Day 3

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure towards the borders between Abruzzo and Le Marche region. In a panoramic setting at the foot of the Monti Gemelli, you will reach the small town of Civitella del Tronto. Nestled on a travertine hill, its origins dates back to the Early Middle ages and still preserves the typical layout of a medieval hamlet. Civitella is famous above all for its imposing Fortess, one of the largest in Southern Italy.

Free time for lunch.

Visit the nearby artistic small town of Campli, a fine village in the countryside of Teramo, where you will discover hidden art treasures such as the church of Santa Maria in Platea, a nice shrine of art, preserving wonderful frescoes in its crypt.
Campli is also famous for the excellent Porchetta (a stuffed and roasted pork) you can taste.
Return to the hotel.

Day 4

Breakfast at the hotel and departure to the wonderful countryside near Atri.

Arrival in the small village of Mutignano, situated on a hill facing the Adriatic Sea. By walking in the historical centre of the small town you will reach a family ruled typical restaurant for a special cookery class. With the help of the restaurant cooks, you will prepare traditional dishes of the region, from pasta to arrosticini. It will be funny working with flour and eggs in order to get home made pasta, like the famous Maccheroni alla Chitarra and many other specialities.

Lunch in the restaurant with the prepared dishes.

In the afternoon, reach the coastline and visit the Cerrano Tower, watchtower dating back to the year 1568. It was built by the Spanish sovereigns in order to avoid Saracen pirates attacks, which were very common in that period, along the whole Adriatic coast. Today it is possible to visit the tower that has been completely restored; it hosts Marine Biology laboratories and is also seat of the Protected area Parco Marino del Cerrano, recently established. Possibility to take wonderful pictures from the tower roof.

Return to the hotel.

Day 5

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and departure for the visit to Santa Maria di Bominaco, situated next to the area of the beautiful Navelli upland: it is the masterpiece of Abruzzo Medieval architecture. The complex is made up by the medieval abbey of S. Maria Assunta and the Oratorio of San Pellegrino. This latter preserves one of the most interesting and original medieval frescoes cycle in the region, depicting in particular episodes of sacred stories, belonging to four cycles: the Childhood of Christ, the Passion, the Final Judgment, the life of Saint Pellegrino.

Free time for lunch.

In the afternoon visit Navelli, one of the most interesting medieval villages in the Region, famous for the production of a precious spice, the golden saffron of Abruzzo. After visiting the evocative historical centre of the small village, visit to a farmers cooperative growing saffron, to learn all the secret of the crocus sativus, its use in cooking today and its historical usage during the centuries, also in this region.

Late in the afternoon transfer to your reserved hotel or farm holiday in the nearby of Barisciano, Poggio Picenze, Santo Stefano di Sessanio / Assergi (according to room availability).
Accommodation in the reserved rooms.

Day 6

After breakfast, check out from your hotel and departure for an amazing excursion on the highest Abruzzo’s uplands: driving through wonderful panoramic roads you will reach the enchanting uplands of Campo Imperatore, at an altitude of about 1600 mt above sea level.
This unique landscape was the filming location of Spaghetti Western movies of Sergio Leone.
Stop for lunch in Fonte Vetica, with typical products and fresh meat bought at the local shops

In the afternoon drive to Rocca Calascio, for a visit of the evocative medieval fortress. During the Middle Ages it was a watchtower and a bulwark, part of a great defensive system that aimed to protect the whole area of L’Aquila and the surrounding uplands. Some scenes of the movie Lady Hawk with Michelle Pfeiffer where shot here, in particular the ones  with the magician.

Reach your next farm house after the visit of Rocca Calascio for your last night in Abruzzo

Day 7

Breakfast at the farm house and departure.

What´s included

• 6 BB in 3 *** or 4**** star accommodation (hotels and farm houses)
• 1 Wine tasting of Abruzzo best Doc Wines
• 1 cooking class in a local restaurant followed by lunch

 What´s not included

• Entry tickets for monuments
• Tour guiding
• Transportation
• Any other services not mentioned in the included package