the Abruzzo, Matera & Puglia Experience
10days/09nights Rome/Bari
2019 depart: Oct 23
Cost from: $3710 per person twin share (s/supp $340)
Early afternoon met at Rome Fiumicino and transferred to Sulmona, the town of the Roman poet Ovid, the most illustrious son of Sulmona. Get to know your local guide and learn more about this cultural vacation. At leisure until our welcome dinner at in the heart of Sulmona
day 2 Confetti Museum-History-Wine
Leisurely traditional breakfast of freshly baked bread, whole fruit country-style preserves, cake, pastries, coffee, tea and freshly squeezed juice.
Visit the Confetti (sugar-coated almonds) Museum, where you can see a wide display of old-fashioned confectionery machines and equipment, memorabilia and precious, rare objects relating to the ancient Sulmonese art of confectionary. After a confetti tasting we’ll discover Sulmona and see the Medieval aqueduct on Piazza Garibaldi and the Church of Santa Maria Annunziata with its majestic bell tower. Learn about the local wine making, followed by tasting in the centre of Sulmona. You’ll taste 3 different wines from surrounding vineyards, paired with local cheeses, salami and other specialties
We know that not every minute of your time must be packed with organised events, this way you will be able to explore on your own and actually live like an Italian. So today you’ll have a free afternoon for your own activities, which could be: a visit to Sulmona’s museums and art galleries, join some optional activities/excursions, have a SPA experience (book in advance) or just do some shopping visiting artisans or have a walk in the “Piazza” to enjoy the relaxing Sulmona atmosphere. Dine independently at any of the excellent restaurants of Sulmona.
day 3 Mountainous Landscapes-Scanno-Vasto
Breakfast and check out. We’ll drive across the wonderful Abruzzo mountains and National Parks to the ancient Roman town of Vasto. On the way to Vasto, we’ll visit the enchanting Hermitage of San Domenico in Villalago and the mountain village of Scanno (one of the most beautiful villages of Italy). Lunch at a traditional restaurant in Scanno. Continue to Vasto, after a brief rest join our guided visit of the historical centre. We’ll explore Loggia Amblingh, a promenade overlooking the fascinating crescent-shaped coastline, the old town with its medieval Castle, charming lanes, a tower, the Cathedral and Piazza Rossetti, which was dedicated to Gabriele Rossetti, a poet from the town and father of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood. Group dinner at a traditional restaurant.
day 4 Local Markets-Pasta Making with Mama
We’ll walk and visit Vasto’s colourful market to get seasonal products. Here you’ll have the possibility to practice a little bit of Italian even if you don’t speak any of it. Then we’ll drive to the countryside for an exclusive cooking class with the family and we’ll learn how easy it is to make fresh pasta. An example menu: bread with meat sauce, pasta alla chitarra with meat sauce and polpette (meatballs), cavatelli with vegetables and tarallucci (typical biscuits). Lunch on the dishes prepared in the morning enjoying the relaxed family atmosphere. Free afternoon for your own activities, such as: stroll along the beaches, visit Vasto’s museums and art galleries, or join an opitonal activity/excursion. Dine indipendently at your leisure.
day 5 Trabocco Fishing-Art,
After breakfast we’ll explore the famous Trabocchi coast. We’ll start with an easy walk at Punta Aderci Nature Reserve, one of the 10 most beautiful Italian beaches according to the British Telegraph, from where you can view snow-capped mountains. Next we’ll visit a trabocco (the symbol of the area), mostly built with acacia wood and railway iron sleepers. Weather permitting, our host will show us how to fish from it and explain the history relevant to this unique fishing platforms. His wife will prepare our exclusive lunch on the ocean. After a short break, we’ll drive to the hilltop village of Lentella with amazing views of the mountains, villages and sea. Enjoy an artistic experience, which will let you create your own artistic souvenir (a postcard made with natural colours produced at the moment mixing leaves and flowers that you can pick at the property). We’ll have an aperitif and a traditional dinner. If we’re lucky we could help make risotto with truffle that grows at the farm.
day 6 Trani-Castel del Monte
After check out, we’ll move to Puglia where we’ll meet the local guide and we’ll have a guided visit of the beautiful fishing village of Trani, the Church of the Templar Knights and the historical quarter. Free time and lunch, try one of the many restaurants. We continue with a guided tour of Castel del Monte, a UNESCO protected site and a symbol of Puglia. Then on to Conversano and check in at our hotel. Guided walking tour of this ancient town with its medieval Castle and Romanesque Cathedral. Welcome to Puglia group dinner at a traditional restaurant.
day 7 Polignano a Mare-Cooking-Trulli
Guided tour of of Polignano a Mare and its wonderful sea. Transfer to an ancient masseria (typical Apulian farmhouse) in Monopoli and participate at a cooking class based on traditional recipes. Lunch on the dishes prepared. Guided tour of the UNESCO site of Alberobello, walk among the trulli, visit to the trullo “sovrano” and its museum. Dine indipendently at your leisure.
day 8 Bari-Olive Oil-Mozzarella-Wines
Morning guided tour of Bari, including the Church of San Nicola, Frederick II’s Castle. Guided visit of a family-run winery followed by lunch and tasting the wines and the famous mozzarella of Gioia del Colle. Visit of a small olive oil mill in the country side and have an ‘extra’ virgin olive oil tasting. Remainder of the afternoon at leisure and dine at your leisure.
day 9 Focaccia-Matera-Farewell Dinner
Focaccia tasting made in wood fired ovens, at an ancient in Altamura, the town is known for its DOP bread. Guided tour of spectacular Matera and its Unesco’s site “the Sassi” (cave houses and rocky churches where time seems to have stopped). Free time for lunch and explore the city on your own. This evening enjoy our farewell dinner.
day 10 Farewells
After breakfast departure for Bari airport (usually at 09.00) or continue to your onward destination.