Tour:
Fully escorted
and guided coach
tour - small
groups - air
conditioned
Mercedes Mini
Bus
Tour
length:
7 nights,
8 days
Cost:
€2395/person
based on double
occupancy
(single
supplement €460)
Groups:
Contact
us
for
group
pricing |
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To
book
or
for
more
information
Contact:
IV
Travel |
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map
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Abruzzo?
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WHAT IS
INCLUDED:
-
Fully
escorted
and
personal
small
group
travel
(maximum
of 13
guests
guaranteed)
-
7 nights
Comfortable
Accommodation
in the
Abruzzo
Countryside-
immaculately
restored
historic
buildings.
-
Unpack
only
twice
and
unwind.
All
rooms
with
ensuite
and
modern
amenities.
-
Experience
central
Italy in
comfort
at a
leisurely
pace.
Travel
in
airconditioned
comfort
in a
private
minibus.
-
Exclusive
and
private
hands on
Cooking
Class
with
local
Abruzzese
ladies.
-
2
Exclusive
private
concerts
with
international
star
tenor,
Michael
Howard.
-
Private
gentle
guided
walks in
Gran
Sasso
National
Park and
al
fresco
BBQ
picnic.
-
Guided
visits
to
Apennine
hilltop
villages
in
l’Aquila
province
-
Guided
explorations
of
monasteries,
medieval
castles
and
museums
-
Cellar
tastings
of local
Montepulciano
wine
-
Meet
local
producers
of fine
olive
oil,
wine,
cheese
and
pasta
-
Superb
Slow
Food
Dining
Experiences
of
Abruzzo
' s
regional
specialties
-
17 meals
including
7
Breakfasts,
6
Lunches
and 4
Dinners
-
Experience
a
Medieval
Joust
with all
its
pagentry
(July 26
and
August 2
departures
only)
WHAT
IS NOT
INCLUDED:
-
Airfares
-
Items of
personal
nature,
phone
calls,
passport
and
visas
(if
applicable),
laundry
or tips
-
Personal
transport,
excess
baggage,
security
and
government
taxes,
travel
insurance.
-
Beverages
unless
specifically
described
-
Meals
not
specifically
mentioned
in
itinerary
-
Entry
fees to
places
other
than
those
specifically
mentioned
in
itinerary
-
Optional
excursions
or
activities
that may
be
offered
which
are not
included
in the
tour
price.
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Join us on this new "Medieval Magic" tour into the heart
of central Italy, visiting the unique region of Abruzzo nestled in the majestic
Apennines. Over 8 days and 7 nights experience the ancient pageantry of the Joust
in Sulmona, where modern day knights come to compete from all over Europe
bringing with them entourages elaborately dressed in Medieval costumes. The
ancient city bursts into life as this festival is recreated with parades, flag
throwing, dancing and fanfares. Marvel at the breathtaking scenery of the Gran Sasso,
the highest mountain of the Apennines and the sweeping alpine pastures at its
feet. Sample local specialties as we visit confetti, pasta and cheese factories
still producing delicacies prepared according to century old recipes. Then it's
your turn to learn how to make traditional Abruzzese dishes yourself with the
guidance of wonderful Abruzzese women which we will then enjoy to the
accompaniment of Italian songs sung by international Tenor Michael Howard. Dance
the night away with our local hosts to the strains of traditional music.
Featuring
private
concerts
with
Michael
Howard,
International
tenor
Explore ancient Norman castles and silent medieval
monasteries with us, admire timeless frescoes, and sample life as it was in the
middle ages when we stay in the tiny village of Santo Stefano. Its laneways too
narrow for modern vehicles, this little hamlet complete with a solitary Medici
Tower is truly one of the jewels of Abruzzo. Enjoy tastings of local wine and
olive oil then relax in the village square enjoying a gelato as you watch the
locals taking their evening passeggiata.
"Medieval
Magic" is a unique tour created with the love and passion of an Abruzzese for
her Abruzzo. Lead by Luciana Masci, the tour has a maximum of 13 guests
travelling in a private air-conditioned minibus, with carefully chosen
accommodation. Unpack only twice as we stay in only 2 accommodations over the
week.
Guides:
Luciana
Masci
and
Michael
Howard
Transportation:
Air
conditioned
Mercedes
Minibus
(10-12
passengers) |
|
To
book
or
for
more
information
Contact:
IV
Travel |
|
Itinerary
 Breakfast
 Lunch
 Dinner |
Day 1 - Sunday
Arrival: Rome to Sulmona, *Medieval Joust*
(*July 26 and August 2 Departures only*)
Our guests arrive in Abruzzo for a welcome
lunch. The magical evening unfolds as we visit
the fascinating town of Sulmona, where we will
witness the medieval fair and Joust.
Day 2 - Monday
Sulmona - Roman Ruins, Medieval Churches and Art
Take a trip through time with us as we explore
Sulmona's past, home to monks, poets and Romans
through the centuries. We visit the ancient
ruins of a nobleman's house, with frescoes from
Roman times, see ecclesiastical art from the
middle ages and traditional costumes from more
recent times. Wander the backstreets of the town
discovering quiet courtyards, the beautifully
restored opera house and the medieval Aquaduct.
Then there's time to sample the specialties of
Sulmona as we visit an old Confetti factory
where sugared almonds have been made according
to ancient recipes for centuries.
Day 3 - Tuesday
Sulmona-Pasta factory, Cheese tastings
We visit a family run pasta factory producing
all forms of noodles according to a closely
guarded family secret, followed by a cheese
factory specialising in sheeps cheese. We pass
through breath taking scenery on our way to
lunch in a tiny village perched on a rocky
outcrop, long the favourite retreat of artists
and monks. In the evening we take a passeggiata
through another enchanting nearby village. Relax
in the square and listen to the village church
chime enjoying your gelato as you watch the
locals taking their evening stroll. La Dolce
Vita!
Day 4 - Wednesday
Sulmona-Santo Stefano - Local markets, Olive
oil tastings
We visit a local market, busy with local
producers and mouth watering produce before
winding our way up to the enchanting village of
Santo Stefano perched at 1250m above sea level.
Its laneways too small for modern vehicles, this
little hamlet, complete with a solitary Medici
built tower is truly one of the jewels of
Abruzzo, a place where time has stood still.
Here you will have the pleasure of staying in
accommodation from the dark ages, tastefully
renovated to include all modern conveniences. On
our way we visit an ancient olive press and
sample the delicious extra virgin olive oil. In
the evening we sample local specialties by a
mountain lake including pasta with saffron and
zucchini.
Day 5 - Thursday
Medieval Castle-L'Aquila
We meet in the morning at the Medieval gate,
where once the drawbridge stood, for a walking
tour of town, squeezing through narrow gates and
corners where lovers once met, to the tower
built by the Medici family and then to stand
before the ancient gaming house and courthouse
or Casa del Capitano. Then we continue our
journey to visit a thousand year old castle, one
of the emblems of central Italy and featuring in
countless films, Rocca Calascio. We lunch high
up at 1460m near this mighty ruin after taking
in the stunning panorama of the Appennines
culminating in the Gran Sasso itself. In the
evening we visit L'Aquila, capital of the region
of Abruzzo, sampling local wines at the Enoteca
before taking our evening passeggiata along the
cobbled laneways.
Day 6 - Friday
Campo Imperatore, Gran Sasso, Al fresco Picnic
A visit a local village to sample mountain
cheeses from the alpine pastures before
travelling on to the majestic Campo Imperatore
at nearly 1800m, an alpine plain 20 km long and
12 km wide bounded by rugged mountains in the
shadow of the Gran Sasso. Here we might have the
chance to glimpse an Alpine Shepherd tending his
flock or wild horses, or circling hawks. We
visit the Gran Sasso where once Benito Mussolini
was held prisoner, before returning for an al
fresco picnic lunch with arrosticini, skewers
barbequed in the local style. Squisito!
In the evening we dine in a Medieval Convent -
Italian style- savouring the local specialities.
Day 7 - Saturday
Wine Tastings, Cooking Class, Concert
Today we marvel at ancient frescos and meet
local wine producers with accompanying tastings
of exceptional Montepulciano wines. Another
highlight of our Medieval Magic tour is our
cooking class where we will prepare, with the
guidance of wonderful Abruzzese women, local
specialities from mouth-watering antipasti to
delicious desserts - all accompanied with
wonderful Italian songs sung by Michael Howard,
international Tenor. Dance the magical night
away with our Abruzzese hosts to the strains of
traditional songs.
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Michael Howard in concert |
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Guests of the tour will enjoy two private concerts by one of your guides, international recording artist and two time Grammy award winner, Michael Howard. Michael's bio: Click here |
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Day 8 - Sunday
Departure for Rome Fiumicino Airport. End of
Tour
After breakfast, transfer to Rome’s Leonardo da
Vinci airport at Fiumicino or make your own
arrangements for your onward journey.
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Looking
for
suggestions
to
extend
your
journey
to
Italy?
-
How about a few days in
Calabria
where you
will find
extraordinary
landscapes,
gregarious
people, and
long,
wonderful
days under a
hot sun.
-
Or
go to
Basilicata
and marvel
at one of
the least
visited but
most
interesting
regions of
Italy.
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