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Along the Shepherds' Tracks
Tour: Fully escorted and guided coach tour - small groups - air conditioned Mercedes Mini Bus
Tour length: 7 nights, 8 days
 Cost: €2285/person based on double occupancy (single supplement €460)
 Groups: Contact us for group pricing


To book or for more information
Contact: IV Travel
 


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Looking for places to stay
in Abruzzo?
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Abruzzo at a glance
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Towns and cities in Abruzzo

L'Aquila
 Atri
 Pescara

Official sites

WHAT IS INCLUDED:

  • Transfers to and from Rome’s Fiumicino airport or Rome Termini station, or to and from Pescara airport

  • All land travel and transfers within Abruzzo during the tour by air conditioned                        coach. A small personalized group of maximum 10-12  passengers.

  • Accommodation in Abruzzo – (8 nights accommodation)

  • Meals - 8 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 4 dinners

  • One cooking class preparing local specialties with a team of Abruzzese ladies. All fresh ingredients included. Printed recipes supplied of meals created in cooking session as well as printed menus of many restaurant meals. Brochures and maps supplied.

  • Drinks with meals as indicated.

  • Wine tastings of Abruzzese D.O.C Montepulciano and Trebbiano wines as indicated.

  • Visits to several cellars in the region with guided visits. Grape picking in Autumn tours in harvest season, weather permitting.

  • Two unique performances of Italian and Abruzzese Folk songs and music featuring Michael Howard, tenor, accompanied by local musicians.

  • Guided visits and excursions to villages such as Chieti, Pescara, Loreto Aprutino, Fossacesia coast, Guardiagrele, Pennapiedimonte,  Fara San Martino, Civitella, Roccascalegna, Palena, Iuvanum, Roccamorice

  • Personalised guided visits to meet olive oil producers, grape growers and cheese makers with accompanying tastings.

  • Admission to the various historical sites, galleries and museums mentioned in the itinerary

  • Guided gentle to moderate outdoor walks in Maiella National Park -  mountain gorges, alpine valleys and hidden canyons (maximum 30 – 40 min each direction)

  • Services of tour leaders and local guides throughout the tour.

 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.

 

During this comfortable and immensely enjoyable tour of Abruzzo you will encounter a part of Italy not seen by many tourists - and an intimate look into the everyday lives of the Abruzzi people.

Featuring private concerts
with Michael Howard,
International tenor

Starting from Rome, you'll spend a leisurely journey into the heart of this magnificent region, a region that contains the highest mountains of the Appenine chain, fertile farmlands, verdant olive groves and vineyards, scintillating harbours and beaches, and a number of charming old towns and bustling cities.  You'll enjoy flavors, smells, sounds, and vistas that you will not find anywhere else in the world.

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 Breakfast    lunch Lunch    dinner Dinner

Day 1 - Sunday
Arrival: Rome to Ortona
lunch dinner

You will be met at Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci Airport at Fiumicino or Termini Central Station from 8.30 am. A small private air-conditioned coach will transfer you to Abruzzo in time for lunch at a country farmhouse. The afternoon is at leisure or unwind in a wine spa bath, followed by welcome drinks at the accommodation, then an exquisite seafood dinner overlooking the Adriatic.

Day 2 - Monday
 Loreto Aprutino - Olive groves, Medieval Church and Art
breakfast lunch

A scenic drive today through stunning countryside covered profusely with over 400,000 olive trees. Lunch at a charming country restaurant in Loreto Aprutino overlooking olive groves and gentle verdant hills. Meet a local producer and enjoy tastings of his Montepulciano wines and exquisite olive oils. Marvel at a superb 15th century fresco cycle. Evening: A magnificent tour highlight awaits with Michael Howard star tenor serenading us in a Victorian parlour with songs by Abruzzese composer, F.P.Tosti.

Michael Howard in concert

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

Day 3 - Tuesday
Pescara - Local vineyards, Wine tastings
breakfast dinner

Today we visit the Museum of the Abruzzo people, housed in an 18th Century Bourbon Jail beautifully displaying the traditions of sheep rearing and cheese making, grape harvesting, olive growing, jewellery, traditional costumes, ceramics and maiolica ware. Time for shopping Italian style - for those leather shoes and bags!  Afternoon visit to local cellars and enjoy tastings of Montepulciano and Trebbiano wines. A delightful 3 course dinner will be served at the country farm house.

Day 4 - Wednesday
 Chieti - Coastal scenes. Transfer to National Park
breakfast dinner

After breakfast we visit Chieti, a charming hilltop town where we can explore its ancient streets and alleys. Marvel at the elegant 19th century Opera House, and visit the colourful local market, pizzerias, gelaterias and cafes. Afternoon sightseeing takes in the Adriatic coast with ‘trabocchi’ - ancient fishing structures as well as the majestic 12th century church of S. Giovanni in Venere. Enjoy slow food at its best with an exquisite 4 course dinner in a converted mountain grotto.

Day 5 - Thursday
Gorge Walk -Picnic Lunch- Scenic drive - Cooking class - Concert
breakfast lunch dinner 

After a short walk in the spectacular gorge we will see ruins of a 9th Century monastery with sensational views to Monte Amaro and surrounding villages. We return to a sumptuous al fresco picnic lunch. In the evening create delicious regional specialties in a hands on cooking session with wonderful local Abruzzese Women.  As we enjoy the meal, be entertained by star tenor Michael Howard, joined by the local musicians. A truly unforgettable evening!

Day 6 - Friday
Monasteries - Guardiagrele- Artisans, Goldsmiths
breakfast lunch

Arrive at Pennapiedimonte, a village literally built into the rocky sides of the Appenines. Take in breathtaking mountain scenery with our leisurely alpine valley walk 669m above sea level and catch glimpses of grazing mountain sheep and goats.  A magical 4 course lunch in a superb restaurant and a local favourite, set in a beautifully restored 19th century carpenter’s workshop. Unwind afterwards as we stroll around Guardiagrele and meet traditional craftsmen in wrought iron work and goldsmiths making Abruzzese jewellery. Evening at leisure.

Day 7 - Saturday
Cheese Factory and Tastings - Medieval Castle
breakfast lunch

Drive along the picturesque edge of the Maiella National Park and visit a local cheese factory. Be delighted with tastings of fresh mozzarellas, ricotta, giuncata and pecorino cheeses. Visit the medieval castle of Roccascalegna perched on a rocky outcrop with the magnificent Appenines as backdrop. Leisurely lunch at a nearby Agriturismo. Evening - at leisure, or come with us to relax with the locals in a village bar. 

Day 8 - Sunday
Departure for Rome Fiumicino Airport.  End of Tour
breakfast

After breakfast, transfer to Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci airport at Fiumicino or make your own arrangements for your onward journey.
 

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.

     

    Want to extend your tour for a few more days?
    ItalianVisits.com can customize your tour.

    Contact: IV Travel
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