Abruzzo

The Abruzzo region of Italy is often overlooked by tourists. It has spectacular natural scenery, medieval castles and Roman ruins. Abruzzo, and its Lazio Molise National Park, is not only famous in Italy, but also all over the world as a model for nature conservation and environmental safeguards. Two-thirds of Abruzzo’s region is mountainous and one-third are gentle hills and coast. It’s the latter that we will be visiting.

Much of the region is designated as national or regional parkland with the coastal area being its largest protected area with excellent walking, hiking and bike trails. Plus, we have a canoe ride (with a guide and paddler) to cruise along the Tino, considered the most beautiful river in Italy.

We end our Italian holiday in Bologna, heralded as Italy’s culinary capital … no small feat in a nation renowned for its food. Here we spend a few days in a town famous for its porticoes, towers and palazzi that create one of Italy’s finest medieval cityscapes.

 

TOUR INCLUDES
● Roundtrip transportation from the east end to JFK
● Roundtrip air to Rome and return from Bologna
● 6 nights accommodations in the Abruzzo National Park area
● 2 nights accommodations in Bologna
● All service charges and taxes
● Breakfast every day
● 6 lunches
● 3 dinners
● Transportation in Italy by coach
● Sightseeing as per itinerary
● Sightseeing entrance fees
● Escorted walking tours

SPECIAL FEATURES
● Welcome dinner on arrival in Sulmona
● Visit to medieval rural church of Bominaco, called the “Sistine Chapel of Abruzzo”
● Wine tasting at the Valle Reale vineyard in Popoli
● 2 ½ hour easy river canoe ride (with guide/paddler)
● Bolognese pasta luncheon at the famous Tamborini Restaurant & Deli in Bologna
● Farewell dinner in Bologna at the Accademia dei Nottumi Villa

ITINERARY

Day 1: Thursday, June 6: Depart JFK
Depart from JFK to Rome

Day 2: Friday, June 7: Arrival in Rome. Onto Sulmona (D)
Arrival in Rome and transfer from the airport to Sulmona (about 90 miles). Afternoon to relax before dinner. Meet our tour guide and discuss the upcoming walking program.  Accommodations and welcome dinner at our hotel.

Day 3: Saturday, June 8: In Sulmona (B/L)
After breakfast, we meet our guide for our walking excursions.  Our first walk will be to the Gole del Sagittario. This is a beautiful walk surrounded by the turquoise colors of the waters. From the enchanting village of Villalago, passing through a beautiful path bordered by black pines to the Lake of S. Domenico, with its emerald waters and its small unique cuttings dug into the rock.  We will lunch at a local picnic area by the lake. In the afternoon we visit an ancient stone mill located in the village, followed by a transfer to the village of Scanno to visit a unique goldsmith shop and discover the ancient traditions of this art. A brief photo-stop at Lake Scanno before returning to our hotel and the evening and dinner on our own in Sulmona.
Waking distance about 1.5 miles -slight downhill path.

Day 4: Sunday, June 9: In Sulmona (B/L)
Breakfast, and then a visit the Monti della Laga National Park to Campo Imperatore to admire the lunar landscapes of “Little Tibet” and its beautiful pastures, after we drive to the majestic fortress of Rocca Calascio and the castle where we admire the breathtaking landscapes and nature at its best. Close to the castle there is a small church to view Santa Maria della Pietà. We then continue   to the village of Calascio for lunch at a typical restaurant.
Waking distance about 1 ½ miles.

Onto  Ville del Tirino to do our canoe excursion. We board our canoes that will be paddled by a guide as we relax while gliding through the clear waters and charming vistas. We start in San Martino and cruise for about 2 hours to Capo D’Acqua Spring to taste some of the wonderful local waters…and to take a swim. Return to the hotel. Dinner on our own and overnight in Sulmona.
Waking distance about 3 miles and canoe 2 ½ hours .

Day 5: Monday, June 10: In Sulmona (B/L/D)
Breakfast, and then this morning’s walk is to the wonderful Bosco di St. Antonio region (35 km from Sulmona), a place considered sacred and dedicated to Jupiter. As we walk, we will be able to admire centuries-old beech trees, which crown a fairy tale region that is full of charm. A brief stop will be made at St. Antonio followed by a stop at a local sheep farm with a tasting of typical local cheeses.
Waking distance about 3 ½ miles.

After lunch in a local restaurant, we continue to Pescocostanzo and a walk through the enchanting streets of the ancient village, one of the most beautiful in Italy. We will also take time to visit the Tombolo Museum, known for its ancient typical Abruzzese lace. Return to our hotel for a free evening and overnight.
Waking distance about 1 mile.

Day 6: Tuesday, June 11: Transfer day to Majella National Park. (B/L)
After breakfast, we leave Sulmona and drive to the medieval rural church of Bominaco. Bominaco is called the Sistine Chapel of Abruzzo for its XI century original paintings. After the visit we drive through the Navelli’s plateau famous for its saffron, and continue to Valle Reale vineyard in Popoli. We will have a tour, wine tasting and lunch at the vineyard. Afterwards, we continue to Decontra di Caramanico Terme for our overnight accommodations right in the heart of the Majella National Park. Dinner on our own.

Day 7: Wednesday, June 12: At Majella National Park (B/L)
In the heart of Majella National Park, the suggested hike takes place in the enchanting wood of Lama Bianca, on the layers of Mt. Amaro, between fresh sources and wonderful beeches. From Fonte della Fratta (3,500 ft) to Fonte Persichillo (4,000 ft) in Lama bianca, passing through the main path and returning through Fonte Cafaggio.
Waking distance about 4 miles.

We will lunch at a local picnic area. After is possible to visit Roccacaramanico, a splendid medieval village, hamlet of the municipality of Sant’ Eufemia in Maiella, in the province of Pescara. It rises on the slopes of Morrone at 1080 mt. is the highest centre of the province. Years ago, it was called the “ghost country” because it was completely uninhabited. Now this bunch of charming stone houses, perched on the mountain with a tower-like configuration, thanks to targeted recovery operations, especially at weekends and in summer, return to life. The streets of this unspoild corner are animated by families and young people who spend their holidays and free time here in the peace and beauty of nature, in the heart of the Majella National Park. Return to our hotel where we have the evening to relax and have dinner at one of the local restaurants.

Day 8: Thursday, June 13: To Bologna (B/L)
Depart in the morning for Bologna. After checking into our hotel, we will depart for lunch at the world famous Tamburini Restaurant & Deli (listed in one for the 1,000 places you have to visit before you die).  Here we will experience the famous Pasta Bolognese.  After lunch, we have an afternoon walking tour of Bologna’s historical center. The first major attraction we see is the Neptune Fountain (Fontana del Nettuno in Italian) located in Piazza Maggiore, and that has become one of the city symbols, plus the Basilica di San Petronio. The enormous church is unfinished outside, and there are some interesting features inside which our guide will point out. Our next stop is the Piazza della Mercanzia, where food stalls line side streets and we can see the colorful produce that’s in season and local to this region. Then we make our way to the Archiginnasio, which was once the home of the University of Bologna – the world’s oldest university that was opened in the 11th century. After basking in the glow of Bologna’s historic university, we continue to the Church of Santa Maria della Vita to see an impressive collection of 15th-century life-sized terracotta figures mourning the death of Christ. The final stop on our tour is at the base of the two leaning towers in the heart of historic Bologna, known as the Due Torri in Italian. Balance of the day and evening on your own to explore and dine independently.

Day 9: Friday, June 14: In Bologna (B/D)
After breakfast, the day is free for independent exploration. Walking inside the city center is a great way to discover the real Bologna’s incredible food culture. Walk around different markets like Mercato delle Erbe or Quadrilatero, the medieval market of Bologna. Visit some of the shops or museums and explore this wonderful city. In the late afternoon we meet for our Farewell dinner as we board our coach to travel just outside the city to the Accademia Dei Notturini. After dinner we return to our hotel for our overnight.

Day 10: Saturday, June 15: Back to New YorkTransfer to the Airport for our connecting flights back to JFK. Same day arrival and after Immigration & Customs, transfer back to the East End.

HOTELS (or similar)

Sulmona: Hotel Ovidius – 4 nights

Majella National Park. Hotel La Reserve-2 nights  –  Bologna: Hotel Al Ceppelo Rosso-2 nights

 

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Travel Insurance

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