ABRUZZO
SPRING 2024
ABRUZZO
JUNE 8-15, 2025
Venture down roads less traveled in this still very untouched region of Southern Italy; Where shepherds wander through the hills with their flocks, and folklore and legends abound.
Savor the local cuisine... porchetta, warm sheep's milk ricotta, chocolate and chili peppers, and the unbelievable "maccheroni alla mugnaia", the longest single strand pasta in Italy.
Spend 3 nights in Sulmona, and 2 nights in Santo Stefano di Sessanio, at Hotel Sextantio, situated in the mountains of the magnificent Parco Nazionale della Majella.
Your home in Abruzzo, B&B Il Marchese del Grillo, Sulmona, Italy
A few steps from the main piazza in Sulmona, BB Il Marchese del Grillo offers air conditioned rooms with free WiFi, private bathroom and shower, and flat screen satellite TV. Housed in an 18th century building, it features a panoramic terrace, elegant décor and wooden or terracotta floors.
Served in the breakfast room or on the terrace in fine weather, guests enjoy a sweet and savory breakfast every morning. A fully equipped kitchen, library and reading room are also available on site.
DAY 1
Welcome to Italy!
We will pick you up at Roma Fiumicino Airport or Roma Termini Station. Enjoy the scenery on our drive to Sulmona where we will check into B&B Il Marchese del Grillo. Settle in and meet for aperitivo and welcome dinner in Sulmona.
DAY 2
Visit an organic cheese farm in the mountains and walk through the countryside with the shepherd and his sheep followed by a cheese tasting and lunch. After lunch, explore the ancient village of Scanno, visit artisan's workshops and hunt for local liquors, artisanal pastas, and baked goods at shops tucked away in the tiny stone alleys. Dinner in Pacentro tonight.
DAY 3
Free morning in Sulmona before heading to the Adriatic Coast to have the freshest seafood lunch imaginable on a historic "traboccho", (an Abruzzese fishing shack). Fishing nets are lowered and whatever is caught is the menu for the evening! These piers dot the coast creating a protected World UNESCO Site. Dinner on your own tonight.
DAY 4 SULMONA'S STREET FOOD & SWEETS
Today we will have a food crawl of Sulmona's best bites. It's market day and a must stop is a porchetta panino from the from the food truck in Piazza Garibaldi. After that it's onto olive Ascolane and fried treats, cheeses, salumi, wine, boconotte, conffetti almonds, torrone, and Sulmona's specialty almond coffee. Some great souveneirs can be found at the market too, especially pasta tools, handmade soaps, lace, and more. The rest of the day is your's to have free with dinner on your own tonight.
DAY 5 WINE & PASTA
Abruzzo is home to some of the best wine producers in Italy. We will stop at Torrei dei Beati winery today for a tasting and tour with the outstanding, (and very funny and adorable!), winemaker Fausto Alabanese. Spend some time in the vineyard sipping the best vintages before our family style feast of Abbruzzese speciatlies including maccheroni alla mugnaia, an 8 foot single strand, hand pulled pasta only made a very few villages in Italy. Dinner on your own tonight in Sulmona.
DAY 6 TRANSFER TO SANTO STEFANO DI SESSANIO
We say good bye to Sulmona and head into the mountains to the ancient village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio. On the way we wiil stop at a farmhouse in Caramanico for a hands on cooking class with the women of the village. After lunch we will visit an ancient church hidden way up in the mountains with frescos believed to have been painted by Michaelangelo.
From the church it's a short drive to Santo Stefano di Sessanio where we will check into our "albergo diffuso",
Hotel Sextantio. Accommodations are in your own apartment which are owned by the hotel in this tiny village. Each apartment has been fully renovated with modern amenities, which are cleverly incorporated into each room's design, allowing you to experience the village's antiquity in comfort. Linens and decorative items for the rooms were all made by local craftsmen in the amazing restoration project. Check in and join the other guests for aperitivo before dinner.
DAY 7 IL CAMPO IMPERARTORE
While in Santo Stefano, we will explore the Parco Nazionale and Campo Imperitore, visit an arrosticini shack and BBQ with the locals, the village of Castel del Monte, hike to Rocca Colascio above the town with a guide, (Optional. It's quite high up!), and meet the artisans of Santo Stefano di Sessanio. Farewell dinner together in the village tonight.
DAY 8
Morning transport back to Rome for departure. Until next time!
Abruzzo 6 night tour rate
$4,900.00 per person, double occupancy
Included in price:
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5 Night Accommodations at B&B Il Marchese del Grillo in Sulmona.
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2 Night at Hotel Sextantio, in Santo Stefano di Sessanio.
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Double Room, Queen size bed, air conditioning, en-suite private bath, TV, Wi-Fi.
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Breakfast daily.
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6 Lunches & 4 Dinners.
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Wine included with all meals.
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Private transportation throughout the tour.
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All entrance fees and tours.
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All taxes and gratuities.
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Airport transfers to and from Rome.
Not Included:
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International Airfare
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Travel insurance
Reserve your spot for Abruzzo 2025
For questions or to book,
please email Angela at angela@cicalarestaurant.com
or call
(443) 440-0473 between
10am-5pm EST
