The Abruzzo, Puglia & Matera Experience

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Description

Summary

Starts
Rome
Duration
12 days
Languages
English
Difficulty
Easy
Minimum age
14 years

Description

Embark on a 12-day cultural journey through Italy's enchanting landscapes, charming towns, and historical sites. This multi-day tour offers an immersive experience into Italy's rich history, vibrant culture, and delectable cuisine. From the poetic town of Sulmona to the ancient Roman town of Vasto, the beautiful Trabocchi coast, and the UNESCO heritage sites of Alberobello and Matera, this tour is a feast for the senses. Enjoy traditional cooking classes, wine tasting, artisanal jewelry making, and more. Stay in comfortable accommodations, savor local delicacies, and enjoy the company of friendly local guides who will make your Italian vacation truly unforgettable.

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Included

Daily breakfast buffet

14 meals (food, water & house wine) in selected restaurants, a farmhouse, a private home, a winery and a trabocco fishing hut based on traditional regional dishes. Some evenings are free for you to explore the towns by yourself

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Guided tastings of wines, confetti, olive oil, panzerotti and focaccia bread and visits to the producers

2 Hands-on authentic Abruzzo and Puglia cooking classes and associated food costs

Personalized cooking booklet and apron

Daily trips, excursions and guided tours

All entry fees for museums

Art experience with a local artist

All taxes

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English-speaking professional tour directors and licensed local guides as per itinerary

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2 nights in Sulmona at Hotel Ovidius

4 nights in Vasto at Hotel San Marco (or similar accommodation)

5 nights in Conversano at Hotel Corte Altavilla. Standard rooms, centrally located accommodations

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All transports for daily trips and excursions will be in an air conditioned minibus or car

Pick up in Rome Fiumicino airport and drop off in Bari airport/train station in an air conditioned minibus or car

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Destinations

Monteodorisio
Photo of Scenic sight in Polignano a Mare, Bari Province, Apulia (Puglia), southern Italy.Bari
Roccascalegna
Photo of nice scenic city scape in Monopoli, province of Bari, Italy.Monopoli
Torre Egnazia
Photo of aerial view of Vasto Marina and Adriatic sea, Italy.Vasto
Alberobello
Photo of aerial view of of the city of Trani, Puglia, Italy.Trani
San Salvo
Polignano a Mare
Conversano
Photo of panoramic view of the ancient town of Matera (Sassi di Matera), European Capital of Culture 2019, in beautiful golden morning light with blue sky and clouds, Basilicata, southern Italy.Matera
Sulmona
Photo of aerial view of the city of Fiumicino ,Italy.Fiumicino

Map

Attractions

Castle of RoccascalegnaCastle of Roccascalegna
Porta Bari
Larino Historical Center, Larino, Campobasso, Molise, ItalyLarino Historical Center
View of the beach lama Monachile Cala porto in Polignano, Puglia (Apulia), Italy. Polignano seaside of Adriatic Sea, Puglia, Italy. Polignano is a town and comune in the Metropopolitan City of Bari.Lama Monachile
Punta Penna tower, Vasto, Chieti, Abruzzo, ItalyPunta Penna tower
La Rotonda
Acqua Splash – Alberobello
Cala Casarza di Vasto
Lago di Scanno
Centro di Pescocostanzo - Piazza Municipio
Conversano Castle in Italy.Conversano Castle
Chefs Museum
Church of Saint Clare
Lungomare di Polignano a Mare
Biotopo Costiero San Salvo Marina
Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
Piana Delle Mele
Porto di Trani
Hermitage of Sant'Angelo di Palombaro
Chiesa Diruta
Roman amphitheatre of Larino
Church of Santa Maria di Cartiganano, Bussi sul Tirino, Pescara, Abruzzo, ItalyChurch of Santa Maria di Cartiganano
Riserva regionale Abetina di Rosello, Rosello, Chieti, Abruzzo, ItalyRiserva regionale Abetina di Rosello
Museo NicolaianoMuseo Nicolaiano

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 – Day 1: Rome to Sulmona

  • Sulmona
  • Fiumicino - Arrival day
  • More

Your Italian adventure begins with a pick-up from Rome Fiumicino airport at 12:30 pm. We'll transfer to the beautiful town of Sulmona, known as the birthplace of the Roman poet Ovid. Here, you'll meet your local guide and founder of Italia Sweet Italia, Fabrizio. After settling into your accommodation at Hotel Ovidius (or similar), enjoy a welcome dinner and rest up for the exciting days ahead.

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Sulmona

  • Sulmona
  • More
  • Centro di Pescocostanzo - Piazza Municipio
  • Chefs Museum
  • Church of Santa Maria di Cartiganano
  • More

After a leisurely traditional breakfast, we'll visit the Confetti Museum, showcasing the ancient Sulmonese art of confectionery. Following a confetti tasting, we'll explore Sulmona's landmarks, including the Medieval aqueduct on Piazza Garibaldi and the Church of Santa Maria Annunziata. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the town center. The afternoon is yours to explore at your leisure. Visit museums, art galleries, or simply soak in the relaxing Sulmona atmosphere. In the evening, you're free to dine at one of the many local restaurants.

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: Sulmona to Vasto via Scanno

  • Vasto
  • More
  • Lago di Scanno
  • Piana Delle Mele
  • Hermitage of Sant'Angelo di Palombaro
  • More

After checking out from the hotel, we'll journey across the stunning Abruzzo mountains and National Parks to the ancient Roman town of Vasto. En route, we'll visit the enchanting Hermitage of San Domenico in Villalago and the picturesque village of Scanno, renowned for its alleys, churches, landscapes, and artisan boutiques. After lunch in a traditional restaurant in Scanno, we'll visit a local jewelry shop where you can admire the 'Presentosa', a traditional Abruzzo jewel. We'll then proceed to Vasto, where you'll check into your hotel in the historical downtown. The day concludes with a group dinner in a traditional restaurant in the heart of Vasto.

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: Exploring Vasto and Cooking Class

  • Vasto
  • San Salvo
  • More
  • Larino Historical Center
  • Biotopo Costiero San Salvo Marina
  • Roman amphitheatre of Larino
  • More

We'll start the day with a visit to Vasto's vibrant market to pick up fresh seasonal products. Then, we'll head to the countryside where you'll meet Fabrizio's family for an exclusive cooking class. Learn how to make fresh pasta and be introduced to Abruzzo sauces. After a hearty lunch featuring the dishes you've prepared, we'll embark on a guided tour of Vasto's historic center, exploring the medieval Castle, charming lanes, the Cathedral, and Piazza Rossetti. The evening is yours to explore and dine at your leisure in one of Vasto's many restaurants.

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Trabocchi Coast, Winery Visit and Art Farm Experience

  • Vasto
  • San Salvo
  • Monteodorisio
  • More
  • Punta Penna tower
  • Cala Casarza di Vasto
  • Riserva regionale Abetina di Rosello
  • More

After breakfast, we'll explore the famous Trabocchi coast, starting with a short walk inside the Punta Aderci Nature Reserve. Next, we'll visit an award-winning winery for a wine tasting and lunch. In the afternoon, we'll drive to the hilltop village of Lentella to visit Ettore's 'Fattoria d'Arte' (Art farm). Here, you can enjoy an easy walk, an artistic experience, and create your own Abruzzo souvenir. The day concludes with an aperitif and a traditional dinner with Ettore and his wife Barbara.

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Day 6

Day 6 – Day 6: Roccascalegna and Trabocco Visit

  • Vasto
  • Roccascalegna
  • San Salvo
  • More
  • Castle of Roccascalegna
  • More

After breakfast, we'll drive inland to explore the enchanting castle in the sky in the charming village of Roccascalegna. Next, we'll visit a trabocco, a unique fishing platform, where our host Rinaldo will show us how to fish and share the history behind these structures. After a seafood lunch prepared by Rinaldo's wife Maria, the afternoon is yours to explore Vasto at your leisure. You may choose to visit the beach, museums, art galleries, or simply enjoy the relaxing ambiance of the town. In the evening, you're free to dine at one of the many local restaurants.

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Day 7

Day 7 – Day 7: Vasto to Conversano via Trani

  • Conversano
  • Trani
  • San Salvo
  • More
  • Conversano Castle
  • Church of Saint Clare
  • Porto di Trani
  • More

After checking out from the hotel, we'll move to Puglia and visit the beautiful town of Trani. Here, we'll explore the little fishing port, the Church of the Templar Knights, and the historical district with our local guide Katia. After some free time for lunch, we'll transfer to Conversano and check into Hotel Corte Altavilla (or similar) located in the historical downtown. Enjoy a guided walking tour in Conversano, exploring the ancient town with its medieval Castle and Romanesque cathedral. The day concludes with a welcome to Puglia group dinner in a traditional restaurant in the heart of Conversano.

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Day 8

Day 8 – Day 8: Bari and Polignano a Mare

  • Bari
  • Polignano a Mare
  • Conversano
  • Torre Egnazia
  • More
  • Porta Bari
  • Lungomare di Polignano a Mare
  • Museo Nicolaiano
  • More

After breakfast, we'll drive to Bari, the capital city of Puglia. We'll explore the city center, Bari Vecchia (Old Bari), and visit San Nicola's church. You'll also have the chance to meet local ladies making fresh pasta in the enchanting streets. Enjoy a tasting of traditional panzerotti in a local bakery. Afterward, we'll drive to Polignano a mare for a traditional lunch and to discover its wonderful sea views and charming alleys. The evening is yours to explore and dine at your leisure in Conversano.

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Day 9

Day 9 – Day 9: Cooking Class and Monopoli Visit

  • Conversano
  • Monopoli
  • Torre Egnazia
  • More
  • Lama Monachile
  • Church of Saint Francis of Assisi
  • More

After breakfast, we'll move to an ancient masseria (typical Apulian farmhouse) in Monopoli for a cooking class. Learn how to make traditional recipes such as orecchiette pasta, melanzane alla parmigiana (eggplant parmigiana), and Almond sweets. Enjoy a lunch featuring the dishes you've prepared. In the afternoon, we'll have a guided tour of Monopoli, a seaside town rich in history and charm. The evening is yours to explore and dine at your leisure in one of Conversano's many restaurants.

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Day 10

Day 10 – Day 10: Olive Oil Mill, Locorotondo, and Alberobello

  • Alberobello
  • Conversano
  • Torre Egnazia
  • More
  • La Rotonda
  • Acqua Splash – Alberobello
  • Lungomare di Polignano a Mare
  • More

After breakfast, we'll drive south to visit an ancient olive oil mill for an extra virgin olive oil tasting. We'll then explore the charming village of Locorotondo, known for its circular shape. Next, we'll move to the UNESCO site of Alberobello for a traditional lunch. In the afternoon, we'll have a guided tour and walk among the trulli, the unique cone-roofed houses of Alberobello. The evening is yours to explore and dine at your leisure in one of Conversano's many restaurants.

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Day 11

Day 11 – Day 11: Matera Visit

  • Matera
  • Conversano
  • Torre Egnazia
  • More
  • Sassi di Matera
  • Chiesa Diruta
  • More

After breakfast, we'll drive to the spectacular city of Matera in the Basilicata Region. Here, we'll have a guided tour of the UNESCO site of 'the Sassi', a complex of cave houses and rocky churches where time seems to have stopped. After some free time to explore Matera by yourself or to relax, we'll enjoy a Focaccia and bread tasting with a light lunch in a traditional bakery in Matera. We'll then return to your hotel in Conversano. The evening is yours to relax, pack, or do last-minute shopping before we enjoy a farewell dinner at Hotel Corte Altavilla.

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Day 12

Day 12 – Day 12: Departure

  • Conversano
  • Torre Egnazia
  • Bari - Departure day
  • More

After breakfast, we'll depart for Bari airport or your next destination. As we say goodbye, we hope that you take away beautiful memories and leave a piece of your heart in Italy. Arrivederci!

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