A Classic Meets the Authentic & Undiscovered

 

Rome & Abruzzo Discovery, Cookery & Foodie Experience

 

 

DAY ONE

 

 Ancient Rome – Colosseum – Roman Forum – Piazza Venezia - Pantheon

• Welcome to Rome!
• In the afternoon you will meet with your very own Host at the Colosseum to start an insightful immersion into the history and culture of Ancient Rome
• Walk through the fascinating history of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, followed by a guided tour of both Piazza Venezia and the Pantheon …a fascinating experience with your Host through the heart of Rome to discover and enjoy so much more than meets the eye!
• Dinner in a local Trattoria with Roman specialties and local wines

 

 

DAY TWO

 

Vatican Museums – Sistine Chapel – Stanze di Raffaello – St Peter’s Basilica

Hidden Rome - Moses by Michelangelo

• After an early breakfast, it will be time to meet your Host at the Vatican Museums to visit the Vatican Museums, including:
  • Sistine Chapel
  • Stanze di Raffaello (Raphael Rooms)
  • Saint Peter’s Basilica
• After a light lunch break, an afternoon dedicated to the discovery of Hidden Rome, its secret gems!
  • San Clemente Basilica and its Undergrounds
  • San Pietro in Vincoli Basilica (St Peter’s in Chains) and the Moses by Michelangelo, universally acknowledged as of the greatest masterpieces of Italian art
• Dinner in a local Trattoria with Roman specialties and local wines
• Evening at leisure

 

 

DAY THREE

 

Cookery Experience – Fountains & Piazzas

 

·   This morning, sleeves up for a cooking session at our exclusive venue near Piazza Navona with our Chef and Hosts to discover the most famous Roman recipes & dishes

·   Lunch to sample the furits of our labour

·   After lunch, a leisurely guided walk with your Host to discover the secrets of Rome’s most iconic Fountains & Piazzas:

• Piazza Barberini
• Tritone Fountain
• Campo dei Fiori
• Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps
• Trevi Fountain
• Piazza Colonna
• Piazza di Pietra
• Piazza Navona

·       Aperitivo in Piazza Navona to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of Rome at its best!

• Dinner in a local Trattoria with Roman specialties and local wines and evening at leisure

 

DAY FOUR

 

Rome  – Agriturismo La Rustica - Pasta & Sauces Cookery lesson

 

• 10:30/11:00am: It will be time to say Goodbye to your Hosts in Rome as we start a journey of discovery into the unspoilt and undiscovered region of Abruzzo
• Our journey of discovery starts with a very scenic drive along the Autostrada dei Parchi as we head into the Abruzzo region along the most beautiful Autostrada in Italy through the Gran Sasso mountain Range
• Our first stop will be in the fascinating medieval town of Celano, dominated by its dramatically impressive Castello Piccolomini, a former Fortress the foundations of which date back to the XII century
• Typical lunch in the shade of the Castello at Madonne delle Vigne hosted by Mamma Luisa and Chef  Sandro, as we talk about the intriguing history of this town that spans centuries and includes Roman Emperors and Popes enjoying glasses of Prosecco, Montepulciano and Trebbiano
• Then we set off to reach the charming Agriturismo La Rustica or Antica Dimora in the sweeping hills of the Pescara countrysid
• Welcome drink aperitif by the pool and under the olive trees
• Chance to walk through the vineyards by the Agriturismo to learn more about the world of Abruzzo wines with a stroll through the nearby vineyards amid the maturing sweet fruits of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Pecorino, Cococciola, Moscatello, etc…
• 6/6:30pm:This afternoon…sleeves up for an afternoon hands-on cooking class with Mamma Nicoletta and Chef Cristina  to disclose the secrets of fresh pasta, lasagna, tomato sauces and the very best of fine Abruzzese and Italian cuisine
• We will  also indulge in the preparation of typical desserts like pizzelle!
• Dinner to sample the fruits of our labour sipping glasses of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

 

 

DAY FIVE

 

Mozzarella Making - Nocciano - Cantine Bosco Wine Tasting & Special Lunch - Wine Tastings

 Olive Oil Tasting & Special Dinner

• After breakfast, we set off to a nearby small cheese factory in the area to make our own fresh mozzarella  with our good host Claudio
• Then we reach the nearby Cantine Bosco, where Giovanna will guide us through their impressive Wine Museum followed by a guided tasting at the winery
• Lunch will be a very special experience in the nearby hilltop town of Nocciano, as our lovely hosts Rossella and Cecilia will prepare a unique culinary delight paired with their own Montepulciano red
• After lunch, return to Agriturismo La Rustica for a bit of relax

• In the late afternoon, we head to the hilltop town of Bucchianico for and Olive Oil Tasting followed by yet another treat as dinner nearby will also be an incredible wine-tasting experience!
• A short stroll down Bucchianico’s narrow alleyways to meet our sommelier Claudio, who will open his exclusive cantina for a wine-tasting aperitif and dinner with a delicious selection of local savouries tasting selected wines
• Return to Agriturismo La Rustica or Antica Dimora

 

DAY SIX

 

Costa dei Trabocchi – Fish Class – Villa Danilo

• After breakfast, a lovely drive along the beautiful Costa dei Trabocchi will take us to the beautiful town of Fossacesia and its XII century Abbey of S. Giovanni in Venere overlooking the stunning Golfo di Venere and the oldest olive tree in Abruzzo

• Today’s cooking class will be unique: our hosts will guide us through the preparation of fine, yet simple, fish dishes…a tantalizing gastronomic experience with Master Chef Mirko!!
• Time permitting (exclusively in case of early departure around 8:30am), en-route stop will be the coastal town of Ortona, a famous port village dating back to the Roman Empire
• Home to Francesco Paolo Tosti, the Italian Composer who became Singing Master to the British Royal Family in 1880, Ortona features the Passeggiata Orientale, a lovely elevated stroll coasting the Adriatic Sea culminating with Ortona’s monumental military bastion, the Renaissance Aragonese Castle

• Later this afternoon we will reach lovely Hotel Villa Danilo in Gamberale, in the Maiella National Park

• Welcome drink aperitif, presentation of staff and introduction to the second part of the Cookery Holiday with Gino, Pasquale and Chef Emanuele
• Exquisite dinner at Villa Danilo with Montepulciano and Trebbiano
• Good night’s rest

 

DAY SEVEN

 

Truffle Hunting - Elements of Meat Masterclass – Tiramisu

 

• 09:30 This morning, an authentic truffle hunt in the woods with our local truffle hunter Primiano along with his precious truffle gold diggers “Ruby” and “Miss”
• Our destination will be our host’s most secret spots in Abruzzo to unbury the precious underground delicacy… let’s cross fingers for good luck!
• Return to Villa Danilo for some time at leisure to relax by the pool, enjoy a personal Yoga session or Villa Danilo’s little Grotto Spa with Massages
• Truffle lunch at Villa Danilo with our very own precious delicacies
• Later this afternoon, chance to peek in the kitchen and tackle some more typical Abruzzese recipes with the Chef, which might include a main course as agnello (lamb), wild boar or delicious appetizers followed by Tiramisù!
• Dinner will be at Villa Danilo

 

DAY EIGHT

 

Vegetarian Masterclass at “Il Mulino” Agriturismo - Pizza Masterclass

 

• After breakfast,  we set off to reach the nearby Agriturismo Il Mulino in the hilltop village of Roio Del Sangro, where our hosts Chef Alessia, Chef Mirella and Pino will entertain us in a hands-on veggie cookery session
• Our lesson will cover the preparation of vegetarian specialities using the best local produce, greens and accompanying it all with organic Trebbiano, Cerasuolo and Montepulciano
• Lunch will be a feast of the sense with our own preparations
• Return to Villa Danilo for an afternoon at leisure
• 18:30: Evening  pizza making class with our own truffles for the most elegant pizzas in the world…….ready to spin and bake in a proper wood-burning oven??
• Dinner with our creations

 

DAY NINE

 

Roman Sulmona – Market Day -  Wine Tasting

Medieval Santo Stefano di Sessanio - Rocca Calascio Fortress & Sunset

 

• 9:30am: After breakfast, we say goodbye to our hosts at Villa Danilo and head toward the classically beautiful Italian town of Sulmona, world renowned for its confetti
• A leisurely stroll through this historical village to visit its shops and its market in Sulmona’s busy Piazza Garibaldi towered by the historical Roman Aqueduct
• We recommend a stop at Fernanda and Giovanna’s pretty honey-shop by the Piazza for a sweet honey-tasting and a chance to purchase lovely and tasty special gifts

• As the buzz of Sulmona’s “passeggiata sul Corso” (the stroll) winds down for lunch, we head to the nearby beautiful Valle Reale Winery in Popoli, where our lovely hosts will introduce us to some of the most exclusive organic Abruzzo wines in stunning surroundings!
• A walk through the vineyards before sitting for lunch accompanied by highly selected wines knowledgably introduced and described by our hosts
• Transfer to the fascinating  medieval village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio, on the majestic Gran Sasso d’Italia

• Time at leisure to explore Santo Stefano’s picturesque at your own pace

• Dinner in Santo Stefano and a good night’s rest

 

 

DAY TEN

 

Morning: Saffron Fields & Masterclass

 

• 09:30: After breakfast, we head towards the nearby Navelli Plateau  in Abruzzo’s “Saffron Valley”, where our host Francesco in the XII century village of Prata D’Ansidonia will guide us through the fields and the secrets of mastering this very precious spice
• Saffron Masterclass and lunch with Chef Nello at his restaurant nearby to learn all about Risotto

 

Afternoon: Campo Imperatore -  Pecorino d’Abruzzo & Ricotta & Cheese Tasting in

Castel del Monte

 

• 15:30: our destination will be the breathtaking plateau of Campo Imperatore, Italy’s majestic alpine meadow, part of the Apennines
• With a bit of luck, we might be able to spot not only herds of sheep and horses but also the Apennine Wolves and Chamois as well as Peregrine Falcons 
• We head towards the village of Castel Del Monte, widely renowned for its unique “Pecorino Canestrato”
• Visit to the local cheese shop for a pecorino cheese making session and to see “the birth of Ricotta” accompanied by a cheese tasting with our lovely hosts Rosetta and Donatella
• Then a short drive to enjoy a Sunset over the Gran Sasso that will take us to visit the nearby medieval Fortress of Rocca Calascio for great views and dinner

 

 

DAY ELEVEN

 

Transfer to Rome

 

• After a leisurely breakfast, transfer to Rome….arrivederci Abruzzo!!

 

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Highlights & What's included

€3950  eur 

• Guests: min 5 / max 7
• Starting point: Rome @ 14:00am on Day One (please contact us for arrangements)
• Ending point: Rome Airport on Day Eleven (please contact us for arrangements)
• Fully escorted by our Tour Leader and Hosts
• All Transfers
• ROME EXPERIENCE: does not include Hotels, which guests are free to arrange
• Accommodation 11 days / 10 nights: SINGLE/DOUBLE EN-SUITE ROOM ACCOMMODATION (NO single room  supplement!) in selected venues that deliver a true feeling for the town & area
  • 3 nights in Rome (Hotel 3S in central Rome)
  • 2 nights at the lovely Agriturismo La Rustica  in the sweeping hills of the Pescara  countryside
  • 3 nights at the beautiful Hotel Villa Danilo in the Maiella National Park
  • 2 nights in the fascinating medieval village of  Santo Stefano di Sessanio  in the majestic Gran Sasso

• An exciting and unique journey of discovery through the very best of  Authentic Italy
• Hands-on Cookery Classes at our highly selected venues under the guidance of our Chefs
• Foodie Experiences:
  • Hands on Pasta & Sauces Making with Mamma and Chefs in Rome and throughout Abruzzo
  • Main Course Masterclass – Elements of Meat Masterclass
  • Dessert Masterclass
  • Pizza Masterclass
  • Fish Masterclass along the stunning Costa dei Trabocchi
  • Olive Oil Tasting in a beautiful olive mill dating back to the early 1700’s
  • Veggie Masterclass in a stunning 15^th century Watermill
  • Authentic Truffle Hunting in the woods
  • Mozzarella Making Experience
  • Pecorino d’Abruzzo Cheese & Ricotta making
  • Saffron Experience and Masterclass
  • Wine Tastings
  • Exclusive Abruzzo1.com Add-ons available on request
• All restaurants and venues are highly selected and offer the most special Abruzzo1 & ItaliaSpeciale Experiences!
• All meals included as per the program with highly selected wines from Abruzzo as part of the Abruzzo1.com Experience

Not included

• Hotels in Rome
• Gratuities

A word on Tipping

At Italia Speciale our mission is to assure only the best experiences possible around Italy through our highly selected network of Partners and Hosts, all committed to delivering the highest standards of knowledge and service to our guests. We do this by nature and soul, as proud as we are of our proposals and our people. Tips are never expected and always come as a nice bonus for our partners.

Should you feel the need to share a token of gratitude, ideally your Host should collect €75 eur in cash per guest on Day 3 to cover all tips that deserve to be shared among all Partners. Tips are not compulsory by any means, and should be given exclusively for high quality service.

 

Payment: Bank Transfer + bank charges | Credit Card: +3.5% | Cash: €100 eur discount

 

Italia Speciale - Leonardo De Flaviis