Abruzzo - Villages, Flavours and Traditions

Early afternoon arrival in Civitella del Tronto and meeting with the guide. Start of the visit to one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy". The Fortress of Civitella is one of the largest and most majestic works of military engineering in Europe and plays a very important role in the history of the Unification of Italy. Continue to Campli, famous for the Sanctuary of the Holy Staircase granted to the citizenship at the behest of Pope Clement XIV. At the end of the visit transfer to the hotel, in the Sulmona area, for dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast and day dedicated to a guided tour of the Abruzzo hinterland. Drive through the striking Sagittario Gorge to reach the Lake of San Domenico, the saint of snakes, with the hermitage of the same name, and finally Lake Scanno, on the edge of which lies the eponymous village of Scanno, one of the most photographed villages in Italy. Many elements combine to make it unique: its architecture, the picturesque and intricate narrow streets, the refined decorations of the portals. Craft traditions now almost completely disappeared elsewhere also survive here, such as the goldsmith's art and the production of bobbin lace, true works of art that embellish tablecloths, sheets and towels. In the afternoon, transfer to Sulmona, famous for its sugared almonds and home of the great Latin poet Ovid. Free time to taste Sulmona's sugared almonds and see the shop windows decorated with colorful sugared almond flowers and return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast, meet your guide and depart for the Gran Sasso National Park, one of the largest parks in Italy and an example of one of the richest biodiversities in Europe. Driving by bus along a road that skirts the majestic Gran Sasso mountain range, crossing breathtaking views, a stop will be made in Santo Stefano di Sessanio: in addition to being known for its lentils, which have been cultivated for centuries, the small village, as evidenced by the coat of arms at the entrance to the village, had prosperous trades with the Medici of Florence in the 1500s, who bought wool and sheep here. In the afternoon, continue to L' Aquila via Campo Imperatore, the Little Tibet of Italy, an evocative and charming place. Visit to the historic center of the city of L'Aquila, which is slowly but tenaciously rising again after the dramatic 2009 earthquake. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast and departure for Atri, one of the most beautiful and characteristic towns in Abruzzo nestled between sea and mountains. Meeting with guide and visit to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta with its cloister, Roman cisterns and historic center. Possibility of tasting licorice products, a local specialty. At the end of the visit departure for the return journey.