Itinerary
Adventure Awaits
Sunday
Airport Pickup in Rome at 11 am on day of your arrival
Welcoming Pranzo (Lunch) in our home village, Castel Castagna
Check into your room and relax
Tour around Castagna
Apertivo in a nearby town
Pizza Dinner in Val Vomano
Monday
Sapori Del Gran Sasso is a five star cheese factory that sits at the foot of the Gran Sasso mountain. There you will learn the process to make Pecorino cheese and taste fresh. It’s famous for being known as the “best pecorino in Abbruzo”
Pranzo
Pietra Camela is a small town also at the foot of the Gran Sasso in the Abruzzo natural park. It’s original name is Petra which stems from the fact that the houses were built on huge boulders brought downstream from the melting glaciers of Campo Pericoli. Many houses here date back to 1400! This small village was admitted to be one of “the most beautiful villages in Italy.”
There is a huge boulder that sits over top this tiny town. Something you can see in the distance as you approach Pietra Camela.
Aperitivo
Dinner at Chef Giammarco’s casa. One of our father’s closest childhood friends, the happiest man in Italy and a local legend.
Tuesday
Visit a local winery. Here you will drink the wines of this region, one of the oldest wine-growing regions of the world. The red being the Montepulciano grape and the white Trebbiano grape are the dominant varieties.
For pranzo you will experience an 8 course feast paired with wine,at our father’s close friend’s gourmet restaurant, Masseria Tattoni. Tucked in the rolling hills of olive trees and vineyards.
The majestic views will make you feel like you are in a movie.
Light dinner will be in a nearby town.
Wednesday
A trip to Sulmona, a small famous city known for being the capital of sugar coated almonds also known as confetti in Italian.
Sulmona is known as the city of love, as the statue of the poet Ovid remains there. Fun fact: The American featuring George Clooney was partially filmed here. There is a beautiful piazza where music is often played and of course gelato is had.
Pranzo in Sulmona
Cena (Dinner) at a local favorite
Thursday
We will start the day by stopping at an incredible bakery.
A little over an hour's drive, sits a magical castle, ROCCA CALASCIO. One of the oldest standing forts in all of Italy. The highest mountain top fort in this country. 1460 m above sea level. Built in the 10th century as a watch tower. Movies have been filmed at this breathtaking location.
Next stop is Castel Del Monte. Located in the heart of the Gran Sasso mountain range. A medieval and renaissance hill town. Classified as the “burgh piu belli d’italia” or “most beautiful village of Italy.”
For dinner, we will take you out to experience Arrostacini.
*Arrrosticini is a traditional Abruzzese cuisine of lamb skewers grilled over coals and served with homemade bread, extra virgin olive oil and delicious cheese. This is a staple for many people of this region. This local restaurant also serves a variety of other delicious items.
Friday
Enjoy a morning of pasta making in Castel Castagna. Here you will learn how to make homemade pasta, with the best of the best. After creating the pasta, we will all gather and have a gourmet lunch.
A rest after lunch
Then a trip to Castelli. This medieval town is internationally known for its handmade ceramics. We will take some time and visit ceramic studios and do some shopping if you choose. This small village also is a member of the “most beautiful villages in Italy.” We will visit the16th century church of San Donato.
Dinner in Guilanova at Novavita. A five-star restaurant by the Adriatic sea. Serving up the freshest fishes along with many other delicious dishes.
*Guilanova is a coastal town and commune in the province of Teramo in the Abruzzo region. Beautifully set on the beach. This is our favorite “Hot Spot”
Saturday
Vanilla Bakery in Teramo serves delicious cafes and beautiful baked goods for breakfast. You can sit outside and enjoy a delicious cappuccino or macchiato.
Teramo outdoor market. Teramo is the closest, biggest city to our village (about 25 minutes). It’s a small, walkable city with a lot of history. There are piazzas, cafes, bars and fancy shops. It’s situated between the highest mountains of the Apennines and the Adriatic Coast. There are remains of the Roman Theater built in 30 B.C. and the amphitheater built in the 3rd century.
This is a free morning to explore the outdoor markets and shop away! Feel free to hang out in the center for a café or even a spritzer if you choose.
Lunch after the market
Our evening will be a celebration in honor of you, our guests. We will have music and brick oven pizza served in our village with our local friends and family. Let's Celebrate!