Abruzzo, between sea, art, nature and cuisine

1° Day arrival

Evening arrival of your group at the Adriatic coast of Abruzzo between Ortona and Vasto. Arrival at hotel for evening meal and accommodation.

2° Day Fara San Martino – Roccascalegna – Lago di Bomba - Villa Santa Maria

After breakfast in the hotel, departure for Fara San Martino where you will visit a famous pasta factory (depending on the availability). Next destination Roccascalegna, an attractive medieval centre the size of the Castle that stands high up on a beautiful rocky spur. The castle, with a suggestive, never ending view of the valley of the Rio Secco, is a symbol of fortified architecture in Abruzzo: an outpost of Longobard origin, not very regularly shaped,with round turret masts and parts of the building whose origins date back to different periods, but despite all this, it is in perfect harmony with the surrounding nature. As you walk through the town, you will be able to look at the outside of the thirteenth century Church of Saint Peter, and the sixteenth century Church of Saint Cosma and Saint Damiano. Lunch in restaurant. In the afternoon departure for the Lago di Bomba with a visit to Villa Santa Maria. Return to hotel, for evening meal and accommodation.

3° Day Fossacesia - Lanciano - Guardiagrele

Breakfast in the hotel. Departure for Fossacesia. A visit to the Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere, where, seemingly, the bricks used to build it came from. Next stop Lanciano, a thriving town on a sub Apenine plateau between Maiella and the sea, where you will visit some monuments: Santa Maria Maggiore, San Francesco, Santa Maria del Ponte etc. Lunch in a restaurant where you will be able to savour typical dishes of Abruzzo cuisine. In the afternoon you will head for Guardiareale, a beautiful town rich in art on the slopes of the Maiella, where the traditional arts of goldsmith’s and wrought iron have been passed from father to son over the centuries. A tour of the old part. Return to hotel for evening meal and accommodation.

4° Day Vasto

Breakfast in hotel. The entire morning will be spent on a tour of Vasto, a beautiful coastal town with a magnificent thirteenth century Castle where extra parts have been added on. Right next to it we have the XI century Church of Santa Maria Maggiore, with first class works from the venetian school. Return to the hotel at the end of the visit, and your luch will consist of the famous “brodetto di pesce”, a full meal on its own. In the afternoon return journey home.