Abruzzo and Molise tour

Abruzzo and Molise are two regions of Italy that remain almost untouched by mass tourism. Our private tour will take You to discover a number of gorgeously pretty villages scattered throughout the green and wild territory stretching from the heart of the Apennines to the Adriatic Sea. Nature, history, art, age-old traditions and good food are the treasures of this still largely-undiscovered regions.

Start Your journey by exploring Chieti, one of the oldest towns in Italy and the most important city of culture in Abruzzo along with L’Aquila. From the hilltop part of the town called ‘High Chieti’ You can admire a large number of historical sites, churches and monuments going back to the Roman era and some from Norman times.

The route goes across the natural reserves of the National Park of Abruzzo, the Park of Gran Sasso and the Laga Mountains. You will first admire the enchanting scenery of the Caves of Stiffe: springs set in the rock between stalactites and stalagmites. Then visit the fortified medieval village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio, the ancient Sexantio, inhabited by only 117 persons. A short drive from this town is the spectacular Rocca Calascio, where You can enjoy one of the most stunning sights of Abruzzo region: set at 1,500m above sea level, this imposing castle-fortress is the highest mountaintop fort in Italy and one of the highest in all of Europe. The beauty of the place repays the effort of the walk!

A modern cable car will take You to the plateau of Campo Imperatore, known as Italy’s “Little Tibet”. From this large and beautiful high-altitude grassland You can enjoy breathtaking views of the Gran Sasso National Park.

You will discover L’Aquila, the historic capital of Abruzzo, founded in 1254 on the remains of the Roman site of Amiternum. Marred by numerous earthquakes during its history, the city still bears the marks of the last shock, which occurred in April 2009. The city center still preserves precious relics of the Middle Ages and numerous works of art Romanesque and Renaissance, it is worth a stroll!

Take a stroll through the picturesque village of Scanno, famous for filigree jewelry, food and the 25 remaining ladies who still wear the traditional Scanesse costume; then You will head towards Sulmona, a town full of history and known worldwide for its century-old production of confetti.

The second leg of the tour crosses the beautiful landscape of Abruzzo countryside until You will reach the Molise region. Discover the thousand years of history behind this region and its culture by visiting its archaeological sites, abbeys, small towns and countless castles. You will have the chance to admire the Samnite town of Pietrabbondante with its beautiful theatre. End the journey in Termoli, a tourist resort and port, with the stately Swabian Castle and the Romanesque Cathedral. You can walk through the narrow streets of the Old Village, admire the beautiful belvedere and see the commercial new city centre.

The rate includes

6 Overnights in 4* hotels on bed & breakfast basis;
2 dinners, drinks included;
Minibus 18 seats for private transfers and coach services as in the program;
Assistant during the whole tour;
Sightseeing tours together with the assistant in Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Rocca Calascio, Campo Imperatore, L’Aquila, Scanno, Sulmona Termoli;
Entrance tickets & regular tour of the Stiffe Caves with an English speaking local guide;
Cable car tickets to Campo Imperatore-Gran Sasso National Park;
Entrance tickets to Pietrabbondante archaeological site;
Accommodations and meals for the assistant;
Accommodations and meals for the driver

The rate does not include

Hotel city taxes to be paid on spot;
Single supplement (€ 360);
Tips to driver and assistant;
Lunches and dinners, except for the ones in Santo Stefano di Sessanio;
ZTL and coach parkings;
All items not specified in the chapter “the rate include”.

7 Days

7 Age

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Day 1: Pescara - Chieti

After arrival at Pescara Airport transfer to Chieti, one of the oldest towns in Italy and the most important city of culture in Abruzzo along with L’Aquila. Time at disposal for visiting the city. Check in and accommodation in Your 4* selected hotel centrally located.

Day 2: Chieti - Stiffe Caves - S. Stefano di Sessanio

After breakfast head towards the natural reserves of the National Park of Abruzzo, the Park of Gran Sasso and the Laga Mountains. You will first admire the enchanting scenery of the Caves of Stiffe. Second stop will be the medieval village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio. Check in and accommodation in Your 4* selected hotel centrally located.

Day 3: S. Stefano di Sessanio - Rocca Calascio - Gran Sasso N.P. - S. Stefano di Sessanio

After breakfast transfer to the fortress of Rocca Calascio. The minibus can’t reach it, so You have to go on foot for about 35 minutes. Later head towards Fonte Ferreto to catch the cable car to the Campo Imperatore. From there You can enjoy breathtaking views of the Gran Sasso National Park. Return back to the hotel.

Day 4: S. Stefano di Sessanio - L'Aquila - Scanno - Sulmona

After breakfast transfer to L’Aquila and sightseeing tour to explore the historical city center. Then head towards Scanno, a picturesque village overlooking the Valley of Sagittarius. Last stop will be in Sulmona, famous for its century-old production of confetti. Check in and accommodation in Your 4* selected hotel centrally located.

Day 5: Sulmona - Pietrabbondante - Termoli

After breakfast head towards Molise region, crossing the beautiful landscape of Abruzzo countryside. Stop in Pietrabbondante and visit of its archaeological site. Later transfer to Termoli, a touristic seaside town. Check in and accommodation in Your 4* selected hotel centrally located.

Day 6: Termoli

After breakfast full day at leisure for individual visits and shopping. Return back to the hotel.

Day 7: Departure

After breakfast check out and transfer to Pescara Airport.

Tour Location

CHIETI

Chieti lies on a hill at 350m a.s.l. in a strategic location near both to the sea and o the mountains. It has ancient origins, even oldest than the ones of Rome, and according to one hypothesis it was founded by Achilles. Walking through its center with Your assistant you can see the Cathedral dedicated to St. Justin, the bell tower built in 1335, and the public gardens of the 19^thcentury Villa Comunale.

STIFFE CAVES

The Stiffe Caves are an underground complex used since the Bronze Age even if some recent archaeological finds can be dated back to the Neolithic period. In 1907 thanks to the presence of a river inside, Alfonso Cappelli built a hydroelectric power plant used up to 1956 when it was dismantled and the first caving explorations began. Regular guided visit of the caves; the visit lasts about 1 hour, the path is 700m long and the temperature inside is of 10°, so you should wear a sweater and comfortable shoes.

SANTO STEFANO DI SESSANIO

Santo Stefano di Sessanio is a fortified medieval town built at about 1250m above sea level, inside the Gran Sasso National Park. It has an ellipsoidal configuration: the houses and the narrow streets seem to create concentric circles starting from the Medici tower dominating the town. This tower has a cylindral shape and now is being rebuilt because it was destroyed by the earthquake in 2009. Sightseeing tour through this medieval village together with your assistant.

ROCCA CALASCIO

The fortress of Rocca Calascio was built in 1.000 at 1.460m above sea level in a really good location against the enemy raids. It was used as a military observation point towards the Adriatic sea and is made of a main building, four corner towers and crenellated city walls. Because of the charm of this place, the Rocca Calascio was used as movie set, first for the film “Ladyhawke” (1985) starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Matthew Broderick, later for “The Name of the Rose” (1986) with Sean Connery, “The American” (2010) with George Clooney and several Italian movies. After a walk of about 35 minutes, sightseeing of the castle together with your assistant.

CAMPO IMPERATORE

The wide plateau of Campo Imperatore lies at about 1.800m a.s.l. and offers wonderful views of the Gran Sasso National Park. This place hosts an important astronomical observatory built between 1948 and 1955 equipped with a telescope of more than one meter in diameter. Here you can see the Campo Imperatore hotel, built in the 30’s and became famous in 1943 when it was chosen as a prison for Mussolini after the fall of fascism. Time at leisure together with Your assistant to visit the area; we suggest to use trekking shoes and a suitable dress to face high wind and low temperatures.

L'AQUILA

L’Aquila lies on the slope of a hill in an area inhabited since ancient times. In the 3^rd century b.C. it was ruled by the Romans and now it’s possible to see remains of that period: the theater and the amphitheater testifying the importance of this town. Walking through the city centre together with Your assistant you can see some of its historical highlights remained after the earthquake occurred in 2009. You can admire the Fontana delle 99 Cannelle, completely restored, the Basilica di Santa Maria, the outside of the fortress.

SCANNO

Scanno is considered one of the most beautiful and visited villages in Italy. It’s at 1.050m above sea level and overlooks the scenic Valley of Sagittarius. For centuries it was an important center for the production and trade of wool and dairy products, now it’s famous for gold jewelry and laces. Sightseeing together with Your assistant through the narrow streets to see beautiful noble palaces and important monuments and churches.

SULMONA

The city of Sulmona, known worldwide for the century-old production of confetti, lies in the hearth of the Abruzzo region in the Peligna Valley, close to the Majella National Park. Over the centuries it was crossed by transhumant shepherds, merchants and warriors and it’s rich in history. You can see the ruins of the ancient walls, its churches and palaces.

PIETRABBONDANTE

Pietrabbondante is known for the ruins of the Samnite fortifications on the slope of the Mount Saraceno. Between the 2^nd and the 1^st centuries b.C. the Samnites built a majestic complex with a theater, a temple and 2 arcaded buildings, used both as a meeting place as for cult activities. Visit of the archaeological site together with Your assistant.

TERMOLI

Termoli is a seaside town with several treasures belonging to its ancient past: the majestic Cathedral built in the Apulian-Romanesque style (12^th-15^th centuries), the Old Village made up of small squares and narrow streets, the Swabian Castle of Frederick II, built by the Normans in the 11^th century and then renovated by Frederick II in 1247. Together with Your assistant You can walk through the narrow streets of the Old Village, admire the beautiful belvedere and see the commercial new city center.

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Abruzzo and Molise tour