A tour in Abruzzo is more than just a simple holiday: it’s a journey to discover an unknown region that hides natural and historical treasures of great value, reserved only for those who have the patience to seek them out, at the slow pace of bygone times. So come to Abruzzo: you’ll rediscover authentic places, life of the past, foods of the past, natural rhythms: in other words, you’ll rediscover yourself.
L’Aquila
L’Aquila
5 days, 4 nights
Arrival in L’Aquila, hotel check-in, aperitif, briefing and overnight stay.
In the morning, breakfast at the hotel, meet with the guide and a full day dedicated to discovering L’Aquila, Italian Capital of Culture 2026. The fortified city was founded in 1254 near the ancient Roman Amiternum, thanks to the 99 surrounding “castles” that united for this purpose, each creating its own square with a church and fountain. The city became a free commune from the second half of the 13th century and then grew to become the second city of the Kingdom of Naples thanks to its many productive activities (wool, silk, lace, and saffron) and its role as a great cultural center, with a “General Study” and numerous printing houses. Among the many monuments, the unique Fountain of 99 Spouts (named after the number of mascarons that compose it) and the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio are worth mentioning: the latter, founded in 1287 by the Celestine monks, represents the highest example of a church with horizontal crowning architecture typical of inner Abruzzo; it still houses the remains of Saint Celestine V, creator of the Bull of Forgiveness from which derives the wonderful Feast of Forgiveness, now a UNESCO Intangible Heritage. Additionally, within the historic center, we will visit the Basilica of San Bernardino, the Church of Santa Maria del Suffragio, the Cathedral Square, and the Spanish Fortress. In the late afternoon, free time for shopping. Lunch in a typical restaurant. At the end of the day, return to the hotel and overnight stay.
In the morning, meet with the guide and depart for the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park: we will cross the endless plain of Campo Imperatore, whose fascinating lunar landscape will take us to what is called “Little Tibet”. After a stop at the characteristic Lake Pietranzoni, we will continue towards Castel del Monte, visiting the Scoppaturo canyon, a well-known film location. From here, we will begin the descent towards the villages on the southern side of the Park. Upon arriving in the small high-altitude village of Castel del Monte, we will visit its Ricetto, the original core of the historic center. Considered the Capital of Transhumance, which became a UNESCO Intangible Heritage of Humanity in 2019, Castel del Monte is also known for the production of Pecorino Canestrato, a Slow Food presidium. Lunch in a typical restaurant.
In the afternoon, we will pass under Rocca di Calascio, included by National Geographic in the group of the ten most beautiful castles in the world and for this reason also becoming a well-known film location; a few kilometers away, we’ll stop at Santo Stefano di Sessanio, the most famous and richest of the villages located in the Barony Lands. The ancient splendor of these places is still visible in the elegance of the house decorations and in the coats of arms of noble families such as the Medici. We will lose ourselves in the maze of alleys, stairs, arches, and narrow streets that over the millennia have helped the inhabitants of these places to defeat the cold, and then we’ll also visit the Medici Tower, restored after the 2009 earthquake. For food lovers, Santo Stefano is very famous for the cultivation of its particular small spherical lentils. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
In the morning, after breakfast, departure for the guided tour of Sulmona. Located in the Majella National Park, it is considered one of the most beautiful centers in the region and is known worldwide for its production of confetti, which we will taste in the most famous factory in the city, where the Museum of “Confectionery Art and Technology is also located. Birthplace of Ovid, Sulmona has a splendid historic center where we can admire the Palazzo della SS.ma Annunziata, the” medieval Aqueduct, Piazza Garibaldi, the Cathedral of St. Panfilo and other monuments of notable interest. Lunch at a restaurant.
In the afternoon, transfer to Pacentro. The ancient Abruzzese town is located within the Maiella Park and announces itself from afar with the towers of its Cantelmo-Caldora Castle, an ancient fortress on the slopes of Monte Morrone. The village is entirely gathered around Piazza del Popolo with its monumental 17th-century fountain and the 15th-century Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. Legend has it that the village was founded by Pacinus, a Trojan hero who, leaving Aeneas on the banks of the Tiber, ventured into Samnium and, arriving at the foot of Monte Morrone, founded Pacentro there. Today, the ancient village retains all its charm intact and jealously guards its precious treasures, all to be discovered and admired. Return to the hotel and overnight stay.
In the morning, breakfast at the hotel and check-out. Free visit to one of the following museum complexes of your choice: A) MAXXI (Museum of Contemporary Art) or B) 16th Century Castle and M.U.N.D.A.
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