Our Food & Wine Tour 2007

We will make you an offer you cannot refuse!

Operating Tour Dates 2007:

Land Tour

9 Days, 9 Nights 

Arrival Saturday, departure Monday
4 nights in Atri,

4 nights in L'Aquila,

1 night in Rome

You will be delighted as you visit vineyards and cantinas, observe family-owned olive oil manufacturers and cheese producers. Each day you will discover the diversity and excellence of Abruzzo's unrivaled cuisine, enjoying wine-tastings and traditional dishes in first-class restaurants or at country farms, specialized in recipes with home-grown ingredients and authentic products. In addition to these culinary activities, you will also visit places of natural beauty, contemplate medieval architecture and works of art, see Abruzzo’s craftsmen practicing centuries-old arts like ceramic, lace, wrought iron and jewelry making.

The weather is pleasant and mild in both Spring and Fall, perfect seasons to travel in Italy. To make your tour an experience you will treasure for years to come, we offer an exclusive opportunity to visit your ancestral towns, and get in touch with your lost Italian family! We can arrange a visit before, during (there is one full day at leisure) or after the tour to see that dear, never forgotten place of your forebears, the landscapes that they always kept in their hearts, stone-paved alleys, and to perhaps meet, at last, the relatives of whom your parents and/or grandparents spoke!

Hotels:

• 4 nights in Atri, Hotel Du Parc
• 4 nights in L'Aquila, Hotel San Michele
• 1 night in Rome, Hotel Miami

2007 Tour Itinerary*

*Same itinerary for each of the three Food and Wine Tours.

• Day 1 (Saturday) – Arrivederci, your tour begins this morning, meet our tour guide at the Rome-Fiumicino Airport in Rome. Transfer to the hotel Du Parc in Atri, settle in, time to rest.  Welcome meeting and walking orientation in the magnificent city center. To follow, a wine tasting to include authentic appetizers in a local wine bar with a great selection offering of the local Montepulciano and Trebbiano wines.  Special "welcome dinner" at the hotel restaurant, than spend the evening at leisure.
• Day 2 (Sunday) - Escorted tour – Atri the ancient Roman colony: the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta late (XII century); Palazzo Ducale (Acquaviva), a fortress built in the highest point of the town, now the seat of the municipality; the Medieval walls with Porta Macelli and Porta S.Domenico; Museo Capitolare. Learn about Andrea de Litio (other spelling Delitio), the greatest Abruzzese painter: he painted frescoes in many parts of Abruzzo, and some of his paintings are in museums as far as Baltimore and New York. His acknowledged masterpiece is the fresco cycle in the Cathedral of Atri.  Mass available at the Cathedral.
  The first cooking lesson featured at Podere San Domenico, an agriturismo specializing in "cucina teramana", where the delightful and funny proprietress Lidia will show you how to make Abruzzese home made pasta, scrippelle, ravioli, etc. Following the cooking lesson, enjoy a tremendous meal.  Enjoy the afternoon walking off your meal in the old SILVI PAESE, an old village with a breathtaking balcony over the Adriatic Sea. Enjoy a stroll on the promenade of PINETO, while tasting a Gelato supposedly among the best in Italy.  Arrive back at Atri for dinner at the hotel restaurant, than spend the evening at leisure.
• Day 3 (Monday) - Escorted tour - To a local winery one which produces one of the best Montepulciano d'Abruzzo wines. Learn about the wine-making operation, from the vintage until the wine is stored, the ageing process, etc. The wine-making process in Abruzzo has changed over time, but not to a considerable extent. Also, get in touch with the vineyards!
  Following this, enjoy a great seafood meal (antipasti, pasta with fish, fried and roasted fish, calamari and shrimps, etc.) at a typical restaurant near the beach.
  Afternoon transfer to PICCIANO for a visit to the amazing museum of the farmers tradition Museo delle Arti e Tradizioni Contadine. Late afternoon visit to PESCARA, one of the main tourist and business centers on the Adriatic Sea, where superb ice-cream creations can be enjoyed in highly elegant surroundings; a short distance further to the shopping streets and the many boutiques of the center.
  Return to Atri for dinner at the hotel restaurant, than spend the evening at leisure.
• Day 4 (Tuesday) - Escorted tour – CASTELLI , this small village, rising on a rock dominated by the impressive GRAN SASSO mountain , is a favorite destinations for tourists and art lovers. It is the known worldwide as the Abruzzese capital of Ceramics. See the Art Institute and the Ceramics Museum. Follow a local artisan during the whole ceramics making process. See the church of St. Donato, whose modest appearance is deceptive.  On entering the church, one cannot help admiring the trussed ceiling entirely decorated with sixteenth century polychrome bricks with coats-of-arms, arabesques, human figures and animals painted on ceramic.
  Enjoy the main noon meal in a local trattoria, with the typical mountain food of the area.  That afternoon, on the way back to Atri, stop for a visit to TERAMO. Two great monuments are a short distant from each other; these monuments are almost symbolic of the town and its history: the majestic Cathedral of St. Berardo  built in 1158 by Guido II, and the Roman theatre, built about 30 B.C.
  Return to Atri for dinner at the hotel restaurant, than spend the evening at leisure.
• Day 5 (Wednesday) – Your tour continues - Check out from the Hotel in Atri. Visit to a local olive oil farm: learn about all the stages of the olive oil production, from the olive groves to the harvest, the mashing, etc. The extra virgin olive oil of Abruzzo preserves all of the natural precious substances normally found in olives.  Abruzzo extra virgin olive oil most of the time is taken from the first pressing of only the most selected olives.
  The second cooking lesson featured at Podere San Domenico, where Lidia will show how to create further Abruzzese recipes. Following the cooking lesson, enjoy a tremendous meal (again!).
  Early afternoon bus transfer to L’AQUILA . Check in at the Hotel San Michele, settle in, time to rest. Take part in a Walking Tour of the major spots in L'Aquila.  John Paul II, on 30 August 1980, on His visit to L'Aquila said, "Wonderful scenery where the basilica,  seems to have been built by man's hand to express, in a magnificent synthesis of art and prayer, what the contemplation of your mountains arouses in the heart: the feeling of the infinite, God's splendor mirrored in its creation..."  Late afternoon features a Abruzzese wine tasting with "panini" (home made bread with "frittata", hams, cheeses, salami etc.) at "The Boss", the most popular cantina/wine bar in the city center.
  Dinner and an evening at leisure.
• Day 6 (*Thursday) - At your leisure – Suggestions!  You may want to rent a car and visit other places that are of interest to you or make a genealogy research, locate and meet relatives.  If you wish to use our escort and research services, please provide information well in advance, so as to guarantee our availability.  Our discounted fee for such a Personalized Day Trip in Abruzzo or to the surrounding areas is 350 Euros total (up to 3 people), this will include English speaking guide, driver, assistance in meeting relatives, car rental, insurance, as well as gas and toll expenses.  Please note meals are not included.
• Day 7 (Friday) - Your tour continues - Morning visit to the “Dolci Aveia factory” , near L'Aquila, producing "dolci tipici d'Abruzzo" for 30 years now: renowned pastries, biscuits and cakes. See how they make them! Transfer to Anversa degli Abruzzi, for a surprising visit to the most important cheese making farm of the area, “La Porta dei Paechi” , the jealously preserved tastes of old Abruzzo gastronomy, wisely mixed in the pastoral tradition..."
  Enjoy the main noon meal in the local agriturismo, to experience the local home made food based on cheeses of the area.
  An afternoon visit to nearby SCANNO.  Throughout the historical centre small alleys, balconies, flights of stairs are an astonishing maze for visitors to this picturesque village.  Scanno is famed for the gold filigree and the renowned Abruzzese jewel worn by ladies of Scanno.  See the women's costume, still worn today by many of the local elderly women. Take time to relax along the shoreline of the beautiful lake, just outside the village.  Arrive back at L'Aquila, dinner than spend the evening at leisure.
• Day 8 (Saturday) – Escorted tour – PESCOCOSTANZO, the jewel of southern Abruzzo, where you will walk the winding pathways of this beautiful artisans' village, with its pristine white medieval houses.  See the outstanding Church of Santa Maria del Colle. Ample time to visit the traditional jewelry shops of this village, featuring gorgeous filigree style pieces, as well as the ironworkers' and woodworkers' shops.
  Enjoy the main meal at “Paolino”an excellent traditional restaurant specializing in local dishes with an individual flair.  In the afternoon walk off  your meal in SULMONA, world capital of the "confetti" candies. For those who would like, a guided tour is available to the historical center of the town, also famed to be the birth place of the Latin poet Ovid. A short visit to the Pelino confetti factory and museum is included.  Return to L'Aquila, dinner than spend the evening at leisure.
• Day 9 (Sunday) - Your tour continues - Check out from the Hotel in L'Aquila. Morning transfer to Rome, and check in at our final destination, the Hotel Gea di Vulcano, a very nice hotel in a perfect location in the "eternal city": Via Nazionale, walking distance (within 15 minutes) from some of the worldwide spots like the Spanish steps, Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon and the Roman Forum!  A guided tour in the afternoon will lead you to the Trevi Fountain, a baroque jewel, and to the Pantheon, originally a pagan temple. We will head to Palazzo Madama, seat of the Senate of the Republic, to finally arrive at the gorgeous Piazza Navona, built on the ruins of the Domitian’s Circus.
  Meals and an evening at leisure.
• Day 10 (Monday) – Arrivederci - Take a train. The Termini Train Station is within walking distance (approximately 5-minutes from hotel) or take a taxi to Rome-Fiumicino Airport for your flight back home, or you can extend your personal stay in Rome (or anywhere else in Italy).

2007 Food and Wine Tour does include:

• Hotel accommodations for the 9 nights based on double room occupancy:
   - In Atri, 4 nights at the 3-star Hotel Du Parc  located in the city center.
   - In L'Aquila, 4 nights at the 3-star superior Hotel San Michele   located in the city center.
   - In Rome, 1 night at a 3-star Hotel Miami  located in the city center.
  Note:  All hotels have fully equipped rooms with private bathroom and shower and many other facilities (check the hotel websites for all details).
• Rich continental breakfast daily
• 6 authentic traditional Abruzzese main noon meals (including a seafood meal)
• 4 dinners at the Hotel restaurant in Atri
• 2 Abruzzese cooking lessons
• 3 wine tastings with appetizers
• 1 extra virgin olive oil tasting with appetizers
• 1 gelato tasting
• 1 cheese tasting
• All touring as described per day-by-day itinerary
• Experienced tour guides and staff will escort the group throughout the tour. Our guides have knowledge of the Abruzzo area and of all shopping, cultural sightseeing and dining venues you will be visiting.
• All transfers by air-conditioned bus throughout the tour including pick-up at Rome's Fiumicino Airport to start Day 1 on the tour.
• Paid entrance inclusive to all activities and sites, including museums.
• Land insurance coverage for health, accident and liability from Europ Assistance, a major Italian company.
• Brochures, maps and handouts inclusive for all excursions.
• 1 day at leisure on Thursday (Day 6)

2007 Food and Wine Tour does not include:

• Airfares.  Contact your travel agent, or find the best price on the Internet (examples: Travelocity or Orbitz). Then, just let us know your flight details, and we will pick you up at your arrival time in Rome
• Single room at an additional charge of 200 Euros
• Meals on the day at leisure and when not expressly mentioned
• Personal transport costs (car rental, taxi, trains etc.), phone calls, hotel laundry service etc.
• Individualized assistance during the day at leisure (*)
• Transfer to the airport on the last tour day (Monday)
• Anything not specified above

(*)  You may want to rent a car and visit other places that are of interest to you or make a genealogy research or locate and meet relatives.  If you wish to use our escort and research services, please provide information well in advance, so as to guarantee our availability.  Our discounted fee for such a Personalized Day Trip in Abruzzo or to the surrounding areas is 350 Euros total (up to 3 people), this will include English speaking guide, driver, assistance in meeting relatives, car rental, insurance, as well as gas and toll expenses.  Please note meals are not included.

Tour Price:

- Euros 1,990 Per Person, in double room occupancy (TOUR PRICE BLOCKED SINCE 2003!)
- Single room supplement: Euros 200
- Reservation deposit: Euros 290

The deposit is non-refundable unless the tour is cancelled. The balance of 1,700 Euros is due no later than 60 days before tour starting day. Single room supplement is available at an additional cost of 200 Euros. In the event you cannot join the tour due to a last minute unforeseeable event, we will refund you the whole balance amount.

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