Internationally renowned Italian food blogger and home cook Vincenzo’s Plate together with his family have created the italian tour of a lifetime. Join us in this Abruzzo Tour, the greenest region in Europe, where you will see and taste the wonders of this secret gem, which boasts the best of the Adriatic sea and the mountainside.

This 8 day/7 night Abruzzo Tour begins at Vincenzo’s Nonna’s table, where you will enjoy a home-cooked meal prepared especially, and the highlights don’t end, with 60% of Italian truffles found in Abruzzo and some of the most acclaimed wine and extra virgin olive oil on the planet, you will visit and uncover a culinary world of hidden treasures…with a view.

You will be picked up in Rome (at 9am) for private transfer to the coastal city of Pescara . First stop? Your very own private villa for the afternoon, which has a breathtaking view and a pool just for the group. You’ll be welcomed by family and be introduced to an aperitivo, or really, a light lunch! It’s time to get to know one another and be at one with your surroundings and the group. Today is designed so you stop, take a deep breath, and be prepared for a week full of fun, emotions, food and incredible landscapes. You’ll then check-in to your centrally located hotel (which also has spa services) for a short rest before the big event at night. For the official welcome, your first evening is spent at Vincenzo’s Nonna’s house enjoying a hearty home cooked meal of authentic Abruzzo cuisine which she will prepare especially for you and some of the wonderful family members.

TIP: Unbutton your pants, it’s going to be a FEAST!

Visit to an organic farm immersed in a green landscape of extraordinary natural beauty overlooking the Sagittarius Gorges where you’ll learn about protecting the land and the ancient art of producing cheese. It is located in the heart of three national parks, right in the mountainside. For lunch, you’ll taste a variety of salty and sweet cheeses made on the location (and a fresh one made by you!) alongside several mouthwatering specialties taken from paddock to plate. It’s the slow food movement experience of a lifetime. The afternoon is spent exploring where you are based for the week – Pescara; a modern Italian city, with one of the biggest marinas in the region. It is a bustling seaside resort with lots of delicious cafe’s, fantastic shops and of course a seemingly endless coastline. Here you will enjoy an aperitivo – right on the beach under your very own umbrella – traditional of the area so you can familarise yourself in the surroundings and local vibe.

After an early breakfast, you will be escorted to a private port for a unique Yacht tour for the day. Once on board of the Yacht, the journey to one of the most picturesque Islands in Italy, begins. While travelling toward Tremiti island for the day, you will be spoilt with views of endless blue, grottos of varying sizes and enjoy a fresh, homemade seafood lunch, as well as fresh dishes that will have your tastebuds dancing . Take a dip and savor the moment, the crystal clear waters are mesmerizing. Sail, swim, eat, repeat is the motto for the day!

First stop is the famous market of Sulmona where you have the chance to taste and touch fresh produce from the region including cheese, truffles, seasonal fruit, vegetables, one-of-a-kind red garlic and…PORCHETTA! After a stroll around the beautiful city filled with history and art, you will then be led to a hidden B&B that has the most priceless view of the 3 surrounding national parks and their mountains. It was awarded a place in the top 3 best B&B’s in Italy and is literally a secret gem that will take your breath away… Next, it’s off to family owned winery, Zaccagnini for an intimate wine tasting and tour before you taste a selection of Vincenzo’s Dad’s notorious seafood dishes paired with the perfect wines to get your palette dancing (and you might just end up dancing too while you enjoy your favourite drop of wine and watch the sun go down over the vines).

After a few busy days, guests will be happy to enjoy a sleep-in with a free half day to enjoy the city of Pescara, do some shopping, maybe go for a walk along the divine coast, have lunch on the beach, or even go for a swim. In the early afternoon we will visit the city of Ortona where we will visit the beautiful Castello Aragonese, a Renaissance castle, overlooking the Adriatic Sea and with a panorama combining Abruzzo’s diverse terrains. The next stop on this Italian tour will seem like a dream so get your camera phones ready, as you’ll want to look back! It is a scrumptious seafood dinner (with ingredients fished the same day) in the most unforgettable setting of a fisherman hut overlooking the infinite Trabocchi Coast. These form one of the most precious stories of Abruzzese history and proud owners of the one we visit love to share not only their family history but also their hearts on a plate with the salty flavours of the Adriatic . The structure alone, will take your breath away…and these are of course unique to Abruzzo..

The day starts on escort to Santo Stefano di Sessanio, one of the most striking and closely preserved villages in central Italy. Lunch will be served at Hotel Sextantio, one of the most talked about locations in the picturesque village, not only because of its beauty but also thanks to its unique layout as guests stay in rooms spread throughout the town. In the late afternoon guests venture to Rocca Calascio. A castle, dating back to the year 1000 that has been selected as one of the top 10 most beautiful by National Geographic. At the top of the castle, you will be amazed by the view, before enjoying a light dinner with wine and an exclusive live opera music performance while overlooking the Gran Sasso mountains with the most amazing sunset you have ever seen and the castle in the background.

At nightfall, guests will check-in to unique accommodation. A villa built in the 16th Century, with Baroque interiors and furnished with beautiful period pieces. It is a private villa, and you will stay there undisturbed for 2 nights….and of course, then there’s the view!

On the second last day you will visit one of Italy’s top caves, Grotte di Stiffe. In this fresh, cool setting, a special guide will take us through gorgeous caverns with stalactite and stalagmite formations. The highlight in the cave is definitely the stunning waterfall which pours out into a small lake.

From caves to one of the most coveted mushrooms in Italy – engross yourself in a world of truffle. Guests will arrive at a restaurant specialising in truffle for a gourmet meal certain to invigorate all of your senses – from savoury to sweet, the flavours will surprise and delight! For the last night of our Abruzzo tour, you will and enjoy a dinner of famous arrosticini and other Abruzzese local specialties before an early night in preparation for the Grand finale…!

The best is saved until last! The Abruzzo tour comes full circle for the grand finale: “Porchetta Day” with Vincenzo and his wonderful family. After stopping at renowned Pastry shop “Pasticceria Merlini” to taste the age-old sweet, “Pizza Dolce”, you are invited to feast at the table with Vincenzo’s family, in the town his great grandparents’ were from,  and demolish a scrumptious lunch with wood-fire handmade porchetta, homegrown tomatoes, Pappardelle with cinghiale ragu and local antipasti…

Drop – off service to Rome where you will arrive around 7.00 pm.

End of service.

Just like many of you, we too are desperate to get back to Italy! With current travel restrictions due to COVID-19, we have been flooded with enquiries so as soon as we start our tours again, you can join me in Italy for an experience of a lifetime.

OUR ADVICE? Buy a voucher for the deposit as we will be very busy and you don’t want to miss out! Guests who have vouchers to travel with us on an Italy Unexplored Tour will be given priority for the next few years as the world starts to enjoy visiting Italy again.

2022 dates now live. Vouchers valid for 5 years. (Available dates pending bookings from 2020 guests who are our first priority)

Disclaimer: This does not guarantee a place on our tours. It is your responsibility to contact us when you have chosen a date that is suitable however if it is booked out you will need to look at another option. Our tours are exclusive and reserved for just 10 guests so that you can enjoy the authentic Italy in all it’s glory, without all the noise of the busy big cities.

ABRUZZO TOUR DATE YEAR 2022

• Abruzzo Tour 1: Sunday the 26th of June to Sunday the 3rd of July  (Available dates pending bookings from 2020 guests who are our first priority)
• Abruzzo Tour 2: Sunday the 10th of July to Sunday the 17th of July (Available dates pending bookings from 2020 guests who are our first priority)
• Abruzzo Tour 3: Sunday the 21st of August to Sunday the 28th of August (Available dates pending bookings from 2020 guests who are our first priority)

This exclusive Italy tour is reserved for a maximum of 10 guests (per tour) as it has been especially curated for the Summer so that you can enjoy best what Italy has to offer. Simply press on the Book Now button to reserve this once of a lifetime opportunity to explore Italy in great company. This is the most unique tour of Italy you can ever experience.

Double room € 3100 per person  (double room based on double occupancy)

Single room supplement € 195 (double room, single occupancy)