The Abruzzo, Puglia & Matera Experience

PM Rome Fiumicino airport pick up at 2:30 pm, transfer to Sulmona, the town of the Roman poet Ovid, the most illustrious son of Sulmona (click here to discover more about Sulmona) Get to know your local guide and Italia Sweet Italia founder Fabrizio and learn more about this 11-day Italian cultural vacation Check in, relax and welcome dinner at Hotel Ovidius in the heart of Sulmona

After a leisurely traditional breakfast made of freshly baked bread, whole fruit country-style preserves, cake, pastries, coffee, tea and freshly squeezed juice: AM Visit the Confetti (sugar-coated almonds) Museum, where you can see a wide display of old-fashioned confectionery machines and equipment, memorabilia and precious, rare objects relating to the ancient Sulmonese art of confectionary After confetti tasting, we’ll discover Sulmona and see the Medieval aqueduct on Piazza Garibaldi and the Church of Santa Maria Annunziata with its majestic bell tower We’ll have a wine tasting in the centre of Sulmona and learn all about Abruzzo wines You’ll taste 3 different wines from local vineyards, with pairings of local cheeses, salami and other specialties PM We know that not every minute of your time needs to be packed with organized events; you will also be able to explore on your own and actually live like an Italian So today you’ll have a free afternoon for your own activities, which could include: visiting Sulmona’s museums and art galleries, taking part in some extra activities/excursions, having a SPA experience in the Hotel wellness center (must be booked in advance) or just do some shopping,visiting artisans or taking a walk in the “piazza” to enjoy the relaxing Sulmona atmosphere In the evening, you may experience dinner on your own in one of the many restaurants of Sulmona. Obviously Fabrizio will suggest to you his favorite places

AM After check out, we’ll drive across the wonderful Abruzzo mountains and National Parks to the ancient Roman town of Vasto on the Adriatic Coast, where you will be staying for the next 3 nights On the way to Vasto, we’ll visit the enchanting Hermitage of San Domenico in Villalago and the village of Scanno (one of the most beautiful villages of Italy) in the mountains PM Lunch in a traditional restaurant in Scanno Transfer to Vasto, check in at Hotel in the historical downtown After a short break, we’ll go on a guided visit of Vasto’s historic center. We’ll explore Loggia Amblingh, a promenade overlooking the fascinating crescent-shaped coastline, the old town with its medieval Castle, charming lanes, a tower, the Cathedral and Piazza Rossetti, dedicated to Gabriele Rossetti, a poet from the town and father of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood (click here to discover more about Vasto) Group dinner in a traditional restaurant in the heart of Vasto