Abruzzo Backroads Cycling

Itinerary

7 days / 6 nights

DAY ONE - Sunday

Rome Airport  – Majestic Gran Sasso d’Italia - Medieval Santo Stefano di Sessanio Presentations

25km ride – 600m Elevation Gain

• 10:00am: Meet in Rome, either at Rome FCO Airport with Host or Rome centre in front of the Atlantico Hotel on Via Cavour (near Termini Station)
• Our journey of discovery starts with a very scenic drive along the Autostrada dei Parchi as we head into the Abruzzo region along the most beautiful Autostrada in Italy through the Gran Sasso mountain Range

• Arrival in medievale Santo Stefano di Sessanio to meet our A1 Cycling Team and familiarize with the bicycles and gear
• Welcome drink aperitivo followed by lunch and presentation of the itinerary for the upcoming days
• Afternoon ride in the area below the medieval villages of Santo Stefano di Sessanio and Barisciano  in the National Park
• Return to Santo Stefano for dinner and a good night’s rest

DAY TWO - Monday

The 3 Villages Tour & Campo Imperatore - Foodie Experiences

35km ride – 1000m Elevation Gain

• After breakfast, departure on The 3 Villages Tour as your cycling Maestros will lead you through some spectacular scenery through the majestic Campo Imperatore Plateau to reach XI century fortresses and lovely medieval villages of Santo Stefano, Rocca Calascio and Castel Del Monte

• Enroute visit to a local cheesemaker for a tasting of the local Pecorino and perhaps help with the preparation, from cheese to ricotta
• We will then carry on towards the impressive medieval Fortress of Rocca Calascio to enjoy some stunning views before lunch
• Return to Santo Stefano for a leisurely afternoon to enjoy the a special local tradition with an artisanal natural wool-dyeing workshop with the shepherd’s wife, Valeria
• Evening and dinner in the village

DAY THREE - Tuesday

The Valley Tour through Ofena &  Capestrano – Tirino River – Canoe  Agriturismo Lunch - Agriturismo La Rustica or Villa Oleandri – Wine Tasting

25km ride – 1000m Elevation Gain

(option for 37km ride – 1300m Elevation Gain)

• After breakfast and saying goodbye to our hosts in Santo Stefano di Sessanio, today’s ride will take us into the valley below
• We will cycle by and through pretty local towns of Ofena and Capestrano as we reach the Tirino River, with a chance to enjoy a pleasant canoe experience
• Time permitting, a tasting of local wines before a light lunch in a local Agriturismo
• Transfer to the charming Agriturismo La Rustica or Villa Oleandri in the peaceful surroundings of Pescara’s sweeping hills
• Welcome drink aperitivo upon arrival followed by relax and a chance to walk through the vineyards by the Agriturismo amid the maturing sweet fruits of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, Pecorino, Cococciola, Moscatello, etc…
• Later this afternoon…sleeves up for a hands-on cooking class with Mamma and Chef to disclose the secrets of fresh pasta, ravioli, tomato sauces and the very best of fine Abruzzese and Italian cuisine.
• We will  also indulge in the preparation of desserts: Tiramisù, pizzelle or cantucci (the real Italian almond biscotti!)
• Dinner to sample the fruits of our labour

DAY FOUR - Wednesday

The Adriatic Sea (North) – Beach – Bucchianico - Olive Oil & Wine tasting

Gala Dinner

35km ride – 100m Elevation Gain

• After breakfast, your A1 Cycling Instructors will lead you North to discover the Adriatic Sea towards the lovely towns of Silvi, Pineto and the XV century Cerrano Tower
• Day at leisure on the beach with lunch either in the area or back in Pescara
• Back to Agrituismo La Rustica or Villa Oleandri to enjoy a bit of relax
• In the late afternoon we will head towards the town of Bucchianico for an olive oil tasting experience at lovely Francesca’s passionately restored 17^th century olive mill
• A short stroll down Bucchianico’s narrow alleyways and we are all in for yet another treat asdinner nearby will also be an incredible wine-tasting experience!
• Our sommelier Claudio will open his exclusive cantina for a wine-tasting aperitif and gala dinner with a delicious selection of local savouries!
• Return to our accommodation

DAY FIVE - Thursday

Costa dei Trabocchi – Fish Masterclass - Gamberale – Villa Danilo

40km ride – 300m Elevation Gain

• After breakfast, a lovely ride along the beautiful Costa dei Trabocchi will take us to the beautiful town of Fossacesia and its XII century Abbey of S. Giovanni in Venere overlooking the stunning Golfo di Venere and the oldest olive tree in Abruzzo
• Today’s cooking class will be unique: our hosts will guide us through the preparation of fine, yet simple, fish dishes…a tantalizing gastronomic experience!!

• Later this afternoon we will reach lovely Hotel Villa Danilo in Gamberale, in the Maiella National Park

• Welcome drink aperitif
• Exquisite dinner at Villa Danilo and a good night’s rest

DAY SIX - Friday

Truffle Hunting – Leisure & Spa - Pizza Masterclass

• This morning, an authentic truffle hunt in the woods with our local truffle hunter Primiano along with his precious truffle gold diggers “Ruby” and “Miss”
• Our destination will be our host’s most secret spots in Abruzzo to unbury the precious underground delicacy… let’s cross fingers for good luck!
• Lunch will be back at our hotel with Risotto al tartufo…we’ll hopefully have our own fresh truffles!
• Afternoon at leisure this afternoon to enjoy some relax at Villa Danilo’s little Grotto Spa with optional Massage or a personal Yoga session, a Creative Painting session, etc (booked separately and in advance)
• Evening  pizza making class...ready to spin and bake in a proper wood-burning oven??

DAY SEVEN - Saturday

Sulmona - Market - Transfer to Rome

• After breakfast, we say goodbye to our hosts at Villa Danilo and head toward the classically beautiful Italian town of Sulmona, world renowned for its confetti
• A leisurely stroll through this historical village to visit its shops and its market in Sulmona’s busy Piazza Garibaldi towered by the historical Roman Aqueduct
• We recommend a stop at Fernanda and Giovanna’s pretty honey-shop by the Piazza for a sweet honey-tasting and a chance to purchase lovely and tasty special gifts
• Before sitting down to lunch, we will enjoy a trendy aperitivo sipping a glass of Prosecco

amid the buzz of Sulmona’s “passeggiata sul Corso”

• Lunch will be in one of the best restaurants in town
• After lunch transfer to Rome….arrivederci Abruzzo!!

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Highlights & What's included for

“Abruzzo Backroads Cycling”

from 2650  eur 

• Guests: min 4 / max 8
• Starting point:Rome Airport / Centre @ 10:00am on Day One (please contact us in case of personal arrangements)
• Ending point: Rome on Day Seven  
• Fully escorted by our Leaders and Hosts
• Cycling gear & Professional Instructors included
• Accommodation 7 days / 6 nights:
  • 2 nights in the fascinating medieval village of  Santo Stefano di Sessanio  in the majestic Gran Sasso
  • 2 nights at the lovely Agriturismo La Rustica  in the sweeping hills of the Pescara  countryside
  • 2 nights at the beautiful Hotel Villa Danilo in the Maiella National Park

• An exciting and unique journey of discovery through the very best of Abruzzo
• Traditional medieval Workshop with wool
• Guided Canoe Experience on the Tirino River
• Private spa afternoon (massages and treatments are extra)
• Hands-on Cookery Classes at our highly selected venues under the guidance of our Chefs
• Foodie Experiences:
  • Hands on Pasta & Sauces Making with Mamma and Chefs
  • Typical Desserts Masterclass
  • Pizza Masterclass
  • Fish Masterclass along the stunning Costa dei Trabocchi
  • Olive Oil Tasting in a beautiful olive mill dating back to the early 1700’s
  • Authentic Truffle Hunting in the woods
  • Pecorino d’Abruzzo Cheese & Ricotta making
  • Wine Tastings
• All restaurants and venues are highly selected and offer the most special Abruzzo1 & ItaliaSpeciale Experiences!
• All meals included as per the program with highly selected wines from Abruzzo as part of the Abruzzo1 Experience

A word on Tipping

At Italia Speciale and Abruzzo1 our mission is to assure only the best experiences possible around Abruzzo and Italy through our highly selected network of Partners and Hosts, all committed to delivering the highest standards of knowledge and service to our guests. We do this by nature and soul, as proud as we are of our proposals and our people. Tips are never expected and always come as a nice bonus for our partners.

A token of gratitude. Ideally your Host should collect €75 eur in cash per guest on Day 3 to cover all tips that deserve to be shared among all Partners. Tips are not compulsory by any means, and should be given exclusively for high quality service.

Dates