Abruzzo Cookery&Foodie Experience

Michelangelo

6  days / 5 nights

Monday - Saturday

DAY ONE - Monday

Rome Airport – Agriturismo La Rustica - Pasta & Sauces Masterclass

• 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
• Our first stop will be in the fascinating medieval town of Celano, dominated by its dramatically impressive Castello Piccolomini, a former Fortress the foundations of which date back to the XII century
• Typical lunch in the shade of the Castello at Madonne delle Vigne hosted by Mamma Luisa and Chef Sandro, as we talk about the intriguing history of this town that spans centuries and includes Roman Emperors and Popes enjoying glasses of Prosecco, Montepulciano and Trebbiano
• After lunch, transfer to our lovely Agriturismo La Rustica in the peaceful surroundings and sweeping hills of the Pescara countryside
• Welcome drink aperitif by the pool and under the olive trees
• 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, lasagna, tomato sauces and the very best of fine Abruzzese and Italian cuisine.
• We will  also indulge in the preparation of desserts: Tiramisù and pizzelle!
• Dinner to sample the fruits of our labour

DAY TWO – Tuesday

Saffron Valley & Saffron Masterclass – Olive Oil & Wine Tasting with dinner

• 9:30: departure to reach the Navelli Plateau  in Abruzzo’s “Saffron Valley”, where our hosts in the XII century village of Prata D’Ansidonia will guide us through the secrets of mastering this very precious spice, from its delicate blossom to dressing our Risotto

• Saffron Masterclass and lunch at at Chef Nello’s local restaurant and dinner
• Return to Agriturismo La Rustica and relax

• 18:15: we will head towards the nearby town of Bucchianico for an olive oil tasting experience at lovely Francesca’s passionately restored 17^th century olive mill
• A short drive from Bucchianico nto reach a beautiful winery with great Hosts to indulge in a wine experience over dinner
• Our sommelier will open her exclusive cantina for a wine-tasting aperitif and dinner with a delicious selection of local specialties!

• Return to our Agriturismo La Rustica for a good night’s rest after a busy day!

DAY THREE - Wednesday

Mozzarella Making - Costa dei Trabocchi – Fish Class –Hotel Villa Danilo

• After breakfast, we say goodbye to our Hosts at Agriturismo La Rustica and set off to a nearby small cheese factory in the area to check on the fresh production, with a chance to make our own fresh mozzarella  with our good host Claudio
• Then, a lovely drive 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!!

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

• Welcome drink aperitif and time at leisure to enjoy the pool
• Presentation of staff and introduction to the second part of the Cookery Holiday
• Exquisite dinner at Villa Danilo
• Good night’s rest

DAY FOUR – Thursday

Vegetarian class at “Il Mulino” Agriturismo - Elements of Meat Masterclass - Tiramisu

• This morning we set off to reach a special venue, Agriturismo Il Mulino in the hilltop village of Roio Del Sangro, where our hosts Chef Mirella, Chef Alessia and Pino will entertain us in a hands-on veggie cookery session
• Our lesson will cover the preparation of vegetarian specialities using the best local produce, greens, mushrooms and truffles
• Return to Villa Danilo with a chance to peek in the kitchen and tackle some more typical Abruzzese recipes with the Chef, which might include a main course as agnello (lamb), wild boar or delicious appetizers followed by Tiramisù!
• Optional activities this afternoon may include some relax at Villa Danilo’s little Grotto Spa with Massage or a personal Yoga session, a Creative Painting session, etc (booked separately)
• Dinner with our delicate preparations

DAY FIVE - Friday

Truffle Hunting – 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
• Evening  pizza making class...ready to spin and bake in a proper wood-burning oven??

DAY SIX - Saturday

Sulmona - Market – Honey tasting - 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

2350  eur 

• Guests: min 4 / max 8
• Starting point:Rome Airport @ 10:00am on Day One (please contact us for arrangements)
• Ending point: Rome Airport on Day Six
• Fully escorted by our Tour Leader and Hosts
• Accommodation 6 days / 5 nights:
  • 2 nights at the lovely Agriturismo La Rustica  in the sweeping hills of the Pescara  countryside
  • 3 nights at the gorgeous Villa Danilo Hotel in the Maiella National Park

• An exciting and unique journey of discovery through the very best of Abruzzo
• Hands-on Cookery Classes at our highly selected venues
• Foodie Experiences:
  • Hands on Pasta & Sauces Making with and our Chef
  • Dessert Masterclass
  • Authentic Truffle Hunt in the woods
  • Fish Masterclass along the stunning Costa dei Trabocchi
  • Olive Oil in a beautiful  XVII century olive mill
  • The Saffron Experience: saffron fields & saffron Masterclass
  • Wine Tastings
  • Mozzarella making
  • Pizza Masterclass
  • Cheese Tastings & Pecorino Cheese making
  • Market in the Roman Town of Sulmona
• All restaurants and venues are highly selected and offer the most special Abruzzo & ItaliaSpeciale Experiences!
• All meals included as per the program with selected wines

Not included

• Flights
• Gratuities

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.

Should you feel the need to share 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.

Payment: Bank Transfer + bank charges | Credit Card via Paypal: +3.5% | Cash: €100 eur discount