USA guests leave on September 17, 2023, for the overnight flight to Rome.

Abruzzo Food + Wine Tour (Final Program) 

September 18-25, 2023 

Guests arrive at Rome's Leonardo Da Vinci Airport. 

Terminal 3 (Chef Walter and Sheila Filipponi will be waiting) 

Transfer guests to our transportation guided by our trusted driver, Pasquale Di Mattia. 

Transfer to the city of Giulianova in the Abruzzo region. 

Travel time (approx. 2.45 hours) 

Check-in at Hotel Don Juan, our home, for the duration of the tour. Welcome Cocktail in the afternoon. Free Time to explore the waterfront. Dinner at Don Juan Hotel, with a menu' personally selected by Chef Walter and the Hotel's resident executive chef. 

Breakfast in the hotel dining area. Departure to Civitella to visit the fortress on foot. (Optional Activity). 

After the historic landmark, we will visit nearby Nereto to unveil a national event with the city's officials. Lunch in the city at Zio Mamo, on local specialties, followed by a visit to Scuppoz, a company known for making liqueurs by extracting flavors from tree roots. We will sample some of their specialties, and you will have a chance to purchase if preferred. 

The group will then move to Campli, a pristine borgo with a rich Roman history and architecture, and the Church of San Paolo with the nearby Scala Santa (Holy Staircase), so-called since 1772 when the custom of granting a plenary indulgence to those who climbed its twenty-eight steps made of hard oak wood on their knees and bowed head. There are only two similar holy stairs in the world: 

Jerusalem and the Vatican. (Optional Activity). 

Dinner will be in Campli at the Ristorante Il Tunnel in the city center. Return to Giulianova to our Hotel. 

Breakfast in the hotel dining area. We are going to Aquila, one of Abruzzo's provinces. Sheila will guide you through the focal historical landmarks and the city center. We will break for lunch at a rustic, artisanal family laboratory that serves some of the area's best air-cured and hand-made products. At La Bottega da Marcello, we'll find organic flavors we once enjoyed as kids. Then, we'll enjoy a Torrone tasting at Fratelli Nunzia, one of the world's oldest and most famous names of torrone. 

Back on the bus and going south, toward the wine town of Villarito. Here, we will stop at the beautiful Tenuta Margiotta Winery, a family business since 1900—tasting wines and matching foods reflecting the vineyards' characteristics. Our day will end in Sulmona, a Roman city older than Rome. Sheila will guide you through some engaging landmarks, and eventually, meet in the historic city center at the Hostaria Dellarco  for dinner. Back on the travel, we return to our Hotel in Giulianova. 

Breakfast in the hotel dining area. Today, we are moving south to visit the province of Chieti. Our first stop will be in the lovely town of Villamagna, a vibrant wine territory. We'll stop for a brief dessert and cappuccino break in town, then continue to visit the city center accompanied by a resident. 

We will then visit the Valle Martello Winery nearby for an exclusive tour, followed by an elaborate wine tasting paired with lunch, hopefully within the vineyard grounds if the weather agrees. 

In the afternoon, we will depart toward Chieti to visit the historical city center along Corso Maruccino. A brief aperitif break in one of the city's landmark cafe bars, followed by a tailored dinner at Taverna Teate. Back on the travel to return to Giulianova for the overnight. 

Breakfast in the hotel dining area. Today, we are going to Teramo, a city dear to me because I spent my early school years there. Sheila will guide you through some of the most important historical landmarks. We will stop for lunch at one of the most genuine restaurants in the city, operated by a chef friend and his lovely wife. In the early afternoon, we'll depart toward the ancient city of Atri, one of Abruzzo's most popular Middle Ages locations. 

We will break for an afternoon street food break, tasting the famous sweet bread Pan Ducale, house-made licorice, and locally made liqueurs. 

We will travel to the nearby Borgo (village) of Morro D'Oro in the late afternoon to visit the Propezzano Abbey. We will be treated to an elaborate wine tasting by the homonymous Propezzano wines. 

Dinner at the Abbey, prepared by local chefs, will complete our day. Return to Giulianova for the overnight. 

Breakfast in the hotel dining area. Today, we'll spend the day in this lovely province, the birthplace of the Italian poet Gabriele D'Annunzio. Our first stop will be Serramonacesca. The tiny Borgo (village) is particularly famous for the presence of one of the most beautiful medieval churches in Abruzzo, the Abbey of San Liberatore a Majella, built from the rare white stone of the northern slopes of the Maiella. 

Here, we will visit prestigious landmarks, including a walk to visit the Hermitage of Sant Onofrio. (Moderate walk), optional participation). Transfer to nearby Manoppello to visit the Holy Face in the Sanctuary for some redemption. Continue our journey to the Tenuta Arabona in Manoppello. Wine tasting paired with lunch in the afternoon in this lovely family-operated winery. Departure toward Pescara. Sheila will guide you to admire the city center, including the famous Piazza Salotto. 

We will break for a late afternoon spritzer on Aperol aperitif and continue our day by visiting the shores of Montesilvano. 

Evening dinner at Hotel D'Atri, located across from the Adriatic Sea. Return to Giulianova for the overnight. 

Breakfast in the hotel dining area. We will visit the Blessed Mother of Splendor this morning in Giulianova's upper town. (1.5 KM) 

We can discuss the opportunity to attend an early mass at the upgradeSanctuaryWe will decide during our week there.  

After our religious tribute, we'll visit the Vigneto Country House in nearby Martinsicuro. The lovely bed and breakfast is operated by Sergio Addezi, a remarkable friend and host, formerly the owner of our previous tour's Hotel Villa Susanna in Colonnella. 

Brunch overlooking the immense and pristine Adriatic Sea with wines served at the Vigneto. Afternoon transfer to my birthplace of Mosciano Sant'Angelo, about 20 minutes inland. 

After a brief visit to the Borgo's center with Sheila, we will indulge in our farewell dinner exclusively prepared by the Active Ladies of Mosciano. This non-profit association provides local social support and will cook for us because I am their favorite son abroad. The dinner will be outdoors in an ancient and romantic piazza. Return to Giulianova for the overnight. 

Early breakfast at the Hotel and transfer to FCO Airport in Fiumicino for the return departures. 

Some guests will have different travel schedules, and we will plan accordingly. 

Note: Chef Walter, Sheila, and trade colleagues in Italy personally selected all restaurants, menus, wineries, and activities. 

We will accommodate your food allergies as needed. 

Our minibus (25 seats) does not have a WC on board, but we will make the necessary stops accordingly. 

Some walking is required, but our tours are very flexible, and we promise you don't have to carry a triangle flag as on most tours. 

A good windbreaker should be included as we move from the sea to inland mountains. 

Lastly, dear friends, I design my tours as I would like to visit Italy away from large tourist traps and congested settings. 

This program is final and, except for unexpected situations, will be the If you are interested, we journey to follow. 

For those who don't know Sheila, she's my trusted tour assistant and the daughter of my childhood best friend. 

See you at Terminal 3 at FCO Airport in Fiumicino (Rome) on September 18, 2023. 

Safe Travels, Ciao Ciao, Chef Walter 

NOTE: Other activities include cultural visits, Wineries, Cheese Farming, Bakeries, Local Realities, and much more. Our tours follow our sustainable lifestyle, with health + wellness in philosophy. 

Some religious activities included—comfortable physical activities.

Guided Tour with Chef Walter and Travel Consultant Sheila Filipponi

Note: Flavors + Knowledge Tours may alter the program and itinerary according to logisticsweather-permitted but continuously day-to-day.