Walks in Abruzzo

Thursday 20th March 2008

Easter Short Break, walking festivals Italy, Sulmona, Abruzzo, The Madonna Who Runs In The Square

Nature Reserves and Easter Festivals……………..Harmony formed from nature, art, and religiion.

This Easter short break gives a wonderful opportunity to combine a couple of beautiful days walking with experiencing at first hand ancient Italian traditions. The walks enter nature reserves passing lakes and rivers. Our journey takes us through gorges, olive groves, evidence of past civilizations and a  monastery carved out of rock. The festivals include; ‘Venerdi Santo’  Penne, the good Friday solemn procession of the dead Christ, and ‘La Madonna Che Corra’ Sulmona, where we watch (or join in) these historic moving ceremonies where literally thousands of people take to the streets to participate or watch. Your stay for the 5 nights will include; your English guide, meals as indicated, accommodation, and transfers to and from Pescara Airport. All this framed by the Gran Sasso and Majella national parks and the Apennines.

Day 1 - Arrival   

You arrange flights to Pescara Airport (Ryanair – London Stanstead) or you take the Train/Bus to Pescara Station. We transfer you to your Hotel, at Penne Abruzzo. Night at hotel. Meals included – dinner

Day 2 - Good Friday Walk - We walk from Penne to Farindola.

This walk is generally moderate with a couple of steep climbs and ascents. You will walk mostly on good paths, but it can sometimes be steep and rough underfoot. Ascent less than 300 meters in the day. Walking boots required. About 4 hours walking. Our lunch is laid on at the hill top town of Farindola, on the edge of the Gran Sasso National Park. We take the bus back to Penne. Time at hotel to freshen up. In Penne, out table is reserved on the veranda of a central bar, with a view of the ‘Venerdi Santo’ procession. You have time to watch or follow the procession. We meet after for dinner at a local trattoria which offers a menu of traditional cuisine. After dinner you are transported to the hotel. Meals included. Lunch and evening meal. First Drink at bar in evening. 

Day 3 - Day at leisure

Check out of Hotel - Saturday Market Sulmona – day at leisure in the town famous for sugared almonds. Dinner at a traditional restaurant. Night at hotel in Sulmona. Meals incuded – dinner.

Day 4 -The festival of “La Madonna Che Scappa In Piazza” Sulmona

We watch this ancient ceremony where the statue of the Madonna ‘runs’ through the main piazza of Sulmona. Lunch of local cuisine. Afternoon at leisure. Dinner at restaurant. Night at hotel in Sulmona. Meals included lunch and dinner

Day 5 Monday - Two Gorge Walk – incuding the Monastery of San Bartholemeo.

In the morning we enjoy the Italian passion for food shopping as we shop together to select items for our packed lunch. The walk is split into two parts to take in these two Abruzzo outstanding landscapes. After entering the first gorge this opens into a magnificent mountain landscape, where we encounter elevated views without excessive effort. The second stage of the walk takes us to the Monastery of San Bartholemeo, carved out of the wall of the valley in times gone by. We have time to reflect or to wander explore a little the area surrounding this hermitage. This walk is generally moderate with a couple of steep climbs and ascents. You will walk mostly on good paths, but it can sometimes be steep and a little loose underfoot. Ascent less than 300 meters in the day. Walking boots recommended. About 5 hours in total. Meal at local trattoria. Meal included – evening meal.

Day 6 Tuesday -

Check out of hotel and transport to Pescara airport.

See a youtube video of  a part of last years celebrations;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Le3uZ1UqI4

back to top of page 

 Fantastic Photographs and Folklore

Tuesday 29th April 2008 - With a days walking In Abruzzo, Italy

This short break gives you a great start to the May Bank Holiday Weekend. Based in the heart of Abruzzo, a region of Italy with the largest area of National Parks in Europe. Your stay is in Sulmona, a pristine Old Town, where time has stood still. Surrounded by mountain scenery, you have time to relax, participate, and walk in this outstanding place. The headline of this mini tour is the magnificent Cocullo Festival, the most famous traditional festival in Europe,  where the ancient statue of Saint Domenico and various Serpari, a clan of snake handlers, cover themselves with snakes, and parade around the village re-inacting mystical past times. The snakes allegedly are harmless and have had their fangs removed! Our last day together is spent walking in the Majella National Park, reflecting on the festivities of the day before, and absorbing the magnificent scenery.

See YouTube amateur video of past celebrations at;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MU47RpbMiqo

Accommodation is bed and breakfast with ensuite bathroom. Included is; transport to and from Pescara Airport/Station, 4 nights accommodation, meals as indicated. Transport to festival and walk.  

Arrive Tuesday 29th April 2008

You arrange flights to Pescara Airport (Ryanair London Stanstead) or transport to Pescara train/bus station. Pre dinner drink & Meal at traditional restaurant

Wednesday 30th April

Market day at lesuire in Sulmona the town famous for ‘confetti’ sugared almonds. Evening meal of local cuisine 

Thursday 1st May

Trip to nearby Colcullo. We watch the snake procession, with the opportunity to sample the traditional foods of the day. There will be offerings such as the bread ciambellone, a sweet bread made in rings to represent snakes bitting their own tails. , little aniseed snake sweets ciambelle, and panini filled with spit roast pig covered with herbs “ porcetta”, You take evening meal at your leisure. 

Friday  2nd May

In the morning we enjoy the Italian passion for food shopping as we shop together to select items for our packed lunch. Walking in the National Park. This walk is generally moderate with a couple of steep climbs and ascents. You will walk mostly on good paths, but it can sometimes be steep and a little loose underfoot. Ascent less than 300 meters in the day. Walking boots recommended. Evening meal in a local restaurant.

Saturday

Check out of Hotel. We transport you to Pescara Airport or Train/ Bus station. 

back to top of page 

This 5 night short break takes in the flavours and outstanding scenery of Abruzzo. You will stay in ensuite accommodation in private rooms on a family farm stay, with evening meals cooked by your Italian hosts. The Abruzzo cooking is renowned around the world, and made famous not least by the Italian chef Aldo Zilli, who I understand still sources produce for his restaurants here. During the week there will be the opportunity to sample the famous wine of the region Montepulciano D’Abruzzo, and pecorino cheese from the nearby mountainside town of Farindola. You have the opportunity to spend two days walking in the Gran Sasso Mountain range, and participate in a cookery course led by your Italian host, where you watch, join in, then enjoy the food you have prepared.  

Sat 3rd May 2008

We pick you up from Pescara Airport (Or train/bus station Pescara – links to Rome, Napoli etc). Dinner at farm stay ‘Agriturismo’

Sun 4th

Walking in the Gran Sasso National Park. This walk is generally moderate with some  steep climbs and ascents. You will walk mostly on good paths, but it can sometimes be steep and a little loose underfoot. Ascent less than 300 meters in the day. Walking boots recommended. About 4 hours walking in total. Dinner at farm stay ‘Agriturismo’

 Monday 5th

Cookery Day. Demonstration of how to make traditional Italian foods, first hand practical experience. We enjoy a hearty lunch and dinner which we have prepared. 

Watch an amateur video here, on making Italian Pasta;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHbvI_tEyKA

This is not our tour, but you could make your own YouTube™ video this year!

Tuesday 6th

The Legends and Museums of Penne, Old Town Walk. Penne is a delightful and dynamic place, with evidence of civilisations that date back to the Bronze Age. Once a Roman city, it is written that St Patras (one of Jesus’ 72 nominated disciples) was the first bishop of Penne. In the majority Penne is built in terracotta, it’s fired brick narrow streets reveal numerous palaces and old churches, as well as all the facilities you would expect from a living breathing town. We walk at a leisurely pace around this historical medieval hill top town of Penne. The walk is entertaining and informative, led by your guide in traditional Abruzzo costume. Lunch, wine and coffee is included with this walk. Optional visit to the lake centre -  WWF wildlife sanctuary of the Lake of Penne, where 210 species of birds can be found, or return to the farm stay, or remain to shop in the many shops and boutiques in the town, return transport from Penne included. Dinner at farm stay ‘Agriturismo’

 Wednesday 7th

Cookery Day. Demonstration of how to make traditional Italian foods, first hand practical experience. We enjoy a hearty lunch and last evening dinner together which we have prepared. Optional transport into Penne where on this date the town usually holds it’s patron Saint’s Festival of Saint Massimo, which if the day runs as in the past it is usually concluded with a concert.

Thursday 8th

We leave our Italian ‘Home’ and are transported to Pescara Airport/Bus/Train station. 

back to top of page 

Walks, Castles, & Celebrations! Loreto Aprutino San Zopito - Post May Bank Holiday

Castles & Celebrations – Walking Italy - Bue San Zopito
Post May Day Short Break Sleep & Walk by fairytale castles

Thursday 8th May 2008

This trip completes our May Bank Holiday Triology. ‘Il Bue di San Zopito’ The bull of San Zopito festival. A celebration in Loreto Aprutino, Abruzzo, Italy. This commemorates the moment a bull got down on his knees in front of San Zopito in 1711. Your  accommodation is in a superb castle, the grand entrance area, piano lounge atrium, and vaulted ceiling dinning room are fit for royalty, and beautifully appointed rooms are perfect for relaxing after walking and the festivities.

How it works -

You arrange your own flights.We transport you to and from the airport, tours and walks included as indicated. 5 nights Half Board Accommodation.

Arrive Thursday 8th May.
We pick you up from Pescara Airport (Or train/bus station – links to Rome, Napoli etc)
Dinner is in the Castle fantastic dinning room, with vaulted ceilings and exquisite menu.

Friday 9th
Fairytale Castles.... we walk from Santo Stefano di Sessiano to Rocca Calascio the landmark Castle of Abruzzo. Panoramic mountain top views. This walk is generally moderate with some  steep climbs and ascents. You will walk mostly on good paths, but it can sometimes be steep and a little loose underfoot. Ascent less than 300 meters in the day. Walking boots recommended. About 4 hours walking in total.We return you to your hotel, relax and dine in style.

Saturday 10th
2nd Days walking in Gran Sasso National Park, moderate as above.Dinner at hotel

Sunday 11th
Day at leisure at Loreto Festival of San Zopito, this festival is within walking distance of the hotel, if required your guide is on hand if required.Dinner at hotel

Monday 12th
As Sunday, the feature is that a white bull, who is trained all year for this ceremony, contentedly parades around certain points in the village, with a little child on his back, and then at the required moment kneels down on a small rug.Dinner at hotel.

Tuesday 13th
With much to reflect on, photos to take pride of place on any wall or album, and a healthy glow,you are transfered to nearby Pescara Airport or Bus/Train station being the last part of this journey and of the May Triology of short breaks