CNA - The interior Abruzzo

1st day

Arrival in L’Aquila, hotel accommodation, aperitif, briefing and overnight stay.

2nd day

In the morning, breakfast at the hotel, meeting with the guide and whole day dedicated to the discovery of L’Aquila, Italian Capital of Culture 2026. The fortified city was built in 1254 near the ancient Roman Amiternum, thanks to the 99 surrounding “castles” who joined in this purpose, each one making its own square with its church and fountain. The city became a free municipality from the second half of XIII century and then grew up until it became the second city of the Kingdom of Naples thanks to the many activities (wool, silk, lace and saffron) and the role of a major cultural centre, with a “Studio Generale” and many printing houses. Among the many monuments we will visit, is it worth mentioning the singular Fountain of the 99 Spouts (by the number of masks that make it up) and the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio: this last one, founded in 1287 by celestine monks, represents the best example of church with horizontal crowning architecture typical of Abruzzo; still houses the remains of San Celestino V, creator of the Bull of Forgiveness from which derives the wonderful feast of the Perdonanza considered an Intangible Heritage of Unesco. In addition, in the historic centre, we will visit the Basilica of San Bernardino, the Church of Santa Maria del Suffragio, Piazza del Duomo and the Spanish Fortress. In the late afternoon free-time for shopping. Lunch in a typical restaurant. At the end of the day, return to hotel and overnight.

3rd day

In the morning, meeting with the guide and departure for the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park: we will cross the endless plain of Campo Imperatore whose lunar landscape will take us to what is called the “little Tibet”. After a break near the characteristic Lake of Pietranzoni we will continue in the direction of Castel del Monte, visiting the the canyon of Scoppaturo, well known film location. From here we will begin the descent towards the villages of the southern side of the Park. Arrived in the small village of high altitude Castel del Monte, we will visit the Ricetto, original core of the old town. Considered the Capital of Transhumance, became in 2019 Intangible Heritage of Humanity of UNESCO, Castel del Monte is also known for the production of Pecorino Canestrato. Lunch in a typical restaurant. In the afternoon we will transit under the Fortress of Calascio, National Geographic has listed it among the ten most beautiful castles in the world and for this reason it has also become a well-known film location; a few kilometres away, stop in Santo Stefano di Sessanio, the most famous and richest of the villages located in the Barony. The ancient splendour of these places is still visible in the elegance of the decorations of the houses and in the coats of arms of noble families such as the Medici. We will lose ourselves in the maze of alleys, stairs, arches and narrow roads that over the millenia have helped the inhabitants of these places to overcome the cold and then visit the Medici Tower, renovated after the earthquake of 2009. For taste lovers, Santo Stefano is famous for the cultivation of small spherical lentils. Return to the hotel and overnight.

4th day

After breakfast, departure for the guided tour of Sulmona. Located in the Maiella National Park, it is considered one of the most beautiful centers of the region and is known throughout the world for its production of confetti. We will taste them in the most famous factory of the city, where is also located the Museum of Art an Confetteria Technology. Home of Ovidio, Sulmona has a beautiful historic center where we can admire the Palace of SS.ma Annunziata, the medieval aqueduct, Piazza Garibaldi, the Cathedral of S. Panfilo and other monuments of great interest. Lunch in restaurant. In the afternoon transfer to Pacentro. The ancient centre of Abruzzo is located within the Maiella Park and can be seen from far with the tower of its Castel of Cantelmo-Caldora, an ancient fortress on the slopes of Mount Morrone. The village is entirely gathered around the Piazza del Popolo with its monumental seventeenth-century fountain and the fifteenth-century Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The legend says that the village was founded by Pacinus, a Trojan hero who, leaving Aeneas on the banks of the Tiber, went through the Sannio and arrived at the foot of Monte Morrone and founded Pacentro. Today the ancient village preserves all its charm and jealously guards its precious treasures to be discovered and admired. Return to the hotel and overnight.

5th day

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Free visit to one of the following museums:

- MAXXI (Museum of Contemporary Art)

- Castle of the 16th century and M.U.N.D.A.

End of services.