10 Day All-Inclusive Culture and Culinary Tour in Abruzzo and Molise, Italy
Italy Culinary Tour
Join Molise Cuisine to discover the last unspoiled Italian region. This tour provides a blend of practical cooking classes with authentic Molisane and Abruzzese food, wine tasting, and visits to local cultural sites. Known for its world-famous Italian truffles, you can take the opportunity to have an amazing truffle hunting and tasting. All these ingredients come together in private cooking classes, where you’ll learn from an expert chef (and local celebrity), Nicola Vizzarri. This is an all-inclusive tour so all you need to do is just to enjoy and create as many beautiful memories as possible to take home with you!
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Highlights
- 4 cooking classes
- Enjoy a day trip to Tremiti Islands
- Discover the local sweets of Sulmona
- Enjoy cheese, truffle, and wine tastings
- An apron and a recipe book will be provided
- All daily meals and drinks are included
- 9 nights accommodation
- Airport pick up
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
Accommodation
You will stay in Agriturismo Il Quadrifoglio in Molise and in the B&B-Locanda Tre Pini in Chieti.
Program
Cooking course
The cooking courses are a hands-on experience. A mix of food, culture, and practical lessons. An experience allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the cuisine and culture of Molise. Learn to make dishes that you can easily reproduce at home. You will amaze yourselves and your friends by creating fresh pasta, traditional Central Italian dishes, and of course pizza!
The dishes are those of traditional Abruzzo / Molisane, such as Pallotte Cacio e Uova with tomato sauce, Cantucci biscuits, wine biscotti, and a chocolate wine cake since this is a wine region. Wine for everyone! Molise produces 60% of all the truffles in Italy, therefore, they have, of course, added several truffles recipes for you to tackle.
Itinerary
Day 1: Airport transfer and welcome dinner
Free airport pick up will be provided either from Rome or Naples. Drive from the airport towards Molise and onwards to Montenero di Bisaccia. There, you will be dropped at your accommodation, Agriturismo Il Quadrifoglio, surrounded by the beautiful vineyards of Cantina Terresacre. Once you’re settled, there will be a briefing on your tour followed by a welcome dinner.
Day 2: Agnone Bell Foundry, cheese tasting, and cooking class
- Morning
You will leave for Agnone, the center for important archaeological vestiges of the old Oscan-Samnite civilization. Agnone is sometimes called “the Athens of the Sannio” due to a large number of ancient ruins of the Samnitic culture. According to tradition, the name of Agnone derives from the old city of Aquilonia that was destroyed by the Romans.
Agnone also lays claim to the most important ancient Molise document: the so-called “Oscan Tablet” (“Tabula Osca”), a bronze inscription written in the Oscan alphabet that dates from the third century BC and is now kept in the British Museum.
The first visit will be to the Marinelli Bell Foundry. The Pontificia Fonderia Marinelli is an ancient factory for bells that has been operating in Agnone for nearly a millennium. It ranks as one of the oldest companies in the world, where the Marinelli family has run the foundry for the last 1,000 years.
After the foundry, you’ll visit the “Francesco Gerbasi” Museum of Copper, one of the last places where you can learn about the ancient art of copper making.
The final visit of the day will be the Di Nucci Cheese Makers renowned for their aged Caciocavallo di Agnone. The visit will include the chance to taste some of these beautiful cheeses for yourself.
Lunch will be at La Panonda, where you will be treated to some of the best cuisines the local area has to offer.
- Afternoon
After a drive back, there will be some free time to relax before the cooking class. After the class, you’ll settle down for dinner.
Day 3: Pietrabbondante, truffle tasting, and wine tasting
- Morning
You’ll drive to Pietrabbondante, a city whose earliest known inhabitants were the Samnites that became part of the Roman colony located in Sannio, as documented by Pliny the Elder. The Romans called the town “Bovianum Vetus”. Although little is known about its beginnings. It became a center of vital importance - when the Romans conquered the Samnites, Pietrabbondante became a place of reference for checking the Alto Molise.
A guide will take you around this amazing town rich in history. You will visit the Samnite Theatre as well as have the opportunity to see how truffles are transformed! Lunch will be at Taverna dei Sanniti, which offers traditional cuisine from locally sourced producers.
- Afternoon
After lunch, there will be an opportunity for wine tasting with the sommelier and food pairing with the dishes that will be made at the cooking class. That evening, you’ll meet for an aperitivo before heading for dinner.
Day 4: Old Port Fish Market, cooking class on the beach, Larino Roman Amphitheater, and wine tasting
- Morning
After breakfast, you are off to Termoli to visit the Old Port and buy fish that will be used in the cooking class. At 11 am, you’ll take your fresh fish to the day’s cooking .
- Afternoon
After lunch, you will take a short drive to Larino, a city of approximately 8,100 inhabitants. The city of Larino has been continuously inhabited for millennia. Originally settled by the Samnite and Frentani tribes of Southern Italy, the city came under the control of the Oscan civilization. In 217 BC, the Romans defeated Hannibal here, and it was later incorporated into the Roman Empire.
You will visit the Roman Amphitheater with a dedicated guide. The elliptical amphitheater was built in the first century AD by a prominent citizen of Larino who had made his fortune in faraway Rome. The arena could comfortably seat 12,000 spectators. After that, you’ll head over to Palazzo Zappone which was probably originally built as a Norman castle.
The day will also include a visit to the Civic Museum and Larino’s Cathedral, which is considered to be one of the finest in Italy. Then off to Cantina Tenimenti Grieco whose grapes come from fields overlooking the Adriatic coast at altitudes above 150 meters. There, you will enjoy wine tasting and visit the wine cellar with a sommelier. That evening, you’ll meet for an aperitivo followed by dinner.
Day 5: Relaxing day on Tremiti Islands
The day will be spent relaxing and sunbathing on Tremiti Island. The Island is located a short ferry ride from Termoli. Tremiti is known for its beautifully clear waters. You will also visit the Island of San Nicola. After a day of sun and sea, you’ll catch the ferry back to Termoli for dinner.
Day 6: Travel to Chieti
Morning
After breakfast we will drive to Chieti & to your accommodations where we will stay for the remainder of the trip. ( La Casa di Achille / B&B La Casita / B&B Torre dei Monaci)
Afternoon
After lunch we will stroll the old streets of Chieti . According to mythological legends, the city was founded in 1181 B.C. by the Homeric Greek hero Achilles and was named in honour of his mother, Thetis.
Chieti lies on a crest to the left of the Pescara river, with its unmistakable profile with the high belltower of San Giustino against the sky, a few km away from the Adriatic Sea, with the Majella and Gran Sasso in the background. It was a Roman town called Teate, and an important medieval centre, with Roman and medieval ruins side by side today.
To get a glimps of Chieti’s ancient soul we will take a stroll into the intricate alleyways of the historical center.
Dinner.
Day 7: Civitella Del Tronto and cooking with saffron
- Morning
After breakfast, you will drive to Civitella del Tronto (Teramo), a remarkable cliff-top town in the Gran Sasso e Monti Della Laga, a National Park of Italy. It is home to the largest fortress in Italy and the second largest in Europe which you will visit as well as “La Ruetta,“ the smallest street in Italy. Lunch will be at Restaurant Colle Santamaria with beautiful views of the surrounding area.
- Afternoon
After lunch, your guide will drive you to Navelli, which is famous for Italy’s best and most fragrant saffron, and stroll through Borgo Medievale. The saffron grown here has been awarded EU DOP status, as well as won the international saffron ‘Golden Atom’ award. Dinner will be a cooking class with authentic saffron dishes. You will also taste the very unique Gelato al Saffron!
Day 8: Chieti and wine tasting
- Morning
After breakfast, you will have a guided tour of Chieti, the capital of Abruzzo, including its beautiful churches, Roman Temple and Archaeological Museum. The morning will also include a vineyard visit and wine tasting at Maligni vineyards followed by a visit to Palazzo de Mayo. Lunch will be at La Tavernetta with local digestivi.
- Afternoon
After lunch, you will continue your tour of Chieti with its many shops and special points of interest. Following, you’ll have some free time to enjoy the street food or stop in a local Enoteca.
Day 9: Sulmona and local sweets
- Morning
After breakfast, you will drive to Sulmona, the capital of “confetti.” Sulmona is a charming town located at the foot of the Majella and surrounded by mountains, where ancient history and a strong tradition for colorful sweets live together, making it one of the most famous villages in Abruzzo. It is famous for being the capital of sugar-coated almonds, known as “confetti” in Italian. Its streets are adorned with colorful confetti bouquets, which you can buy in any innovative flavors like Nutella, tiramisu, ricotta and pear, fruits of the forest, hazelnut, and more!
You will visit the famous Confetti Pelino for an overview and tasting, and have lots of opportunities to shop for beautiful confetti, among other things, in Sulmona. Lunch will be at the famous Sulmona market and include an aperitivo and delicious local porchetta!
- Afternoon
You’ll have the afternoon to relax and that evening you’ll celebrate your final night with pizza, music, and laughter.
Day 10: Airport transfer
On this final day, your guide will provide a transfer back to the airport.
Included excursions
During this holiday, you will have visits to the Agnone Bell Foundry, Pietrabbondante, the Old Port Fish Market, Larino Roman Amphitheater, Tremiti Islands (relaxing day trip), Vasto, Chieti, Civitella Del Tronto, and Sulmona.
Instructors
Loriana De Sanctis
Loriana De Sanctis will be your tour guide throughout the tour.
Nicola Vizzarri
Nicola Vizzarri was born in Sardinia, Cagliari, in 1973. In his adolescence he dreamt of becoming the best chef. He then went to Villa Santa Maria, one of the most renowned hotel schools in Italy. He stood out among the others. After finishing his studies, he started working in the most prestigious restaurants and hotels in central and southern Italy. He took part in national and international food events and brought his research on new ways of cooking on TV. He's received many awards, but perhaps the greatest satisfaction came in 2002 when he became a member of the Italian National Cooks.
Location
In this special 10-day tour, you will discover and unfold the unique flavor of Italian cuisine in Molise and Abruzzo. This tour will begin in Molise, Italy.
Located along the Adriatic coast, between the Abruzzo and Apulia regions, Molise stands right in the middle of the Italian peninsula. Molise's territory has been producing grapes since time immemorial. Plinio the Ancient even mentioned Cliternia (now called Nuova Cliternia) near Campomarino as one of the best areas for viniculture in his writings of Naturalis Historia.
The region counts for four designated of origin (DOC): Biferno (red, white, and rose), Pentro di Isernia, Molise (red and white), and exclusive to the region and reason of great is Tintilia del Molise, and tally a few more IGT (Indicazione geografica tipica), the most famous one being "Osco" or Terra degli Osci.
Features
Activities
- Boating
- Cooking classes
- Shopping
- Wine tasting
General
- Beach
- Restaurant
- Special menu request
Services
- Local market
Food
All food and drink during this tour are included in the price. The breakfast in Locanda I Trev Pini will be Continental style. All the meals will be Italian, specifically Molisane and Abruzzese dishes. Wine and water will be provided during meal times. For special diets or allergies, please advise Molise Cuisine Traditional Cooking Classes and Wine Tours.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Snacks
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
- Alcoholic beverages
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Other dietary requirements on request
What's included
- Cooking classes
- Program activities
- Personal tour guide
- Driver
- Apron and recipe book
- Airport pick up (for groups of 3)
- Train / bus tickets back to the airport on departure day
- 9 nights accommodation
- All meals
- Wine and water during mealtimes
What's not included
- Airfare
- Personal expenses
- Additional activities
How to get there
Recommended Airports
Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport
211 km
Transfer included
Naples International Airport
126 km
Transfer included
Arrival by airplane
Please book your flight to arrive at Naples International Airport (NAP) or Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport (FCO). Molise Cuisine Traditional Cooking Classes and Wine Tours will provide drop off only for groups of 3 people or over, but they do provide train / bus tickets to back to the airport on the departure day.
Arrival by train / bus
Molise Cuisine Traditional Cooking Classes and Wine Tours will provide train / bus tickets to back to the airport on the departure day. The tickets are provided by Molise Cuisine.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 15% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid on arrival.
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