The Italian Vendemmia
Experience the Heart of Authentic, Unspoiled Italy
The Grape Harvest in Abruzzo, Italy
Overview
Today’s traveler is looking for more than the sights and sounds of the famous cities or places. Join us in creating your own unique memories in Abruzzo for the Italian Grape Harvest or 'Vendemmia' and experience the simple Italian lifestyle of the Abruzzi people. The week is comprised of the grape harvest from vine to bottle, an array of culinarpy and cultural experiences, short guided hikes, amazing medieval village tours and plenty of time to relax and explore the area on your own. This is a perfect holiday for foodies or wine lovers who want to experience the Italian culture.
Highlights
Day 1
Arrive in Rome airport. Transfer pick-up 2:30 pm
Settle in. Rest and Relax
Evening Aperitivo: wine and cheese in the garden
Meet and Greet: go over itinerary
Day 2
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Grape Harvest
1:00 pm Lunch in the vineyard
3:00 pm make the wine
Evening Dinner at Il Carro Restaurant in Pratola
Day 3
9:00 am Breakfast
10:00 am Short guided mountain hike
Rest
1:30 pm Pasta Lunch
5:00pm Wine Stomp Festival Dinner, Dancing and Grape Stomping
Day 4
9:00 am Breakfast
10:00 am Board the van for a trip to Lago di Scanno
1:00 pm Picnic Panini Lunch on the lake return to B&B
The evening is on your own
Day 5
9:00 am Breakfast
10:30 am Wine Painting with a local artist
1:30 pm Lunch buffet
Rest
Evening 7:00 pm Wine Tasting
Day 6
8:00 am Breakfast
9:30 am Trip to the open-air market in Sulmona
1:00 pm Lunch at the market
3:00 pm Pelino Confetti Factory
7:30 pm Leaving Party: Pizza and Prosecco
Day 7
Early Breakfast
Departure to airport or Rome or extend your stay!
Group size: Minimum 6
Maximum 16
Languages spoken: English and Italian
Additional Information:
Italian Language Lesson: Did you know that 50% of the Italian language is spoken, while the other 50% is communicated through a specific code of hand gestures. This short course will teach you the meanings of these handy hand signals.
Lago di Scanno: Lake Scanno is in the province of L’Aquila and is the largest natural lake in Abruzzo. Half of the lake is protected by the Abruzzo National Park and in the other half fishing (mostly of perch and trout) is controlled by the municipality of Villalago. There are plenty of ducks on the lake and other birdlife here is largely composed of peregrine falcons, hawks, owls and eagles. The magical, sparking waters of the lake invite swimmers, rowers, canoeists and pedalo riders. The journey from Roccacasale to Scanno on the rocky mountainous road through the Sagittario Gorge is spectacular.
Sulmona: Sulmona is situated at the foot of the Maiella, at the confluence of the Gizio and Vella rivers, where, in ancient times, there was a lake that dried out by natural causes. The city was hit several times by wars and earthquakes but, nevertheless, still has many medieval buildings of great beauty and a fine historical downtown. An important agricultural and commercial center, Sulmona is famous worldwide for its confetti, but also for its goldsmith's art (its antique jewels, bearing the initials SUL, are scattered in museums around the world (as well as in the Vatican).
Pelino Confetti Factory: Italian confetti are small, almond sweets with a crisp, sugar coating. Known in the US as Jordan almonds, and in France as dragées, these traditional confectionery are a much-loved and essential offering at any Italian wedding, baptism, anniversary, graduation or significant family event. The Pelino company was founded in May 1783 in Introdacqua, a village near Sulmona. The building, that is still in use today has been declared a Monument of National Interest by the Ministry of Culture in 1922.
Roccacasale: Roccacasale is a comune in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Built on the slopes of the Monte della Rocca in the central Apennines, the village overlooks the Peligna Valley and the town of Sulmona.
Not included in this package:
We will take care of every detail, from transportation to excursions to food and activities - not having to cope with all the details will make your trip incredibly relaxing. Your itinerary will be custom-designed to meet your desires and will be open to changes at almost any moment.
Overview
Today’s traveler is looking for more than the sights and sounds of the famous cities or places. Join us in creating your own unique memories in Abruzzo for the Italian Grape Harvest or 'Vendemmia' and experience the simple Italian lifestyle of the Abruzzi people. The week is comprised of the grape harvest from vine to bottle, an array of culinarpy and cultural experiences, short guided hikes, amazing medieval village tours and plenty of time to relax and explore the area on your own. This is a perfect holiday for foodies or wine lovers who want to experience the Italian culture.
Highlights
- Grape Harvest from vine to bottle
- Healthy Italian Breakfast daily plus either lunch or dinner daily
- Short guided hikes
- Tour of the famous Pelino Confetti Factory
- Excursion to Lago di Scanno
- Excursion to the open-air market in the village of Sulmona
- Painting with wine with a local artist
- Wine tour and tasting
- Italian language lesson (hand gestures)
- 6 nights’ accommodation (private or shared bath)
- Airport transfer
Day 1
Arrive in Rome airport. Transfer pick-up 2:30 pm
Settle in. Rest and Relax
Evening Aperitivo: wine and cheese in the garden
Meet and Greet: go over itinerary
Day 2
8:00 am Breakfast
9:00 am Grape Harvest
1:00 pm Lunch in the vineyard
3:00 pm make the wine
Evening Dinner at Il Carro Restaurant in Pratola
Day 3
9:00 am Breakfast
10:00 am Short guided mountain hike
Rest
1:30 pm Pasta Lunch
5:00pm Wine Stomp Festival Dinner, Dancing and Grape Stomping
Day 4
9:00 am Breakfast
10:00 am Board the van for a trip to Lago di Scanno
1:00 pm Picnic Panini Lunch on the lake return to B&B
The evening is on your own
Day 5
9:00 am Breakfast
10:30 am Wine Painting with a local artist
1:30 pm Lunch buffet
Rest
Evening 7:00 pm Wine Tasting
Day 6
8:00 am Breakfast
9:30 am Trip to the open-air market in Sulmona
1:00 pm Lunch at the market
3:00 pm Pelino Confetti Factory
7:30 pm Leaving Party: Pizza and Prosecco
Day 7
Early Breakfast
Departure to airport or Rome or extend your stay!
Group size: Minimum 6
Maximum 16
Languages spoken: English and Italian
Additional Information:
Italian Language Lesson: Did you know that 50% of the Italian language is spoken, while the other 50% is communicated through a specific code of hand gestures. This short course will teach you the meanings of these handy hand signals.
Lago di Scanno: Lake Scanno is in the province of L’Aquila and is the largest natural lake in Abruzzo. Half of the lake is protected by the Abruzzo National Park and in the other half fishing (mostly of perch and trout) is controlled by the municipality of Villalago. There are plenty of ducks on the lake and other birdlife here is largely composed of peregrine falcons, hawks, owls and eagles. The magical, sparking waters of the lake invite swimmers, rowers, canoeists and pedalo riders. The journey from Roccacasale to Scanno on the rocky mountainous road through the Sagittario Gorge is spectacular.
Sulmona: Sulmona is situated at the foot of the Maiella, at the confluence of the Gizio and Vella rivers, where, in ancient times, there was a lake that dried out by natural causes. The city was hit several times by wars and earthquakes but, nevertheless, still has many medieval buildings of great beauty and a fine historical downtown. An important agricultural and commercial center, Sulmona is famous worldwide for its confetti, but also for its goldsmith's art (its antique jewels, bearing the initials SUL, are scattered in museums around the world (as well as in the Vatican).
Pelino Confetti Factory: Italian confetti are small, almond sweets with a crisp, sugar coating. Known in the US as Jordan almonds, and in France as dragées, these traditional confectionery are a much-loved and essential offering at any Italian wedding, baptism, anniversary, graduation or significant family event. The Pelino company was founded in May 1783 in Introdacqua, a village near Sulmona. The building, that is still in use today has been declared a Monument of National Interest by the Ministry of Culture in 1922.
Roccacasale: Roccacasale is a comune in the Province of L'Aquila in the Abruzzo region of Italy. Built on the slopes of the Monte della Rocca in the central Apennines, the village overlooks the Peligna Valley and the town of Sulmona.
Not included in this package:
- Items of a personal nature
- Airfare
- Guide Gratuities
- Travel Insurance
- Supplemental services or activities such as additional excursions, beauty treatments, shopping
We will take care of every detail, from transportation to excursions to food and activities - not having to cope with all the details will make your trip incredibly relaxing. Your itinerary will be custom-designed to meet your desires and will be open to changes at almost any moment.
