Fabrizio Lucci
Founder & Tour Guide of Italia Sweet Italia
Fabrizio Lucci
Founder & Tour Guide of Italia Sweet Italia
1-7 December 2024
14-20 December 2025
Fully escorted small groups tour up to 12 travelers
Join us on a 7-day Italian cultural and culinary vacation in Abruzzo, one of the most stunning and culturally rich regions in Italy.
For anyone eager to live an immersive adventure in the Italian culture and traditions, where you really get to know the food, region and people, your host and local guide Fabrizio, together with his family & friends, has put together amazing experiences that combine passion, beautiful places and locals to show you the best of the region’s off-the-beaten-track secrets. This is a fully escorted tour that will give you the insights to daily life, food & wine, culture and production in Abruzzo and will let you discover the authentic Italy in a balanced mix of experiences, relax, adventure and learning.
The highlight of this tour is the chance to learn how to make traditional Christmas dishes and to create your own Christmas gift with a local artist.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Live like a local and sleep in a charming ancient Roman town on the Adriatic Sea
- Make your own Christmas gift with a local artist
- Enjoy amazing landscapes that spread out from the sea to the mountains
- Prepare traditional Christmas dishes with local women
- Discover the fascinating trabocchi fishing huts
- Explore enchanted castles
- Visit Abruzzo’s acclaimed wine makers
ITINERARY
* B= Breakfast | L=Lunch | D=Dinner | T=Tasting | C=Cooking Lesson
PM
- Rome Fiumicino airport pick up at 12:30 pm and transfer to the ancient Roman town of Vasto on the Adriatic Coast
(click here to discover more about Vasto) after crossing beautiful Abruzzo mountains looking at amazing landscapes, hilltop villages and castles
- Check in at the charming and family run Hotel dei 7 (or a similar accommodation) in the historical downtown
- Get to know your local guide and Italia Sweet Italia founder Fabrizio and learn more about this 7-day cultural and culinary vacation
- Walk to a traditional restaurant to enjoy a welcome dinner in the heart of Vasto
* B= Breakfast | L=Lunch | D=Dinner | T=Tasting | C=Cooking Lesson
After a leisurely traditional breakfast made of freshly baked bread, whole fruit country-style preserves, cake, pastries, coffee, tea and freshly squeezed juice:
AM
- We’ll walk and visit Vasto’s colorful market to get seasonal products. Here you’ll have the possibility to practice a little bit of Italian even if you don’t speak any of it
- Next we’ll drive to the beautiful countryside of Vasto where we’ll meet Fabrizio’s family to have an exclusive cooking class with them and we’ll learn how easy it is to make fresh pasta and we’ll be introduced to Abruzzo sauces
- An example menu based on Fabrizio’s family recipes, includes Bread with meat sauce, Pasta alla chitarra with meat sauce, polpette (meatballs), and Tarallucci (typical biscuits from Abruzzo)
PM
- Lunch with the scrumptious dishes that we prepared in the morning, while enjoying the relaxing family atmosphere
- After a short break to relax, in the afternoon we’ll explore Vasto historic center: Loggia Amblingh, a promenade overlooking the fascinating crescent-shaped coastline, the old town with its medieval Castle, charming lanes, a tower, the Cathedral and Piazza Rossetti, dedicated to Gabriele Rossetti, a poet from the town and father of Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who founded the Pre-Raphaelite Brotherhood
- Before free time, we’ll meet some local artisans or artists
- In the evening you may experience dinner on your own in one of the many restaurants of Vasto. After the big family lunch, based on our many years of experience, we know that nobody is looking for a rich dinner, so our travelers usually enjoy spending time like a local trying a simple aperitif, a gelato or a pizza. Obviously Fabrizio will suggest you his favorite places
* B= Breakfast | L=Lunch | D=Dinner | T=Tasting | C=Cooking Lesson
AM
- After breakfast we’ll drive to the little hilltop village of Lentella at Ettore’s “Fattoria d’Arte” (Art farm)
- Surrounded by an enchanting landscape with breathtaking views of the sea, mountains, rolling hills, and charming villages, you can indulge in an easy walk and a unique artistic experience with Ettore. He will guide you in creating your own special Christmas gift – a little sculpture or a postcard crafted with natural colors made from leaves and flowers that you can gather from Ettore’s property. (For those who prefer not to join the artistic activity, there are other delightful options: wander through nature amidst captivating artworks, unwind with a glass of fine wine, or simply marvel at the stunning panorama of the sea, majestic mountains, olive groves, vineyards, and picturesque hilltop villages)
- We’ll have an aperitif and a traditional lunch with Ettore and his wife Barbara
PM
- Next we’ll drive along the famous Trabocchi coast
- We’ll visit a trabocco (the symbol of the area), mostly built with acacia wood and railway iron sleepers
- Weather permitting, Rinaldo our host will show us how to fish from it and the secrets and history behind Abruzzo’s unique fishing platforms that have been featured in the BBC TV show: Escape to the Continent
- During a seafood aperitif you can relax breathing the sea breeze and taking some photos of the many beautiful marine landscape
- In the evening you may experience dinner on your own in one of the many restaurants of Vasto
* B= Breakfast | L=Lunch | D=Dinner | T=Tasting | C=Cooking Lesson
AM
- After a leisurely breakfast, we’ll drive to to the beautiful countryside of Vasto where we’ll meet again Fabrizio’s family to learn how to prepare traditional Christmas dishes at Mama’s. An example menu includes Pallotte casce e ove (cheese & egg balls), Cannelloni with ricotta cheese and spinach, Baccalà (Salt Cod) and Scrippelle (a typical Christmas dessert from Abruzzo) which we’ll enjoy for lunch immersed in the relaxing family and Christmas atmosphere
PM
- We know that not every minute of your time must be packed with organised events, this way you will be able to explore on your own and actually live like an Italian
- So today you’ll have a free afternoon for your own activities, which could be: go to one of the many beaches, visit Vasto’s museums and art galleries, take part into some extra activities/excursions, or just do some shopping visiting artisans or have a walk in the “piazza” to enjoy the relaxing Vasto atmosphere
- In the evening you may experience dinner on your own in one of the many restaurants of Vasto
* B= Breakfast | L=Lunch | D=Dinner | T=Tasting | C=Cooking Lesson
AM
- After breakfast we’ll make our way to a farmhouse where Pina and Berardino will reveal the secrets of farming letting you immerse in an authentic slow food experience. You could relax in the beautiful Abruzzo countryside or take part into some or all of these experiences
- We’ll learn how to make a special bread called “pizza scima – stupid pizza”, a pizza without yeast
- After collecting some organic wine from their winery, we’ll have an aperitif including a taste of their production: cheeses, salami and extra virgin olive oil
- Next we’ll learn how to prepare ricotta cheese
- Finally we’ll collect the fresh vegetables from their garden that will be used for our farm-to-table lunch
- A delicious traditional farm-to-table lunch will be prepared and served
- Almost everything we’ll eat is produced in the farm (wheat to produce the organic flour to make different kinds of breads, cookies and fresh pasta together with eggs from their hens, organic extra virgin olive oil, wines, liquors, juices, jams, cheeses, many varieties of salami, meats and vegetables)
PM
- In the afternoon, immersed in the nature and surrounded by amazing sceneries, we’ll drive in the inland to explore the enchanting Abruzzo’s castle in the sky in the charming village of Roccascalegna, ranked by Condé Naste Traveler as one of the 9 Most Beautiful Hilltop Towns in Italy
- After the big lunch at the farm, in the evening you may enjoy a dinner or aperitif on your own in one of the many restaurants and wine bars of Vasto
* B= Breakfast | L=Lunch | D=Dinner | T=Tasting | C=Cooking Lesson
AM
- After breakfast we’ll visit an Olive Grove that has been farmed by Giovanni’s family for three generations to produce DOP olive oils. He will unfurl the secrets of what Homer described as “liquid gold” and we will finish with an olive oil tasting
- Next we’ll visit an award winning winery that sits between a marine park and the mountains. We’ll make a wine tasting and lunch with pairings from local cheeses and salami and a tour of the vineyard and cellars organized by the winemakers Emanuele and Nicola
PM
- After some free time to relax and pack or do a last minute shopping, we’ll have a farewell party with Fabrizio’s family. You will enjoy the Abruzzo wines and food in a very relaxed atmosphere or help Adele and Mamma Anna Maria to make tiramisù and many kinds of pizza including the world famous Margherita or local ones with typical toppings such as the renowned “ventricina” salami
- In the evening we’ll have the last dinner together as an Italian family immersed in the Abruzzo’s countryside
* B= Breakfast | L=Lunch | D=Dinner | T=Tasting | C=Cooking Lesson
After breakfast we will leave (usually at 09:00 am) for Rome Fiumicino airport or your next destination (Rome Fiumicino is about 3,5 hours driving from Vasto) so make sure to get an afternoon flight (after 3:00 pm).
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NOTE ABOUT YOUR ITINERARY
Your Itinerary is a guide to your activities during the week. However, sometimes we modify the final itinerary to take advantage of the season and the weather. Our goal is to ensure that everyone has a fabulous time, and that sometimes means tweaking the schedule even after your arrival. Your guide will provide suggestions during the week, and the group will decide if any modifications are desired. Be assured that only enhanced experiences are ever considered.
PRICE
1-7 December 2024: € 1,685.00*
14-20 December 2025: € 1,795.00*
* Prices are per person and land only, with accommodation in a twin/double room with ensuite bathroom. Airfare and travel insurance are not included. There are no single supplements for solo travellers.
Click here for exchange rate
- 6 Nights accommodation at Hotel dei 7 in the historic centre of Vasto or similar accommodation
- Daily breakfast buffet
- 8 meals (food, water, locally source wine) in selected restaurants, a farmhouse, a private home, a winery and a trabocco fishing hut based on traditional regional dishes. Some evenings are free for you to explore the town by yourself
- 3 hands-on authentic Abruzzo cooking classes and associated food costs
- Art experience with a local artist
- Daily trips, experiences and excursions
- Pick up and drop-off at Rome Fiumicino airport or city center on request in an air-conditioned minibus or car
- Personalized cooking booklet and apron
- All transports for daily trips and excursions in an air-conditioned minibus or car
- All entry fees for excursions, tours and wine, olive oil and cheese tastings
- English-speaking tour manager throughout the vacation
- All taxes except city tax
- Airfares. We recommend using www.skyscanner.com to check the flights
- Money spent for personal interests
- Snacks/Drinks between meals, or any meals not listed on the itinerary
- Personal expenses like phone calls, visa costs, laundry or tips
- Travel insurance (not obligatory, but recommended)
- Drinks not listed in the itinerary (an extra bottle of wine, for example)
- The cost of additional excursions or activities
- City tax (at the moment € 2 per night per person to be paid at hotel)
During this tour you will stay at the centrally located 3* Hotel dei 7. Recently renovated, this simple but comfortable hotel provides 18 rooms with updated ensuite bathrooms, tiled floors, air conditioning, safe rooms, elevator, and WiFi (sometimes a comparable accommodation may be proposed).
You can also choose to upgrade to a lovely boutique residence located in the heart of Vasto. Originally an 18th-century mansion, it has been renovated into an upscale B&B with 5 bedrooms, located on the Amblingh promenade. Discover more here and inquire for a quote.
WHY US?
WE ARE PROUD TO BE LOCAL
- Only 100% authentic experiences
- Deep connections with the people who live here
- We have a passion for our culture and our communities
ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME TRIP
- Read the glowing reviews from our guests on Tripadvisor
- We know how to make you feel right at home
- We keep our groups small so we can take care of every detail
SUSTAINABILITY AND PASSION
- We promote the local culture as a sign of responsible travel
- We are focused on preserving our way of life
- We involve small, family-run and passion-driven businesses
FAQ
Italia Sweet Italia (ISI) is a small incoming tour operator specialized in organizing vacations around Abruzzo Italy, our home. ISI is a fully licensed company covered by insurance policy no. 4378340 by Europe Assistance Italia S.p.A. and authorised by the local government to create and sell tour packages from 2011.
Our mission is to show people from all over the world the beauty of Abruzzo and other Italian regions so they can experience our homeland, traditions, arts and folklore in a unique way, also demonstrating the benefits of sustainable tourism to everyone. In order to help you discover everything Abruzzo and other Italian regions have to offer, we organize small groups (up to 12 people) escorted tours including cultural, culinary, active, pottery, Italian language and ancestry experiences. We are happy to create a tailored vacation around your wishes. Our tours provide you with the rare opportunity to be invited into homes and farms, as well as into the daily lives of locals.
ABRUZZO TOURS
Yes, Fabrizio will be happy to guide you to let you discover his Abruzzo although there may always be some unforeseen events that may make it necessary to replace Fabrizio with another experienced and trusted Abruzzese guide who has worked with Fabrizio for many years.
ABRUZZO AND PUGLIA TOUR
Yes, Fabrizio will be happy to guide you for the first 5 days of the tour to let you discover his Abruzzo although there may always be some unforeseen event that may make it necessary to replace Fabrizio with another experienced and trusted Abruzzese guide who has worked with Fabrizio for many years. In Puglia there will be Katia, an enthusiastic local guide who share our philosophy and we prefer to have people that love and know everything (or almost) about their region just like Fabrizio does for Abruzzo. It’s best to have the knowledge of a local to appreciate all that is local. Rest assured that we designed the tour together and Fabrizio has personally met the local suppliers to make sure they share Italia Sweet Italia’s philosophy and style to create new and unique trips to support small local businesses and sustainable tourism.
TOURS IN OTHER ITALIAN REGIONS
No, Fabrizio won’t personally lead these tours. We prefer to entrust our trips to enthusiastic local guides who share our philosophy. While it would be wonderful to have Fabrizio accompany the tour, we believe in giving space to individuals from the area who have a deep love and knowledge of the region. Nonetheless, Fabrizio has worked closely with local suppliers to ensure they align with Italia Sweet Italia’s values and style. This collaboration allows us to create new and unique trips while supporting small local businesses and sustainable tourism.
Here are some general information, please read in the final part of the tour brochure that you can download by clicking on the Download free brochure button (button you will find on the page you are reading) all the details about the pick up time, drop off, the duration of the transfer to and from the hotel and the meeting point which is very simple.
Pick up
For all the small group tours listed in our calendar, the pick up is planned at 12:30 pm on day 1 at Rome Fiumicino airport for tours in Abruzzo and Le Marche, at 2:30 pm at Bologna and Palermo airports for tours in Emilia Romagna and Sicily, at 1:00-1:30 pm or at 4:00-4:30 pm at Bari airport or Train station for the 7-day Puglia tour (see details in the brochures).
Drop-off
For the drop-off we usually leave the hotel at 9:00 am after breakfast.
Private pick-up and drop-off for group tours
Of course, we are always happy to support you to organize a private pick up/drop off only for you to let you join our small group tours listed in our calendar.
Make sure to arrive at the meeting point on time but don’t get stressed
Please note that all guests joining our tours are responsible for ensuring they make it to the meeting point by the indicated time. Those who are unable to be on time will not be guaranteed a transfer from the airport and will have to seek other arrangements to participate in the remainder of the tour. Anyway, don’t worry, in most cases, there are public buses or trains that connect the airport with our locations.
Private pick-up and drop-off for group tours
Of course, we are always happy to support you to organize a private pick up/drop off only for you to let you join our small group tours listed in our calendar which needs to be quoted as an extra cost.
Connecting to or from another part of Italy
If you are connecting to or from another part of Italy we are happy to assist you in planning your pre and post trip connections. If your planned arrival or departure does not coincide with the specified meeting time we can assist you in booking a private transfer at an additional cost or some extra nights inItaly.
Once a complete booking is made you may also contact us directly for further details and assistance. We are always here to help and have the insider knowledge and on the ground support to ensure you find the best option available to arrive or depart from your tour.
- Our tours are suitable for everybody that travelled enough to know that touristy vacations are just not them and long for more authentic travel, ways to truly experience the culture and people they’re visiting
- Our travellers appreciate la dolce vita and the pleasures of exquisite food, wine, and fellowship with others who share their passions
- Our guests are not afraid to take bold steps…to learn something new…to explore something completely out of the ordinary
- The minimum age for pre-arranged tours is 14 (14-18 accompanied by an adult) with no upper age limit. For tailor-made and private tours any age is fine
- Our tours are perfect for solo travellers (we don’t charge single room supplements for our 7-day tours in Abruzzo), couples, groups of friends and even families are welcomed
- Our guests don’t need to have any experience in cooking or painting or do pottery or speaking Italian to join our tours. Our experienced course tutors will soon discover your level of knowledge and will adapt their approach accordingly
All classes are taught in both Italian and English so you’ll have the opportunity to learn and practice a little bit of Italian
The booking process with Italia Sweet Italia is very simple. All you have to do is follow the 2 easy steps. At any stage you are welcome to contact us and we will help you with any doubts or problems:
- To Pay a deposit of 25% per person by:
- Credit card using the book now button on the tour page
- Bank Transfer to Italia Sweet Italia Holidays S.R.L. Unipersonale
Account number: 1230542024 IBAN: IT41Y0526277910CC1230542024 SWIFT: BPPUIT33
Banca Popolare Pugliese – Società cooperative per azioni Via XXIV Maggio, 25 66054 Vasto (CH) – Italy. Motivation of the payment: Deposit for Tour… to add name of the tour, month and year). Please inform your bank to make it directly in €.
- You pay the 75% balance within 45 days before arrival
You can pay the balance by Bank Transfer or Credit card (you will receive an automatic email from our booking platform).
Tours booked less than 45 days before their start date must be paid in full.
Welcome to Italia Sweet Italia, where each day blends cultural immersion, scenic beauty, and culinary delights. Arriving at Rome Fiumicino airport, our team whisks you away to Sulmona or Vasto amidst the stunning Abruzzo landscape. After settling in, explore at your leisure before a warm welcome briefing with our guide. Indulge in authentic Italian cuisine at local eateries, with flexibility to accommodate preferences. From optional activities to leisurely strolls, every moment promises an unforgettable Italian adventure. Read more
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Price: € 1,685
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