Fabrizio Lucci
Founder & Tour Guide of Italia Sweet Italia
Fabrizio Lucci
Founder & Tour Guide of Italia Sweet Italia
Price: € 3,450
Minimum of 10 participants
19 – 28 July 2026
Start - End: Rome Fiumicino Airport/City Center
An Authentic Odyssey curated by Fabrizio Lucci & Robert Campana
Close your eyes and imagine an Italy that still belongs to the poets.
This journey is not a standard itinerary; it is a labor of love designed by two experts who call these lands home. Fabrizio Lucci, founder of Italia Sweet Italia, was born and raised in the coastal beauty of Vasto, our base for the second half of the tour. Robert Campana, the visionary behind Stop Italian Sounding, traces his roots back to Colli al Volturno, the very heart of Molise where our adventure begins.
Fabrizio and Robert share a profound mission: to protect and promote the “Minor Italy”—that authentic, untamed soul of the country found far beyond the crowded tourist traps. Together, they have designed an immersive experience that celebrates the “modern heroes”—the small-scale producers, artisans, and farmers who keep Italy’s true culinary and cultural heritage alive.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Echo of Eternity in Agnone: A private, soul-stirring visit to the world’s oldest Bell Foundry, where bells are still cast for Popes, followed by the sensory art of artisanal cheese-making.
- A Table Set with Love: An emotional, hands-on cooking class inside my own family home—a cherished "home-away-from-home" experience that our guests carry in their hearts forever.
- The Art of the Earth: A dream-like workshop with local artists, foraging for wildflowers in the wild Molise meadows to create postcards using "KM 0" pigments derived directly from the soil.
- Dining Above the Waves: A legendary seafood banquet suspended over the turquoise sea on an ancient Trabocco, a traditional wooden fishing machine that defies time.
- Vasto’s Summer Symphony: Experience the vibrant cultural stage of July, where daily concerts and events breathe life into the 15th-century Neapolitan Gardens of Palazzo d’Avalos.
- National Park Splendor: A breathtaking scenic drive through the rugged mountains to reach Scanno, the most photographed village in Italy, where the "Presentosa" jewelry tradition still shines.
ITINERARY
Sunday Rome – Agnone: The Journey Begins (meals included: dinner)
- Morning: Our journey begins with a personalized pick-up at Rome Fiumicino Airport (at 12:30 pm).
- Lunch: Free stop at a highway rest area (not included).
- Afternoon: Arrival in Agnone, check-in at your hotel in the town center. Time to relax or enjoy the stunning views of the Molisan valleys or the historic town center.Arrival in Agnone, check-in at your hotel in the town center. Time to relax, enjoy the stunning views of the Molisan valleys, or take a short walk and enjoy an independent aperitivo in the historic town center of Agnone.
- Dinner: Welcome Dinner at the farmhouse to meet your local tour guide
- Dinner: Welcome Dinner at a traditional restaurant in the historic center to meet your local tour guide
- Travel Details: Rome → Agnone: 220 km | 3h 00min.
Monday Bells and the Art of Cheese: Agnone (meals included: breakfast, lunch)
- Morning: Visit the world-famous Marinelli Pontifical Bell Foundry, the oldest in the world—the true highlight of Agnone. This will be followed by a visit to a Cheese Factory for a guided tasting of their artisanal products and aged Caciocavallo.
- Lunch: Traditional lunch in Agnone’s historic center.
- Afternoon: Guided tour of the medieval village of Agnone and its ancient copper and gold workshops.
- Dinner: Dinner at leisure.
- Travel Details: today, there is no transfer; the journey will be on foot (approx. 10-15 minutes each way), plus a visit to Agnone of 1-1.5 hours.
Tuesday Flavors of the Volturno Valley: Oil, Wine and Grains (meals included: breakfast, tastings, lunch)
- Morning: Visit the Venafro Regional Olive Tree Park (Parco Regionale dell’Olivo di Venafro). Start at 8:00 AM from Agnone. This regional park offers a walk among fascinating, centuries-old olive groves, rich in history and tradition.
- Visit the an Oil Mill in Monteroduni to discover the secrets of extra virgin olive oil.
- Lunch: Visit and tasting lunch at a local Winery featuring local Tintilia wine.
- Afternoon: Visit a Panificio (bakery) in Montaquila for a tasting of traditional sweets and to purchase local treats to enjoy in the evening.
- Dinner: Return to Agnone; dinner at leisure.
- Travel Details: Agnone → Monteroduni: 55 min | Monteroduni → Montaquila: 12 min | Montaquila → Agnone: 58 min.
Wednesday Waters and Roots: San Vincenzo and Colli a Volturno (meals included: breakfast, tastings, lunch)
- Morning: Visit the ancient Abbey of San Vincenzo al Volturno and a relaxing walk along the shores of the crystal-clear Lake San Vincenzo.
- Lunch: Typical local lunch in the area.
- Afternoon: Visit Colli a Volturno (Robert’s home village), walk through the center, and enjoy a tasting of the famous “Cannoli Collesi.” Return via the majestic Basilica of Castelpetroso. Visit Colli a Volturno (Robert’s home village), walk through the center, and enjoy a tasting of the famous “Cannoli Collesi.” Return via the majestic Basilica of Castelpetroso, including a visit to the Basilica.
- Dinner: Dinner at leisure.
- Travel Details: Agnone → C. San Vincenzo: 1h 00min | C. San Vincenzo → Colli a Volturno: 15 min | Colli → Castelpetroso: 30 min | Castelpetroso → Agnone: 50 min.
Thursday Ancient History and Forest Treasures: Pietrabbondante and Truffles (meals included: breakfast, dinner)
- Morning: Excursion to the Italic Sanctuary of Pietrabbondante, an archaeological masterpiece of the Samnite people.
- Lunch: Lunch at leisure in Agnone.
- Afternoon: Free time for relaxation.
- Dinner: Late afternoon transfer for an evening truffle hunt with King of Truffle (Macchia d’Isernia) and their expert dogs, followed by a full truffle-based dinner.
- Late afternoon transfer for an evening truffle hunt, followed by a truffle-based dinner.
- Travel Details: Agnone → Pietrabbondante: 20 min | Agnone → Macchia d’Isernia: 45 min | Return: 45 min.
Friday Transfer to Abruzzo: Sepino, Termoli, and Vasto (meals included: breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- Morning: Departure for the Roman ruins of Saepinum (Sepino), the “Pompeii of Molise.”
- Lunch: quick lunch in Oratino and short walk
- Afternoon: Visit the ancient Seaside Village of Termoli. Continue to Vasto and check-in at Hotel dei 7*** in the San Michele district or B&B Vico Boito in the heart of Vasto’s historic center
- Dinner: Abruzzo Welcome Dinner overlooking the Adriatic Sea.
Saturday The Soul of Vasto: Family Cooking Class & Historic Charm (meals included: breakfast, lunch)
- Morning: 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
- Join Fabrizio’s family for an exclusive hands-on cooking class at their home. This is more than a lesson; it’s a warm immersion into Italian life, sharing stories and laughter in an atmosphere that our guests consistently rate as their favorite experience. You’ll learn the secrets of “pasta alla chitarra” and traditional sweets.
- Lunch: A convivial feast in the family garden, enjoying the fruits of your labor paired with local wines.
- Afternoon: Discover the hidden gems of Vasto: the medieval center, the majestic Caldoresco Castle, and the Amblingh Promenade at sunset.
- Dinner: Dinner at leisure.
Sunday Coastal Magic & The Art Farm Experience (meals included: breakfast, lunch, aperitif and dinner)
- Morning: After breakfast we’ll explore the famous Trabocchi coast. We’ll start with a short and easy walk inside Punta Aderci Nature Reserve, one of the 12 most beautiful Italian beaches according to the National Geographic, from where you can also admire snow-capped mountains at certain times of the year
- Next 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
- His wife Maria will prepare fish from the Adriatic Sea for our exclusive lunch on the ocean
- After a short break at the hotel, 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 Abruzzo souvenir—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 dinner with Ettore and his wife Barbara
Monday Farm-to-Table Immersion & Fairytale Castles (meals included: breakfast, lunch)
- Morning: Experience the “Green Heart of Europe” at a local farmhouse (Lanciano area). You’ll pick sun-ripened vegetables, learn to make fresh cheese, and prepare the ancient “Pizza Scima” (a special bread) made with local grains.
- Lunch: A celebratory farm-to-table banquet where every ingredient is produced on-site.
- Afternoon: Visit the breathtaking Roccascalegna Castle, a medieval fortress clinging to a jagged limestone crag.
- Dinner: Return to Vasto; dinner at leisure.
- Travel Details: Vasto → Farmhouse (Lanciano): 40 min | Farmhouse → Roccascalegna: 30 min | Roccascalegna → Vasto: 50 min.
Tuesday Farewell Italy: Abruzzo National Park, Scanno, traditional craftsmanship, beautiful panoramas, and transfer to Rome (meals included: breakfast, lunch)
- Journey through the Abruzzo National Park, a scenic drive of approximately 3 to 3.5 hours from Vasto, including several stops for breathtaking landscape photos. Arrive in Scanno, the most photographed village in Italy. Visit a master goldsmith to learn about the “Presentosa” jewelry tradition and explore the ancient borgo.
- After a farewell light lunch, we transfer to Rome (City Center or FCO Airport) for arrival around 5:30-7:00 PM, based on the group’s needs.
- Travel Details: Vasto → Scanno: 3h 00min – 3h 30min | Scanno → Rome: 2h 30min
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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.
In particular, for our mountain excursions and outdoor picnics, if the weather conditions do not allow for the planned activities, Fabrizio will always consider and substitute them with a “Plan B” of equal value and beauty. 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.
PRICING & SUPPLEMENTS
Based on 10 paying participants*
- Double/Twin share: € 3,450 per person
- Single Occupancy: €3,720 per person
Important Note regarding Group Size and Flight Bookings
Please note that this tour is based on a minimum of 10 paying participants. Should we not reach this minimum number, we may still offer the tour with a small additional surcharge. In any case, the tour’s definitive status will be confirmed no later than May 19, 2026.
We strongly recommend that you do not book your international flights until you receive our final confirmation, unless you plan to travel to Italy regardless of the tour’s departure (either independently or with another provider).
*Prices are per person and land only, with accommodation in a twin/double room with ensuite bathroom. Airfare and travel insurance are not included. Single occupancy supplement (double room for single use): € 270.
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Included in the price
Accommodation
- Upper Molise – Agnone (5 Nights): Il Duca del Sannio (in Town Center). Standard Rooms.
- Abruzzo Coast – Vasto (4 Nights): Hotel dei 7*** (San Michele District) and B&B Vico Boito (Historic Center). Standard Rooms.
To accommodate the group, we are currently planning a split between two structures in Vasto:
- Hotel dei 7* (Main Hub – 8 Rooms): Located in the San Michele district, perfect for group logistics.
- B&B Vico Boito (Historic Center – 5 Rooms): A charming traditional b&b.
- Room distribution: 2 rooms on the 1st floor, 2 rooms on the 2nd floor, and 1 attic room (mansardata) on the 3rd floor.
- Important Note: This B&B is located in an authentic historic building and does not have an elevator. Guests must be comfortable climbing stairs.
- Location: The B&B is approximately a 15-minute walk from the main Hotel dei 7
ROOM & BEDDING SPECIFICATIONS
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Double/Twin Room: Prices are per person based on two people sharing a room. You can choose between one large double bed (matrimoniale) or two separate twin beds.
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Single Occupancy: “Double for Single Use” means you will have a full double room with a large double bed for your exclusive use (one person only.
TRANSFERS
- Private pick-up from Rome (FCO Airport or City Center) on Day 1.
- Private drop-off to Rome (FCO Airport or City Center) on Day 10.
- All daily transfers as per itinerary in comfortable, air-conditioned private 8-seater vans
TOUR LEADER & SPECIAL GUEST
- Professional English-speaking tour leader and local guides throughout the journey.
- Special Guest Host: Robert Campana (Founder of Stop Italian Sounding) as Tour Ambassador.
MEALS (12 Full Meals included)
- All 9 breakfasts (Traditional Italian style + savory options like eggs, salami, cheeses, and vegetables).
- 12 Main Meals (Lunches or Dinners as per program). Typically, these meals feature a variety of appetizers, a first and/or second course, and a traditional dessert, accompanied by Locally Sourced Wine, water, coffee, and a local amaro. Included meals:
- Welcome Dinner in Agnone (Farmhouse style)
- Traditional Lunch in Agnone’s historic center (Day 2)
- Wine & Oil Tasting Lunch at Cantina Campo Valerio (Note: Dessert is not included today as we will visit a traditional bakery right after)
- Typical Local Lunch in the Volturno Valley area (Day 4)
- Full Truffle-based Dinner (A complete meal following the truffle hunt).
- Quick Traditional Lunch in Oratino or nearby village (Day 6)
- Abruzzo Welcome Dinner in Vasto overlooking the Adriatic
- Family Hands-on Cooking Class Lunch at Fabrizio’s home (Pasta making)
- Farm-to-table Banquet in a rural farmhouse (Lanciano area)
- Traditional Seafood Banquet on a Trabocco (Seafood lunch over the waves)
- Farewell Vegetarian Dinner at the Art Farm in Lentella
- Traditional Farewell Quick Lunch in the village of Scanno
- Note: Unlimited water and Locally Sourced Wine are included during all these 12 meals
EXCURSIONS AND EXPERIENCES
- Artisanal Cheese Tasting & Demo in Agnone (Guided tasting and demonstration)
- Entrance ticket to visit the Marinelli Pontifical Bell Foundry (oldest in the world)
- Oil Mill visit and olive oil tasting
- Winery visit and wine tasting
- Visit to San Vincenzo Lake and Abbey
- Traditional “Cannoli Collesi” tasting in Colli a Volturno
- Guided visit to the Pietrabbondante Italic Sanctuary (entrance tickets included)
- Evening Truffle Hunt with expert dogs in Macchia d’Isernia
- Visit to the Roman Ruins of Saepinum (entrance tickets included)
- Guided walk through the seaside village of Termoli
- Vasto Colorful Market visit and historic center walking tour
- Entrance and visit to Roccascalegna Castle
- Nature walk at Punta Aderci Nature Reserve
- Trabocco fishing demonstration
- Art Workshop & Herbal Walk at the Art Farm (Nature Postcard making)
- Scanno village tour and “Presentosa” jewelry tradition discovery
- Airfares to/from Italy
- Personal expenses and tips
- Meals indicated as “at leisure” or “free” in the itinerary
- Travel Insurance (strongly recommended)
- City taxes (to be paid directly at the hotels: €2.00/night in Vasto, currently none in Agnone)
A NOTE ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY
Your itinerary is a carefully crafted guide, but it is also a “living” document. We pride ourselves on our agility and deep local roots. Unlike large, rigid corporations, we work exclusively with small, family-run businesses and independent artisans. This means that if a local producer faces an unexpected health issue or a logistical unforeseen event, we don’t just cancel—we adapt.
Because these providers are our friends and neighbors, we can seamlessly coordinate high-quality, authentic alternatives that maintain the “home-away-from-home” feel of your tour. Whether we’re tweaking the schedule to catch a perfect sunset or moving a visit to ensure you meet the best producer available, rest assured that any change is made to enhance your experience and keep it truly authentic.
Suggestions:
- Sturdy Footwear: Bring comfortable walking shoes for the charming but uneven cobblestones of historic centers and our walks through the countryside.
- Pack Light for Souvenirs: You will encounter incredible local treasures—from artisanal bells and delicate jewelry to hand-woven textiles and “KM 0” delicacies. Make sure to leave some extra room in your suitcase!
NOTES ON OUR BASES
Agnone:The “Athens of the Sannio”
Agnone (5,000 inhabitants) in July is a breath of fresh air. Known as the “Athens of the Sannio” for its ancient cultural prestige and aristocratic palaces, it offers a cool, elegant atmosphere in the heart of the Molisan highlands. The town’s stone-paved squares become intimate stages for classical concerts and traditional festivals, providing a timeless sanctuary rooted in Italian history. This setting is home to world-class craftsmanship, including the 1,000-year-old Papal Bell Foundry and historic goldsmiths. It serves as a peaceful, high-altitude retreat where you can explore centuries of Samnite and medieval heritage on foot before our daily excursions.
Vasto: The “Athens of the Abruzzi”
Vasto (40,000 inhabitants) in July is vibrant. Long celebrated as the “Athens of the Abruzzi” for its refined literary and artistic soul, its historic center is a stage for daily concerts and events held in the 15th-century Neapolitan Gardens of Palazzo d’Avalos. This coastal city offers a sophisticated Mediterranean energy that contrasts beautifully with the quiet charm of the Molise countryside. Between history and culture, Vasto also features stunning Adriatic beaches, easily reachable within a 10-minute taxi ride from the hotel for anyone wishing to enjoy the golden coast before or after our daily excursions.
WHY US?
THE "REAL" ITALY
- Authentic Passion: We don’t just work here, we live here
- Family Access: Cook with our Nonnas and meet local artisans
- Community Roots: Support small family businesses, not chains
TRIP OF A LIFETIME
- 100% Worry-Free: We handle every detail so you can relax
- Safety First: Feel safe and cared for, just like family
- Zero Stress: From airport pickup to dietary needs, we got you
SMALL GROUPS, BIG HEARTS
- Intimate Atmosphere: Max 12 people for a personal connection
- Solo Traveler Friendly: You will never feel alone
- Meaningful Connections: Arrive as a guest, leave as a friend
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Price: € 3,450
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