Fabrizio Lucci
Founder & Tour Guide of Italia Sweet Italia
Fabrizio Lucci
Founder & Tour Guide of Italia Sweet Italia
Available on request
Fully escorted small groups tour up to 8 travelers
Join us on a 7-day Italian pottery, cultural and culinary vacation in Abruzzo, one of the most stunning and culturally rich regions in Italy.
For anyone eager to experience 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 (for small groups up to 8 people) that will give you the insight into to daily life, food & wine, culture and production in Abruzzo.
No pottery experience is necessary to join this tour and this tour is your opportunity to enjoy pottery and authentic Italian lifestyle. In Vasto area you will experience 3 creative hand building sessions working with an acclaimed sculpture and ceramic artist. (Please note that we will not use the potter’s wheel, but we will learn how to make art pottery works that you can replicate at home without needing the potter’s wheel).
We’ve crafted an itinerary for you that perfectly balances unique Italian experiences, relaxation, adventure and learning.
The inspiration for our pieces will come from nature as well as from our own emotions. During the workshops we will look at growth and structure in nature, transferring shapes and thoughts into clay.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Learn pottery techniques: take 3 3-hour pottery classes with acclaimed local ceramicists, plus a pottery demonstration in a very old studio
- Live like a local: sleep in a hilltop village under the Apennine mountains and in a charming ancient Roman town on the Adriatic Sea
- Enjoy small group travel: a maximum of 8 people in your group will insure an intimate, friendly atmosphere and individual attention in your pottery classes
- Enjoy amazing landscapes that extend from the sea to the mountains
- Prepare homemade pasta with local women
- Discover the fascinating trabocchi fishing huts and paint on a trabocco
- Visit Abruzzo’s acclaimed extra virgin olive oil and wine makers
ITINERARY
* B= Breakfast | L=Lunch | D=Dinner | T=Tasting | C=Cooking Lesson
- Rome Fiumicino airport pick up at 12:30 pm and transfer to the charming, medieval village of Castelli after crossing beautiful Abruzzo mountains with its amazing landscapes, hilltop villages and castles
- Check in at Agriturismo Il Bivacco del Parco in the countryside of Castelli and relax
- Get to know your local guide Fabrizio and learn more about this 7-day Italian cultural vacation
- Welcome dinner
* B= Breakfast | L=Lunch | D=Dinner | T=Tasting | C=Cooking Lesson
Enjoy a leisurely traditional breakfast of freshly baked bread, whole fruit, country-style preserves, cake, pastries, coffee, tea and freshly squeezed juice
AM
- We’ll visit the oldest pottery studio of the town and we’ll meet the ceramists Antonio and Vincenzo di Simone (click here to meet Vincenzo)
- After teaching us about the ancient pottery making story of Castelli, Antonio and Vincenzo will show us their own pieces and their personal collection of ceramics and ancient tools
- Next we’ll have a pottery demostrantion with them. The exact nature of the class will be determined based on the skill level of the participants. Once you book this tour, you’ll receive a questionnaire to better understand your skill level
- Anyway, basically, these are some possible activities:
1) use the ancient wheel to produce a vase or a dish or another beautiful piece using ancient molds (you can help to produce a piece)
2) glaze and decorate another piece at your choice
Besides, you’ll learn about slip, drying, timing and method of baking.
Please consider that their studio is an ancient and small one, so we should coordinate the different activities, considering a maximum number of 8 people, i.e. is not possible to have 8 people that make a piece using the lathe, this depends also on your ability and expertise
PM
- Traditional lunch in a Castelli trattoria
- After a few more time to finalize your pottery activity in Antonio and Vincenzo’s studio, transfer to Vasto, check in at Hotel dei 7 in the historical downtown
- Walk to a traditional restaurant to enjoy a welcome group dinner in the heart of Vasto
* B= Breakfast | L=Lunch | D=Dinner | T=Tasting | C=Cooking Lesson
AM
- After breakfast 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
- We’ll move to Vasto Marina, by the beach, for a lunch and some free time to relax, have a walk or swim in the blue Adriatic Sea (possible only in summer time, at other times we will have lunch in Vasto center)
PM
- After a short break, we’ll drive to the little hilltop village of Lentella at Ettore’s “Fattoria d’Arte”- Art farm (click here to “meet” Ettore)
- Surrounded by an amazing landscape with a stunning view of the sea, mountains, hills and small towns, you can enjoy your second pottery class (creative handbuilding session, we will not use the potter’s wheel, but we will learn how to make art pottery works that you can replicate at home without needing the potter’s wheel)
- We’ll have a traditional dinner with Ettore and his wife Barbara
* B= Breakfast | L=Lunch | D=Dinner | T=Tasting | C=Cooking Lesson
AM
- After breakfast we’ll explore the famous Trabocchi coast with a visit to a trabocco (the symbol of the area), mostly built with acacia wood and railway iron sleepers
- We’ll have an exclusive watercolor class with Antonio, a local painter, with the possibility to paint unique landscapes from this unique point of view on the Adriatic Sea
- Weather permitting, Rinaldo, our host, will demonstrate how to fish from the trabocco and the secrets and history behind Abruzzo’s unique fishing platforms that have been featured in the BBC TV show: Escape to the Continent
- Rinaldo’s wife Maria will prepare fish from the Adriatic Sea for our exclusive lunch on the ocean
PM
- In order to fully feel the Italian culture, you need time to explore on your own. Therefore, you will have some free time scheduled into the tour
- Some suggestions for you during your free time: enjoy one of Vasto’s many beaches or museums, wander through town and explore the shops and art galleries, or just have a walk in the “piazza” to enjoy the relaxing Vasto atmosphere
- In the evening you’ll have dinner on your own in one of the many restaurants of Vasto. Obviously Fabrizio will give you suggestions on his favorite places
* B= Breakfast | L=Lunch | D=Dinner | T=Tasting | C=Cooking Lesson
AM
- We’ll walk and visit Vasto’s colorful market to get seasonal products. Here we’ll help you practice a little bit of Italian even if you don’t speak a word 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. 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 and polpette (meatballs), and Tiramisù
PM
- 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
- You can enjoy your third pottery class with the possibility to choose among different activities (creative handbuilding session, we will not use the potter’s wheel, but we will learn how to make art pottery works that you can replicate at home without needing the potter’s wheel).
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 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 enjoy a wine tasting and lunch with pairings of local cheeses and salami and a tour of the vineyard and cellars organized by the winemakers Emanuele and Nicola
PM
- After lunch and some free time to relax and pack or do some last minute shopping, we’ll drive to the little hilltop village of Lentella at Ettore’s “Fattoria d’Arte”- Art farm
- You can enjoy your fourth pottery class with Ettore (creative handbuilding session, we will not use the potter’s wheel, but we will learn how to make art pottery works that you can replicate at home without needing the potter’s wheel)
- In the evening we’ll have a farewell party and last dinner with Ettore and Barbara 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
18-24 May 2025: € 2,295.00*
We can arrange the same tour on other dates with a minimum of 6 participants depending on the availability of our partners.
*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): + € 120 for 6 nights.
Click here for exchange rate
- 1 night in Castelli at Agriturismo Il Bivacco del Parco (or similar accommodation. Please consider that it is a traditional and cozy accommodation surrounded by nature in the Abruzzo countryside at over 1,500 feet a.s.l. surrounded by mountains, so there is no air conditioning which is not necessary) and 5 nights in Vasto at Hotel dei 7 (or similar accommodation) in the historic center
- Breakfast Buffet Daily
- 4 pottery classes (around 3 hours each , we will not use the potter’s wheel) and pottery materials plus a pottery demonstration in a very old studio
- 1 painting class (watercolour, around 3 hours) and painting materials on a trabocco fishing house
- 9 meals (food, water, house wine) in selected restaurants, farmhouses or wineries based on traditional regional dishes. Some evenings are free for you to explore the town by yourself
- 1 hands-on cooking class and associated food costs
- Personalized cooking booklet and apron
- Daily trips and excursions
- Pick up and drop off at Rome Fiumicino airport in an air-conditioned minibus or car
- All transport 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 duration
- All taxes except city tax
- Eventual shipping costs for your pottery pieces (have a look here to have an idea of the possible costs: i.e.: to USA, shipping by 10-25 days, up to 5 kg, € 45, as you can see in this chart)
- Airfare
- Spending money
- 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)
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: € 2,295
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