Marche and Abruzzo Active: the life of the Mountaineer

Private transfer by bus from your airport to 3* hotel Terme in Sarnano. This historical hotel is the most comfortable option to reach the peaks of the Sibillini mountains, the kings of Marche region hiking! The owner Massimiliano will welcome you with his characteristic Marchegian style...and accent! Dinner at Massimiliano’s hotel and overnight.

Breakfast in the hotel and full day of hiking with our picturesque guide Emanuele. You will marvel at charming Fiastra Lake and reach the “Lame Rosse” – Red Blades; they are mountains and badlands, part of the Sibillini Mountains massif and they look like Colorado’s Grand Canyon, or Cappadocia’s chimneys. The red hue of the badlands and mountaintops, which overlook the river Fiastrone, is the color of naked rock. The calcareous dress that used to cover the Lame Rosse’s sides was eroded over the centuries, and has fallen to their feet in a bed of gravel. Simply spectacular. Packed lunch that we will prepare for you, and then you will walk back towards the lake where the bus will take to live a unique experience in the area: step into Lorenzo’s house to enjoy an aperitif while tasting his amazing production of Gin liquor; he is the only producer in the region and will entertain you with his amazing story and anecdotes. Drive back to the hotel in Sarnano, free dinner.

Breakfast at the hotel and full day of hiking with Emanuele, starting from the hotel, so no bus will be needed. You will follow the footsteps of St. Francis’ path reaching the characteristic town of Amandola, a bit more than 10km away. Packed lunch. On the way we will stop at a stable to taste the fresh yoghurt just-made from the local shepherd. Bus drive back to the hotel and free dinner.

Breakfast at the hotel and third day of hiking with Emanuele, this time on the peak of the Sibillia, where gorgeous views over the region mix with interesting anecdotes about mythological stories in the area. Packed lunch on the peak. At the end of your walk, you will stop by Sergio’s place. Sergio’s grandfather and father both loved honey… and Sergio of course loves it too! He will unveil his love for honey helping you “meet” his beloved bees while tasting the precious sweet gold. Return by bus to the hotel and free dinner in Sarnano.

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Transfer to Ascoli, gorgeous medieval pearl of Marche region, where you guide Valeria will help you discover all the artistic and culinary treasures of this unique city…such as the “Ascolava olives”, fried olives stuffed with minced meat, probably the most renowned Marchigian dish in the world! After some free time for lunch, you will then reach with a private bus the town of Aielli, in Abruzzo region, famous for its colorful street art scattered all around the town’s historical center. With a free stroll in the town you will hunt for the precious art before going back to the bus to reach 4* Hotel Ristorante Le Gole nearby, a family owned hotel set in a dramatic position a few kilometers from Celano, a lovely town below Velino’s mountain with one of the most beautiful castles of central Italy. Dinner and overnight in the hotel.

Breakfast at the hotel and then with an expert guide and a private bus you will reach stunning ROCCA CALASCIO, set of famous movies such as Ladyhawk and The Name of the Rose. This castle of the XII century is an iconic symbol of the whole Abruzzo region with its dramatic position on the top of a cliff. From the castle you will walk for about four hours on the highlands of Gran Sasso Mountain to reach Santo Stefano di Sessanio, This medieval town set on a unique position up on the mountains is full of tiny alleys and local craftsmen that we will discover together. Drive back to the hotel by bus. Dinner in the hotel.

After breakfast in the hotel you will enjoy a full immersion in Abruzzo’s millenary tradition of herding. Live a full day side to side with the world of local shepherds! You will first of all taste different types of delicious cheese, freshly made, and then enjoy a hands-on cheese making laboratory in a local “Azienda Agricola”. Learn about the “Transumanza”, the typical walk uphill that shepherds do every year in June with their flock. A millenary tradition exalted also in D’Annunzio poetry.
With a bit of luck we might be able to even show you the shearing of the sheeps! At the end of the day ride back to the hotel in Celano.

Breakfast at the hotel and check out. Private bus to reach your departing airport. End of services.