September 21-28, 2026
Join an intimate 8-day journey through Rome and the hidden beauty of Abruzzo—thoughtfully designed around curated travel experiences that blend culture, food, landscape, and connection.
From opera under the Roman sky to cooking with nonnas, seaside afternoons along the Trabocchi Coast, vineyard evenings, and epic mountain escapes, every moment is crafted to help you experience Italy de verdad.
Just 8 travelers. One unforgettable journey.
🏛️ ROME (Sept 21-24)
Boutique stay at Orazio Palace Hotel in Rome’s elegant Prati neighborhood. Breakfast each morning on the rooftop of the Orazio Palace Hotel
✨ September 21 – Welcome to Rome: The Journey Begins
Arrival, Rooftop Aperitivo, Roman Dinner & Night Walk
Arrive & settle into the Orazio Palace Hotel in Rome’s Prati neighborhood.
As the sun begins to soften, gather for a welcome prosecco aperitivo on the rooftop terrace, where sweeping views over Rome, golden light, music, and first introductions set the tone for the journey ahead.
- Welcome toast and group kickoff under the Roman sky
- Rooftop views of the city at golden hour
- A relaxed first evening that feels more like old friends reuniting than strangers meeting
Then stroll together to a beloved neighborhood trattoria in Prati for:
- Authentic Roman pasta dinner
- Great wine and easy conversation
- A delicious first taste of la dolce vita
Evening
Our first walk through Rome after dark:
- Trevi Fountain glowing under the night lights
- Spanish Steps at their most magical
- Toss a coin over your shoulder and make a wish
A gentle, unforgettable first taste of the Eternal City.
✨ September 22 – Rome Through Your Lens & La Dolce Vita
A signature photography walk through Rome, free exploration & opera under the Roman sky
Begin the day with breakfast at Orazio Palace, where espresso, pastries, and rooftop views over Rome ease us into the morning at an unhurried Italian pace.
Then spend the morning experiencing Rome through my favorite kind of wandering — unhurried, curious, and full of beautiful discoveries.
Together we’ll explore some of the city’s most inspiring corners at a relaxed pace, with stories, hidden details, photography moments, and pauses to simply soak it all in.
Highlights may include:
- Villa Borghese Gardens
- Piazza del Popolo
- Via Margutta & hidden Roman streets
- The Pantheon
- Piazza Navona
A blend of local insight, light history, and golden-hour-worthy beauty — part cultural walk, part creative invitation to really see Rome.
Midday Free Time
Enjoy a relaxed block of personal time to wander Rome at your own pace — shop along Via del Corso, linger over espresso, explore nearby neighborhoods, or simply rest before the evening ahead.
Evening
Open-Air Opera + aperitivo overlooking Rome’s historic center
Dinner at a beloved Roman restaurant nearby
✨ September 23 – Hidden Rome & Golden Hour Magic
Golf cart exploration, Ancient Rome & dinner in Monti
Morning
Begin the day with breakfast at Orazio Palace, where fresh pastries, coffee, and sweeping rooftop views over Rome set the tone for another beautiful day.
Then set off for a slower, more soulful side of the Eternal City on a curated golf cart experience through some of Rome’s most fascinating and lesser-known corners.
Highlights include:
- Hotel pickup for a relaxed start
- Scenic golf cart ride through hidden Rome
- Via Appia Antica, one of the oldest roads in the world
- Guided visit to the Catacombs of San Callisto
- A café pause along the way for a true Roman break
- Hop-on, hop-off moments to wander and take it all in
Designed as a more intimate alternative to traditional big-city touring, this experience lets us experience Rome at a gentler rhythm.
Midday
- Lunch together after the tour
- Free time to rest, shop, or explore at your own pace
Evening — Signature Experience
Golden Hour in Ancient Rome
As the light softens, we head toward one of Rome’s most breathtaking corners for an evening immersed in the city’s ancient heart:
- Roman Forum
- Capitoline Hill
- Panoramic overlooks of Ancient Rome washed in golden light
- Stories, history, and quiet moments to soak it all in
One of the most magical times to experience Rome.
Dinner in Monti
We’ll continue into Monti, one of Rome’s most charming and beloved neighborhoods, for dinner in a neighborhood trattoria surrounded by cobblestone streets, lively piazzas, and Roman evening energy.
One final slow evening together in the city
Excellent food and wine
A more local Roman atmosphere
🏔️ ABRUZZO (September 24-28)
Private transportation with our local driver.
Charming Airbnb stay in Colledimezzo with incredible views.
Daily group breakfasts in the piazza.
✨ September 24 – September 24 – From Rome to Abruzzo & Pizza Under the Stars
A scenic mountain crossing, village arrival & chef-led welcome feast.
Enjoy a slow Roman morning with breakfast at Orazio Palace, one last wander through Prati, and time for espresso, photos, or a little shopping before heading toward Abruzzo.
Then settle in for a comfortable FlixBus journey through the Gran Sasso mountains, a scenic and surprisingly relaxed way to cross Italy.
- Panoramic windows for taking in mountain landscapes
- Footrests, USB chargers, and onboard comforts
- Quiet time to rest, journal, or reset as the rhythm shifts from Rome to Abruzzo
On arrival, continue the final winding stretch to Colledimezzo with your host-driver Aaron, whose deep familiarity with the region and flexible, personal approach make the journey feel seamless and intimate.
Arrive just in time for sunset over the Val di Sangro.
Evening — Pizza al Fresco with Chef Gabriele Bagni 🍕
Kick off Abruzzo with a joyful outdoor pizza night under the stars led by Chef Gabriele Bagni — Gambero Rosso-recognized and ranked among the world’s top pizza makers.
After years leading internationally renowned kitchens, Chef Gabriele returned to Abruzzo to cook closer to the land, and we’re incredibly fortunate to experience his artistry here.
- Wood-fired pizzas crafted with exceptional local ingredients
- Wine, laughter, and a beautiful first village gathering
- A warm introduction to Abruzzo through food and community
Settle into charming village stays with breathtaking views and enjoy a peaceful first night in Colledimezzo.
Settle into charming local Airbnbs with breathtaking views and enjoy a peaceful first night in the village.
✨ September 25 – Into the Abruzzo Mountains: Rocca Calascio
Mountain adventure, a panoramic picnic & sunset farm-to-table dinner.
•Begin the day slowly in the village with breakfast together in the piazza — cornetti, fresh fruit, cappuccinos, and morning views over Colledimezzo as Abruzzo wakes up around us.
Then set off with your host-driver Aaron into the mountains for one of Italy’s most breathtaking landscapes.
Journey Into the Abruzzo Highlands
The scenic drive itself is part of the experience — winding mountain roads, dramatic vistas, and quiet moments to take in the landscape as the rhythm of the day unfolds.
A beautiful stretch of independent time for reflection, conversation, or simply watching the wild beauty of Abruzzo pass by.
- Scenic drive through the rugged mountain landscapes of Abruzzo
- Hike to majestic Rocca Calascio, one of Italy’s most iconic hilltop fortresses
- Time to wander, take in sweeping views, and experience the magic of this unforgettable place
- Mountain picnic lunch prepared for our day’s adventure
A day for fresh air, awe, and “we did it” vibes.
Evening — Sunset Dinner at Agriturismo Olimpo
Return in time for golden hour at Agriturismo Olimpo, where we’ll gather for a relaxed farm-to-table dinner overlooking Lake Bomba and the surrounding hills.
- Seasonal Abruzzese cuisine rooted in the land
- Idyllic lake and mountain vistas at sunset
- A slow countryside dinner and one of the trip’s most peaceful, beautiful evenings
A perfect ending to a truly epic day.
✨ September 26 –From Village Kitchens to Vineyard Harvest
A day rooted in wellness, tradition, and the rhythms of rural Abruzzo.
Begin the day with breakfast in the piazza, followed by an optional morning stretch and meditation at the belvedere, where birdsong, mountain air, and sweeping valley views offer a peaceful reset before the day unfolds.
A quiet moment to breathe, move, and settle into the slower rhythm of village life.
Morning into Afternoon — Cooking With the Nonnas
Step into one of the heart-centered experiences of the journey as local nonnas share beloved Abruzzese recipes passed down through generations.
- Hands-on cooking demonstration with village grandmothers
- Learn traditional dishes and the stories behind them
- Share the meal together al fresco overlooking the Val di Sangro
Flour, laughter, stories, and the kind of cultural connection that can’t be rushed.
Evening — Harvest Experience at Cantina Frentana
As the light begins to soften, head to Cantina Frentana, a beloved cooperative winery deeply rooted in the traditions and agricultural life of the region.
Founded by local growers and built around community, sustainability, and shared stewardship of the land, the cantina offers a beautiful glimpse into Abruzzo’s winemaking soul.
Our harvest-season experience may include elements such as:
- Vineyard visit and winery exploration
- Seasonal harvest traditions and hands-on moments
- Golden hour wine tasting and aperitivo
- Regional wines paired with small bites as the sun sets
A beautiful evening of wine, community, and celebration during one of the most magical moments of the agricultural year.
✨ September 27 – The Trabocchi Coast & Village Celebration
Seaside adventure, a long Adriatic lunch & a beautiful final celebration in the piazza.
Spend the day exploring one of Italy’s most breathtaking and lesser-known stretches of coastline along the Adriatic.
Morning & Midday
- Scenic drive to the Trabocchi Coast
- Bike ride along one of Italy’s most beautiful coastal cycling routes
- Time to collect rocks, wander, or simply soak in the sea air
- Long seaside seafood lunch overlooking the Adriatic
A day of salt air, sunshine, and slow coastal beauty.
Afternoon & Evening — Community Gathering in the Piazza
Return to Colledimezzo for a special village cultural gathering created in collaboration with the local community.
Rather than a performance to watch, this is something we join.
Past gatherings have included hands-on traditional crafts, music, food, storytelling, and intergenerational village traditions shared with us in real time.
The experience may vary with the season — but its spirit remains the same:
Community, culture, and joyful participation.
- Local activity rooted in village traditions
- Aperitivo and rustic bites shared together
- Music, laughter, and toasts beneath the evening sky
- A final celebration that supports and engages the wider community
One of the most meaningful parts of the journey — not because it is planned, but because it is shared.
Our farewell unfolds the Italian way: unhurried, joyful, and full of heart.
✨ September 28 – Arrivederci Abruzzo
A slow final morning to savor the last moments of village life.
• Breakfast overlooking the Val di Sangro
• One last stroll through Colledimezzo or photos from the Belvedere
• Group bus transfer from Abruzzo back to Rome (approximately 3 hours)
From Rome, guests will continue onward independently based on their individual flight schedules.
Guests leave with unforgettable memories of Rome, Abruzzo, and the friendships made along the way.
Rome+ Abruzzo Tour Snapshot
Dates: September 21–28, 2026
Group Size: Just 8 travelers
Investment:
$3,000 Shared Occupancy
$3,300 Private Room
✔ Boutique accommodations + in-country transport
✔ Curated experiences included
✔ Daily breakfasts + select meals included
Deposit
60% to reserve your place
Ready to join us?
Ready for the Italian Adventure of a Lifetime?
