Price:€1,795
Pottery, Art and Food Experience in Abruzzo
HIGHLIGHTS
Fabrizio Lucci
Founder & Tour Guide of Italia Sweet Italia
Fabrizio Lucci
Founder & Tour Guide of Italia Sweet Italia
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.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced ceramist, this tour is your opportunity to enjoy pottery and authentic Italian lifestyle. Follow in the footsteps of Italy’s great ceramicists. We’ve crafted an itinerary for you that perfectly balances unique Italian experiences, relaxation, adventure and learning.
HIGHLIGHTS
Learn pottery techniques: take 4 3-hour pottery classes with acclaimed local ceramicists
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 locals
Discover the fascinating trabocchi fishing huts and paint on a trabocco
Visit Abruzzo’s acclaimed extra virgin olive oil and wine makers
ITINERARY
ITINERARY
* B= Breakfast | L=Lunch | D=Dinner | T=Tasting | C=Cooking Lesson
- Rome Fiumicino airport pick up at 2:30 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 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 our first pottery class 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
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
- Next, after a few more time to finalize you pottery class, we’ll visit the International Ceramics collection and pottery school and UNESCO candidate Nativity and San Donato Chapel known as the Sistine Chapel of Majolica
- 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)
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 (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
- 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
- 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 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
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.
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 whether to make any change. Be assured that only enhanced experiences are ever considered.
INCLUSIONS
INCLUSIONS
25-31 July 2021: € 1.795*
24-30 July 2022: € 1.795*
*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: + € 120.
Click here for exchange rate
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- 1 night in Castelli at Agriturismo Il Bivacco del Parco (or similar accommodation) 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) and pottery materials
- 1 painting class (watercolour, around 3 hours) and painting materials on a trabocco fishing house
- 10 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
- 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
CONTACT OUR POTTERY TOURS SPECIALIST IN USA
Please feel free to contact our US representative, Dot Burnworth, with any questions:
+1 860-933-0190, pottery@italiasweetitalia.com
WHY US?
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
- We know how to let you feel that at home
- We keep our groups small to take care of all the details
- Discover our guest reviews on Tripadvisor
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
FAQ
Who are you and what do you do?
Italia Sweet Italia (ISI) is a small incoming tour operator specialised in organizing vacations around Abruzzo Italy, our home. ISI is a fully licensed company covered by insurance policy no. 402485101 by Axa Assicurazione 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 has to offer, we organise small groups (up to 16 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.
How do you organize your group pick up and drop off services?
Pick up
For all the small group tours listed in our calendar, the pick up at Rome Fiumicino airport is planned at 2:30 pm on day 1. Normally it takes 3-3,5 hours to drive to Vasto, our base on the Adriatic Coast for all the tours (except for The Abruzzo, Puglia & Matera experience tour in which we’ll drive for around 2 hours to Sulmona). The duration of the trip depends on traffic (on Sunday, when most of our tours start, usually there is no traffic) and if you need to stop at the motor service along the way for a snack or to go to the toilette. It is a beautiful and relaxing driving crossing three National parks,from where you can see many hilltop villages and the Apennines. A few weeks before the tour starts, we’ll send you a pdf with exact pick-up location and times. Please consider also this information:
- If you want you can be picked up at an Hotel in Rome, but this service has an extra cost of € 50 that you can pay at your arrival. We’ll come earlier to pick you up at your accommodation (it depends on the exact location, but it is usually 1 hour before the pick-up at Rome F. Airport). Sometimes it could be also after the airport pick-up.
- When we’ll have all flights and arrival information from all the travelers, if everybody that is joining the tour is supposed to arrive before 2:30 pm, we could anticipate the pick-up time.
- You can also reach Vasto or other destinations in Italy by bus or train. Please take a look at this page. We’ll organize the taxi transfer from/to Vasto train station (10 minutes driving) or Vasto coach station to/from the hotel in Vasto (3 minutes driving).
Drop-off
For the drop-off to Rome we usually leave the hotel in Vasto after breakfast, at around 09:00 am so that we arrive at Rome Fiumicino airport at maximum 01:30 pm (if there is traffic, but it normally takes 3-3,5 hours). If anybody in the group has an earlier flight, we could leave 1-2 hours before (so at 07:00-08:00) but we make our evaluations from time to time. If there is any specific need, there are also public buses that shuttle from Vasto to Rome Fiumicino (or the city center) earlier in the morning and by night (take a look here). In this case we organize the taxi transfer from the hotel to Vasto coach station (3 minutes driving).
For the drop off to Bari for The Abruzzo, Puglia & Matera experience tour, we have this program: after breakfast, we will leave (usually at 09:00) for Bari airport or your next destination (45 minutes driving from Hotel to Bari airport and 40 minutes to Bari train station). When we’ll have information from all the people who will join the tour (about their programs on that day) we’ll finalize this. If there is any specific need, we can organize a private transfer (before or after the planned one) from the hotel to Bari airport or train station that costs € 90.
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. Please keep in mind that a private transfer (before or after the planned one) from Vasto to Rome airport or city center costs around € 300.
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 in Vasto or Puglia. .
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.
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 2:30 pm at Rome’s Fiumicino airport. Those who are unable to be on time will not be guaranteed a transfer from Rome to Vasto and will have to seek other arrangements to participate in the remainder of the tour. Anyway, don’t worry, there are many daily public buses that with less than € 30 connect Rome Fiumicino airport or Roma Termini coach station with Vasto as you can see here.
Who are your tours suitable for?
- 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
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