Information

What is Included in the Tour

Transfers to and from Rome’s Fiumicino airport or Rome Termini Train Station.
All land travel and transfers within Abruzzo during the tour by airconditioned coach. A small personalized group of maximum 13 passengers guaranteed.
Accommodation in Abruzzo: 7 nights accommodation.
Meals: – 7 breakfasts at the accommodation, - 10 meals as indicated on itinerary : at various agriturismi featuring regional gastronomic specialities and fresh local produce and specially selected quality slow food Italian restaurants, as well as a sumptuous al fresco picnic.
One cooking class preparing local specialties with local Abruzzese ladies. All fresh ingredients included. Printed recipes supplied of meals created in cooking session as well as printed menus of many restaurant meals. Brochures and maps supplied.
Drinks: All lunches and dinners will include wine and water as well as coffee/tea. Welcome drinks on arrival evening.
Visits to cellars in the region with guided visits. Grape picking in Autumn tour in harvest season (weather permitting).
Unique evening concerts of Italian and Abruzzese Folk songs and music featuring Michael Howard, international tenor, accompanied by local musicians.
Guided visits and excursions to Pescara, Loreto Aprutino, Fossacesia coast, Guardiagrele, Pennapiedimonte, Fara San Martino, Roccascalegna and Roccamorice.
Personalised guided visits to meet olive oil producers, grape growers, cheese makers and pasta factory with accompanying tastings.
Admission to the various historical sites, galleries and museums mentioned in the itinerary
Two (2) guided gentle to moderate outdoor walks in Maiella National Park - a mountain gorge and alpine valleys (maximum 30 – 40 min each direction)
Services of tour leaders and local guides throughout the tour.

What is Not Included in the Tour

Airfares
Items of personal nature, phone calls, passport and Visas (if applicable), laundry or tips.
Personal transport, excess baggage, security and government taxes, travel insurance.
Beverages unless specifically described.
Meals not specifically mentioned in itinerary.
Entry fees to places other than those specifically mentioned in itinerary.
Optional excursions or activities that may be offered which are not included in the tour price.

Terms and Conditions:

Security Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of AUD$500 per person is required to reserve a place on the tour and payable within 7 days of booking confirmation. If tour is cancelled, the deposit will be refunded.

Payment of Tour Cost: The total tour cost is due 60 days before departure to confirm bookings.

Cancellation Fees: Cancellation must be received in writing and effective only until received by Absolutely Abruzzo Tours. Cancellations made more than 60 days prior to departure – loss of deposit; if made 59 to 30 days – 50% of total tour cost; if made 29 days or less – 100% of total tour cost.

Single Accommodation: A limited number of single rooms are available with a single supplement rate of AUD$430.

Travel Insurance: We highly recommend passengers have travel insurance to cover any unforeseen circumstances which may arise.

Special Requirements

Please advise us of any special requirements such as Special Meals, Medical Requirements etc, as soon as possible. If you get motion sickness, it is advisable to bring with you motion sickness pills as we travel by coach through sometimes mountainous roads.

Special Meals: Please indicate exact dietary requirements - e.g. vegetarian, no seafood, lactose intolerant or allergies to certain foods, to avoid any misunderstandings and to ensure a quality tour for you.

Level of Fitness: In order to visit and enjoy the natural attractions of the Abruzzo countryside and the historical centres of towns and villages it is necessary to be able to walk well, as bus or car access can often be difficult. You should be able to walk or stroll for periods up to an hour (with short breaks). With the outdoor walks in the National Parks, there is always the ‘easy’ option where one can rest and go no further after 10 - 15 minutes, while the rest continue on to complete the walk. One of the tour leaders will always be available to remain with you. Remember that there is always flexibility in the tour and you are welcome to take time off from the programme whenever you like.

Weather: European Spring and Autumn are delightful times to visit Abruzzo in central Italy. Temperatures in the day (14 – 26 deg) and evenings can be cool. You will need a jumper or a jacket for the evenings.

Weddings in Abruzzo

Want to be married in a castle and have the magnificent Appenines as the perfect backdrop? Abruzzo is a perfect place for couples to choose as their wedding destination. We can arrange your perfect wedding. Ask us for further details…

Abruzzese Heritage

If you have Abruzzese Heritage and have lost contact with your family or curious about your ancestors, exclusive pre post tour arrangements can be made with tour escort fluent in local dialect and Italian language. This may be a wonderful opportunity to meet with long lost family, visit villages and ancestral towns of your forebears and experience first hand the wonderful culture and traditions of your parents and grandparents.

Please contact us for further details.

Tour Leader

Luciana Masci (B.Phty) Born in Australia, her Abruzzese heritage and cultural ties have remained strong with frequent visits to Italy and to her vast family still in Abruzzo. Fluent in the regional dialect, Italian and French, she has taught Italian Language and Cooking in Brisbane. With her extensive Tour Guide experience since Brisbane’s World Expo ‘88 as well as a long and challenging career as a physiotherapist, she is ready to hang up her thumbs for a while so that she can share the treasures of Abruzzo with others and discover this little known corner of Italy.

Tenor

Michael Howard Born in Australia, he graduated from the NSW Conservatorium of Music in Sydney in 1986. After winning several international and national singing competitions, Michael’s singing career took him to Europe. He is a versatile artist whose repertoire spans from early Baroque to contemporary music, opera, operetta and concert. He has been much in demand in Europe and elsewhere, singing in many leading opera houses including Milan’s La Scala, Bayreuth Festival in Germany, Rome, Paris, Zurich, Munich as well as in Tel Aviv Opera. He has received noteable acclaim for such roles as Andres in Berg’s “Wozzeck” and Mime in Wagner’s “Ring” as well as a Grammy Award nomination in 2003 for his recording of “Ariadne auf Naxos” for best opera recording of the year.

Booking Form and Information contact

ABSOLUTELY ABRUZZO TOURS

MS LUCIANA MASCI

PO BOX 3280

NORMAN PK

Q 4170 AUSTRALIA

Telephone: 07) 3102 4384

Fax: 07) 3399 4384

Mobile: 0414 749 379

Email: info@absolutelyabruzzo.com