Rome, Abruzzo and Molise: the mountains and the sea

This wonderful two-week tour starts in the heart of Rome and then explores Abruzzo and Molise, two of the least-visited and most fascinating Italian regions: the mountains and the sea; intriguing history and ancient traditions; exhilarating walks; fine food and warm hospitality.

santo stefano 2

Departing from Rome, this wonderful tour visits Abruzzo and Molise, two of Italy’s less-visited regions.  They are nestled in Apennines, the mountainous spine of Italy and each has a long coastline that stretches down the Adriatic Sea.

Both regions have great natural beauty, with soaring mountains, vast national parks, rolling pastures scattered with villages and isolated monasteries; and long sandy beaches.  They both have fascinating histories and ancient traditions, however, the real charm of visiting Abruzzo and Molise is that these are places to be discovered, explored.  Far from the traditional tourist trails and big cities, they are full of surprises, charm and authentic hospitality.

The tour starts with two nights in the heart of Rome.  We then drive one hundred kilometres due east of Rome to a beautifully restored medieval village on the edge of the Gran Sasso National Park, which will be our base for the next four nights.  From Abruzzo we head south, across the border, into the region of Molise, where our base for four nights is a beautiful family-run agriturismo in a vineyard surrounded by the hills of Upper Molise.  We finish with two nights on the sea, staying in the historic centre of Termoli, a charming coastal town in southern Molise close to the border with Puglia.

strip 1

The accommodation:

The accommodation:

The accommodation is one of the highlights of the tour.  It includes stays in a lovely historic hotel in the centre of Rome, just behind the Pantheon; a marvellous ‘albergo diffuso’ where we stay in meticulously restored apartments (with all the modcons) in an historic village in the Gran Sasso National Park; a beautiful, family-run ‘agriturismo’ in the middle of vineyards that has a swimming pool surrounded by gardens; and, to finish 'alla grande', another ‘albergo diffuso’ in very comfortable apartments in the historic centre of Termoli, each with seas views.

The walks:

The walks:

The walks on this tour are varied.  They follow trails that have been used by traders, drovers and brigands for millennia.   They include some more challenging walks on the high plains and in the spectacular mountains of the Gran Sasso National Park, as well as gentler walks in the undulating hills of Upper Molise. 

The walks range from seven to fifteen kilometres following well-marked paths over hilly terrain (see the itinerary for details).  While they are definitely walks and not hikes, you will need to have a good level of fitness to enjoy this tour.

The food:

The food:

The food is these primarily agricultural regions is still proudly based on local seasonal produce, the so-called ‘cucina povera’ (although there is nothing at all ‘poor’ about it!).  In some respects it is simple, there are not usually any elaborate recipes or sauces, nor exotic ingredients, but in other ways it is very sophisticated, sagely combining the freshest ingredients with generational traditions to produce some healthy and very memorable culinary experiences. 

The four pillars of the mountain cuisine are seasonal vegetables, bread, cheese and wine.  Local specialities include: pasta alla chitarra (fresh egg pasta cut into long, rough strands, perfect for catching the flavours); legume soups; polenta enriched with cheeses, ragu and mushrooms; scrippelle (egg-based crepes, served in chicken broth); lamb (arrosticini, skewers of tiny cubes of lamb roasted over hot coals); and sweets such as an endless variety of deep fried pastries including cicerchiatta, pan dell’orso and calgionetti.  Down on the coast for the end of the tour, we will enjoy very fresh seafood, including the celebrated 'brodo di Termoli', a stupendous fish soup.

Abruzzo and Molise also produce some very good wines including reds like Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Tintilia and whites such as Trebbiano and Bombino.

Tour leader:

Tour leader:

Simon Tancred will lead the tour and we will be accompanied on the all walks by a fully qualified local guide.  The founder and director of Hidden Italy walking tours, Simon has over thirty years’ experience hiking and walking in Italy, including twenty-five years leading group tours for Hidden Italy.  ‘Great Walks’ magazine recently said he had the best job in the world… (there are other much more worthy jobs around but I am lucky my passion has become my profession) - click here to read the interview.

Booking conditions:

To confirm the booking, a deposit of 25% of the total booking cost is required within 7 days of the issue of the invoice.  Please note that in the event of customer cancellation, deposits are refunded, less a cancellation fee of $500 per person per tour  Click here for full T&C’s

Interested in the Rome, Abruzzo and Molise: the mountains and the sea Guided Tour?

Don't miss out, make your booking now. Book Now › Make an Enquiry ›
Print Friendly

Rome, Abruzzo and Molise: the mountains and the sea

  • Tour Leader

    Simon Tancred

  • Tour Dates

    6 June to 18 June, 2025

    2025 Tour is fully booked!!!

    Tour costs quoted are in Australian dollars (AUD)

  • Tour Size
    7 people
  • Tour Cost

    $7,750

    per person
  • Single supplement $1000 (double room for single use)

•12 nights accommodation (see the itinerary for details) in hotels and private apartments
•All breakfast, and all lunches and dinners (wine included) listed in the itinerary
•All land and sea transfers during the tours
•All taxes and service charges at the hotels and restaurants
•All paid admissions during the tour
•6 guided walks
•Services of a two full-time professional tour guide

 

Tour costs are shown in AUD

Map

Rome, Abruzzo and Molise: the mountains and the sea FAQs

Find out a little more about the Rome, Abruzzo and Molise: the mountains and the sea tour by reading some of our most frequently asked questions.

View all FAQs ›

Testimonials

The beauty of the scenery, the charm of the people, the variety and quality of the hotels, the bountiful and delicious restaurants, were all past any expectations. Thank you. We will be back.

– Richard P

View all Testimonials ›

Subscribe to our e-newsletter

Sign up for our newsletter to receive regular updates, travel tips, info on local events and discounts on our popular tours.

Our People

Get to know some of the people who make Hidden Italy Walking Tours happen.