An Edible Destinations Premium Series Tour From the Heart of the Apennines to the Adriatic Sea
Learning how to cook Italian food is a secret dream for many people. During this cooking holiday you will have the opportunity to learn the recipes of traditional Italian and Abruzzese cuisine, from homemade pasta and gnocchi to desserts and other culinary delights. These dishes come from the oldest and most authentic recipes handed down from family to family. Special attention is given to territorial and seasonal foods like fresh local vegetables, fish and fruit, but also to the produce you can find in your local market when you get back home. You will have the opportunity to visit the traditional fishing huts called Trabocco constructed along the coastline. You'll hear the silence of Old Abruzzi, you will get lost among its colors and you will remember its flavors for years to come. It will be difficult to forget the breathtaking views of the Adriatic Sea and the Gran Sasso - the highest mountains of central Italy – from the reserves and the natural parks to the countryside and its medieval villages.
ItineraryAccommodationsMapFAQ
VACATION HIGHLIGHTS
Please note:
Tour inclusions can change depending upon
seasonality and weather conditions.
•6 Nights Palazzo Accommodations
•6 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 6 Dinners
•Round-Trip Rome Airport Transfers
•Olive Mill Tour & Pasta Cooking Class
•Sommelier’s Wine Pairing Class
•Vasto Tour & Trabocco Fishing Houses
•Peasant Food & Biscotti Baking Class
•Visit to Agnone and Bell Foundry
•Cheese Making and Porchetta
•Pizza Making Farewell Dinner Class
While our tours are designed as soft adventure experiences, walking, climbing stairs,
and in rare cases mild hiking may be required. If you have mobility issues, you should
speak with one of our culinary travel specialists to determine if this tour is
appropriate for your situation.
AVAILABLE DATES
Mid-March through Mid-November. Tours start on Sunday and end on Saturday.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.
Click arrows (▶) to show details
Day 1
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Round-Trip Rome to Abruzzo Transfers | Welcome Dinner
You will be greeted at the Rome International Airport, then traverse the Apennine Mountains as you journey through Lazio and Abruzzo on your way to the Palazzo. After you have settled in, you will all meet for cocktails and a briefing of the tour. A welcome dinner will follow, where you will enjoy a multi-course meal in the town of Carunchio.
Day 2
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All Meals | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Our premier tours such as A Taste of Abruzzo Culinary Vacation include a full breakfast buffet, lunch with wine and dinner with wine each day. Your time in Abruzzo will be filled with exciting excursions and activities, with the tastes of this region of Italy being a highlight of your stay.
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Olive Mill Tour, Demonstrations & Tastings | Hands-On Cooking Class
Your morning will start as always with a delicious Italian breakfast, after which you will head out for a visit to an award-winning Olive Press, to learn sampling techniques on how to taste a variety of olive oils. You will walk through the olive grove, learn how the olives are picked, and then see how they are processed to obtain the extra virgin cold press olive oil. After a short break, you will join in your first hands-on cooking class, to explore the basic ingredients of Abruzzo cuisine. You will create one of the delicious appetizers that highlights the region, a main course based on vegetables, and a delightful dessert. The theme for this class is quick and healthy homemade meals, recipes, and techniques you will be able to implement at home. Everyone will dine on these tasty creations in traditional Italian style, slowly and in good company!
Day 3
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All Meals | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Our premier tours such as A Taste of Abruzzo Culinary Vacation include a full breakfast buffet, lunch with wine and dinner with wine each day. Your time in Abruzzo will be filled with exciting excursions and activities, with the tastes of this region of Italy being a highlight of your stay.
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Homemade Pasta Extravaganza | Wine Pairing Class | Sommelier
This morning you will learn how much fun and utterly delicious making pasta at home can be, in a variety of colors and shapes. Experienced chefs will teach you all the tricks so that it turns out great every time. The type of pasta you make in this lesson will be dependent upon seasonality, ensuring that the freshest ingredients are used in the preparation of the chosen pasta dish. After lunching on your creations and taking a short break, it is time for a wine pairing class. You will be sampling more than a few great Abruzzo wines, then learn how to pair them all with food and wine – led by the Palazzo’s own sommelier.
Day 4
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All Meals | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Our premier tours such as A Taste of Abruzzo Culinary Vacation include a full breakfast buffet, lunch with wine and dinner with wine each day. Your time in Abruzzo will be filled with exciting excursions and activities, with the tastes of this region of Italy being a highlight of your stay.
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Vasto Excursion | Trabocco Fishing House | Taste of the Adriatic Lunch
Enjoy a trip to the Adriatic Coast for a guided tour of Vasto and its historical center, shopping, and a sightseeing tour of the coast's unique "Trabocco" fishing houses. Depending on the weather and the season, you may be able to enjoy a fishing experience at the Trabocco, an old fishing house sitting in the middle of the sea – a very special treat. Shoe shopping seems to be a national sport in Italy, and you will find a huge selection in the local boutiques and outlets, along with lingerie, jewelry and more. You will then relax at the best restaurant in town, where you will be served a seafood sampling feast.
Day 5
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All Meals | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Our premier tours such as A Taste of Abruzzo Culinary Vacation include a full breakfast buffet, lunch with wine and dinner with wine each day. Your time in Abruzzo will be filled with exciting excursions and activities, with the tastes of this region of Italy being a highlight of your stay.
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Peasant Food & Biscotti Class | Afternoon for Hiking or Optional Activities
You will learn peasant food recipes of the old world – what was once considered lowly fare is now super-gourmet. You will create a superb vegetarian dish and follow up by preparing the best almond biscotti ever made, with an Abruzzo twist. In the afternoon you are free to walk around town savoring the peaceful environment in the small village of Carunchio, or you may enjoy a hike on a trail close by.
Day 6
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All Meals | Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Our premier tours such as A Taste of Abruzzo Culinary Vacation include a full breakfast buffet, lunch with wine and dinner with wine each day. Your time in Abruzzo will be filled with exciting excursions and activities, with the tastes of this region of Italy being a highlight of your stay.
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Agnone | Bell Foundry & Cheese Making Tour | Porchetta | Pizza Making
Get ready for another excursion – a tour to Agnone in the region of Molise, where you can watch old-world production of mozzarella, ricotta cheeses and caciocavallo. Agnone is famous for its quality cheese, especially the caciocavallo, which is a gourmet version of provolone. Then you will visit an historic artisan bell foundry where you will learn about each phase of manufacturing these unique bells that are still created for Vatican City. Lunch will be gourmet street food, a porchetta sandwich paired with a fine Italian beer. After a leisurely lunch and short rest, you will learn how to make pizza with a variety of vegetables, meats and cheeses – in the Abruzzo way. Stretch the pizza dough, top with many fresh ingredients, and throw it into an artisan wood-fired oven; the result is a crunchy, thin-crusted, flavorful pizza. Taste and discover how these ingredients are a big part of the Abruzzese cuisine.
Day 7
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Breakfast
Our premier tours such as A Taste of Abruzzo Culinary Vacation include a full breakfast buffet, lunch with wine and dinner with wine each day. Your time in Abruzzo will be filled with exciting excursions and activities, with the tastes of this region of Italy being a highlight of your stay.
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Check-Out and Departure
Time flies when you’re having so much fun, but alas…it is time to check out and depart this delicious, “Edible Destination.” Remember, short excursion packages are often available in nearby cities or historic destinations. Should you desire an extension, please let your culinary travel specialist know prior to check-in. Early in the morning on your departure day, you and your newly acquired friends will be transferred in luxury back to the Rome International Airport in accordance with your travel plans. May your future travels come from sweet dreams, and create tasty memories!
Palazzo Sulla Collina
Completely restored in 2002, Palazzo Sulla Collina is the ideal place to stay for anyone looking to experience the simplicity and beauty of this historic and luxurious residence. From its perch on the very highest point of the village's rocky hill, the palace commands a spectacular panoramic view of the whole valley. You will spend your week exploring historic villages, witnessing the creation of organic products at the hands of local artisans, enjoying the art of cooking with local chefs, and tasting the hypnotic flavors of Abruzzese cuisine.
The Currency Code is listed directly after the published amount. If it states USD, then the quoted price is in United States Dollars. If it states CAD, then the quoted price is in Canadian Dollars. If it states EUR, then the quoted price is in European Union Dollars…etc. However, please note that all charges are processed in USD, and Epitourean’s Merchant Bank automatically calculates the currency conversion on the day of the charge.
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What does Double Occupancy mean?
Two persons traveling together, and staying in the same room. Tour prices are normally quoted as “per person, double occupancy” in case two people are traveling together and staying in the same room, but paying separately. The cost of the lodging is also shared by two people, thereby reducing costs. This could be a married couple, two friends or relatives.
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What is a Single Supplement?
Whenever a person travels alone, the cost of their lodging cannot be shared by another person. When tour products are priced, they are normally stated as “per person, double occupancy.” Whenever a guest occupies a room as a solo, the whole cost of the lodging must be incurred by that one individual. Tour companies accommodate this by charging a Single Supplement. Epitourean does its best to keep the single supplement as low as possible, but it is a real cost that tour companies must absorb, and must pass along to the single traveler.
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If I am a Solo Traveler, will I be paired with another person?
Epitourean never pairs a solo traveler with another person without a special request. If you book Single Occupancy, you will have a room entirely to yourself. However, should you wish to be paired with another solo traveler to save on the single supplement, you may make this request. We cannot guarantee that we can accommodate such requests, since it would take another solo traveling on the same tour for the same dates. But if requested, we will certainly try.
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Are flights included in the tour price?
No. Flights are never included in the price of our land-only tours. Epitourean does not provide air, rail or sea travel, unless expressly noted in the itinerary.
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May I give a culinary tour as a gift?
Yes. Epitourean has a special program designed specifically for this purpose. Our Gift Packages come with features such as special messages to the recipient, gift box option, gift link (without pricing), and floating dates (should you not know when the gift recipient wants to travel). Contact a Culinary Travel Specialist at 800-390-3292 or customerservice@epitourean.com to receive additional information about this unique offering.
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May we request separate beds if sharing a room?
Yes. In most cases, Epitourean can accommodate a request for two beds to be placed in one room. Just make sure to make this request in the comments section of the reservation process.
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Does each guestroom have a private bathroom?
Yes. Epitourean partners with the best lodging options in each destination, and private (en suite) bathrooms are a requirement. However, you should inquire as to the configuration of bathrooms should you have a special need. For example, some tours include accommodations in medieval villages, where either a shower or bath(but maybe not both) are present.
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Can your tours accommodate my dietary restrictions?
In almost all cases, Epitourean can accommodate dietary choices and restrictions. But we do request that you ask a Culinary Travel Specialist prior to making your reservation so that we can assess your individual situation.
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If I am unable to use a portion of the tour, can I get a partial refund?
Unfortunately, due to vendor and supplier contracts, we are unable to provide partial refunds for unused portions of any tour or tour component.
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Are Transfers included in the Itinerary?
Round-trip transfers from the airport or train station are normally included in our international tours. Transfers to the destination (for both international and domestic tours) are not included in the tour price. Please see the Sample Itinerary. If it mentions that transfers are included, then yes, transfers are included at no additional cost.
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What meals and excursions are included in the tour?
The Sample Itinerary should be your reference. If the meal or excursion is described in the Sample Itinerary, then it is included at no additional charge. For those days where it expressly notes Free time, then any optional activities you elect to participate in might have an additional cost. In addition, if the itinerary states "evening on your own," it would imply that you have the opportunity to visit a restaurant of your own choosing, and at your own expense. If you have any question about inclusions, please submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button under the price section.
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Is it possible to book pre or post tours or stays through Edible Destinations?
Yes, we often do have optional 2 and 3 night excursions that are priced separately from the tour. We can also assist with pre and post night stays in a hotel if you choose to come in early before the tour starts, or stay on after a tour ends. The price of those hotel stays are not included in the price of the tour, but we would be happy to provide a quote. Simply ask your Culinary Travel Specialist, or submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button.
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Are Guide or Host Gratuities included in the price of the tour?
Since tipping guidelines and customs vary widely between countries, we do not include gratuities in the price of the tour. Your Culinary Travel Specialist can provide you with recommendations. But the general rule is to tip modestly when you are pleased with a guide’s services, either at the end of the tour, or at the conclusion of a specialty day excursion where you will only be with that guide (or chef) on that day.
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Should we plan on any personal expenses during the tour?
All lodging, meals, transfers, classes and excursions mentioned in the Sample Itinerary and Vacation Highlights are included in the price of the tour. However, we highly recommend taking local currency for purchasing personal items, souvenirs, tipping, etc. You can either get the local currency at an airport exchange service, ATM or from your local bank prior to travel. However, you should note that many hosted destinations do not accept credit cards for personal purchases.
Winner OUTSTANDING CULINARY TRAVEL Category
Vacation options presented on this website are offered by Epitourean LLC doing business as Edible Destinations pursuant to an agreement with HV Global Group, Inc. d/b/a Hyatt Vacation Club (“HRC”). HRC and its respective affiliates make no warranty, express or implied, regarding the quality, condition, features or amenities or any other aspect of any tour or package. The tours and packages offered herein may have limited availability, are subject to change, and/or may be subject to additional fees and/or taxes. HRC and respective affiliates are not liable for any damage to, loss of, or theft of personal property, for any bodily injury, or any other matters, that occurs arising out of or related to the tours or packages available through Epitourean. HRC HAS NO CONTROL OVER THE CONDUCT OF Epitourean, AND DISCLAIMS ALL LIABILITY IN THIS REGARD TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
Access to the BEYOND program is made available through the Hyatt Vacation Club Portfolio Program and is subject to the terms and conditions as outlined in the applicable Hyatt Vacation Club Portfolio Program documents. Actual experiences will be provided via contractual arrangements with third-party providers and may require the payment of additional fees.
HRC and its respective affiliates and subsidiaries make no warranty, express or implied, as to the condition, capacity, performance, features or amenities or any other aspect of the activities, events, or service providers listed herein. No inquiry has been made into the activities or events, or the qualifications or the quality of services offered by the providers. Do not consider this an endorsement of or recommendation for any of the activities, events, or providers.