Day 1 L'Aquila  

Arrival in the city of L’Aquila early in the morning, meeting with the tour guide, and start of the walking tour from the 99 Spouts Fountain through the entire historic center. Fully restored following the 2009 earthquake, the center can now be enjoyed in all its renewed splendor: the guided city tour will follow an itinerary that chronologically traces its history from its founding to the present day. You will discover the official history along with legends and mysteries linked to the Knights Templar and notable figures like Frederick II, the Holy Roman Emperor, and Celestine V, the famous Pope of the "great refusal." Starting from Piazza Duomo, we will walk along one of the oldest and most charming cobbled streets in the city to reach the Basilica of Santa Maria di Collemaggio—home to the world's first Holy Door and the only one that opens annually, greatest representation of the Celestinian Forgiveness and home to most of the city's mysteries and legends. Next, we will explore the Basilica of San Bernardino, the city's most extraordinary example of Baroque architecture, before concluding with a view of the exterior of the Castle, an impressive 16th-century Spanish fortress and prison. Lunch at leisure.

After lunch: free time or optional visit to L’Aquila Underground (entrance fee applied):

Join us as we descend into the depths of the city and its surroundings to uncover its hidden history and mysteries. (GUIDED TOUR)

Underground L’Aquila will take you into underground spaces hitherto unknown, allowing you to relive myths and legends that still live on in the collective imagination. This subterranean tour is not a conventional visit, but a truly immersive experience. Afterwards, transfer by bus to a hotel located near the center, dinner, and overnight stay.

Day 2 Baronia: Santo Stefano di Sessanio / Castello di Rocca Calascio /Campo Imperatore

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by meeting with the guide and departure for Santo Stefano di Sessanio.

A small medieval village tucked below the Gran Sasso d’Italia, set like a gem among the mountains and completely rebuilt, featuring the Medici Tower built to overlook the region (ticket for the tower: €3.00, advance booking required). Continue to Calascio, with the option to reach the Fortress by minivan upon reservation (€5.00; the van drops visitors off as close as possible, leaving roughly 500 meters of uphill walking trail). The fortress also originally served as a control tower for the area and has been featured in many famous films. Following the visit, continue to the Campo Imperatore plateau for a lunch stop at a local roadside eatery, where fresh meat (arrosticini and sausages) will be provided for you to cook over glowing embers yourself. After lunch, drive across the entire plateau, making several stops at the most scenic points until reaching the Campo Imperatore Hotel (2,100 m above sea level at the base of the cable car)—famous for serving as Mussolini’s prison during World War II, the highest in the world (exterior visit).

In the evening return to L'Aquila, dinner and overnight stay in the hotel

day 3 grotte di Stiffe / complesso di Bominaco

Breakfast at the hotel, followed by transfer in your bus to Stiffe for a visit to the famous stiffe caves.

Lunch at a regional agritourism farm featuring a mixed platter of authentic Abruzzo specialties.

In the early afternoon, transfer by bus to Bominaco to visit the Abbey of Santa Maria Assunta and the Oratory of San Pellegrino, which were once part of the Benedictine monks' estate. On the outside, the building appears simple and irregularly shaped. Inside, it houses marvelous frescoes decorating the vault and walls, depicting scenes from four chapters of christian history: the childhood of Jesus, His Passion, the Final Judgment, and the life of Saint Pellegrino. It's known as the "Sistine Chapel of Abruzzo" . Entry is free with a voluntary donation.

End of servicies.