Abruzzo Women's Tour
July 6-12, 2026
6 SPOTS LEFT!!
Intrepid women travelers are invited to explore Abruzzo's three national parks, medieval villages, Adriatic coastline, culturally-rich cities, farm-to-table cuisine and native wines. Led by Majella Tours of Italy founder and tour leader, Michelle, this summer tour is a curated 6-day escape to Abruzzo in which we’ll immerse ourselves in the region's diverse landscapes, artisanal treasures and rich food and wine culture.
DATES … July 6-12, 2026
WHO SHOULD COME … Women! ... that is, if you’re a woman who enjoys farm-to-table food and wine, stunning views, walking in nature, and meeting other inspiring women from around the world! So grab your mother, daughter, sister, cousin, girlfriend (or come on your own) and join us!
Here are a few ways to tell whether this trip is right for you:
...you're willing to leave your high heels and oversized suitcases at home!
...you're easygoing and flexible - the beauty of rural Italy lies in its unpredictability!
...you're comfortable exploring on foot - the ability to walk at a comfortable pace, over uneven surfaces and to navigate stairs is a MUST. You won't fully appreciate Abruzzo if you're unable to enjoy its national parks so please be mindful that some guided hiking excursions will be included on the itinerary. While you do NOT need to be an expert hiker, you do need to be reasonably fit to fully enjoy this trip.
This tour is ideally suited for travelers seeking a meaningful travel experience in an untrodden part of il bel paese. Only two hours from Rome yet seemingly worlds away, Abruzzo is centrally located but not easy to explore independently. We will pick you up in Rome on Monday and drive you back in time to catch an afternoon flight on Sunday.
Travel Tip: Care to tack on a few days in another city or region in Italy? Rome (your pickup & drop-off point) is less than two hours by train to Florence & Tuscany (north) and Naples & Amalfi Coast (south). You can also catch a train to Venice from Abruzzo's port city of Pescara in under 5 hours and enjoy views of the Adriatic Coast along the way!
Trip Highlights:
Tour Itinerary
Day 1
Benvenuti in Abruzzo!
Our driver will meet us in Rome and then drive through the mountains to begin our adventure in off-the-grid Abruzzo!
We will drive directly to Navelli and check into Dimora dell’Arte - our home base for the tour - and meet our hosts Francesca & Diego who will get you settled. This afternoon, we'll visit the tower and beautifully frescoed oratory at the nearby village of Bominaco and enjoy a spritz at the local cafe.
This evening, our B&B hosts will treat us to a home-cooked dinner paired with their Cantinarte wines.
Day 2
Rocca Calascio & Santo Stefano
This morning, we'll take a breathtaking hike to Rocca Calascio, which, at 1460 m a.s.l., is one of the highest fortresses in Europe. After our hike, we'll enjoy lunch at a local trattoria in the village of Calascio.
In the afternoon, we'll visit the jewlbox medieval villages of Santo Stefano and Castel del Monte, once strongholds of the powerful Florentine Medici family.
For dinner, we'll visit my dear friends Alessandro & Chiara for a saffron-themed feast on their terrace!
Day 3
Sulmona & Scanno
This morning, we'll explore the Parco Nazionale d'Abruzzo with its many picturesque lakes and gorges, We'll visit Lago San Domenico and then drive to Scanno, known for its heart-shaped lake and its traditional artisanal jewelry (and cookies!!).
This evening, we'll head to lively L'Aquila, with its many boutiques and cafes which are ripe for people-watching - dinner will be on your own this evening!
Day 4
Cooking Class & the Mother Mountain
This morning, we'll travel to my neck of the woods for a cooking class with the larger-than-life Marisa whose farm is high in the Maiella mountains. We'll feast on the lunch we prepare together and then take a walk in the hamlet of Decontra for some arresting views of Abruzzo's "mother" mountain.
After lunch, we'll hike down to the Orfento river valley, what I've dubbed the "Land of the Fairies" before we return to Navelli for some relaxation. For dinner, we'll take a walk up to the local bar in Navelli and enjoy an "apertivo cenato" (cocktails with lighter bites).
Day 5
The Adriatic Coast
This morning, we’ll head to the Adriatic coast for an Italian-style beach day at a stabilimento (beach club). Lunch is on your own today - whether you wish to grab some seafood street food or enjoy a multicourse seafood meal on a trabocco fishing platform - your umbrella and lounge chair will be waiting for you when you return!
After the beach, we'll stop at the lively coastal city of Pescara for a few hours for some shopping, light bites and drinks at a fun local bar!
Day 6
Winery Visit & L'Aquila
We'll start our day in the lovely town of Sulmona, where you'll visit the most picturesque weekly market in Abruzzo, set in a piazza flanked on one end by a medieval aqueduct and on the other by the Morrone mountain range. You'll have free time to shop in the market and in Sulmona's many fantastic shops and to have lunch on your own in one its pretty piazze. We'll then head to a beautiful nearby winery to sample some of the region's finest indigenous wine.
After a busy week, we'll enjoy some downtime and pool time at the B&B before our farewell dinner with our hosts!
WHERE WE’LL STAY … Dimora dell'Arte, a lovingly restored historic property in Navelli
We'll stay at a Dimora dell'Arte, a historic property in the medieval village of Navelli that has been converted into a boutique accommodation by the warm and loving family behind Cantinarte wine and olive oil - here, you will truly feel at home with Francesca and Diego and their loved ones. Dimora dell'Arte consists of seven cozy but modern double occupancy rooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, two indoor common areas, a garden with a pool, a cantina and tasting room.
Please be aware that the B&B does not have air conditioning. I have spent the past 20 summers in the mountains of Abruzzo and always sleep with windows open without a problem as it tends to cool off at night in the mountains - just something to consider.
ABRUZZO WOMEN'S TOUR 2025 RATE:
July 2026 Rate: $3990.00 per person, in double occupancy room**
RATE INCLUDES:
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Double occupancy room with private bath at a historic boutique property
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Breakfast daily at the B&B
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All but three meals (wine included)
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All ground transportation via private coach and drivers
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All hiking excursions
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Any entrance fees, tours and local guides
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Transfers between Rome and Abruzzo
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Taxes and service charges
**Single supplement of $900.00 applies (very limited availability)
NOT INCLUDED IN RATE:
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Airfare
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Trip insurance
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Three meals
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Gratuities for drivers, guides and hotel staff
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Optional activities during free time
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Gifts and personal purchases including snacks and refreshments during “free time” or during spontaneous stops along the way
Number of Participants: A minimum of eight (8) participants is required for the program to occur. The maximum number of participants for the program is 12.
Getting to & from Abruzzo: Our private coach and driver will pick up tour guests on the morning of Monday, July 6th at two locations in Rome: (1) Tiburtina train station (first stop) and (2) Fiumicino airport (second stop). Guests are expected to arrive in Rome early enough that they can clear immigration and baggage claim no later than Noon on July 6th so we can drive to Abruzzo for a relaxed afternoon activity. The exact timing will be based on guests' flight schedules, but there will be one pick-up and one drop-off so if guests' flight times vary, you might experience some waiting time. On Sunday, July 12th, all guests will be dropped off at Fiumicino airport at approximately 11 am. The Rome airport is 2.5-3 hours from Abruzzo so please schedule your return flight home for 1:30 pm or later. If you're remaining in Rome for a day or so after the tour, you'll be able to easily reach the center of Rome by train or taxi from the airport.
Deposit & Terms & Conditions: A $500 non-refundable deposit (for administrative fees) per person payable by check to Three Little Guys LLC (D/B/A Majella Tours of Abruzzo), is required at the time of the reservation of the tour for each participant. Final payment of the balance must be received no later than 120 days prior to the first day of the tour. Upon payment of the deposit, the tour registrants expressly agree to be bound by the Terms & Conditions set forth in the tour agreement.