AN ADVENTURE WEEK "CAR FREE" IN THE STUNNING MAJELLA NATIONAL PARK

Arrival at Pescara Airport, transfer by minivan to your accommodation in the beautiful Majella National Park, and check in. Meet with your tour assistant and receive your welcome pack. Bike check and set up and in the evening dinner at a local restaurant. 

After breakfast discover the picturesque town of Fara San Martino famous for its Gorges, Abbey and pasta made from its pure mountain spring water. You will meet with your guide and walk through the historic and pretty town centre towards its gorge “Golle di San Martino” and be guided through to the Abbey. Afterwards a bite to eat at “Le Sorgenti” with its Aquamarine waters and a visit to the Gualchiera and the De Cecco pasta factory shop. In the evening traditional Pizza & Beer evening at the local restaurant. 

After breakfast, venture on a beautiful bike ride along the Gustav Line. This was an imaginary WW2 line that ran from Ortona to the East, to Cassino in the West, and that was controlled by German Troops whose task was to slow down the allied troops breaking through the line to free Rome. This particular area was the theatre of many fierce battles and heroic actions to free Abruzzo from the Germans. You will ride from Fara San Martino up a short climb to reach Civitella Messer Raimondo and learn about the heroics of the partisan group “Brigata Majella” during WW2. Before leaving you will taste a slice of the typical local almond cake “Torta Civitellese” with a coffee. Back on the saddle you will head towards lake Casoli, then ride up to the ancient open-air museum of the old town of Gessopalena, known as “The Shining Rock”. We will stop for a light aperitivo pit stop in the town centre before riding back to Fara San Martino along quiet country roads. In the evening traditional Abruzzese dinner at the restaurant with typical arrosticini (Lamb skewers) and pallotte cacio e ove (cheesy puff balls in tomato sauce).  

Breakfast. Today accompanied by our expert professional guide we will walk from Fara San Martino along a mountain footpath and through beautiful woodland to reach the town of Lama dei Peligni. The distance is about 6.5 km each way, it requires a medium level of fitness, and it presents some natural challenges like low branches, loose stones, tree roots and a few short steep climbs. Along the walk we will be able to spot German gun posts and trenches set amongst beautiful nature, tranquillity and stunning views. In Lama dei Peligni we will learn the story of Frá Pietro and the Sacral Effige of Baby Jesus,and where every two years the townsfolk hold a Holy Procession organised to celebrate the event. Afterwards we will stop for a bite to eat in a local bar and taste the local typical pastry speciality called “Sfogliatella di Lama”. We will then head back to Fara San Martino and in the evening dinner at the local restaurant.    

Breakfast. Today our cycle ride will take us from Fara San Martino, through to Lama dei Peligni and along the panoramic road hugging the mountainside towards Palena. The scenery along the way is breathtaking, on route we will a make a stop at the Memorial dedicated to the Partisan Majella Brigade before reaching Palena, a pretty town situated at the end of the Aventino Valley. Palena is also famous as over 64 species of wild orchids can be found here in springtime, and in May the festival dedicated to these beautiful flowers takes place. After a little wander around and a coffee break, we will continue up a steady climb towards Fonte della Noce, a thousand metres high with breathtaking views over the Majella Mountains, and the coast. We will stop for a bite to eat before heading back to your accommodation. On route we will ride by the Acquevive Reserve (Live fresh water springs nature reserve), Taranta Peligna and Fara San Martino. In the evening Dinner in the local restaurant. 

Breakfast; Today an easy ride to discover more of the local surroundings, through beautiful sceneries, medieval towns, and to taste some of the best local products. From Fara San Martino we will cycle up towards Palombaro, then descending towards the Plain of Casoli we will visit a fantastic Museum of Curiosities. We will be met by Mr Nicola, a living encyclopaedia, eccentric artist himself as well as an expert in local history and rural life. He will guide us through his great collection of arts, crafts, costumes and vintage farm machinery spanning over a thousand years. After the visit we will head towards “Lu Pennese”, a local bar serving one of the best Porchetta (Roasted suckling pig) in Abruzzo, accompanied by bread and delicious local extra virgin olive oil and a nice glass of cold beer. After lunch we will continue our ride up and through the historic centre of Casoli, to then descend by the Lake of Sant’Angelo and finally back to Fara San Martino. In the evening enjoy your goodbye dinner and share highlights of your wonderful weeks stay.

Breakfast, check out and transfer to the Airport for your return flight.