Abruzzo – Le Marche: Stunning Landscapes and Authentic Flavours

We’ll transfer to Civitella del Tronto in the Teramo province, close to the border of Le Marche. The village is included in the Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga National Park, and it’s dominated by the "Twin Mountains" in which the Salinello River flows through. The Fortezza, an outstanding military building that stands above the town centre, on the top of a travertine cliff, is the most visited monument of all the Abruzzo Region. We will conduct an English guided tour of the Fortezza, already famous in the Middle Age for its unforgettable siege. From Civitella, we will move onto Torano Nuovo to visit Emidio Pepe winery. In the most Northern part of Abruzzo, there is a strip of land between the Adriatic Sea and the Gran Sasso Mountains, which provides the perfect microclimate to allow the vines to grow and produce grapes of outstanding quality. Emidio never used any chemicals throughout his process, as his main focus was to have enriched soil that produced wines with a natural energy, which brought them to life – no selected yeast to start the alcoholic fermentation, and no enzyme to enhance the flavours. Just sulphur, copper water and biodynamic formulation. Emidio Pepe winery uses the most traditional methods of winemaking, from the field to the glass: picking, selection and destemming of grapes are done by hand, crushing is also still done by foot. These techniques allow the wines to adapt to aging. On the tour, we will taste Trebbiano d’Abruzzo DOC, an ancient indigenous variety from Abruzzo; and Pecorino Colli Aprutini IGT, a traditional wine from Southern Marche, Northern Abruzzo and Montepulciano.  

Passionate ★★★☆☆

6/7 hours walking, Lenght 19 km, 700 m gain.

We will then make a transfer to Smerillo, Fermo Province, a village of 200 inhabitants, sheltered on a cliff, 800m above sea level. Smerillo is well-known as “Marche Rooftop” due to its incredible panoramic lookout. From the green Sibillini Mountains, to the blue of the Adriatic Sea. From the Tenna valley, to Abruzzo’s coast. From the sweet hills on one side, to Mt Conero on the other. Walking through its alleys it is easy to get taken back to when the whole town was a castle. Smerillo host also a natural area, that ever since the 70’s has been protected; it’s called Smerillo Forest. Due to its geographic position between the sea and the mountains, it hosts an abundance of rare animals and plant species. We will then walk on the Fessa Trail, a canyon that was formed 3.5 million years ago on the typical sandstone that hosts many fossils (45 minutes walking, 70m difference in altitude, easy ring route). We’ll then make our transfer to Sarnano to visit “Salumificio Monterotti”, specialised in the production of cured meats. Pigs are the only animal that are bred in the area; they are fed with cereals, farmed by the company itself. They are still using the traditional chimney for aging products, burning only wood that comes from the Sibillini Mountains; “Coppa di testa”, “Ciauscolo” and “Pancetta”, are just some of the delightful cuts of pork that we will be tasting together.

Passionate ★★★☆

6/7 hours walking, 21 km lenght, 400 m gain.

We’ll then meet with a local tour guide to discover the beauties of Ascoli Piceno. It is considered one of the most monumental medieval towns in Italy. It is known as “the town of one hundred towers” for its many belfries and towers that stand out from the rooftops. At the centre of the town, you’ll find “Piazza del Popolo”, undoubtably the main square of the town, where the most important building overlooks: Capitani del Popolo Palace (XIII sec.), Caffè Meletti, San Francesco Church (XIII – XVI sec.) and Loggia dei Mercanti. “Olive all’ascolana” is the traditional dish from this town, famous all over the world; green pitted olives stuffed with meat, and then deep fried. Not only will we get a chance to taste them, but we’ll also be shown how they are traditionally cooked in the “Migliori” laboratory. It is a family-owned business involved in agribusiness since the 50’s; it’s a perfect testimonial of Ascoli Piceno culinary tradition. N.B. The activity order and contents can change in order to the Guide decision, in case specific circumstances occur.

Passionate ★★★☆

6/7 walking, 23 km Lenght, 850 m gain.

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