CULTURE, NATURE AND FLAVOURS

history / biodiversity / food & wine

(eight days / seven nights)                               

DAY 1 - ISERNIA

Arrival in Isernia and check-in at the B&B in the historical centre. Walk through the old town and visit to the Cattedrale di San Pietro Apostolo and its excavations.

Free dinner.

DAY 2 - ISERNIA - POZZILLI - VENAFRO

Breakfast at the B&B. Visit to the Museo Nazionale del Paleolitico, with an exhibit of the oldest human encampment in Europe - a must-see for those who want to discover the stages of human evolution through prehistoric tools and behaviour. We will discover the countless artefacts that have contributed to our knowledge of daily life habits, and we will know more about how the first camps of humans, who arrived in present-day Europe around 600,000 years ago, lived were organized.

After the Museum visit, departure for Pozzilli to learn about Molise wines. Guided tour of the vineyards, cellar and barrel cellar. At the end of the visit, we will enjoy a lunch-tasting.

After lunch, a walk through the village of Venafro to discover the wonderful Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata and theCastello Pandone.

Free dinner.

DAY 3 - PIETRABBONDANTE - AGNONE

Breakfast at the B&B and departure for Pietrabbondante, a town in upper Molise, at 1,027 above the sea level, nestled between three enormous boulders known as 'morge' at the foot of Mount Saraceno. Visit to the marvellous Tempio Italico Theatre in Pietrabbondante. It preserves the most important archaeological evidence of Samnite religiosity in ancient Molise. The site, surrounded by unspoilt nature, immediately amazes with the uniqueness and importance of the archaeological remains of the temple and theatre, dating back to the late 2nd century BC.

The entire village is particularly beautiful. From the Santa Maria Assunta Church, you can enjoy a magical and spectacular view of the mountains, forests and valleys. Then, we will head to Agnone.

Free lunch.

After lunch, we will visit this small town, an ancient Samnite city and home to what is presumed to be the oldest bell-making factory in the world. Visit to the Foundry. 

Free dinner.

DAY 4 - CARPINONE - ROCCAMANDOLFI

Breakfast at the B&B and departure for Carpinone, for an hike to discover the Parco fluviale del Carpino (Carpino River Park) and its waterfalls. Those who want, will have the chance to take a refreshing dip. 

Free lunch.

In the afternoon, we will reach Roccamandolfi, a small village, the land of brigands. Visit to the Museo Multimediale sul Brigantaggio (Multimedia Museum on Brigandage) and walk through the village to the Tibetan Bridge and the ruins of the Castello Maginulfo.

Free dinner.

DAY 5 - CAMPOLIETO - CAMPOBASSO

Breakfast at the B&B and departure for Campolieto. On the way, we will stop at Castelpetroso to visit the majestic Santuario della Madonna Addolorata, which stands on the site where some shepherd children witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary at the end of the 19th century, and which continued to be the scene of several miraculous episodes.

Once in Campolieto, we will enjoy a unique cheese-making experience in a renowned farm. At the end, tasting of cheeses of different ages, paired with other products.

Free lunch in Campobasso. Visit to the centre, characterised by narrow streets, long stairways, churches and historic buildings winding their way around the foot of the Castello Monforte. During the walk, we will stop at the Museo dei Misteri, which displays the structures and costumes of the city's most representative folkloric event, the Festival dei Misteri, taking place on Corpus Christi Sunday. Then, we will visit the Museo Sannitico, which houses numerous archaeological artefacts of the Samnite people.

Free dinner.

DAY 6 - TERMOLI

Breakfast at the B&B and departure for Termoli. Visit to this enchanting village surrounded by ancient walls overlooking the sea, and containing priceless treasures, such as Castello Svevo and the Cattedrale di Santa Maria della Purificazione. Visit to underground Termoli with the Cathedral and the Crypt.

The rest of the day will be free.

DAY 7 - CASTEL SAN VINCENZO - ROCCHETTA A VOLTURNO - SCAPOLI

Breakfast at the B&B and departure for the monumental complex of San Vincenzo al Volturno. The site hosts the excavations of the 5th-century Lombard abbey on the left bank of the river, and the new 12th-century abbey on the right bank, which has been profoundly rebuilt over the centuries and can still be visited. Today it is home to a Benedictine community. In the archaeological area, the crypt of Epiphanius contains frescoes that are among the most important examples of early medieval European painting. Visit to the archaeological area and the Abbey. On the way, we will admire the Lake of Castel San Vincenzo, a turquoise jewel surrounded by woods and the peaks of the Mainarde mountains reflected in its clear waters. 

Lunch in Rocchetta al Volturno, in a farm.

In the afternoon, visit to the village of Scapoli, a forge of master craftsmen producing bagpipes, the ancient musical instrument of shepherds. In this place, nestled between the mountains, musical culture materialises in the only historic workshops left in Italy, where the finest and seasoned olive, cherry and plum wood is carved using techniques that have never changed over the centuries. The Museo Internazionale della Zampogna (International Bagpipe Museum) and its permanent exhibition house these jewels that bear witness to the skills and traditions of a community. 

Free dinner.

DAY 8

Breakfast at the B&B and departure.

INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION FEE FROM € 539.00

PERIOD: ALL YEAR ROUND