AUTUMN’S KNOWLEDGE AND FLAVOURS IN MOLISE

history / villages / traditions / food & wine

(five days - four nights)

DAY 1 - VENAFRO - MONTERODUNI- ISERNIA 

Arrival in Isernia and check-in at the hotel, in reserved rooms. Departure by Gran Turismo coach to Venafro. Guided tour of the Castello Pandone and the Art Nouveau building, visit to the ancient tower and walk through the village. 

Lunch on a farm with tasting of typical autumn products (mushrooms, truffles, chestnuts and novello wine). After lunch, we will continue on to Monteroduni, for a guided tour of Castello Pignatelli.

In the afternoon, transfer to Isernia on a Gran Turismo coach, to visit to the Museo Nazionale del Paleolitico (National Palaeolithic Museum). The Museum features 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 take a guided tour to 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 600,00 years ago, lived were organized.

We will then continue with a guided tour of Cattedrale di San Pietro Apostolo, its underground excavations, and the historical centre of Isernia, among the Christmas markets where we will be admire Europe's largest lace Christmas tree.

Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2 - PIETRABBONDANTE - VASTOGIRARDI - AGNONE

Breakfast at the hotel and departure in a Gran Turismo coach 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 Monte Saraceno. Guided tour of the marvellous Teatro Tempio Italico 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 Church dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta you can enjoy a magical and spectacular view of mountains, forests and valleys. We will then proceed to Vastogirardi, a small village in Upper Molise located 1,200 metres above sea level. The town is located in a landscape and environmental context rich in natural resources, beautiful species of flora and fauna, as well as boasting an artistic and historical cultural heritage of great interest. Among other things, we will visit the Chiesa di San Nicola di Bari. This charming village is also famous for its local food and wine traditions. We will visit a well-known local cheese factory, and enjoy a small tasting aperitif. Lunch in a typical trattoria. At the end of the lunch, transfer to Agnone, an ancient Samnite city, home to what is presumed to be the oldest bell-making factory in the world. We will take a guided tour of Fonderia Marinelli and its Museum.

Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 3 - CASTEL SAN VINCENZO - CASTELPETROSO

Breakfast at the hotel and departure by Gran Turismo coach to Castel San Vincenzo. Visit to the archaeological site, a fundamental testimony of the Carolingian era. 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. Lunch with tasting of typical local products.

In the afternoon, we will continue on to the imposing Basilica Minore dell'Addolorata in Castelpetroso, built in 1890 after the Virgin Mary appeared to two shepherdesses. Entirely carved in stone by skilled craftsmen from Molise in neo-Gothic architecture. It rises solemnly with its seven chapels, representing the seven sorrows of the Virgin Mary, and a 54 metre high central dome. The complex looks like an extraordinary fairytale landscape. The Sanctuary is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. Possibility of participating in the Holy Mass. 

Return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 4 - END OF TRIP AND RETURN HOME

Breakfast at the hotel and departure for the return journey.

INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION FEE FROM € 420.00

PERIOD: OCTOBER / DECEMBER