Cycling holiday in Italy – from vineyard to vineyard in Abruzzo – 8 days

Day 1Arrival Francavilla al Mare

The tour starts in Francavilla al Mare on the Adriatic coast. After arrival, you check into the hotel and meet our local partner.

The bikes are delivered and adjusted, and then you receive an overview of the week's program, the routes, and the cycling stages (in English). This ensures both the bikes and all practical details are ready before the first stage the next morning.

In the evening, you will have dinner at the hotel's restaurant (included).

Day 2Tour of the Wine Region around Chieti

Today's cycling stage is a loop through the hilly wine-growing landscape around Chieti and the Theatine hills. This is an area with a high concentration of winemakers, and vineyards will accompany you for much of the day.

Along the way, you cycle past producers such as Cantine Maligni, Sincarpa, Ruvido Wines, Ripa Teatina, Di Sipio, Rapino, and Pasetti, in addition to several smaller vineyards. You will stop at one of the producers for a wine tasting, featuring local wines made from Montepulciano, Trebbiano, and Cerasuolo grapes, among others.

When you reach Chieti, we recommend a visit to the old town and the Cathedral of San Giustino. In the neighboring town of Ripa Teatina, you pass the statue of boxing legend Rocky Marciano, whose family had roots here. Along the way, there are also several farm restaurants suitable for a lunch stop (not included).

Back in Francavilla al Mare, there will be time to relax before dinner at a local restaurant along the beach promenade.

Wine tasting and dinner are included. Lunch is on your own during the day (not included).

Day 3From Francavilla al Mare to Semivicoli

After breakfast, you pack your luggage and leave it at reception before today's cycling stage begins. Your luggage will be transported to the next accommodation.

This will probably be the most demanding stage of the trip. You leave the Adriatic coast and cycle inland into Abruzzo, with the Majella Mountains as your destination on the horizon.

Along the way, you pass through Crecchio, among other places. During World War II, members of the Italian royal family of Savoy stayed for a period at the castle in the town – a small piece of Italian history along today's route.

Once you arrive in Semivicoli, you check into a relais surrounded by vineyards. Here, dinner and a wine tasting of the house's own wines await – a great end to today's stage.

Dinner and wine tasting are included. Lunch is on your own during the day (not included).

Day 4Loop from Semivicoli

Today you head towards the Majella Mountains for another day in the hilly landscape of Abruzzo. This stage combines cycling with a shorter hike along the way.

On minor roads, you cycle towards Abbazia di San Liberatore a Maiella, an ancient monastery at the foot of the mountains. Here you park your bikes and continue on foot along the Alento River, before returning to the bikes.

From there, the route continues through the landscape to the winemaker Vecchio Tratturo, where you stop for a wine tasting before cycling back to Semivicoli.

In the evening, you will have dinner at the hotel's restaurant.

Wine tasting and dinner are included. Lunch is on your own during the day (not included).

Day 5From Semivicoli to Fossacesia/San Vito Chietino

Today you leave Semivicoli and head back towards the Adriatic Sea and the Costa dei Trabocchi. The landscape gradually changes as you descend from the inland wine regions toward the coast.

Along the way, you stop at the Frentana winery for a wine tasting. Then the route continues through Lanciano and to the medieval town of Rocca San Giovanni, where it is worth taking a break to enjoy the view of the Adriatic Sea.

Down by the coast, you will encounter the characteristic trabocchi – traditional fishing structures built on stilts in the sea. Today, several of them are used as restaurants and have given this entire stretch of coast the name Costa dei Trabocchi.

After today's cycling stage, you check into a hotel within walking distance of the beach. There will be time for sun and swimming before dinner at the hotel's restaurant.

Wine tasting and dinner are included. Lunch is on your own during the day (not included).

Day 6Along the Costa dei Trabocchi

Today you follow the cycle path south along the Costa dei Trabocchi. Large parts of the route run on a former railway track that has been converted into a cycle path, with the Adriatic Sea close by for much of the day.

Along the way, you pass Torino di Sangro, Casalbordino, and the Punta Aderci nature reserve before arriving in Vasto Marina. If you would like some extra elevation gain, you can cycle up to the old town of Vasto. From here, you get a great view of the coast and the characteristic trabocchi standing in the sea.

On the way back, you cycle the same route and stop for a wine tasting at one of the area's winemakers. Depending on the schedule, it will be Terre d’Erce, Fontefico, Jasci e Marchesani, or Jasci Donatello.

In the evening, dinner awaits at a trabocco below the hotel – a wonderful conclusion to a day along the Costa dei Trabocchi.

Wine tasting and dinner are included. Lunch is on your own during the day (not included).

Day 7From Fossacesia/San Vito Chietino to Francavilla al Mare

After breakfast, you pack your luggage and leave it at reception before heading north along the Adriatic coast. Your luggage will be transported to the hotel in Francavilla al Mare.

Along the way, you pass Ortona, the largest town on today's stage. Here we recommend a stop at Castello Aragonese, the old castle situated right by the sea with a great view of the coast.

After Ortona, you leave the coast for a while and cycle inland on minor roads between the vineyards. Here you will stop at the last winery of the trip for a final wine tasting before continuing towards Francavilla al Mare.

After arrival, you check into the hotel. In the evening, the day concludes with dinner at a restaurant.

Wine tasting and dinner are included. Lunch at a suitable place during the day (not included).

Day 8Departure Day

After breakfast, it is time to check out of the hotel in Francavilla al Mare and depart for the airport.

Eight days in Abruzzo have come to an end – with cycling through vineyards and small villages, visits to local winemakers, the Majella Mountains, the Costa dei Trabocchi, and the Adriatic coast. Hopefully, you have both some wonderful cycling miles and new Italian favorites to take back home with you.

Thank you so much for the trip – and have a safe journey home!