This is detailed information for those going on the Travels With Suz LLC trip: Italy: Off the Beaten Track in Abruzzo + Puglia Please do click the link above if you’d like to see an overview of the trip… 😊 (These are simply the gory details for those on the trip…)
Inclusions:
- 7 nights accommodation in the historic centre of Vasto, and 6 nights in Conversano, both centrally located
- Fresh daily breakfast buffet at the hotels
- 15 meals (food, water & locally source wine). Some evenings are free for us to explore the towns and eateries on our own
- Guided tastings of wines, olive oil, and focaccia bread and visits to the farms and producers
- 3 hands-on authentic Abruzzo and Puglia cooking experiences and associated food costs
- Personalized cooking booklet with recipes, and an apron
- Daily trips, excursions and guided tours
- All the transports for daily trips, excursions, the pick up at FCO and drop off in Bari will be in an air conditioned minibus or car
- All entry fees for museums
- Art experience with a local artist
- English-speaking professional tour directors and licensed local guides
- All taxes and fees except hotel city tax*(see below)
Exclusions:
- Airfare and other personal transportation
- Money spent on personal items, souvenirs, or gifts
- Snacks/Drinks between meals, or any meals not listed on the itinerary
- Personal expenses like phone calls, laundry or tips
- Travel insurance (required)
- Drinks not listed (an extra bottle of wine or cocktail with meals)
- The cost of any additional activities planned on one’s own
- *City hotel tax (varies from € 1.5 to € 2.50 per night per person to be paid to the hotels)
FAQs:
Hotels:
Locations + info: During this tour we will stay at the centrally located 3* Hotel dei 7 in Vasto and 4* Hotel Corte Altavilla in Conversano. They both provide a high standard of service, are meticulously clean, are equipped with air conditioning, elevator, free wi-fi; and they are walking distance to the main attractions and squares of their respective towns. At Hotel Corte Altavilla, you have the opportunity to enjoy a SPA experience in their wellness center (to be booked in advance; not included in the price of the trip).
Is there laundry service at the hotels? Yes. Both the hotels offer laundry service.
Is it strenuous?
I can’t do hours of walking. Does this trip include hiking? On a typical day there could be 0.5-2 hours (some days just a few minutes) of slow and light walking (with stops to see monuments, churches, piazzas, historical sites and so on) except for 2 days when there is a more challenging walk (with some climbs and stairs) to explore Roccascalegna and Matera. If you feel tired and don’t want to walk too much, we’ll give you suggestions to stop to wait for the rest of the group in a nice location in a piazza or in a wine bar to enjoy the Italian atmosphere.
Meeting Point at the beginning of the trip
Pickup at Rome Fiumicino airport (FCO) Terminal 3 @ 12:30 p.m. on May 25, 2025. A few days before the tour starts, Fabrizio will send us each a PDF with a map and information regarding where to meet and the driver’s phone numbers. Suz will be there by noon, and we’ll all have one another’s contact information so we can meet up before the scheduled pickup.
Can I still get a transfer if I arrive in Rome early? Yes. If you are coming into Rome earlier and would like to travel to Abruzzo with the group, simply make your way back to FCO the morning of the 25th to meet us. Reaching our meeting point at the airport is quite straightforward; here are a few convenient options:
- Taxi: for taxi services, you can dial “Chiama taxi +39060609,” or arrange a taxi or transport through your hotel. When booking, request a taxi with fixed or regulated fares.
- Leonardo Express: a direct train that connects Rome’s Termini Station to Fiumicino Airport. The journey time is about 32 minutes and the ticket cost is 14 euros one way. The train arrives at Terminal 3, our meeting point, which is within easy walking distance.
- Regional Train from Tiburtina: The Tiburtina regional train is another option to reach the airport from central Rome. The trip takes about 50 minutes and the ticket cost is 8 euros one way. You’ll find additional information on fares, frequency, and schedules for regional trains on the Italian railways’ website or at the train station.
- If you’re having trouble finding a flight that fits our schedule or want more time to recover from jetlag, one solution is to stay an extra night ahead of time in Rome near the airport.
- NB: all guests joining Fabrizio’s tours are responsible for ensuring they make it to the meeting point at the time indicated. Those who are unable to be on time will not be guaranteed the included transfer, and can arrange for a private transfer (depending on the availability of drivers) at a cost of about € 80.Â
Drop off after the tour:
Return to Rome via air (recommended) or train. After breakfast on June 7, we leave at 9:00 a.m. for Bari airport or your next destination (45 minutes driving from hotel to Bari airport and 40 minutes to Bari train station). When we have information from all the people on the tour about their programs on the last day we’ll finalize this. If there are some other needs, Fabrizio can organize private transportation (before or after the planned one) from the hotel to Bari airport (€ 90) or train station (€ 80).
Usually at the end of this tour travelers do different things:
- Stay a few nights more in Puglia (Fabrizio could help for activities, tours and day trips)
- Take a bus or a train to reach other parts of Italy
- Return to Rome to fly home or elsewhere
If you plan to go to Rome at the end of this tour, you can get there in different ways:
- Air: 1 hour direct flight to Rome Fiumicino; if you book in advance it’s very cheap, from 30-50 € plus the cost for extra luggage
- Train: 4-6 hours from Bari to Rome city center, then 45 min. from Rome Termini Station to Rome Fiumicino airport with the Leonardo Express. Most of our travelers who take the train to Rome from Bari take the 12:46 p.m. FRECCIAROSSA train 8314, which arrives at Rome Termini at 4:55 p.m. (the train is normally bookable from 90 days before the chosen date)
- Bus: 5-6 hours to Rome city center or airport (7-10 hours with changes, it isn’t very comfortable)
Connecting to or from another part of Italy: If you are connecting to or from another part of Italy Fabrizio is happy to assist you in planning your pre and post trip connections. If your planned arrival or departure does not coincide with the specified meeting time he can assist you in booking a private transfer at an additional cost or some extra nights in Puglia.
BEFORE BOOKING: Please don’t hesitate to contact Suzanne at (505) 999-8296 or TravelsWithSuz@gmail.com with any questions or concerns, or for help with your bank transfer. 😊
ONCE YOUR DEPOSIT IS MADE: you may contact Fabrizio directly for further details and assistance. He is always available to help and has insider knowledge and on the ground support. Reach him at (cell) +39 349 8630483 or email: fabrizio@italiasweetitalia.com
