Roots of Abruzzo: A Multigenerational Family Heritage Journey 11 Nights / 10 Days

11 Days/10 Nights

Starting from

$5416

per person*

Roots of Abruzzo: A Multigenerational Family Heritage Journey 11 Nights / 10 Days

Every Italian-American family carries a story that begins in a small town in the old country, and for so many that town is in Abruzzo. Roots of Abruzzo is a multigenerational journey created for families who want to travel together, from grandparents to grandchildren, and rediscover where their story began. Cradled between the highest peaks of the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea, Abruzzo is a land of walled hill towns, shepherd traditions, and Sunday tables that stretch for hours, the Italy your grandparents remember and your grandchildren will never forget.

Over eleven unhurried days you settle into just two welcoming home bases, Sulmona and L’Aquila, so no one is forever packing a suitcase. Together you wander ancestral villages like Pacentro, learn to shape Sulmona’s famous sugared almonds, picnic beside the crystal-clear Tirino, and stand in awe beneath the castle of Rocca Calascio. A car and driver carry the whole family from town to town, meals become reunions, and every generation finds its own kind of wonder, closing with a final night in Rome. This is more than a vacation. It is a homecoming.

Starting from $5,400 per person

Unforgettable Italian Journeys, Designed for You

Curated by passionate Italy experts, this sample itinerary is just the beginning of your Italian adventure. Every journey we design is unique, crafted around your interests, pace, and dreams so you can experience Italy’s beauty and culture like a true insider. Let us transform your vision into a one-of-a-kind travel experience, filled with authentic moments and lasting memories

Day 1

THE FAMILY ADVENTURE BEGINS – OVERNIGHT TO ITALY

Grandparents, parents, and kids set off together for the homeland.

Gather the whole family and depart for Rome on an overnight flight
Settle in for dinner and a movie high above the Atlantic
Fall asleep dreaming of the Italy your family came from

Day 2

ARRIVAL IN ROME – HOME TO SULMONA

Land in Italy and journey together into the heart of Abruzzo.

Arrive at Rome Fiumicino and meet your family’s driver
Travel east into the mountains to the town of Sulmona
Gather for a welcome dinner on your first Abruzzese evening

Day 3

SULMONA – OVID, ALMONDS & FAMILY TABLES

A guided day in one of Italy’s loveliest towns, sweet for every age.

Explore Piazza Garibaldi and its grand medieval aqueduct
Discover Sulmona, birthplace of the Roman poet Ovid
Watch sugared almonds bloom into flowers at a historic workshop

Day 4

PACENTRO – WALKING IN YOUR FAMILY’S FOOTSTEPS

The roots day: cobbled lanes, old names, and living heritage.

Wander the medieval towers and alleys of Pacentro
Trace family names and stories in a timeless hill town
Share a long, generous Abruzzese lunch together

Day 5

THE TIRINO RIVER – A DAY IN NATURE TOGETHER

Crystal water, easy trails, and simple joy for every generation.

Meet the crystal-clear Tirino River near Capestrano
Spot fish and herons in water like liquid glass
Enjoy a relaxed riverside picnic in the countryside

Day 6

INTO THE MOUNTAINS – ON TO L’AQUILA

Change of scene, closer to the peaks, with wonders along the way.

Journey toward L’Aquila beneath the Gran Sasso mountains
Pause at the frescoed oratory of Bominaco
Marvel at the emerald Lago di Capodacqua

Day 7

L’AQUILA – THE PROUD MOUNTAIN CAPITAL

A resilient city of pink stone, grand squares, and family strolls.

Take a guided walk through L’Aquila’s historic heart
Admire the Basilica di Collemaggio and its geometric facade
Count the ninety-nine faces of the famous fountain

Day 8

CASTLES IN THE CLOUDS – ROCCA CALASCIO & THE GRAN SASSO

The grand family adventure: a fortress in the sky and wild horses.

Climb to Rocca Calascio, the highest fortress in the Apennines
Cross the Campo Imperatore plateau, Italy’s Little Tibet
Explore the storybook village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio

Day 9

MOUNTAINS & MURALS – ROCCARASO & AIELLI

Fresh air, open meadows, and a village painted like a storybook.

Breathe the mountain air of Roccaraso and its meadows
Discover the colorful street murals of Aielli
Look through the telescopes of the Torre delle Stelle

Day 10

TO ROME – ONE LAST ITALIAN NIGHT TOGETHER

Trade the mountains for the Eternal City and a farewell feast.

Travel together from Abruzzo back to Rome
Enjoy a free afternoon in the heart of the city
Gather for a farewell family dinner in Rome

Day 11

ARRIVEDERCI, ITALY – UNTIL THE FAMILY RETURNS

Home with full hearts, new memories, and a homeland reclaimed.

Transfer to Rome Fiumicino for your flight home
Carry home stories to share for generations
Begin planning the family’s next Italian reunion

MAKE THIS ITINERARY YOURS

Turn this sample itinerary into your dream Italy vacation – tailored to your pace, passions, and budget.

Day 1

THE FAMILY ADVENTURE BEGINS – OVERNIGHT TO ITALY

Grandparents, parents, and kids set off together for the homeland.

The journey of a lifetime begins the moment your family gathers at the airport, three generations bound for the same small corner of Italy. Tonight you depart together on an overnight flight to Rome, the gateway to Abruzzo and to the story your family has carried for generations.

Settle in, share a meal above the clouds, and let the little ones drift off to sleep. By morning you will land in Italy, ready to trade family photographs for the real streets, hills, and faces of the homeland.

Italy Trip Family Multigeneration Vacation

Day 2

ARRIVAL IN ROME – HOME TO SULMONA

Land in Italy and journey together into the heart of Abruzzo.

You arrive at Rome Fiumicino, where your family’s driver is waiting to gather everyone, luggage and all, for the scenic drive east into the mountains of Abruzzo. As Rome fades behind you, olive groves and stone villages rise along the road.

By afternoon you reach Sulmona, your welcoming home for the next several days. Settle into your hotel, catch your breath, and come together for a first Abruzzese dinner, the beginning of a week of shared tables and rediscovered roots.

Day 3

SULMONA – OVID, ALMONDS & FAMILY TABLES

A guided day in one of Italy’s loveliest towns, sweet for every age.

This morning a local guide walks the family through Sulmona, one of the most beautiful small cities in Italy and the birthplace of the Roman poet Ovid. Grand Piazza Garibaldi opens before you, framed by a soaring medieval aqueduct where children can run and grandparents can rest in the shade.

Sulmona is famous the world over for confetti, the delicate sugared almonds shaped into flowers and bouquets. At a historic workshop the whole family watches this sweet art come to life, and everyone leaves with a treat and a memory to carry home.

Day 4

PACENTRO – WALKING IN YOUR FAMILY’S FOOTSTEPS

The roots day: cobbled lanes, old names, and living heritage.

Today is the heart of your journey: a day among the ancestral hill towns of the Peligna Valley, led by Pacentro, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Its medieval towers and steep stone lanes look much as they did when your family first knew them.

Wander together past old doorways and quiet piazzas, listen for familiar surnames, and feel the generations connect across time. A long, generous lunch of local specialties turns the afternoon into a true family reunion.

Abruzzo_Pecentro_view_History_panoramic_480x480_GL02

Day 5

THE TIRINO RIVER – A DAY IN NATURE TOGETHER

Crystal water, easy trails, and simple joy for every generation.

After the emotion of the roots day, today is pure, easy joy for every age. You gather beside the Tirino, one of the clearest rivers in Europe, where the water runs so pure that fish seem to hover in mid-air.

Little ones spot herons among the reeds while grandparents relax on the grassy banks near Capestrano. A leisurely riverside picnic makes for one of those simple, golden afternoons the whole family will remember.

Arrosticini Tipycal Food Abruzzo Region Italy

Day 6

INTO THE MOUNTAINS – ON TO L’AQUILA

Change of scene, closer to the peaks, with wonders along the way.

Today the family moves to its second home base, trading the Peligna Valley for the higher country around L’Aquila, with a few wonders along the way. You pause at the medieval oratory of Bominaco, where rare frescoes glow in the quiet stone.

Nearby, the emerald Lago di Capodacqua shimmers so clearly you can see the ruins beneath its surface, a magical stop for curious kids and cameras alike. By evening you settle into L’Aquila, cradled beneath the Gran Sasso.

Day 7

L’AQUILA – THE PROUD MOUNTAIN CAPITAL

A resilient city of pink stone, grand squares, and family strolls.

This morning a local guide leads the family into the elegant heart of L’Aquila, the proud mountain capital of Abruzzo, lovingly rebuilt and full of quiet resilience. You stroll grand piazzas and honey-colored streets at a pace that suits every generation.

Pause at the UNESCO-listed Basilica di Santa Maria di Collemaggio, with its beautiful pink-and-white facade, then let the children count the ninety-nine carved faces of the medieval Fountain of the 99 Spouts, each one different, a centuries-old mystery.

L Aquila Emocicle Palace History and Culture of Abruzzo Region

Day 8

CASTLES IN THE CLOUDS – ROCCA CALASCIO & THE GRAN SASSO

The grand family adventure: a fortress in the sky and wild horses.

Today brings the grand family adventure. You climb toward Rocca Calascio, the highest fortress in the Apennines, floating almost 1,500 meters above the valley with views that seem to reach forever, a fairy-tale castle come to life.

You cross the vast Campo Imperatore plateau, often called Italy’s Little Tibet, where wild horses graze beneath towering peaks, and wander the restored medieval village of Santo Stefano di Sessanio. It is the kind of day the grandchildren will describe for years.

Abruzzo_Calascio_Castle_History_Abruzzo_480x480_GL

Day 9

MOUNTAINS & MURALS – ROCCARASO & AIELLI

Fresh air, open meadows, and a village painted like a storybook.

A day of fresh air and fun awaits. You begin in Roccaraso, Abruzzo’s favorite mountain town, ringed by green meadows in summer and snowy slopes in winter, with plenty of room for the family to roam.

Then you discover Aielli, an ancient village whose stone walls have become a canvas for bright, contemporary murals, an open-air gallery crowned by the Torre delle Stelle observatory, where the whole family can reach for the stars.

Abruzzo_Food_Ricotta_Cheese_Honey_480x480_GL

Day 10

TO ROME – ONE LAST ITALIAN NIGHT TOGETHER

Trade the mountains for the Eternal City and a farewell feast.

You say a fond farewell to the mountains and travel together back to Rome, trading Abruzzo’s wild beauty for the timeless grandeur of the Eternal City.

The afternoon is free to wander or rest, and the evening belongs to one last family feast, a fitting celebration of the journey, the homeland, and the generations who shared it.

Trevi Fountain Rome Art and Culture Lazio Italy

Day 11

ARRIVEDERCI, ITALY – UNTIL THE FAMILY RETURNS

Home with full hearts, new memories, and a homeland reclaimed.

After breakfast, your family is transferred to Rome Fiumicino for the flight home, suitcases a little heavier and hearts a great deal fuller.

You leave Abruzzo carrying something priceless: the sights, tastes, and stories of the homeland, now shared across three generations. Arrivederci, until the family returns.

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This Package Includes:

Round trip flights in economy class with in-flight meals, drinks, and entertainment*
Transportation services will be provided, including a car and driver for the whole family.
4 nights accommodation in a premium Hotel (**) in Sulmona. These are 3-Star, 4-Star or 5-Star options based on your preference.
4 nights accommodation in a premium Hotel (**) in L’Aquila. These are 3-Star, 4-Star or 5-Star options based on your preference.
1 nights accommodation in a premium Hotel (**) in Rome. These are 3-Star, 4-Star or 5-Star options based on your preference.
Guided tour of Sulmona, birthplace of Ovid and home of Italy’s historic sugared almonds
Family visit to the ancestral hill town of Pacentro
Nature day along the crystal clear Tirino River near Capestrano
Guided walking tour of L’Aquila, including the Basilica di Collemaggio and the Fountain of the 99 Spouts
Full day excursion to Rocca Calascio, Campo Imperatore, and Santo Stefano di Sessanio on the Gran Sasso plateau
Excursion to the mountain town of Roccaraso and the mural village of Aielli
U.S. & Foreign Departure Taxes and Surcharges Fee(s) assessed by the Airlines.
Hospitality city tax which varies by city and hotel category. Where applicable, it must be paid locally at the hotel.

(*) Rate based on New York, including JFK and ERW only departure gates. Alternative U.S. departure cities available upon request at 1-866-GO ITALY or email trips2italy

(**) Rate based on two adult persons sharing a double or twin bedded room with private bathroom. Single rooms are available at an additional supplement. Children’s, triple room rates and alternative accommodation arrangements are available upon request. (Additional and different charges may apply).

This Package Does Not Include:

Airfare from your Country of origin.
All Land & Air prices: Additional U.S. & Foreign Departure Taxes and Surcharges Fee(s) assessed by the Airlines.
Hospitality city tax which varies by city and hotel category. Where applicable it must be paid locally to the hotel.
Entrance Fees to Monuments or Museums, Tips, Extras.
Beverages;
Porterage service;
All which is not listed under PACKAGE INCLUDES.

Terms and Conditions:

All itineraries are customizable.
This sample is designed to inspire your own unforgettable family heritage journey.
Independent Tour package customizable to your wishes and needs.
Available all year around on request.
Minimum number of participants: 2 people.
Some transfers are operated with an English speaking Driver. Some of the excursions are operated with a local guide, others are operated in conjunction with a larger group to offer the opportunity to meet other people and maintain the cost reasonable.
(*) Rate based on two adult persons sharing a double or twin bedded room with private bathroom. Single rooms are available at an additional supplement. Children’s, triple room rates and alternative accommodation arrangements are available upon request. (Additional and different charges may apply).

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this trip suitable for young children and grandparents together?

Yes. The pace is relaxed, the days are flexible, and a car with driver handles all the transfers, so every generation can enjoy Abruzzo comfortably. Activities are chosen to delight kids and grandparents alike.

How much moving around is there?

Very little. The family settles into just two home bases, Sulmona and L’Aquila, plus a final night in Rome, which keeps packing and unpacking to a minimum, ideal for a multigenerational group.

Are international flights included?

Yes. The package includes round trip flights in economy class from New York, using the JFK and EWR departure gates, arriving into and returning from Rome Fiumicino. Alternative U.S. departure cities are available on request.

Can we visit our own ancestral town?

Absolutely. Every journey is fully customizable. Tell us your family’s town or region in Abruzzo and we will build a visit, and even help arrange records or local introductions where possible, right into your itinerary.

How does the family get around?

A comfortable vehicle with an English-speaking driver carries the whole family for arrival transfers and touring days, so grandparents and grandchildren can travel together with ease.

What kind of hotels are used?

You stay in hand selected 3-Star, 4-Star or 5-Star hotels chosen for comfort, character and family-friendly rooms, matched to your preferences and budget.