Abruzzo and Molise

Grand Sasso Abruzzo, Italy Vacation Specialists

Explore the Cities and Towns of Abruzzo and Molise

Our Local Expertise

Over 20 years of crafting exceptional journeys across Abruzzo and Molise

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We work exclusively with accredited guides and professional chauffeurs across Italy.

Local Knowledge

Our team lives and works here, offering insight beyond the landmarks.

Tailored for You

Every itinerary is thoughtfully crafted around your pace, from private dawn tours to intimate vineyard tastings.

Overview

The regions of Abruzzo and Molise are two lesser-known areas of Italy that offer much to discover for visitors. These regions are grouped together due to their proximity, small size, and similarities. Although they differ in name, visiting one will likely lead to a visit to both. 

Each region offers a diverse landscape, including lush mountains, vineyards, national parks, long beaches, alpine lakes, quaint villages, and artistic cities. Located in central Italy, this area stretches from the Apennines to the Adriatic Sea and is only 50 miles/80km from Rome.

If you plan to visit, keep in mind the language and roads. We can assist you with your needs, including family heritage questions, planning, and more. There are many factors to consider when driving, including roads, tolls, and hotel closures.

Abruzzo and Molise offer wild countryside, secluded beaches, and historic cultural centers like Pescara, Aquila, and Chieti. As you drop down from the mountains, you'll discover picturesque seafront towns like Termoli, Ortona, and Roseto degli Abruzzi. 

Abruzzo is different from northern Italy and has a charm of its own. This region is slowly moving into the modern era at its own pace, like the southern Italian provinces of Calabria, Puglia, Basilicata, and Campania. There are wolves, bears, and cougars in the mountains, and shepherds mind their flocks. Castles and monasteries stand guard on mountain passes, and vast tracks of empty land fill the landscape.

You'll find the highest peaks of the Apennines in central and western Abruzzo. The Gran Sasso, the highest mountain in the Apennines, reaches 9560 feet, while Monte Maiella and Monte Velino-Sirente are almost as high. Throughout this mountainous region, you'll find rugged canyons, forests, rivers, and lakes. All the farmable land is farmed, particularly in the eastern foothills of the Apennines, where the land tapers off into the long and sandy beaches of the Adriatic coast.

The earliest Italic tribe known to occupy Abruzzo were the Picenians. Starting in the 3rd century BC, the region came under increasing domination by the Roman Empire, who established firm control by about 90 BC. With the decline of the empire, the area broke into several often warring feudal fiefdoms. A measure of control and unity was restored when most of the territory came under the control of the Longobard's Duchy of Spoleto during the 6th Century AD.

In the 12th Century, the area was conquered by the Normans and later merged into the Kingdom of Sicily under the rule of Frederick II. Although the Kingdom of Sicily changed hands throughout the succeeding centuries, Abruzzo remained within it until Italian unification in 1861. 

Given the political history and geography of Abruzzo, it should come as no surprise that the traveler will encounter ruins and extant architecture that date back to its earliest tribal days through the Romanesque, Gothic, and to a limited extent, Renaissance periods. The principal cities have churches, museums, and other public buildings that house important collections of art and artifacts.

Economically, the area continues to struggle, but there is economic and industrial development, particularly around Pescara and from Chieti to the Adriatic. There is some large and medium-sized farming on the eastern side of the region, mostly of wheat, grapes, olives, and potatoes. Licorice, saffron, and tobacco are also produced. Many of the rivers have been harnessed to produce hydroelectric power that is fed into the main grids serving all of Italy. Bauxite is mined in some locales, and methane gas is trapped and distributed on a commercial basis.

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Abruzzo and Molise

Stories That Stay With You

Here's what our guests share about their unforgettable journeys

“We're home now from the most amazing trip to Italy! I can't thank you enough for your efforts and coordination of what was without question the finest vacations I've been on to date.”
[Read More] Carol Carson
“I went to high school with the owner of the company who organized my honeymoon for myself and my now wife from Tokyo. We spent three short weeks seeing Piedmont and experiencing wine paradise there, then heading to Nice in France with our private driver and flying to Rome where honestly 4 days is NOT enough. They keep saying to spend more time and we could not agree more! You need to spend more ti”
[Read More] Robin and Kumi Bruun, Tokyo Japan
“The trip was great; we appreciate all the hard work you and your team invested to make our experience a once in a lifetime trip. We appreciate all the attention to the details, in particular Giuseppe spending the time and the focus with us on the road and as we were exploring your great country.”
[Read More] Leon and Michele
“In August 2018, my family of four and myself travelled from Vancouver, BC to Rome Italy and spent 3 weeks touring Italy with IVS. This company had come highly recommended by many friends and associates of ours who had used them before and indeed to say they do an outstanding job is an understatement. You can tell while being in Italy that it is one complicated place to run tours in, just by the sh”
[Read More] Vijaya Sunil CPA, CGA
“Dear Guiseppe and Jesse, We just returned from our most wonderful vacation to Italy and wanted to first thank you for putting together such a wonderful trip, and second to provide some feedback for the future. Hotels 1. Hotel Sovestro in San Gimignano was wonderful. The staff were very friendly and helpful and made the first portion of our journey very stress free. They made us feel like we were p”
[Read More] Ron and Deb Crosby
“Jesse & Giuseppe, Sandy and I have been looking through my slides of our trip to Southern Italy. We had such a good time with you and Giuseppe that we wanted to let you know again. You were the best guides ever.”
[Read More] Bob & Sandy
“I am a travel agent from Lebanon and have organized several group tours as well as individual tours of Italy with Italy Vacation Specialists. I highly recommend them as one of the very best tour operators in Italy to work with, given their professionalism and work ethic which I feel is second-to-none in the travel industry. All of the staff, the guides, the coaches and even the meals we enjoyed we”
[Read More] Nicole Haddad, Lebanese Travel Agent
“This company really knows their stuff and recommended our family to stay longer in each location. We didn't listen to them, but wished we had in every single place we went. They recommended Sestri Levante over the Cinque Terre which was our favourite destination on our entire trip. We visited Rome where we stayed in the outstanding Hotel Locorno where they know the owner there, like in every place”
[Read More] Sean & Veet Chapman, CGA
“As a travel agent, but also a traveler to Italy, thee is no other company I would recommend than the Italy Vacation Specialists. Not only do they really care about what they are doing, they also really know Italy and try to educate many people about ways they can best see the country and not fall into tourist traps. I have been on 4 trips with the IVS team, firstly when they did my first 2 trips f”
[Read More] Laura Chomiak, Travel Agent
“I traveled with JoAnn West through your services, guided by Giuseppe, in July of this year. What a wonderful experience; your service is really top notch! If I return to Italy for a tour, I will absolutely use your services again and recommend you to my friends!”
[Read More] Lucretia Brower

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