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Join the Colavita family for an unforgettable journey through the Molise region of Italy where Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Colavita Pasta and other fine Italian specialty products are made. Savor Italy's incredible food, history, scenery and hospitality by foot or on bicycle during this very special time of the year: the olive harvest.
Located in south-central Italy, Molise is a region of contrasts. Just three hours from Rome by car, the region’s lush and dramatic mountains gradually smooth into sandy beaches at the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Molise is a favorite destination for Italians year-round: the mountain resort of Campitello Matese provides the best skiing in central Italy during the winter, while the historic beach town of Termoli on the Adriatic is enjoyed by local tourists throughout the summer. The cuisine of Molise reflects the diversity of the terrain, featuring delicious cheeses turned out by shepherds in the mountains, pasta, wine, and of course, olive oil. Molisanos eagerly await the arrival of the olive oil season and we will be there to experience the harvest, pressing, and of course, tasting of the Novello (very first, very new, just-pressed!) olive oil.
You’ll be charmed by the beauty and hospitality of Molise during this very special time of the year: the olive harvest. With the Colavita family as your hosts…this will be a vacation you will always remember.
$3500 All-inclusive!
Your all-inclusive package includes:
- Round-trip economy air travel from Newark/New York to Rome*
- Seven nights accommodation at selected hotels
- All inland transportation and transfers
- All (delicious, mouth-watering) meals
- All guided tours and tips
- A guaranteed wonderful time!
- Single room stays may be subject to cost supplement.
Dates, details and pricing are subject to change.
* Departing for Italy earlier or leaving later than scheduled dates is permitted; however, may be subject to a change fee.
October 27th
Group will meet at the Newark/New York airport and depart together for Rome.
October 28th
We will be greeted at the Rome airport by our guides who will take us (by bus) into the city’s center. We will have the opportunity to stretch our legs as we walk around the Roman Forum and visit the greatest amphitheater of antiquity – the Roman Colosseum. Built nearly two thousand years ago, the Colosseum remains an architectural and engineering wonder.
For lunch, we will enjoy typical Roman dishes and wine at nearby Ristorante Al Gladiatore. After lunch, we’ll board the bus to begin the trip toward Molise, where our first destination will be Isernia, located 423 meters above sea level.
After checking into the hotel, everyone will have some time to unwind. Before dinner, we will take a walking tour through the narrow streets of Isernia’s historic center and visit the city’s cathedral where our guide will lead us down to the lower level to view the remains of a temple dating back to the third century B.C.
We will dine in the heart of old Isernia at a local restaurant that has been family-owned for nearly two centuries. As we sample an assortment of local salami, hard cheeses, sopressata and olives, fresh ricotta and buffalo mozzarella, and tacconelle ai fagioli (pasta with beans), the chef will show us how to prepare spaghetti alla chitarra (spaghetti made on the “guitar”). After dessert and tasting a variety of dessert wines, the family Nonna (grandmother) will demonstrate how she skillfully works her tombolo. Visitors are always fascinated to watch her nimble fingers weave the threaded wooden dowels, seemingly at random, while a flower pattern begins to emerge on the fabric-covered form before her.
October 29th
After a traditional Italian buffet breakfast at the hotel, we will accompany a local trifolau (professional truffle hunter) on his morning hunt for black truffles. Food connoisseurs from all over Italy and the world travel to Molise every fall to search for these highly-prized tubers.
We will return to the hotel to freshen up after our truffle hunt and have lunch. In the afternoon, the bus will leave the hotel for northern Molise. Along the way, we will stop in Pietrabbondante for a guided walking tour of the Samnite theatre ruins and the mountain town of Agnone to visit the renowned Marinelli Bell Foundry. The Marinelli family, whose tradition of creating church bells dates back over a thousand years, was honored by the Vatican in 2000 with the prestigious commission to create the Giubileo (Jubilee) commemorative bell. At the foundry, an artisan will show us how bells are made and use them to perform a spectacular musical medley. We’ll also have the opportunity to purchase bells of all sizes.
Dinner will be at Staffoli, a rustic local restaurant famous for seasonal truffle dishes.
October 30th
After breakfast and check-out, we will depart for Vinchiaturo, the next destination on our trip. Our first stop will be a visit to a ceramic studio on the outskirts of Vinchiaturo, where distinctive handmade ceramics are available for purchase. From the ceramic studio, we will proceed to the hotel for check-in and lunch.
In the afternoon, we will travel by bus to Campobasso, the capital city of Molise. There we will be greeted by Michele Scasserra, owner of the Colavita Pasta Factory, who will lead us on a tour of the plant and offer tastings of freshly-made pasta (samples of Colavita pasta will be available for everyone). After the tour, everyone can explore the city’s center at their leisure (a walk up to Monforte Castle is definitely recommended). Dinner will follow later in the evening at a traditional Molisani tavern in Campobasso.
October 31st
After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, there will be an excursion to Altilia for a guided walking tour of the Saepinum ruins, the Samnite municipal center dating back to the second century BC.
We will have lunch at the hotel and then we will visit a local cheese/buffalo farm where we will learn how the prized buffalo mozzarella is made. We will sample fresh and aged cheeses. Dinner will be at an authentic Molisan restaurant.
November 1st
After breakfast and check-out, we will travel by bus toward the Adriatic coast with a stop in Larino to experience the traditional olive oil production process. As we walk through the ancient olive groves, we will pass workers harvesting olives in the peak of the season. We’ll also visit the frantoio (mill) where the olives will be crushed. The harvested olives are carried in large plastic trays up to the mill to be pressed within 24 hours of picking. After the leaves are separated, the olives are ground into a paste, spread on mats which are stacked and pressure is applied to extract the juice (no heat is used). The juice is poured into a centrifuge to separate the water and the new oil is collected in jugs or tins.
Once we have sampled the freshly pressed novello oil and had lunch, we will take a guided tour of Larino’s ancient amphitheater and cathedral. After that, it’s on to the historic port city of Termoli. After checking in to the hotel, everyone will have a few hours to relax, stroll along the beach, or shop in the many boutiques that line the streets.
On our way to dinner, we will walk through the ancient walled section of Termoli which is guarded by a castle built above the beach in 1247 by Frederick II. We’ll also visit the town's cathedral which contains the relics of Saint Timothy. Dinner will be at Z’Bass, the renowned seafood restaurant named after Santo Basso, the patron saint of Termoli.
November 2nd
After breakfast, olive oil aficionados will the opportunity to visit a different frantoio and sample the olive oil produced there.
At mid-day, we will travel to the nearby seaside town of Campomarino to visit a local winery. We will have lunch, tour the winery, and enjoy a wine tasting. In the evening, we will meet in Termoli’s old center where we will experience one of Italy’s greatest gifts to the culinary world: pizza! We will sample a variety of traditional brick oven pizzas in one of Termoli’s best pizzerias.
November 3rd
This morning we have the opportunity to relax or to explore the modern section of Termoli and browse in the shops. Everyone will meet back at the hotel for a quick lunch, check out of the hotel, and board the bus for the drive toward the region of Lazio, home to Italy's capital, Rome.
Our first stop will be Pomezia, where we will visit the Colavita Olive Oil plant and witness firsthand how the company bottles over 25,000 tons of olive oil a year! The Colavita family, which has been producing 100% Italian extra virgin olive oil for four generations, will host an olive-oil tasting with refreshments and give us a tour of the facility. The group will receive samples of fresh-pressed Colavita Extra Virgin Olive Oil from the recent harvest as souvenirs of their visit.
Next stop is the center of Rome where we will check into our hotel for our last night in Italy. With no scheduled itinerary, everyone will have the entire evening to explore the sights and tastes of Rome at their own pace.
November 4th
Early breakfast and transfer to Rome Airport where we will depart for the United States.
Additional photos (click to enlarge)
