Ciociaria: Experience the Comino Valley

A 5-day itinerary to dive into a bucolic experience, made of the flavors of yes and the past, contact with nature

Overview

Experience the Comino Valley tour Highlights:

  • The naturalistic oasis of the Posta Fibreno Lake
  • Picinisco between e-bike rides and good food
  • The charming villages of San Donato Val di Comino and Alvito
  • A taste of Atina’s Cabernet and Alvito’s chocolate

Program

DAY 1 PICINISCO – ALVITO

Lake Posta Fibreno

Before reaching Picinisco, in the heart of the “Comino Valley”, an extraordinary natural area surrounded by the Apennine mountain range, you can stop at Lake Posta Fibreno for a nice walk. We will take care of reserving you a table with the best view to taste a good aperitif and enjoy the peace and beauty of the lake.

The lake, the beating heart of the Lake Posta Fibreno Nature Reserve, is one of the most pristine and characteristic natural oasis in central Italy. Walking on the shores of the lake with its natural trails, you can spot about a hundred species of birds that dwell there. The peculiarity of the lake is its floating island, the so-called Rota. This small islet moves with the action of wind and water currents.

Free afternoon for some activities and transfer to Alvito to check-in to the Relais

DAY 2 ALVITO – PICINISCO

Picinisco – e-bike tour with snack

This morning you will get in touch with nature and discover these enchanting and uncontaminated places, along dirt roads, paths or comfortable roads riding your e-bike.

During your walk, you will make a stop for a tasty snack.

Picinisco – visit of a dairy with tasting dinner

In the afternoon you will reach an Agriturismo built in a historic villa. In 1919 the famous writer, Lawrence, spent a few days on his trip to Italy with his wife. The bucolic atmosphere, mountains, rivers and good food inspired some chapters of one of his masterpieces. You will have the chance to enter into the room where the writer lived, his fireplace and his desk. Everything looks like the pages of his book. Here you will meet the owner of the farm and visit the cheese laboratory. The PDO pecorino produced is delivered throughout Italy and around the world. You will see the production and taste pecorino and other dairy products. You will enjoy your dinner to taste all the local products made in this area such as lamb, vegetables, olive oil.

DAY 3 ALVITO – SAN DONATO VAL COMINO – ATINA – ALVITO

San Donato Val di Comino – private guided tour

In the morning you will visit a  charming village called San Donato Val Di Comino, set in the verdant nature of the Abruzzo National Park. Thanks to its beauty and exclusivity San Donato is listed among the “most beautiful villages in Italy”. The historic centre of San Donato winds through characteristic alleys, and white stone stairways that open up to unique landscape views. Along the walk in the historic centre you will admire the sanctuary dedicated to the Patron Saint, San Donato Vescovo and Martire, the Cathedral of San Marcello built in 1630. Dominating the town from above is an ancient clock that still marks the hours for the inhabitants of the town and a majestic tower, the only remnant of the town’s medieval fortress. A peculiar activity of the town over the centuries has been craftsmanship and in particular the working of iron, ceramics and crochet for women. Some inhabitants today continue this tradition and walking through the village you can admire small workshops.

Atina – winery visit and wine tasting

In the afternoon you will reach a famous winery where you can taste the Cabernet DOC, a full-bodied red wine typical of Atina, a great treasure of the Val di Comino. You will visit the cellar with the wine barrels and an expert will accompany you in the history of this excellent wine. Wine tasting.

DAY 4 ALVITO

Alvito – guided private tour

Today you will visit Alvito. At first glance, turning your eyes towards the mountain you will notice that the city is divided into two parts: the town is the lower part and the medieval castle is the upper one. Alvito has preserved a beautiful old town full of buildings and monuments of great value, such as the Castrucci, Sipari, Ferrante and Panicali palaces, the Palazzo Ducale, built in the 16th century and renovated in the 18th century. You will reach Cantelmo Castle, an ancient fortress of the Val di Comino from the 15th century. At the end of the nineteenth century, the castle must have appeared approximately intact with its structures. After several earthquakes in the 20th century, it suffered some damage but you can still admire the shape of the castle today and go inside the ruins.

Alvito – chocolate tasting

In the historical center of Alvito you will go to a renowned pastry shop for a tasting of nougat and local homemade desserts. It
uses ancient artisan techniques and natural ingredients, so as to produce some of the finest sweets of Ciociaria.

DAY 5 ALVITO

Free morning
Check out
End of services

YOUR ACCOMMODATION

For this itinerary, we handpicked for your stay an Oasis of Peace immersed in the countryside of Alvito. Relais Colle Buono will welcome you with its romantic atmosphere, exceptional services and unforgettable experiences of wellness, taste and relaxation. You will have at your disposal fine furnished and tranquil rooms and suites, an excellent Gourmet Restaurant and a sophisticated wellness centre where to regenerate your soul.