Abruzzo Wine Bike Tour: Cycling the Wine Roads

Afternoon arrival at the selected accommodation in Alba Adriatica. Time for check-in and settling into your room. Free time at leisure.

• Terrain & Type: Arrival / Logistics
• Activities: Accommodation check-in
• Logistics: Bed & Breakfast stay (overnight stay and breakfast) at the selected accommodation in Alba Adriatica. Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay

Leaving Alba Adriatica behind, the route follows the Controguerra Wine Road, climbing toward Colonnella—a charming hilltop town overlooking the Adriatic Sea, famous for its historic Clock Tower and monumental staircase. The journey continues west into the rolling vineyards of Controguerra, a historic "City of Wine" with Etruscan origins, where we will visit the medieval Watchtower and the Illuminati Winery. Crossing Ancarano, a panoramic terrace over the Tronto Valley, we will reach Torano Nuovo, home to the historic Church of S. Massimo in Varano and the Barone Cornacchia estate. Passing Corropoli, famous for its medieval Palio delle Botti wine barrel race, the day ends in Mosciano Sant'Angelo.

• Terrain & Type: Road / Gravel / Touring / E-Bike | Paved secondary backroads, rolling hill climbs and descents, and scenic rural connectors
• Activities: Cycling along the Controguerra Wine Road and exploring the historic hill towns of Colonnella, Controguerra, Ancarano, Torano Nuovo, and Corropoli
• Tasting included: Guided tastings of local DOC wines (Controguerra Rosso Riserva, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Controguerra Bianco, Novello, Passito, and Merlot DOC) accompanied by local delicacies at selected wineries (Cantina Sociale di Colonnella, Illuminati Winery, Ferliga Wineries, Barone Cornacchia Estate)
• Logistics: Bed & Breakfast stay (overnight stay and breakfast) at selected accommodation in Mosciano Sant'Angelo. Luggage transfer included. Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay

The third stage follows the Colline del Ducato Wine Road, winding through the rolling hills once ruled by the Acquaviva Dukes of Atri—today a renowned wine district producing Montepulciano and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOC. Setting off from Mosciano Sant'Angelo, the route drops toward the coastal town of Giulianova, featuring visits to the Cathedral of San Flaiano and the Capuchin Convent in the upper historic center. After cycling through Trebbiano vineyards along the coast, you will climb toward Notaresco, a prime Montepulciano area dominated by the Civitello citadel, before stopping at the majestic Romanesque Church of Santa Maria a Propezzano. Continuing inland from Pianura Vomano, the landscape gives way to the dramatic Badlands (Calanchi) that mark the approach to Atri. The day concludes in the ancient ducal capital, exploring its historic center and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta with its famous Renaissance frescoes by Andrea de Litio.

• Terrain & Type: Road / Gravel / Touring / E-Bike | Secondary paved roads, scenic hill climbs, and historic routes set between the sea and badlands
• Activities: Cycling along the Colline del Ducato Wine Road, exploring upper Giulianova, visiting Santa Maria a Propezzano, riding through the Calanchi Nature Reserve, and arrival in the historic city of Atri
• Tasting included: Guided tastings of local Trebbiano and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo DOC wines paired with regional specialties at selected wineries
• Logistics: Bed & Breakfast stay (overnight stay and breakfast) at selected accommodation in Atri. Luggage transfer included. Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay

Leaving Atri behind, the route follows the Colline Aprutine Wine Road toward Pescara, cycling through the picturesque winemaking countryside of Castilenti—home to fine Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Cerasuolo, and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOCs. The rolling hills near Pescara reveal a landscape rich in vineyards and ancient olive groves producing DOP Aprutino Pescarese extra virgin olive oil. Following the Saline and Fino rivers, you will reach the medieval village of Elice, featuring its historic Castle and Parish Church. The trail weaves past indigenous and international grape varieties (Cabernet, Merlot, and Chardonnay) down to Montesilvano, where you can visit the Church of Madonna della Neve, before ending the stage along Pescara’s vibrant Adriatic seafront.

• Terrain & Type: Road / Gravel / Touring / E-Bike | Secondary paved roads, rolling hill climbs and descents, coastal bike paths
• Activities: Cycling along the Colline Aprutine Wine Road, exploring Castilenti and the village of Elice, visiting the Church of Madonna della Neve in Montesilvano, and arriving along the Pescara seafront
• Tasting included: Guided wine tastings of Montepulciano, Cerasuolo, and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo DOC paired with DOP Aprutino Pescarese olive oil and traditional pasta alla mugnaia at selected local estates
• Logistica: Bed & Breakfast stay (overnight stay and breakfast) at selected accommodation in Pescara. Luggage transfer included. Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay

This remarkable stage seamlessly connects two of the region's finest wine routes: the Tremonti & Valle Peligna Wine Road and the Colline Teatine Wine Road. Setting off from Pescara, the route climbs inland toward the sweeping vistas of the Gran Sasso and Maiella mountains, crossing historic villages framed by vineyards such as Scafa, Manoppello, Torre de’ Passeri, Bolognano, Tocco da Casauria, and Caramanico Terme. The journey reaches Chieti, known as the scenic "Terrace of Abruzzo," steeped in cultural heritage and classical mythology. Continuing along the Teatine Hills through the Alento Valley and the legendary winemaking hubs of Tollo, Crecchio, and Orsogna, you'll ride surrounded by prime Montepulciano and Trebbiano d'Abruzzo vineyards before finishing along the Adriatic coast in Ortona.

• Terrain & Type: Road / Gravel / Touring / E-Bike | Secondary paved roads, scenic mid-hill climbs, and panoramic connectors between mountains and sea
• Activities: Cycling across the Peligna Valley and Teatine Hills Wine Roads, exploring historic Pescara Valley villages, sightseeing in Chieti, and arriving in the coastal city of Ortona
• Tasting included: Guided tastings of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Trebbiano, Moscato Bianco, and Cerasuolo d'Abruzzo paired with regional delicacies at selected estates
• Logistics: Bed & Breakfast stay (overnight stay and breakfast) at selected accommodation in Ortona. Luggage transfer included. Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay

The final stage follows the atmospheric Tratturo del Re Wine Road, a historical route linked to ancient transhumance shepherd trails and Frederick II of Swabia. The ride sets off along the breathtaking Trabocchi Coast, reaching Rocca San Giovanni and Fossacesia Alta, home to the iconic Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere. After a stop at Fantini Winery—where beachfront vineyards derive unique saline notes from the sea—the route turns inland into the Frentano hills and the lush Sangro Valley. Passing the historic towns of Lanciano and Atessa, you will reach the village of Bomba overlooking its namesake lake, framed by vineyards of Montepulciano, Trebbiano, Sangiovese, Pinot, Chardonnay, and Moscato. The journey concludes in the historic center of Vasto, enjoying unforgettable views over the gulf.

• Terrain & Type: Road / Gravel / Touring / E-Bike | Coastal scenic roads, inland hill climbs, and smooth paved connectors between sea and hills
• Activities: Cycling along the Trabocchi Coast and the historic Tratturo del Re, visiting the Abbey of San Giovanni in Venere in Fossacesia, crossing the Sangro Valley up to Lake Bomba, and final arrival in Vasto
• Tasting included: Guided wine tastings of coastal and inland wines (Montepulciano, Trebbiano, Cerasuolo, Pecorino, and Moscato) paired with traditional Frentano delicacies at selected local estates
• Logistics: Bed & Breakfast stay (overnight stay and breakfast) at selected accommodation in Vasto. Luggage transfer included. Dinner at leisure. Overnight stay

After breakfast at the accommodation, time for check-out, luggage retrieval, and the end of our services. Individual departure from Vasto toward your respective destinations.