Between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines, Abruzzo packs medieval hill towns, mountain plateaus, and a coastline stitched with wooden fishing piers called “trabocchi.” Its story threads Roman villas, shepherds’ transhumance routes, wartime resistance, and a modern food scene grounded in humble ingredients and bold flavors.

Expect granite peaks in Gran Sasso and Majella National Parks, beaches in Pescara, and cycling paths that skim the sea. This 3-day itinerary is tuned for a 15-person group: two wow activities, a rustic picnic lunch, a local seafood dinner, and practical logistics that keep costs lean without trimming the fun.

Eat arrosticini (grilled lamb skewers), spaghetti alla chitarra, brodetto di pesce, and parrozzo dessert. Spring and fall are ideal for hiking; summer rules the coast. Carry some cash for small trattorie; book group meals and gear early; and bring layers—the mountains can be breezy even in July.

Pescara

Pescara is your energetic base: sandy beaches, a breezy promenade, and the sweeping Ponte del Mare footbridge. It’s the birthplace of poet Gabriele D’Annunzio, and a springboard to Abruzzo’s national parks and the scenic Costa dei Trabocchi.

Stroll the Lungomare for sunrise, people-watch in Piazza Salotto, and browse the evening scene at Mercato Muzii’s food-and-wine stands. Don’t leave without a slice of parrozzo from Pasticceria Caprice and a shot of espresso at a neighborhood bar along Corso Umberto I.

• Where to stay (group-friendly): Cluster a few beachside apartments or a small hotel near the Lungomare and Pescara Centrale so your group can walk everywhere. Browse options on VRBO (Pescara) and Hotels.com (Pescara). Look for elevator access, flexible bedding, and common rooms for briefings.
• Getting there: From Rome Fiumicino or Rome Tiburtina, trains or buses to Pescara Centrale take ~2.5–3.5 hours. Check schedules and fares on Omio Trains (Europe) and Omio Buses (Europe). Flying within Europe? Compare routes via Omio Flights.
• Local transport/logistics: For 15 travelers, a private 20-seater minibus with driver is efficient for mountain/coast day trips (expect roughly €450–700/day, varies by season/distance). Along the coast, regional trains connect Pescara–Ortona–Fossacesia in 20–50 minutes via Omio.
• Good-to-know: Pescara’s Stadio Adriatico hosts Delfino Pescara 1936 (Serie C). If match day aligns, it’s a lively local experience with €10–25 tickets at the stadium box office. Otherwise, join beach bars showing Serie A on weekend nights.

Day 1 — Welcome to the Adriatic: Pescara by Foot

Morning: Travel to Pescara. If you’re coming via Rome, aim for a late-morning train or bus so you arrive mid-afternoon. Check routes on Omio Trains or Omio Buses.

Afternoon: Check in and decompress on the Lungomare. Walk the Ponte del Mare for a panoramic group photo—Adriatic to the east, Apennines to the west. Grab coffee and a sweet bite at Pasticceria Caprice (try parrozzo, a local almond-and-chocolate dome invented here).

Evening: Ease in with an aperitivo crawl around Mercato Muzii and the surrounding lanes (spritzes, local pecorino, fried anchovies). For a low-cost group dinner, aim for a casual braceria serving arrosticini, bruschette, grilled veggies, and house wine. Ask your host to book a set menu so you keep it ~€18–25 per person. Nightcap on the beach or an early rest before tomorrow’s hike.

Day 2 — Mountains and Olive Groves: Hike Majella + Rustic Picnic (Wow Activity #1)

Morning: 7:30–8:00 a.m. depart Pescara by private minibus (about 1.5 hours) to Caramanico Terme, gateway to Majella National Park. Hike the Valle dell’Orfento nature trail: a moderate 7–9 km loop (3–3.5 hours) of river bridges, mossy gorges, and beech forest. Bring grippy shoes, 1.5L water, and a light rain shell—even in summer the valley is cool. If your group prefers a gentler option, combine the valley’s first bridges with a heritage stroll in Caramanico’s stone lanes.

Afternoon (local lunch included): Drive ~45–60 minutes toward the coast for a rustic picnic between olive trees—focaccia, salumi, cheeses, seasonal produce, and Abruzzese wine. Book this ready-made experience for groups via Viator:

2-Hour Picnic among the Olive Trees with Typical Abruzzese Products
Relax under centuries-old trees; includes a winery/cellar visit. Great value for a 15‑person group.

After lunch, detour 20–30 minutes to the hilltown of Città Sant’Angelo for a quick passeggiata and gelato before returning to Pescara.

Evening: If there’s a home match, catch Delfino Pescara at Stadio Adriatico (go early to sit together). No match? Join locals for beachside five-a-side football or volleyball at sunset. Dinner ideas: inexpensive seafood fry-ups (frittura di paranza) or a plates-to-share pasta night—choose one near the Lungomare to keep logistics simple and costs low.

Day 3 — The Costa dei Trabocchi: E‑Bike the Green Way + Trabocco Lunch (Wow Activity #2) and Departure

Morning (wow activity #2): Take an early regional train Pescara→Ortona (~25–35 min; Omio Trains) or go by minibus. Ride the sea-hugging Green Way bike path toward Fossacesia with qualified guides and e-bikes—ideal for mixed fitness levels. Cliffside views, turquoise coves, and the famous fishing piers appear around each bend.

Ebike Tour: The Green Way of the Costa dei Trabocchi (Ortona–Fossacesia)
Request 15 e‑bikes in advance; guides can arrange scenic stops and set the pace for a 3–4 hour ride.

Afternoon (local dinner-style seafood feast at lunch): Cap your ride with a group meal on a trabocco—wooden fishing platforms turned restaurants—right above the water. Call ahead to secure a set menu so budgeting is easy (often antipasti of the day, seafood pasta, catch-of-the-day, dessert, and house wine). Two beloved options along this stretch are Trabocco Punta Cavalluccio and Trabocco Pesce Palombo. After lunch, a quick transfer returns you to Pescara for afternoon departures (train/bus to Rome ~2.5–3.5 hours via Omio Trains or Omio Buses).

Optional add-on (time-permitting or for a split group): Swap bikes for paddles and explore coves and trabocchi from the water on a guided kayak outing near Fossacesia.

Kayak Excursion in Fossacesia
Crystal-clear coves and trabocco views; great for confident swimmers. Ask for group slots.

Group Logistics, Budget Tips, and Local Flavor

• Transfers: For Days 2–3, a private minibus keeps timing tight (pick-up at your lodging, space for daypacks). If leaning ultra-budget, combine regional trains (Pescara–Ortona/Fossacesia) with short taxis for the last kilometer(s).
• Gear: Daypacks, refillable bottles, light windbreaker, grippy sneakers or trail shoes, and sun protection. For e-biking: closed-toe shoes. For kayaking: quick-dry clothing, hat, and a small dry bag.
• Meals on a budget: Book set menus. Abruzzo is generous—antipasti spreads can be feasts. Share plates of spaghetti alla chitarra with ragù or fish, then arrosticini by the dozen. For breakfast, order a cappuccino + cornetto combo at the bar (great value).
• Sports-watching: If no stadium match, find a beachfront bar with screens; Saturdays and Sundays feature Serie A, while midweek offers European competitions.
• Payments & timing: Carry some cash for small trattorie. Many kitchens pause mid-afternoon; plan late lunches on the coast and early dinners in Pescara when you can book as a group.

Pre-Booking Checklist (for the group leader)

• Reserve 3–4 apartments or a small hotel block near Pescara’s Lungomare: VRBO Pescara | Hotels.com Pescara
• Confirm minibus/driver for Day 2 (Majella) and Day 3 (coast), or map regional train times on Omio.
• Book your activities with group notes:
  • Olive Grove Picnic (Day 2 lunch; request enough picnic sets and shade).
  • E‑Bike Green Way Tour (Day 3; 15 e‑bikes, helmets, 2–3 guides).
  • Fossacesia Kayak (optional; split-group or add-on day).
• Call a trabocco restaurant for a set seafood menu (mention any allergies). For 15, book at least 2–3 weeks ahead in peak season.

Estimated per‑person costs (budget-minded): Regional train/bus transfers €10–30/day; picnic lunch via Viator—see listing for current rate; e‑bike tour—see listing; trabocco set lunch often €45–60; casual dinners €15–25. Sharing apartments keeps lodging costs low.

Optional extra ideas if you extend: an e‑scooter city loop over Ponte del Mare, a food tour in Pescara’s markets, or a wine tasting of Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Trebbiano in the hills.

Short, spirited, and saturated with scenery—this 3‑day Abruzzo plan gives your group mountain air, Mediterranean light, and meals you’ll talk about long after you land. With Pescara as your base, you’ll cover coast, peaks, and piazzas at a relaxed, local pace.