THINGS TO DO

If you find yourself with downtime, here are some suggestions to consider in and around Santo Stefano di Sessanio. For assistance in making arrangements, contact our wedding coordinator, Marco Buzzi (Tel/Whatsapp +39 345 300 8101; Email: sales.sstefano@sextantio.it)

IN SANTO STEFANO DI SESSANIO

Prepare pizza and bread using ancient and traditional wooden instruments and an authentic 16th century wood-burning oven.

BREAD MAKING

The Abruzzo region famously served as the “royal sheep path” and source of wool for the legendary dresses of the Florence renaissance in the 15th and 16th centuries. After a short introduction to the art of weaving, try your hand at making cloth with ancient local techniques.

WEAVING AND WOOL DYING

A 2-hour lesson in the secrets of processing typical Abruzzo cheeses such as giuncata, ricotta and primo sale. An aperitif with cheese tasting will follow.

CHEESE LESSON AND TASTING

A sweet lesson in the typical cakes of Abruzzo, such as ferratelle and ciambellini, baked in an authentic wood-burning oven.

PASTRY MAKING

IN THE AREA

Santo Stefano is located in Gran Sasso National Park, a premier destination for hiking, cycling, and e-biking across its vast, high-altitude plateaus and sweeping, lunar-like landscapes. Tours of Santo Stefano di Sessanio and the neighboring villages are also available.

HIKING AND BIKING TOURS

Massages are available at the Sextantio Albergo Diffuso in Santo Stefano. Two small spas are also located in the neighboring villages: Antica Dimora del Tratturo Magno, in Tussio, and Parco Gran Sasso Wellness Center, in Castel del Monte — each a 20-minute drive from Santo Stefano.

MASSAGE AND SPA TREATMENTS

Explore Gran Sasso National Park and the Aterno Valley on horseback. Located just a few kilometers from Santo Stefano.

HORSEBACK RIDING

Visit the "Valle Reale" vineyard and wine cellars, tasting local Trebbiano and Montepulciano wines paired with cheeses.

45-minute drive from Santo Stefano.

WINE TASTING

PELTUINUM

Archaeological site of Peltuinum, a Roman settlement founded in the 1st century B.C.

20-minute drive from Santo Stefano.

GROTTO DI STIFFE (STIFFE CAVES)

Spectacular cave walk with waterfalls and an active subterranean river.

35-minute drive from Santo Stefano.

Clear waters, rich vegetation, and charming wildlife will be your companions on this meandering, 5 km journey.