Layered landscapes of Italy
Rome · Abruzzo · Sicily — 11 days
Stop 1
Rome
1 night
Arrival & Orientation
Stop 2
Ortona
2 nights
Coastal Abruzzo
Stop 3
Pescasseroli
3 nights
Mountain Wilderness
Stop 4
Catania
4 nights
Volcanic Sicily
Day by day
11 days of academic immersion, cultural discovery, and unforgettable experiences.
Times are approximate and may shift slightly. Your in-country guide will confirm exact meeting times daily via WhatsApp.
Your hotels
Rome
Boutique hotel in Trastevere
Night 1
Trastevere, near the Tiber — walkable to restaurants & nightlife.
“ Trastevere is Rome’s most charming neighborhood for an evening stroll. Wander the cobblestone streets and grab a gelato. ”
Ortona
Waterfront hotel on the Adriatic
Nights 2–3
Waterfront location on the Adriatic.
“ Wake up early for a sunrise over the Adriatic from the hotel terrace. ”
Pescasseroli
Family-run mountain inn
Nights 4–6
Central, near the National Park headquarters (4-min walk). Cozy mountain hotel in the heart of the park gateway town.
“ The town square comes alive in the evening — perfect for a post-hike espresso. ”
Catania
Modern central hotel in Catania
Nights 7–10
Central Catania — easy access to the Baroque quarter and La Pescheria market.
“ You’re steps from the best street food in Sicily. Explore Via Etnea for shopping and people-watching. ”
Meals guide
8 included group meals + all hotel breakfasts. The rest is your chance to explore Italian cuisine on your own.
Included Group Meals
Welcome Dinner
Roman trattoria
Group Dinner
Trabocco restaurant
Group Dinner
Family-run mountain restaurant
Group Dinner
Local mountain restaurant
Farewell Dinner
Abruzzo farewell venue
Welcome Dinner
Sicilian restaurant in the Baroque quarter
Group Dinner
Slow Food–acclaimed restaurant
Farewell Dinner
Michelin-starred restaurant
Where to Eat on Your Own
Budget tip: ~€15–25 per meal. Cards widely accepted, but some small spots are cash-only.
Rome (Trastevere)
Ortona
Pescasseroli
Catania
Essential info
Emergency contacts
Italian Emergency
U.S. embassy & consulates
Local hospitals
Rome: UPMC Salvator Mundi International Hospital
Viale delle Mura Gianicolensi 67 · +39 06-588-961
Ortona: Ospedale G. Bernabeo
Contrada S. Liberata 66026 · +39 085-9171
Pescasseroli: Nearest: Ospedale di Castel di Sangro
Via Sangrina 1, 67031 · +39 0864-8991
Catania: Policlinico G. Rodolico – San Marco
Via S. Sofia 78 · +39 095-3781111
Money & payments
Currency: Euro (€)
Visa/Mastercard widely accepted. Some small shops cash-only.
ATMs (“Bancomat”) available in all cities.
Budget tip: ~€15–25/meal when dining on your own.
Communication
Get an eSIM or European SIM card (Vodafone, TIM, or WindTre at airports).
WhatsApp is the primary communication tool in Italy — make sure it’s installed.
Your program WhatsApp group is shared with all enrolled participants and faculty.
Transportation
Private coach for all group transfers.
Direct flight Rome → Catania mid-program (1 carry-on + 1 checked bag included).
Individual departures from Catania on the final day.
🕐 Italy is CEST (UTC+2) — 6 hours ahead of US Eastern Time in April.
Program themes
Six interconnected themes weave through every day of the program.
Coastal Heritage & Marine Ecology
Trabocchi fishing traditions, Adriatic ecosystems
Biodiversity & Rewilding
Marsican bears, wolf corridors, UNESCO forests
Fire Ecology & Climate Resilience
Mediterranean wildfire science, post-fire regeneration
Migration & Social Innovation
Sicily as Mediterranean crossroads, inclusion programs
Volcanic Systems & Geohazards
Mt. Etna, volcanic urbanism, human adaptation
Regenerative Agriculture & Terroir
Volcanic wine, mountain cheese, olive heritage
Meet the team
Faculty Lead — Environmental Planning
Faculty LeadPartner University
Two decades of experience in higher education as an environmental educator, with a focus on supportive learning communities. Background as a regional and environmental planner; research explores landscape as an integrative, holistic concept.
Faculty Lead — Climate & Sustainability
Faculty LeadPartner University
Ph.D. in community responses to climate change. Peace Corps alum (Latin America), working with smallholder farmers on sustainable agribusiness. Background in science journalism and ecological restoration.
Knomadic Program Director
Program DirectorKnomadic
Fulbright Scholar with an M.A. in Global Affairs from Yale. 15+ years creating cross-cultural educational experiences across 25+ countries. Leads program design end-to-end, from learning outcomes to logistics.
In-Country Expert Lead
In-Country ExpertItaly field partner
Environmental educator and field naturalist specializing in Italian ecosystems, from Adriatic coasts to Apennine forests. On-the-ground program lead in Italy.
Knomadic Experience Curator
Experience CuratorKnomadic
Former multinational procurement manager. Ensures every detail of the program runs seamlessly — vendors, transfers, contingencies.
Fun stuff
Italy bingo 🎲
Tap squares to mark them off during the trip!
Daily photo challenge 📸
Tag us on Instagram! We want to see the trip through your lens. #knomadictravel
Your first Italian meal
Something you see from the bus window
A trabocco up close
Your first view of the Abruzzo mountains
The most beautiful tree on the hike
The night sky over Pescasseroli
Your first impression of Sicily
The best thing you ate today
Etna from your favorite angle
Your favorite moment of the trip
One last look at Italy
Pre-trip watching & reading 📚
The Truffle Hunters
Italian rural life and nature
My Brilliant Friend
by Elena Ferrante — set in Naples/Southern Italy
Ferrante Fever
Literary culture in Southern Italy
Under the Tuscan Sun
Classic Italy vibes
parcoabruzzo.it
National Park of Abruzzo official site
Pre-trip checklist
Tasks to complete before departure, organized by timeline.
Now (4 weeks out)
Confirm passport is valid 6+ months past program end
Purchase travel insurance (if not already provided)
Complete the Student Information Form
Download WhatsApp and join your program WhatsApp group
Start thinking about your packing list
2 Weeks Before
Get an eSIM or plan for connectivity
Notify your bank about international travel
Download Google Maps offline maps for Rome, Abruzzo, and Catania
Pack! (Use the packing list above)
Check weather forecasts for Rome, Pescasseroli, and Catania
Day Before Departure
Charge all devices
Print or save hotel confirmations (digital is fine)
Have emergency contacts saved in your phone
Get some euros (€100–150 is a good starting amount)