Biodiversity

Abruzzo

ORMA Guide:
Fill Pill
17 - 19 Oct 2025
€450
per traveler
€400
with the discount code
Status:
Group Creation

Dances with Wolves

Join Fill Pill, rebellious comedian and science communicator, for three days in the wild heart of Abruzzo - between dawn stakeouts, wolf tracks, and stories of biodiversity worth protecting.

Highlights

  • In search of wolves
    In the silent mountains of Abruzzo, we’ll try to spot (or at least sense) wolves. It won’t be easy - and that’s exactly the point. This isn’t a zoo-style tour, but a lesson in respectful observation, patient listening, and understanding a complex ecosystem.
  • Nights in small villages and early-morning breakfasts
    We’ll stay in San Sebastiano dei Marsi, at the gates of the National Park, in a small mountain hotel. Days will start early with silent dawn stakeouts, continue with guided forest hikes, and end with shared dinners, stories, and laughter under a starry sky.
  • A journey for those who want to understand, not just see
    With expert guides, we’ll read the forest like an open book: tracks, scat, hunting remains - every detail tells a story. And with Fill Pill, we’ll reflect on our role in this delicate balance, blending scientific insights and sharp humor the way only he can.
Photos by Massimo Masone

TRIP PURPOSE

We’ve forgotten we are part of nature, not above it.
This journey is a gentle act of rebellion: a chance to return to the woods, to learn how to observe without invading, to recognize the signs left behind by wild animals, and to understand why protecting the Apennine wolf is both an urgent and symbolic challenge for coexistence.
We’ll talk about biodiversity, ecological balance, cultural fears, and living together - with the witty irony of Fill Pill and the expertise of a local nature guide.

This trip has been designed based on the following principles:

  • Environmental and Social Education
  • Sustainable Mobility
  • Biodiversity

ACCOMODATION

During our journey, we will stay at Hotel Gemma, in San Sebastiano dei Marsi - a tiny village of just 150 inhabitants nestled in the upper Giovenco Valley, at the gates of the Abruzzo National Park. Located at 1,120 meters above sea level and surrounded by forests and silence, it's the perfect base for our excursions into the wild. The rooms, all doubles with private bathrooms, are simple, warm, and authentic. The in-house restaurant, La Taverna, carries on a culinary tradition passed down from mother to daughter, offering typical Abruzzese dishes prepared with seasonal, local ingredients. It’s a place that feels like home - where nature can be tasted on every plate.

IMPORTANT INFO

What to bring: It’s important to pack suitable clothing for cold temperatures, especially during early stakeouts. Waterproof hiking boots, warm socks, backpack, rain jacket, water bottle, binoculars, gloves and hat, sunglasses and sunscreen, hiking pants.
How to get there:
We recommend arriving by train or bus to Avezzano or Pescasseroli, our meeting point. Once the group is confirmed, we can help organize carpooling where possible.
Note:
The itinerary may change due to weather conditions, group needs, or in order to maximize wildlife observation opportunities.

What's included

  • Food: Half-board stay (2 breakfasts, 2 dinners).
  • Accommodation: 2 nights in a 3-star hotel in double rooms with private bathrooms.
  • Tour & Activities: 1 meeting with a representative of the National Park, 3 guided excursions in the National Park led by Fill Pill and a certified nature guide.
  • Other: Support from an ORMA coordinator throughout the entire trip.
  • Insurance: Medical and baggage insurance.

What's not included

  • Food: 2 lunch.
  • Transportation: travel to and from Avezzano, bus or cars (€ 25) transportation from and to National Park.
  • Other: Trip cancellation insurance.
  • Anything not specified under "What's included".

Payment Terms

30% down payment at the time of booking and the remaining 70% due 30 days prior to departure.
If the booking is made within 30 days of departure, the full amount is due at checkout.
Bank transfers or credit cards can be used to make payments.

If minimum participation isn't met, the trip will be canceled, and you'll be fully refunded.

ITINERARY

Day 1 - The ancient forest
Arrival in Pescasseroli in the early afternoon and meeting with a National Park representative for an introduction to the area and its symbolic species. If weather allows, we’ll take a short hike in the Difesa di Pescasseroli, one of Europe’s most important old-growth forests. In the evening, we’ll head to San Sebastiano dei Marsi for dinner and a group presentation of the program with the guide and Fill Pill.

Day 2 - Tracks and signs of the wolf
Early breakfast and first observation attempt: we’ll silently position ourselves in an area with high chances of wolf activity. Afterwards, we’ll hike along wolf-frequented trails, learning to read the clues they leave behind. Picnic lunch (not included) or optional stop at a mountain hut. In the afternoon, we’ll return to the hotel to rest before dinner, followed by an evening of conversation — a mix of humor, science, and reflection on human-wildlife coexistence.

Day 3 - Deer, silence, and farewell
Final early breakfast and another wildlife stakeout. This time, alongside wolves, we’ll look for wild ungulates: deer, roe deer, wild boars. Afterwards, a short final hike in the area and picnic lunch. Group goodbyes and departure in the afternoon.

Filippo Piluso, aka Fill Pill, is an environmental communicator, stand-up comedian, and musician. He humorously describes himself as "seriously joking." He combines serious topics with a light, comedic tone, addressing various issues related to sustainability and nature.He holds a degree in Law with a specialization in International Environmental and Maritime Law, and a Master's in Sustainability and Energy Resource Management. Filippo has worked in ocean conservation for NGOs and international associations, managed renewable energy development projects in Africa, and served as a sustainability consultant for businesses. He is also the vice-president and co-founder of an advocacy group for environmental communicators.

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Booking Info

17 - 19 Oct 2025
Destination:
Abruzzo, Italy
Days:
3
Status:
Group Creation
€450
per traveler*
€400
with the discount code*
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* Flight not included. Join the Telegram channel to get the discount code.

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