Story of a village – the space offers time to breathe, a quiet strenght, a sense of belonging.

Our hospitality:
In our “Albergo Diffuso” the rooms are located in different houses throughout the village.Forty bedrooms are available for guests – each one with a unique design.
With it’s medieval setting, terraced garden,wood fire and artisan-linen place settings, our restaurant – La Locanda Sotto Gli Archi – offers a variety of locally inspired dishes.
The Conference hall is ideal for seminars, client incentive,offsite management team meeting or seasonal team (sales/marketing/research) strategy meeting.In addition to the main area,smaller side rooms can accommodate groups- with outdoor spaces also available.
Booking a meeting to discover together your own customized experience could be:

simon@gofreeride.com

Or call: +39 (340) 086 64 47

THE LOST MEMORY OF “MINOR” HERITAGE SITES

The Extended Hotel in S. Stefano di Sessanio
The initiative in Santo Stefano di Sessanio, an initiative intent on salvaging and
redefining tourist hospitality in a historical burgh of the Abruzzo mountains, is set within a series of methodological and operational presuppositions and an unprecedented approach to restoring local heritage, a so-called minor patrimony that, in Italy, is too often
jeopardized.
Briefly, the project foresees:
- where lacking, there is the exclusive use of material discovered in related outlying areas; said material is re-introduced if compatible in architectural, geographical, historical and stylistic terms;
- the rooms maintain the original use for which they were designed;
- interiors are furnished with the Arte Povera tradition, the folk arts and craft of the Abruzzo mountains;
- the adoption of all modern fully-operational amenities that, however, are imperceptible (heating beneath the floors, non-invasive remote controls, etc)., so as to avoid violating the integrity of interior environments centuries-old;
- the re-introduction of select local craft culture fortunately still alive in the memories of the area's senior citizens with the due philological rigour of our ongoing work; from her culinary tradition to the craftsmanship of the Abruzzo mountains, every precaution has been taken against the too-common trap of re-proposing faked folklore and false folk mannerism so often reproduced, replicated and found in many historical burghs catering to tourism. Our approach to conservation has us preserving the real signs of time's passage, such as the smoke-blackened plasters, or maintaining the plaster layering which is systematically removed elsewhere while here it marks the poverty and destinies of the populations of the agricultural and pastoral civilizations of the
Apennine mountains;
Indeed, we maintain the evidence of the lives lived, of lives lived in poverty;
Methodologically, we consider such signs an integral part of the patrimony to preserve
Versus the tendency of courtly and classical traditions that have usually considered the deep submerged charm of these smaller historical burghs that have survived the glories and poverties of pastoral civilization as minor.
It is precisely in these marked stones that one finds the signs of the suffering of the time, signs that like sediment have deposited generation after generation; in these stones, the soul, the genius of these environments so closely related to the destiny of the people who have built and lived here for their own practical purposes and needs.
Partly a possible consequence of this cultural heritage, partly a political impasse, the lack of means to preserving the integrity of the architectural and historical heritage and landscape of these so-called minor burghs represent
the main problem towards imagining a new fate.
In sharp contrast with other countries, in Italy these
burghs have been systematically assaulted by post-war urbanization (WWII) even where the growth rate of such centres was negative and,
Later, by urbanization for the tourist industry, urban interventions which, needless to say, are far from being in harmony with the local historical patrimony.
In a rather paradoxical manner it was poverty, the desertion, abandonment and subsequent migration without return from the village that, in fact, preserved some of southern Italy’s burghs and maintained the integrity and authenticity of features that are architectural, environmental and historical; their conservation is now part of a political agenda and is a request demanded of the private sector as a prerequisite for a qualified re-utilisation.
The possibility of this model surviving in time in Santo Stefano di
Sessanio and that it can be reproduced elsewhere does not require the support of public funds so much as clear political actions focussing on the uncompromising guardianship of these historical burghs.

Recreational fun activities

Snowkiting

Snow kiting is the latest winter sport. Fast growing and simple to learn, skiers and boarders across the world are discovering the fun of Snow kiting.

Speed flying

After some local research we find out that the speed flying can also be offerd to groups and people unexperienced in that crazy, still huge fun sport.actualy we've organized a way off giving access to any one felling like doing some extrem but fun sport.

Orienteering

Starting from a set point, the participants will have to reach (alone or in small groups) an X destination previously set with the aid of a compass and a map. In the X points there is a kite that we mount together and then use: we play with the kite and we learn how to make it fly.

Snowkite
The experiences offered by our team range from “beginner” to “advanced” and they have different lengths, so as to perfectly match with each individual needs. The lessons generally take place during the week end and it is possible to extend them in coincidence with the holiday periods, for a global length of 3/4 days.
For the beginners, snowkite is not difficult to learn: in just two days you’ll already have learnt its basics and done your first tries; but, unless your are endowed with an extraordinary inborn talent, do not expect to become champions in just two days!
Many are those who have already learnt and that keep on practising snowkite in safety conditions, without needing any instructor by their side. Of course, everyone is welcomed in our team, even after having completed the course and having become independent!
For our corporate groups with time restrictions and a staff less willing to learn, we have developed a learning methodology much more funny and light, so as to make this extreme sport more approachable and funny for everyone already starting from the first day.

Equipment
The school supplies: the Kites, the Trapezes, the Protections and possibly the skis or the snowboard (matched with the ski boots).
The material we use is selected among the most recent and safe for snowkite and it is suited to the weather conditions of the site.
To be more precise, our school makes use of power kites (Ozone, North) that are extremely easy to handle and safe. These kites can be used with two or four lines and they allow to profit from any learning conditions.

Don’t forget to take with you
1. A Snowsuit
2. Mountain or waterproofed shoes
3. Socks
4. Sun cream
5. Water
6. A good deal of humour!

(should you not be able to take some of these materials, do not hesitate to ask us for an estimate in order to organise a turnkey course, where we think about everything).

Practical information
The snowkite courses are set out in daily sessions whose length is of at least 3 hours of on-site learning, starting from the students’ arrival besides 1 hour of theoretical learning in the base camp. This means a minimum of 4 hours learning per day.
The meeting is at 11 a.m., on the learning field chosen by the instructor; the lesson begins at 12 p.m.. the course continues up to 3 p.m., so as to take the maximum advantage from the daylight. The schedule of the course can vary according to the weather conditions.

The first hours of the course are used in order to learn the basics of the kite aerodynamics.
This part is extremely useful for a fast learning. In the beginners’ course we work in couples, so as to progress more rapidly, to learn from our mate and to think about what we have just done while our mate is practising.

In the advanced course, you generally work alone, except when the instructor believes that it is more productive to work in couples.

The minimum age is 8; for the minors it is necessary their parents’ authorisation. Obviously, the age is not the only criterion according to which we evaluate the possibility to practice the snowkite ( or the kite in general). The instructor will evaluate also according to the young man’s aptitude whether to keep on with the course or to interrupt it.

For further information, you can call us at the following number 340 086 6447 or send us an e-mail to the following address:

simon@gofreeride.com

SpeedFly

Speed Flying is a new winter flying sport created by paraglider pilots and skydivers looking for a new sensation and to create a link between gliding by ski and gliding through the air.

For a few years, pioneers have used skydiving parachutes or modified kites.
Linking the flight of a glider with the turn of your skis adds a new dimension to the descent from a mountain! It’s an exhilarating sport which will excite and fascinate both participants and spectators…

This new sport has taken the slope by storm, quickly attracting more and more enthusiasts as the buzz of excitement sweeps across Europe! First in France, where Speed Flying was born, but now also in Switzerland and Austria with Italy and Germany not far behind.
GoFreeride decided to be the first to combine corporate incentives with this new “Speed Flying” sport .

We use gliders specifically adapted to the practice of this new sport. Simple and easy to use, the gliders are available in 4 sizes: 10m2, 12m2, 13m2 and 14m2. Picking the size according to weight and more importantly the wind intensity and hill slope, we managed to introduce this great exciting sport to corporate groups which never experienced such an adrenaline rush. The smaller the glider the faster you go...


Novices will be flying at more like 25-40km/h. These gliders have a trim system to speed up or slow down flight.
They are very easy to launch, extremely solid in flight and responsive to your input.

Speed Flying is an exhilarating experience that should be practised with care and in a carefully chosen environment.
The Gofreeride team will organize the hole experience to make you have a seamless adventure.

Discover freedom with the Gofreeride experience, the first Speed Flying corporate incentives experience organised by Gofreeride!

Orienteering

Starting from a set point, the participants will have to reach (alone or in small groups) an X destination previously set with the aid of a compass and a map. In the X points there is a kite that we mount together and then use: we play with the kite and we learn how to make it fly.
Apparently, it is a very simple experience, but actually, it involves a good instinct, a fine sensory perception and some theoretical knowledge that only the instructors are able to provide. After a first theoretical stage, we go on with a practical one; according to the achieved results, we’ll analyze each individual’s behaviour: that is done in order to improve their sense of direction, their critical mind and possibly also their team spirit.
The teams of athletes, the work groups and all those willing to vie with themselves and with nature, are invited to try this sport that combines trekking with adventure.

Corporate Case study Winter 2006
Baxter Foreign Exchange

Corporate Case study Summer 2006
Onboard Express

Corporate Case study Winter 2007
Trudi

Baxter Foreing Exchange - Corporate - Case study winter 2006

Winter trips to Santo Stefano di Sessanio , Italia.
We work with a large number of Campo Imperatore area hotels to accomodate our corporate guests for week or long weekend corporate breaks.
Depending on the size of the group, we always try to keep the group together and take care of all the details to ensure a seamless break and that your clients/staff are treated in a friendly and professional manner by our international team.

Winter case study

Trip request:
Our Dublin client wanted a weekend break in Campo Imperatore with traditional accommodation, to ensure the group integrated regularly but with Two day’s of activities that left them breathless and enable them to experience the best of the Campo Imperatore extreme sports .
Location & accommodation:
Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Italia. All quests were lodged in the authentic rooms of the “Sextantio albergo diffuso”, open fire and fantastic mediaval authentic furnished rooms.

Group size: 16
Date: March 2005.
Weather: Sunny with a cold nip

Trip format:
On the Friday ,collected by minibus or by car rentals at the airport , droven directly to the Hotel in Santo stefano di Sessanio,less than 2 hours away.After a nice lunch break we drove up 10 km to the Campo Imperatore mountains for a session of orientering and power kites flying trained by our team of guides and instructors. After the session we meet at the hotel for a short rest before ending the evening at a local restaurant were a local granny demonstrated the production of authentic Italian local cheese. The 7-course meal which awaited at the very same restaurant with original local cocking end fine italian Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines ended with many off so tired that the bed was the only final destination. Not wanting to deprive our guests of the L’Aquila nightlife,we also finished our evening with the phew that still wanted to discover the local lifestyle.

Saturday morning ,after a nice long rest the instructors set a brieffing for the group before edding back to the mountains for a snowkiting aproach. So we hold four groups of 4 perssones all well equiped with they own equipment.Afer a few hours aproaching the kites we had allmost everybody setting on skies down wind for 4km to where we collected them all with skidoos,and bring them back to start point to start all over again .This way the most promoted and trend mountain sport becomes accessable to all and beleive us they the most of it.Arround 5.30 pm we head back to the hotel for a short break before the Saturday night meal .

On Sunday ,We organised a group snowboard session in the ski ressort 45 min drive from the hotel ,and then four a few “the ones that could handle it “a last snowkiting session with a retrieve to the ski resort on the spazza neve. The wheather in march and april is very stable cause we south ,actualy it’s all most undbelevable the snow stay so long in such a south place , “untill may”. Well we then made shure each one of our guess made it on time to is plane connection in Rome.
Please note that our activities are very flexible and our on demand service could allowed our guest to experience all most any combination within our area.
Each partecipante received a certificate and corporate personalized t-shirt for a remenbering off the experience.

One of the clients concluded:
"The ultimate day in the Appenines central-south mountains delivered with professionalism and plenty of fun"

This trip was implemented by:
Simon Critchell “Gofreeride.com” in Santo Stefano di Sessanio.

Corporate Case study summer 2006

Summer trips to Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Italia.
We work with a large number of Campo Imperatore area hotels to accomodate our corporate guests for week or long weekend corporate breaks.

Depending on the size of the group, we always try to keep the group together and take care of all the details to ensure a seamless break and that your clients/staff are treated in a friendly and professional manner by our international team.

Summer case study

Trip request:
Our Roma client wanted a Two days cross over break in Campo Imperatore with traditional accommodation, to ensure the group integrated regularly but with Two day’s of activities that left them breathless and enable them to experience the best of the Campo Imperatore extreme sports.
Location & accommodation:
Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Italia. All guests were lodged in the authentic rooms of the “ Albergo diffuso Sextantio ”, with open fire and fantastic mediaval authentic furnished rooms.

Group size: 12
Date: May 2006.
Weather: Sunny with a cold nip.

Trip format:
On thursday, the first group arrived at arround 10 am.The Gofreeride squad welcomed the client team at the Hotel in Santo stefano di Sessanio, that is less than 20 minutes away from the main playground in Campo Imperatore. After a nice lunch break, we drove up 10 km to the Campo Imperatore highland for a session of orientering and power kites flying trained by our team of guides and instructors. After the session, we all ad a mountainbike freeride down to the hotel for a short rest before ending the evening at a local restaurant were a local granny demonstrated the production of authentic Italian local cheese. The 7-course meal which awaited at the very same restaurant with original local cooking ended fine. Italian Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines ended with many off so tired that the bed was the only final destination! Not wanting to deprive our guests of the L’Aquila nightlife, we also finished our evening with the few that still wanted to discover the local lifestyle.

One of the clients concluded:
"The ultimate day in the Appenines central-south mountains delivered with professionalism and plenty of fun"

This trip was implemented by:
Simon Critchell “Gofreeride.com” in Santo Stefano di Sessanio.

Corporate Case study winter 2007

Trudi organized a four-days company meeting for its employees, managed by "Sextantio Albergo Diffuso" and by "GOFREERIDE". The meeting took place in Santo Stefano di Sessanio, a small and beautiful medieval village within the province of L’Aquila, situated in the middle of the National Park of Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga, on the side of the Gran Sasso d’Abruzzo mountains.

The meeting began on 9th January 2007 with the participants’arrival and the next day the workshop started with some company meetings in the auditorium of the "Sextantio Albergo Diffuso".

All guests- who have been followed by the operators starting from their arrival up to their departure, had the opportunity to taste the typical products of that area and lodged in "Sextantio Albergo Diffuso", in its ancient rooms that have been recently refurbished and all provided with genuine fireplaces, wonderful medieval furniture and any modern comforts.

On 11th January, the meeting "Trudi Outdoor" took place. "GOFREERIDE" looked after this important event, whose aim was to involve the colleagues of Trudi in a team game, like the orienteering, that surely helps to strengthen the interpersonal relationships and encourages the birth of team spirit that can be useful during the daily company work. In fact, everyone is aware of the importance of socialization within one’s workplace.

The teams participating in the game were composed of a variable number of people (besides their leader). The aim of the game was to find (within a set path in the Campo Imperatore highlands) some "lanterns" located in some places unknown to the participants and which differed from team to team. The only granted helps were a compass, a detailed map and the indication of the altitude of each point.

Despite the game took the form of a competition, whose winner would have been the team which first would have achieved the three stages and broken the final tape, we tried not to enhance too much the competitive spirit that is inborn in everyone of us, but on the contrary to strengthen the team spirit that is essential to keep a team unite and collaborative.

The second game that animated the morning was the kite race, which consisted in mounting the kite and make it fly. This is a quite amusing game that allows to rediscover the child hidden in every adult.

During the two races, the leaders of each team made an assessment both of the single individuals and of the whole team, according to certain criteria: for example the participation spirit, the group cohesion, the ability in using the provided tools and so on.

In case of bad weather conditions or in case of impossibility to put into practice the fixed schedule, we also thought of a possible different organization of the day. According to the schedule, in the morning we would have made a guided visit to two small historical villages, such as Bominaco and Stiffe, while in the afternoon we would have tried the orienteering within the historical centre of L’Aquila, in the nearby of its most picturesque monuments.

Each team was provided with a map and had to discover a mysterious treasure at the end of the fixed stages.

The games would have concerned subjects such as: powers of observation, deductive skills, the physical performance, the creative writing, the ability to improvise, the creative spirit.

Each game required a physical and mental participation that inevitably let the team and aggregation spirit come out in order to solve the mysteries.

The morning ended with the lunch in the wonderful and picturesque medieval castle of Rocca Calascio, before the optional historical-cultural trip along the hillsides that separate the Rocca from Santo Stefano di Sessanio.

Considering the group size, we tried to keep it unite all day long, catering for any details, such as food and drink, the technical outfit and the trekking boots, in order to make each participant took the utmost advantage from this experience and to ensure a relaxing, amusing, but also breathless break.

After a brief break to let tour guests rest, there was the dinner at the "Rifugio della Rocca" restaurant, which was animated by the folk songs of the "Fonte Vetica chourus" from Castel del Monte. This generated a relaxed and joyful atmosphere before the prize-giving ceremony that was very nice with the participation of the company boss that distributed praises, prizes and certificates to his employees on the basis of the leaders’ assessments made in the morning.

So the whole meeting was a real success that concluded with the ovation that all participants gave to their organizers and leaders and they all told to be satisfied and happy with this experience.

One of our customers said:

Thanks to Simon Critchell, who has immediately become part of our group, with his enthusiasm, initiative and team spirit that made this recreational day an important sharing moment.

GoFreeRide "A Travel Luxury Agency"

Dear Guests and Friends,
Our work and holiday environments at GoFreeride have been selected in the locations and with the activities you most enjoy while travelling around Europe in true style with family friends, or buissness mates. Please join us today or ask about how we can help you enjoy your special client incentive,offsite management team meeting or seasonal team (sales/marketing/research) strategy meeting,vacation, time.

Style and Service

About us - Simon Critchell

And also you can Contact us

Style and service

The unique service and style you will find on our organizations result from our own experiences in our summer and winter locations and from many years spent commuting for holidays from the cities of the world. We are committed to making sure that you will have a wonderful and trouble free experience from the moment you arrive from the flight until you leave again.

We are experienced, fun, relaxed people who have travelled widely and know what it is like to work in the city and look forward to the care, attention, quality, service and comfort you would associate with a luxurious break. Moreover, you will have the chance to wind down and enjoy our delicious food and our selection of fine wines in all our Dynamic client incentive,offsite management team meeting or seasonal team (sales/marketing/research) strategy meeting, holiday destinations.

With all our holiday properties and resorts we have created an environment that includes all the things we most value about home and on a luxury break, offering you the ideal environment for listening to music, participating in a variety of activities, watching videos, chilling, reading a book, enjoying your favourite drink and our superb cuisine

Simon Critchell

Simon Critchell has spent the best part of 7 years travelling and working abroad since leaving his country of origin, France. In this time he has accumulated some special travel experiences which he is now able to pass onto his clients via GoFreeride, the company he founded in 2006.

Simon has been fortunate to have travelled to most continents of the world, staying in some of the most wonderfull situations. He has created a style and service which is personal and unique where guests have access to professional staff in special surroundings and can enjoy the most trend sports combined with a unique mediaval luxurious accommodation.

Simon tells about himself

I have begun a new adventure in Italy, where I live with my two children. I have had to make many efforts, but I also have had so many satisfactions, such as the founding of the Gofreeride centre in Abruzzo that works 360 days a year, or the creation of the Italian Snowkiting Tour, that has become a more and more renowned and attended event; last but not least, the snow kite school, that takes me up actively on Campo Imperatore’s snow, during the week-ends from November to May.

From 2002 up to today my experience has kept on increasing, so as my knowledge of the Italian language!

Of course I have so much way to go and so many people to know, but I hope to do it together with you...

Enjoy the ride > Simon Critchell

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Corporate - Case study summer 2006

Summer trips to Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Italia.
We work with a large number of Campo Imperatore area hotels to accomodate our corporate guests for week or long weekend corporate breaks.

Depending on the size of the group, we always try to keep the group together and take care of all the details to ensure a seamless break and that your clients/staff are treated in a friendly and professional manner by our international team.

Summer case study

Trip request:
Our Roma client wanted a Two days cross over break in Campo Imperatore with traditional accommodation, to ensure the group integrated regularly but with Two day’s of activities that left them breathless and enable them to experience the best of the Campo Imperatore extreme sports.
Location & accommodation:
Santo Stefano di Sessanio, Italia. All guests were lodged in the authentic rooms of the “ Albergo diffuso Sextantio ”, with open fire and fantastic mediaval authentic furnished rooms.

Group size: 12
Date: May 2006.
Weather: Sunny with a cold nip.

Trip format:
On thursday, the first group arrived at arround 10 am.The Gofreeride squad welcomed the client team at the Hotel in Santo stefano di Sessanio, that is less than 20 minutes away from the main playground in Campo Imperatore. After a nice lunch break, we drove up 10 km to the Campo Imperatore highland for a session of orientering and power kites flying trained by our team of guides and instructors. After the session, we all ad a mountainbike freeride down to the hotel for a short rest before ending the evening at a local restaurant were a local granny demonstrated the production of authentic Italian local cheese. The 7-course meal which awaited at the very same restaurant with original local cooking ended fine. Italian Montepulciano d’Abruzzo wines ended with many off so tired that the bed was the only final destination! Not wanting to deprive our guests of the L’Aquila nightlife, we also finished our evening with the few that still wanted to discover the local lifestyle.

One of the clients concluded:
"The ultimate day in the Appenines central-south mountains delivered with professionalism and plenty of fun"

This trip was implemented by:
Simon Critchell “Gofreeride.com” in Santo Stefano di Sessanio.