Name of the Tour:  Wonderful Marche and Umbria

Description: 8 days 7 nights

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Schedule of the tour

DAY 1: Rome – Pesaro

Arriving in Rome Fiumicino Airport. Pick up the rental car (if requested – with supplement). By crossing the glorious Appennino Centrale countryside, arrival in a farmhouse hotel in the area of Pesaro/Urbino. Overnight.

DAY 2: Urbino

After breakfast, during the first day you will explore the land that was once governed by Montefeltro Lords. Full day dedicated to the visit of Urbino, one of the most fascinating Renaissance town of Italy, where an ancient university is located and perfect place for history of art lovers. This is where Raffaello was born and it is one of the Heritage of UNESCO.
Take a guided tour of the magnificent Palazzo Ducale, one of the most interesting architectural witness of the Italian Renaissance; it is a marvellous and mystical place, that hosts the Marche Galleria Nazionale with its precious paintings by Piero della Francesca, Tiziano, Paolo Uccello and Raffaello. Among the various rooms of the place there is a private one where Duke Federico used to spend his time: lo Studiolo. This room preserves valuable stucco on ceilings in barrel vaults and a lower part covered with engraved wooden walls.. Free lunch. In the afternoon you can visit a local farm and see the working of the production of the cheese ‘casciotta’; obviously you taste this delicious typical product as long as the “crescia”, some other salami of this area, among all taste the Prosciutto di Carpegna and the Salame di Montefeltro. Back to the farmhouse and overnight.

DAY 3: Gradara – Fano

Breakfast in the farmhouse. A trip visiting Marche must includes a tour of one among the most beautiful castle of Italy, you have therefore to schedule a day to discover the historical beauty of Gradara.
You will have a look of this beautiful small town before reach it, because the beautiful mediaeval castle stands out between woods and hills. Few more steps away and you will live in a other times atmosphere that remembers the XIII century peace. The Gradara castle was the first military fortress of this bordering area and it has been converted in a majestic noble residence of powerful families. The unlucky love affair between Paolo and Francesca narrated by Dante in La Divina Commedia, it has contributed to make this place so well known.
Free lunch and in the afternoon proceed toward south direction Fano, that it is known as the town of fortune because of its Fotune Temple around which the city developed. Fano Historical walls measures more than half a kilometre and they are punctuated by towers. This is a marvellous example of Ancient Roman Architecture dated back to the age of Imperator Augusto. Take a walking tour of Fano down town including the mysterious subterranean Fano, a fascinating itinerary that brings you thought crawls and tunnels in unique places. Before dinner, have a walk by the sea side to live the intense sea tradition of this town, well represented by characteristic fishers’ houses, beaches and by many very good restaurants.
After all this beautiful walks, it is time to sit on a table and taste two of Fano’s specialities: Brodetto e Moretta.
Brodetto of Fano is an unique dish of the Adriatic Sea culinary tradition and Moretta is a warm beverage melted with a spirit , it was born among the fishers in Fano’s port to warm themselves before going to fish in the open sea.
Back to the farmhouse for the overnight.

DAY 4: Ancona – Conero – Loreto

After breakfast leaving for Ancona. Facing the sea, Ancona has one of the biggest ports of Italy and it is rich in monuments and splendid landscapes, it is also known as the Doric Town, “Città Dorica”, because of its Greek origins.
The Duomo is located above the town and from there, there is a particular view, the picturesque Arco of Traiano and the Mole Vanvitelliana are located close to the port . The Memorial ti the Fallen is overlooking the sea. Do not stop only to admire the main monuments because in Ancona it is worth to have a walk among the small streets to find hidden corners and panoramic views. After a lunch in local cellar tasting the Rosso Conero, one of the best wines or the area, we suggest a pantomimic tour of the Riviera del Conero: the part of the cost located by the slopes of Conero Mount, this is an area rich of beaches, bay and coves of an incredible beauty.
The last stop of the day, but not the less important, is Loreto, splendid hill side small town, second only to Assisi and Rome as far as religious pilgrimage is concerned. Loreto is a masterpiece by many among the most famous Italian artists and architects. People from all over the world come to Loreto to visit the Basilica della Santa Casa, that it is known to guard the house in which it believes Virgin Mary had lived. Devotes people believe that angels passed by Jerusalem to Tesat in Croatia, before arriving in Loreto, bringing Mary’s home with them. Back to the farmhouse and overnight.

DAY 5: Fabriano – Grotte Di Frasassi

Breakfast. On day 5 visit the Museo della Carta e della Filigrana di Fabriano (paper Museum of Fabriano) to see the development among the centuries of paper and filigree manufacturing. Free lunch. Proceed toward Genga to visit the Grotte di Frasassi. Frasassi Caves, known all over the world. They are calcareous caves discovered in 1971 and opened to visit in 1974, please remember to bring warm cloths with you because inside the caves the temperature is about 14°C !!
Back to the farmhouse and overnight.

DAY 6: Recanati – Macerata – Morro D’alba

Breakfast. On day 6 morning go to Recanati, this is the small village where famous poet and author Giacomo Leopardi was born. He was one of the most stimulating thinkers of the 19th century. You can visit the Laopardi’s House with his famous library and the house of his mother, Palazzo Antici Mattei. In Recanati was born also Beniamino Gigli, one of the most famous Italian tenor. Lunch free. After lunch you go to Macerata, where the Jesuit Matteo Ricci was born. This historical centre is surrounded by bastions dates back to the 16th century. The heart of the town is Piazza della Libertà rounded by the most important monuments and churches of the town and by the entrance to the Palazzo dell’Università. Nearby are located the Musei Civici of Palazzo Buonaccorsi. Macerata is where it takes place the Sferisterio Opera festival in the homonymous open air arena .
On your way back stop in a local cellar in Morro d’Alba to taste the main attraction of this village, the Lacrima of Morro d’Alba, a red wine produced in a very limited quantity. Morro d’Alba is also known for its walk along the Scarpa, a roofed passage along the ancient walls. Back to the farmhouse. Overnight.

DAY 7: Ascoli Piceno

After breakfast half day tour of Ascoli Piceno, small town in the south area of the Marche, located between river Tronto and river Castellano, Ascoli is called the city of ‘Travertino’ for its squares and facades that are milk and honey coloured. Ascoli downtown is a architectural masterpiece. Once there were 200 towers now there are only 50. As an appetiser before lunch you can have some ‘olive ascolane’ locally produced. Free time in the afternoon , back to the farmhouse. Overnight.

DAY 8: Arrivederci Marche

After breakfast leaving for Fiumicino Rome Airport. Relaise of the rented car (if requested). End of our services.

The tour includes:

– 7 nights in Pesaro area in farmhouse hotel (Agriturismo Badiao or similar) in a standard room (overnights and breakfast included)
–  1 visit to a farm in Urbino area for local product tasting (prosciutto Carpegna)
–  1 dinner in a restaurant in Fano (3 courses – no beverage included)
–  1 lunch in a local restaurant in Ancona (2 courses – no beverage included)
–  entrance to the Frasassi Graves
–  1 visit to a farm and tasting of the Morro d’Alba wine
–  1 visit to a factory in Ascoli Piceno and tasting of the Olive all’Ascolana
–  vat

Prices do not includes:
–    city tax
–    car rental (ask for a supplement)
–    everything not clearly stated as the rate includes

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