NEWS 2023 MARCHE, UNEXPLORED REGION ON THE ADRIATIC COAST

1 DAY ARRIVAL
Arrival in Pesaro, birthplace of the famous composer Gioachino Rossini. Accomodation, dinner and overnight.

2 DAY PESARO
Breakfast and meeting with local guide to discover Pesaro historical centre. There is so much to see and do in Pesaro: from the ancient Roman remains dating from when it was called Pisaurum, to the Museum of Ceramics and Art Gallery; from the fascinating mosaics in the Cathedral to the Gothic church facades; from Villa Ruggeri in the Liberty style to the Sforza Fortress and the Ducal Palace. Pesaro boasts parks, beaches, art, history and music. Pesaro is the birthplace of Gioachino Rossini, the world renowned musician. His memory is still alive in numerous places of the town: the house where he was born, the Theatre which bears his name, the Rossini Conservatory, and the Rossini Opera Festival which stages his masterpieces every year bringing internationally famous singers and musicians to the city.

3 DAY URBINO
Breakfast and departure to Urbino, a Unesco World Haritage Site and capital city of the italian Renaissance. Its history is tied to the Montefeltro family that came into the possession of the territory in around 1200.
The most famous member of the Montefeltro was Federico, lord of Urbino from 1444 to 1482, a very successful military leader, a skillful diplomat an enthusiastic patron of arts. He commissioned a magnificient Palace, a wonder of early Renaissance architecture, today symbol of the city in the world. The best artists of Renaissance arrived at his court: Piero della Francesca, Laurana, Francesco di Giorgio Martini, Giusto di Gand, Pedro Berruguete and Humanists such as Baldassare Castiglione. Walking up the characteristic streets called “piole” you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city, and you can find old buildings, churches full of masterpieces such as the Oratori and Raffaello’s house, where the artist was born in 1483 and where his father had his studio. Urbino’s culinary tradition is one of simplicity and authenticity, although the local cuisine is not lacking in pleasant surprises or inviting temptations! When it comes to first courses, we recommend Cappelletti pasta in broth or Passatelli, a delicate and very typical entrée from the Urbino region. The queen of the area’s traditional produce is the famous Casciotta di Urbino, a cheese with ancient origins that has been much loved since the era of the Dukes. Even Michelangelo himself was a great admirer of this dairy delight. One of the best ways to enjoy it is with an equallydelicious traditional product from the area – the Crescia Sfogliata di Urbino (a type of flatbread). This recipe harks back to the flavours of days gone by and has a long history behind it, but it can still frequently be found on dinner tables in Urbino today. Let’s not forget that the Urbino region is also famous for its truffles, mushrooms, and renowned oil and wine, as well as organic products
appreciated nationwide. Stop for a tasting of these special local products.

4 DAY GRADARA AND FANO
Breakfast and departure to Gradara, an imposing fortress where the guide tells you the famous love story of Paolo and Francesca, also described by Dante in the “Divina Commedia”. After the visit we sugget a stop for the visit of an olive grove with olive and local products tasting of this area. Departure to Fano. On the Adriatic coast lies this ancient town washed by clear blue waters, its sand and pebble beaches stretching for kilometres and offering lots of attractions for tourists. Fano, city of Fortune, so -named after its famous temple (Fanum Fortunae), is also the city of Augustus Caesar, as can be seen from the monumental arch built in his honor, Arch of Augustus, and the city walls built to protect the “colony” founded by this first Roman emperor after he had commissioned the famous architect, Vitruvio, with the task of embellishing its Forum with an imposing Basilica. As the centuries passed Fano became a medieval city with a Romanesque cathedral and an imposing Palazzo of Podestà. Later, the Malatesta family erected the Castle, majestic arches funerary to commemorate their dead and the charming open square known as the Corte Malatestiana, where concerts and shows are held in summer.
The main Square, with its Fountain of Fortune, is the setting of the neo-classical theatre of the same name which has a splendid interior by Luigi Poletti. Dinner and overnight.

5 DAY CORINALDO AND LORETO
Breakfast and departure with your luggage to the south of Marche region. Stop for a visit in Corinaldo, located in a strategic position, the borgo of Corinaldo has its symbol in the imposing walls that have remained practically intact since the fifteenth century. The entire wall circuit, 912 meters long, can be visited with a fascinating guided tour. The gates, the ramparts, the defense towers, the Ghibelline battlements with forked merlons, and the watch walkways mark the landscape of this rare example of fortified borgo. Departure to Loreto to visit the Basilica where is situated the Holy House of the Virgin Maria, which was brought by the angels in only one night from Nazareth. After the visit ceck-in at your new Hotel. Dinner and overnight.

6 DAY RECANATI AND GROTTAMMARE
Breakfast and departure to Recanati. Recanati is a remarkably attractive hill town, birthplace of one of the greatest Italian poets, Giacomo Leopardi. He had a sad childhood, self-imprisoned in his father's classics-filled library and spent the rest of his life trying to recapture in his pessimistic verse the illusion of happiness, glimpsed fleetingly as a youth in Recanati. Palazzo Leopardi, at the southern edge of town, where he was born and brought up, holds memorabilia, manuscripts and a library. Around, almost in every corner, plaques mark spots referred to in his poems. The visit goes on when you arrive in Grottammare. Still visible on the hill, the remains of the 11th century fortress that dominates the old embankment tell the ancient history of Grottammare. The soft lights that light up the cycle-path and the wind that blows between the leaves in the viewpoints, give back to the place the silences and the sweetness that have enchanted Franz Liszt and other famous residents. Back to the Hotel. Dinner and overnight.

7 DAY ASCOLI PICENO
Breakfast and visit of Ascoli Piceno. The best way to visit Ascoli in on foot. You will admire: Piazza del Popolo, Caffè Meletti, Chiesa di San Francesco, Piazza Arringo, Duomo e Ponte di Porta Solestà. Explore one of the best Arts and Historical City of Marche Region and learn about Ascoli’s architectural gems. With your local guide you will start exploring the town with a first stop in Piazza Arringo and the Duomo of Ascoli. The tour takes approximately two hours and half for a guided tour of the two main squares of the historic center of Ascoli Piceno: Piazza Arringo and Piazza del Popolo.Starting from the Palazzo dell'Arengo in Piazza Arringo will be shown the Cathedral of Sant'Emidio (also the interior), the Bishopric and the Panichi Palace.Then you will immerse yourself in the medieval atmosphere of the ancient district of San Giacomo, discovering its "rue" features, gentle towers and Romanesque churches, as far as the Roman Augustian bridge. After reaching the "lounge" of the city, the nearby Piazza del Popolo, you will be able to admire the Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo, the historic cafe Meletti and the Church of San Francesco. The visit will end with the Ponte Romano of Porta Solestà the unique bridge in the world visitable inside. In the afternoon we suggest a direct cook experience. Enter a famous delicatessen in Ascoli, taste some delicious local recipes paired with famous wine and enjoy an informal and relaxed workshop. After that, put on your apron and be conducted to the shop laboratory where famous Olive all'ascalona are prepared and cooked with passion every day. The shop owner will be happy to teach you how to prepare this delicious regional recipe, which has been exported all over the world. Discover Ascoli's famous veal-stuffed fried olive treat. Olive Ascolane, with their soft and savory meat stuffing surrounded by a crisp, breaded crust, are a speciality of Ascoli Piceno in the region of Le Marche. This delicious local recipe will be at the center of your journey in Ascoli. At the end of the workshop, you will taste the fruits of your work!

8 DAY DEPARTURE