Why choose this tour

Ideal for history and art lovers, this tour travels through some of the most beautiful towns and UNESCO heritage sites in the Marche region. From the sea to the hills, magnificent artworks will capture the heart of every traveller as long as the beautiful landscapes and tasty local products.

DAY 1: Gradara

Arrival and transfer to Gradara for a guided tour of  the hamlet. This ancient hamlet is one of the most visited of the Marche region because of its history, sights and legends. It still maintains its medieval architecture, the same that witnessed the tragic love of Paolo e Francesca.

Throughout the ages the noble families of Malatesta, Sforza and Della Rovere left a mark on the castle that they elected as their home and still towers over the town. Built as a fortress, now it is an exquisite example of renaissance architecture that hosts a museum of Gradara’s history.

In the evening, return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 2: Grotte di Frasassi e Fabriano

In the morning, breakfast and departure for a guided visit of the Grotte di Frasassi (Frasassi’s Caves). Discovered in 1970 by a CAI speleological group from Ancona, this cave is truly a sight to behold. It is a karstic cave where the constant dripping of water created stalactites and stalagmites in odd structures and shapes. A walk in these coves feels like  a stroll on another planet between small lakes and impressive chambers.

At the end of the visit, lunch based on local products in a restaurant of the area.

In the afternoon, guided visit of Fabriano, an important cultural hub surrounded by wonderful scenery. Here were established architectural and pictorial workshops that originated the “Scuola Fabrianese”. Its historic center has plenty of churches and palaces. One of those is Saint Venanzio Cathedral, where frescoes painted by Allegretto Nuzi and artworks of Orazio Gentileschi are visible. Other symbols of the city are the Palazzo del Podestà, the Oratorio della carità and the Theater gentile da Fabriano, rebuilt in 1884 where the previous one burned down because of a fire. However, Fabriano is most famous for being one of the few cities where paper is still made by hand. The last stop of the visit is the Museo della Carta e della Filigrana, where the historic process to make paper is displayed.  

In the evening, return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 3: Fano e Pesaro

In the morning, breakfast and departure for a guided visit of Fano. Through the centuries, the city has grown around the ancient town center, that still is the heart of the city life. It was a Roman colony named after the goddess Fortuna (Luck) as a form of devotion and it has become the cultural hub of the Marche region. To this day, the artistic and cultural patrimony of Fano is the most diverse of the area. Walking its streets is truly a walk though time: the visit starts near the Arco di Augusto, the main access to the old town, continues along the city walls and its towers, and ends in the main square where the Fortuna Fountain was built.

At the end of the visit, lunch based on local products in a restaurant of the area.

In the afternoon, guided visit of Pesaro, the birthplace of the famous composer Gioacchino Rossini and UNESCO heritage site. Today a thriving seaside town, with a walk along the promenade it is possible to admire many contemporary artworks, such as the Pomodoro’s sphere, and beautiful villas, like the one owned by Oreste Ruggeri. The visit proceeds in the historic streets of the town center, rich in Roman archeological artifacts, medieval walls and renaissance palaces.

In the evening, return to the hotel, dinner and overnight stay.

We don’t want our guests to leave without a tasty souvenir of this trip: that is why a gastronomic lottery of typical Italian cold cuts will be offered during the last dinner together, as well as a parting gift: a bottle of high quality local extra virgin olive oil.

DAY 4: Urbino

In the morning, breakfast and departure for a guided visit of Urbino. Nestled between two hills, this town was the capital of the Italian Renaissance  in the Marche region and the birthplace of the famous painter Raffaello Sanzio. The city is rich in churches, palaces and fascinating sceneries, a result of the patronage of Federic of Montefeltro, a captain and art collector. He also commissioned the symbol of the town: the wonderful Palazzo Ducale, where he hosted famous luminaries of the XV century. The visit continues with a stroll through the city’s streets and its historic center, a UNESCO heritage site.

At the end of the visit, lunch based on local products in a restaurant of the area.

Departure and return to home.