Tastes of Le Marche

DAY 1: PESCARA - PESARO

Your local guides Guido & Luciana will meet this morning at your hotel in Pescara by 9.00am with an air conditioned private vehicle and start your wonderful programme and head northwards to the beautiful region of MARCHE, central Italy. Giosué Carducci, a Nobel Prize Winner and one of the great poets of 19th century Italy, described “Le Marche” in these terms: “This land blessed by God is full of
beauty, variety, liberty, with protecting mountains slowly lowering towards the sea, an embracing sea, with greeting, rising hills and shining valleys.”

Pesaro lies directly on the Adriatic coast and is the second largest of the towns in the Marche with a population of just over 95,000 people. It is known affectionately as the City of Bikes (with the biggest use of bicycles in Italy) and also the City of Music (thanks to the composer Rossini born in Pesaro). This will be your base for 3 nights.
During our time in Pesaro there will be time to visit the city’s great art collection housed in the 16th century Palazzo Mosca as well as the famous composer Rossini’s birth house and now museum. The house hails back from the 15th – 18th centuries and learn all about this great composer born in 1792. He was a great gourmand and also published many recipes, such as Tournedos Rossini and loved truffles!
His love of Pesaro is reflected in the great honour the town has bestowed upon him, with a yearly Opera Festival held here every August. Enjoy lunch at nearby Gabicce Monte north of Pesaro, right on the Adriatic coastline. The freshest seafood is found here as we lunch overlooking the Golf of Cattolica, right on the northern border of Marche.
Afterwards you can walk in the promontory area of Natural regional Park of San Bartolo which has many grottoes and interesting scenery on this rugged stretch of Adriatic coastline. There are nearby fortified hilltop towns to explore- Casteldimezzo and Fiorenzuola di Focara which make for a wonderful afternoon after lunch.
Return to Pesaro and take time to explore the centre of town or stroll along the beachside in this elegant Adriatic town. Dinner / supper at your own leisure.

DAY 2: URBINO - MONTEMAGGIORE AL METAURO

Today we explore the jewel of Marche in Urbino, located about 45 minutes south west of Pesaro and is nestled in the foothills of the northern Apennines. It is a walled town with a population of around 15,000 and has been marked as a World Heritage Site for its amazing Renaissance culture of the 15th & 16th century. There is so much to take in today in Urbino. The great Renaissance painter and architect Raffaello was born and lived here and was a direct contemporary of Michelangelo and Da Vinci. Admire the small 14th century Chapel of St John the Baptist with a beautiful 15th century fresco cycle. Take time to wander through the 19th century botanical gardens maintained by the old University of Urbino. Enjoy the tranquillity of the oak and beech trees as well as maple, yew and ash and see many medicinal plant species as well. Lunch will be a selection of local dishes featuring exquisite truffles and traditional flatbreads, all accompanied by fine local wines of Marche. Before leaving Urbino, a visit to the medieval Duke’s Palace is a must. It now houses the regional art gallery where you will admire some of the world’s most precious Renaissance art – of Raphael, Piero dell Francesca (the famous “Flagellation of Christ”) and Titian. Another highlight today is a visit to a winery situated in the Regional Park of San Bartolo. Set over 30 hectares and established in 1861 by the Mancini family it embraces the best of the old world blended with new world know how. This winery was featured in Rick Stein’s TV series and you will have a chance to taste their Pinot Noir and Sangiovese wines and some of Marche’s heritage and lesser known varieties.
Relax back in Pesaro with some leisure time strolling the quaint alleyways, shopping for some Italian fashion or watching the world go by.

DAY 3: GRADARA CASTLE - CARTOCETO Olive Oil Tasting - PERGOLA - SENIGALLIA

This morning spend some time in Pesaro before visiting the hilltop medieval fortified castle of Gradara. Built in the 12th century and completed in the 15th century, it belonged to the ruling Sforza duke who married Lucrezia Borgia, daughter of Pope Alexander VI. Stunning views of the surrounding  countryside, coastline and village below can be admired from every angle.
Heading further south in the Marche region, we visit an olive grove at Cartoceto and learn all about olive production here. Their very fine extra virgin olive oil has DOP status and is a must to taste alongside local products and local Marche wines.
After lunch, Guido will show you a treasure from the Roman world which is right off the main tourist path. In nearby Pergola, a priceless collection of gilded bronzes were found by a farmer in the fields in 1946. These bronzes are the only known pieces in the world which are still covered in gold leaf. The
4 existing pieces depict 2 horsemen and 2 ladies and are dated to around 50 BC. Check into your boutique accommodation in Senigallia.

DAY 4: SENIGALLIA - CASTELFIDARDO - LORETO

Senigallia is a lively Adriatic seaside town with a population of around 43,000. It’s history spans from the 4th century BC when it was the capital of the Gauls in Italy, to a Roman settlement to becoming part of the Papal States in the 15th and 16 th century. This will be our base for the next 3 nights as we
explore this area of Marche.
Today’s journey takes in the magic of Italy’s artisans and miracles of the Madonna di Loreto. First stop is Castelfidardo, a small town which has become world famous for the humble accordion, the symbol of Italian culture and tradition. For over 150 yrs, this town thrived with local families producing thousands of accordions per year and employing most of the town’s inhabitants. At the turn of the 19th century, many Italian migrants travelled to USA as well as their travelling musical orchestras. Meet artisans who will explain its production and fine woods used to make each piece. Visit the museum in the town hall with 350 pieces and listen to this iconic Italian instrument. Stay on for lunch in a typical osteria in the Marche offering a great selection of antipasti, home made pasta dishes such as tagliatelle, gnocchi and ravioli, as well as slow cooked wild boar, local lamb or rabbit dishes.. Ah this is slow food at its best.
This afternoon we visit nearby Loreto, a great pilgrimage site for all Italians and Catholics. The Basilica was built from 1469 as a church – fortress, in response to the marauding Turkish pirates in the nearby Adriatic sea. Admire the beautiful dome, modelled on the famous Brunelleschi’s dome of Florence, designed 50 years earlier. The interior is stunning with the Santa Casa, the Holy House which according to legend was transported from the Holy Land by a group of angels in 1293. See the house where the Annunciation took place, where the angels appeared to Mary. Of particular interest is the Black Madonna of Loreto inside and the exquisite work of the Renaissance master Bramante who clad the house in white marble. This is where 4 million pilgrims visit each year..
Return to Senigallia and enjoy the evening at leisure along the Adriatic coastline.

DAY 5: FABRIANO - Paper Making Artisans - SENIGALLIA

This morning we make our way to Fabriano, a small town in the western area of Marche, almost near the Umbria border and Gubbio. Its historical origins go back to medieval times in the 13th century when Fabriano was one of the earliest places in Europe to produce high quality paper and watermarked paper and continued to do so for over 500 years. Its proximity to the river and also along the trade route to Ancona’s port made it an ideal location. Relax with a morning coffee in the piazza first. Learn about how the Renaissance masters Michelangelo and Raffael and Albrect Durer ordered their handmade paper from Fabriano and see the paper making process still made today by modern artisans. In 2013, Fabriano was elected, alongside Bologna as the only 2 Italian cities with
the honour of Unesco’s “CITTA’ CREATIVE”.
After lunch there is also time to see the historical centre of Fabriano including the Cathedral of San Venanzio built in the 15 -17th centuries. Return to Senigallia in the early evening.

DAY 6: SENIGALLIA - CIVITANOVA MARCHE - FERMO - PESCARA

After checking out of Senigallia, we make our way to the southern Marche area and visit Civitanove Marche, a popular outlet for many fashion houses such as Prada and Tods. This region is well known for its shoe industry as well. Come across some great finds here. Then onto Macerata and visit this town with an ancient 13th century university, one of Italy’s oldest. Also admire the 19th century half arena or Sferisterio teatro which holds its well known opera festival here each year in July and August.
Lunch will be in the seaside town of Fermo, then we make our way to back to Abruzzo where we  farewell Guido, then continue onto Abruzzo with Luciana. This is where the tour concludes.