$2,399 per person ($800 fully refundable deposit*)
-Minimum 4 people
Summer 2023 Available from June 1st to Sep. 2nd
Dates and pricing
Private transportation to and from Bologna BLQ airport to the Hotel
6 nights accommodation with breakfast at B&B Il Parco Ducale or Hotel Bramante (depending on availability)
5 Lunches and 5 Dinners
Welcome Aperitivo
Wine tasting
Hand-crafted cheese and olive oil tasting at Beltrami
Private transportation on all excursions
Private trip to Urbino
Private trip to San Marino
Private trip to Mercatello sul Metauro and Castello della Pieve
Entrance to the Ducal Palace + Raphael's childhood home with a Private Guide
Private cooking class
Entrance to The Church of the Dead
Private trip along the Metauro river to visit its natural lagoons
Entrance to Roman villa +museum
Exclusive days with International Sommelier and local expert Piero Pagliardini, plus suggestions and translation services.
whats included
itinerary
Day 1
Arrival
· In our commitment to making your traveling experience to Le Marche as easy and convenient as possible, your host, Piero Pagliardini, will meet you at the airport (*see time stipulations) and escort you to Hotel.
· Take time to settle in, unpack and explore the village before meeting up with the group. Our host and native Marchigiano, Piero, will welcome you over drinks in the town square and give an overview of the week to come. Then pizza night! Enjoy the best pizza in town in an authentic Italian pizzeria. End the night with a stroll, a nightcap, and a good night’s sleep.
Day 2
· Enjoy a local breakfast at the hotel of cappuccino and fresh pastries.
· Morning in Urbania where you can peruse the travelling open-air market and acclaimed ceramic boutiques. Shop, socialize and taste everything in sight! We will explore village life, including a visit to the famous “Church of the Dead” and other historical sites. Learn about Urbania’s traditions, spanning over centuries, including its rich ceramic art culture.A light lunch (aka only two-courses) will be provided.
· That afternoon we will venture into Italy’s unique countryside. Scenes will include rolling landscapes, remnants of the historical village Castello della Pieve, and conclude in a walk through the Metauro River itself. Trek through blue lagoons and navigate miniature waterfalls as you get your feet wet and learn the history of the area. Bring your swimsuit and water shoes! Traditional Italian merenda to follow in a truly off-the-beaten-path location!
· Authentic dinner at Castello della Pieve, the characteristic medieval castle set 550 meters above sea level in the municipal area of Mercatello sul Metauro. In 1301 Dante Alighieri’s exile was decreed from this tiny village.
Day 3
· Breakfast at the hotel, and then off to stroll through the traveling open-air market! From clothing to coffee cups, you can find the perfect gifts to take home, all while sampling savory olives, freshly shaved prosciutto and roasted chestnuts.
· Then we will drive through the Le Marche countryside for a trip to Cartoceto, a village famous for the best and only DOP olive oil imported from Le Marche. We'll visit the inimitable Vittorio Beltrami and his famous Gastonomia. Lydia Bastianich has called Beltrami "The Einstein of Cheese," and not just because he looks like Albert Einstein but because he is a genius cheese maker. His pecorino di fossa - a sheep’s milk cheese wrapped in grape leaves and buried under stone for 90 days is indescribably intense, earthy and like nothing you have ever tasted. From the cheese cellar, we'll walk over to his shop where the family Beltrami will prepare us an in-depth sampling of cheeses, cured meats, and breads, along with wine pairings and house made sweets.
- Afternoon free time, relax, or wander into town. Piero will always be around for help and suggestions.
Day 4
· That morning Piero will pick you up to go to Urbino. We will meet Paolo, who is an art historian with a deep and passionate knowledge of all things Ducale. We’ll see the frescos, frieze work, important paintings and architecture of the high Renaissance at the spectacular Palazzo Ducale. In a loose yet structured manner, we’ll wander the main squares and winding medieval pathways and pay a visit to Raphael’s childhood home. Lunch at our favorite restaurant!
· Free afternoon to buy souvenirs, gifts and truffle-inspired goodies to stash in your suitcase.
· Dinner at our favorite restaurant followed by gelato in the square.
Day 5
· Pastries (or le paste) and cappuccino at the hotel.
· Explore village life, to Sant Angelo in Vado, including a visit to the Roman Villa, “Domus of Myths” and the “Museo dei Mestieri.”
· Another delicious regional lunch will be provided.
Then relax and free time.
· Meet back to experience “Shopping di Sera,” an evening festival with music, pop-up-stands and dinner tables set up to dine in the streets!
Day 6
-Leisurely morning and breakfast at the B&B.
-Visit to San Marino, one of the world’s smallest countries, hidden within central Italy. San Marino, set atop Mount Titano, 2,480ft above sea level, is said to be the world's oldest surviving republic. The historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will have time to explore the city as well as find a secret spot where we can enjoy a delicious lunch.
-Return to the Hotel and free time
- Meet that evening for a farewell dinner where we will raise a glass (or two, or three!) to our week in Le Marche. Cin-cin! Cheers! And a warm salute until next year!
Day 7
Departures (*Please arrange departures for after 4:00 p.m.).
Time Stipulations
-Pick-ups at BLQ Bologna airport and Bologna Centrale Train Station will be offered between 12:00-3:00 p.m.
-Departures at BLQ Bologna airport and Bologna Centrale Train Station will be offered from 2:00 p.m. onward. In order to arrive for your flight with ample time, we recommend scheduling departing flights after 4:00 p.m.
-Pick-up and Departures from other locations, or at times outside these parameters can be arranged at an additional fee.
-We recommend booking a night or two in Bologna at the end/beginning of your trip to explore this beautiful city and to make your departure/arrival flights more convenient. Please contact us for recommendations.