Grand Tour of Marche: from Mountains to Sea, and slow food
Experience the ‘hidden’ Italian region of Marche – hiking, wild beaches and visit it’s City of Culture 2024 for a taste of 0km food.
The hidden region of Marche has so much to offer, yet is overlooked as visitors focus on neighbouring Tuscany. Start with a cultural immersion before heading to the hills…
Hike in the Sibillini mountains with an overnight stay at a refuge or hotel in the area, access wild beaches on a boat tour, and visit Ascoli Piceno – nominated for City of Culture 2024 and older than Rome! All the while nourish yourself with Italy’s finest slow food with the option to join a cooking class.
We offer this as a 7 day tour with the option to take in the city of Rome.
April to June, September to October
Guided Activities
Duration: 7 days
Grading: Moderate/Challenging
Nearest Airport: Rome or Ancona
Starting point: Rome or Ascoli Piceno
Days 1 - 2
Arrival in Rome (Lazio, central Italy), for a city break and overnight stay.
Transfer to the Marche region, and visit of the charming city of Ascoli Piceno, After a lunch in traditional restaurant, you will take a cooking class and learn how to make “Olive all’Ascolana”. Overnight in the medieval city.
Days 3 - 4
Transfer to the meet the hiking guide who will take you on a 9k hike to the spectacular setting of Lake Fiastra.
The following day is a 12k hike around the glacial valley of Val di Bove, taking in views of Mont Bove and spotting Apennine Chamois.
Days 5 - 6
Transfer to the Pass of “Santa Maria Maddalena” and hike 7k to an altitude of 1,500 meters on the Ragnolo’s Plains – a natural balcony of dense woods populated by roe deers. The view spans from the peaks of Mount Priora and Mount Pizzo Berro, to the colourful hills of Marche and the Adriatic Sea.
A morning transfer to Conero Natural Park to relax on wild beaches and swim in crystal-clear sea before meeting the skipper that will take you for a beautiful boat trip on the Conero Riviera. Lunch on the boat with a tasting of the renowned local specialty: the “moscioli”, a peculiar
type of mussel.
Day 7
After breakfast and final greetings, transfer to the airport in Rome.
Optional Extras
Guided tour of Urbino: half day (includes transfers and guide)
€80 pp (min 6 people)
Vespa tour to Corinaldo: 3hr starts at Senigallia (includes tour leader, Vespa, helmets, gasoline and insurance)
€75 pp (no min) or €100 for a couple
Hot-air balloon: 1h30 flight
€225 pp (min 4 people), €500 pp (min 2 people)
Need To Know
Accommodation
All accommodation is carefully selected based on the location, atmosphere and/or unique services.
We choose comfortable 3* hotels, farmhouses (agriturismo) and B&Bs where all rooms have private en-suite bathrooms. If a hotel is fully booked, then we will book a similar one for you and inform you about the change.
Extra stays: You can book additional night(s) at any of the accommodation along the way.
What’s included
- City break in Rome
- 5-nights in 3* Hotel in the Sibillini
- Visit of Ascoli Piceno
- Cooking class of Olive all’Ascolana
- 3 guided hikes of the Sibillini National Park
- Boat trip in the Conero Riviera
- Traditional lunches on days 2, 6
- All internal transfers according to the program
- Transfers from Rome to Marche and from Marche to Rome airport
Throughout the trip there are plenty opportunities to taste both the great local food and a wide array of prestigious wines of the region.
Guides
This trip includes guides/leaders for the activities, however should you prefer to have the expertise of an International Mountain Leader for the duration then please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
We adopt an excellent guiding ratio meaning we can cater for differing levels within the group:
One Guide: 1 – 7 clients
Two Guides: 8 – 14 clients
Booking and Price
18/4/2024 – 02/10/2024 (Spring and Fall only)
Prices start from pp
Based on a minimum of 6 people
Maximum group size: 8
We manage every booking independently to ensure attention to detail and provide a personalised service.