Le Marche – Italy’s Undiscovered Jewel

Day 1: UK/Bologna
Depart on your flight to Bologna, heading south on arrival to Le Marche. Your base for the next four nights is Gabicce Mare, a beautiful resort with a coastline that stretches up to the lush hills of Gabicce Monte. Your hotel, which overlooks the beach, is just a short stroll from the resort’s small centre so why not explore before dinner.

Day 2: Urbino
A hearty breakfast will set you up for today’s included full-day walking tour of the picturesque medieval city of Urbino. In the company of a Local Guide, you’ll explore some of Urbino’s most attractive sites, such as the magnificent Palazzo Ducale, arguably Italy’s most beautiful Renaissance palace. Built in the 15th century by some of the finest artists and craftsmen of the time, it towers above the city’s rooftops. It is the perfect backdrop for many beautiful paintings including Piero della Francesca’s famous The Flagellation of Christ.

You’ll then have plenty of time to explore Urbino yourself. Visit the house where Urbino’s most famous son, Raphael, was born or simply find a spot in one of the local cafés and enjoy a bite to eat.

Upon returning to your hotel, why not take in the sea views from the lovely garden terrace.

Day 3: Gabicce Mare
Enjoy today at leisure. Your hotel has both an indoor and an outdoor pool and is just moments from the beach, or perhaps you’ll take the short stroll into the centre of Gabicce Mare. Alternatively, join our half-day optional excursion to the nearby town of Pesaro, an attractive seaside resort. The birthplace of the composer Rossini, Pesaro is home to a small museum celebrating his life.

Day 4: Gradara & San Leo
Today’s included full-day excursion will introduce you to some of Le Marche’s prettiest hill towns. Your first stop will be the walled town of Gradara, which is dominated by an impressive 14th century castle.

Continue on to San Leo, a delightful town first fortified by the Romans. View its 12th century cathedral and its 11th century basilica before returning to your hotel.

Day 5: Gubbio & San Sepolcro
Enjoy breakfast before travelling to Gubbio, over the regional border in Umbria. This ancient town, which clings to the rugged slopes of Mount Ingino, is reached via a journey through the beautiful Le Marche countryside. Honey-hued buildings crowd the narrow streets which lead to the 17th century church of San Francesco della Pace and a fascinating 1st century amphitheatre. Explore at leisure then take a stroll around the Palazzo dei Consoli, dominated by a 14th century palace which houses a museum displaying fine Roman and Etruscan treasures.

You’ll then journey to the medieval town of San Sepolcro, where you’ll spend the next three nights of your holiday. Famous as the birthplace of the great Renaissance artist Piero della Francesca, it is also renowned for its lace and pasta. This afternoon is free for you to explore your new surroundings. A 15-minute walk will take you to the town’s historic centre, home to a museum containing some of Francesca’s works.

Day 6: Arezzo
On today’s three-quarter-day included tour you will visit Arezzo, particularly known for the Church of San Francesco whose simple façade conceals a magnificent interior frescoed by Piero della Francesca. Enjoy plenty of free time in the town before returning to the comforts of your hotel.

Day 7: Monterchi & Citta Di Castello
There’s still plenty to see in this beautiful region so join your Tour Manager on an optional three-quarter-day tour which takes you to see the famous fresco Madonna del Parto, believed to be a homage to Piero della Francesca’s mother, in the pretty village of Monterchi. You’ll travel on to the 16th century town of Citta di Castello.

Day 8: Bologna/UK
Bid Italy farewell today as you transfer to the airport in Bologna for your flight home.

Please note
To maximise your enjoyment of this holiday a certain amount of walking is essential.

Accommodation throughout is in hotels of a comfortable standard, typical of the hotels you will stay in are:

4-star Hotel Sans Souci in Gabbice Mare
This lovely hotel overlooks the beach and is ideally located a few steps from the little resort’s centre. Facilities include two restaurants, an indoor pool/Jacuzzi, outdoor pool and garden terrace offering stunning sea views and a fitness centre. All the guest rooms have a side-sea-view balcony. They are equipped with air-conditioning, hairdryer, telephone, safety deposit box and en suite facilities.

4-star Borgo Palace Hotel in San Sepolcro
This excellent modern hotel offers very comfortable well-appointed rooms, all with air-conditioning, TV, mini-bar, phone and safe. The hotel is situated a 15-minute walk from the historic centre of the town. You may like to take advantage of the hotel’s excellent restaurant, Il Borghetto, which is renowned throughout the region for its excellent regional and national cuisine. The bread, pasta and desserts are all ‘fatti in casa’ – homemade.

Please note: Outdoor swimming pools are typically open between May and September, but this is dependent on weather conditions.

Hotels will be confirmed in your final documentation.

IMPORTANT NFORMATION

Included excursions and visits

Urbino (full day)
Gradara and San Leo (full day)
Gubbio visit
Arezzo (three-quarter day)

Optional excursions

Monterchi & Cita di Castello (three-quarter day, moderate walking) £48
For full details of this excursion please see page 19 of our Italy Optional Excursions booklet

Pesaro (half day, moderate walking) £45
For full details of this excursion please see page 20 of our Italy Optional Excursions booklet

Your holiday includes

Scheduled flights
Overseas transfers and other transportation
7 nights’ accommodation with breakfast, plus 5 dinners
The services of a Travelsphere Tour manager and Local Guide
Hotel porterage (one bag per person)
All airport taxes and security charges
UK Airline Passenger Duty
All state and local taxes

With 50 years’ experience in arranging escorted tours to exciting destinations across the globe, Travelsphere have built an excellent reputation founded on quality and value.

By choosing a Travelsphere escorted holiday you can travel with confidence, knowing that every aspect of your holiday has been carefully planned and arranged from start to finish. Further to this they are ATOL bonded and members of ABTA.

Travelsphere’s thorough planning of travel arrangements, itineraries and accommodation combined with the unique insight of their knowledgeable Tour Managers and Local Guides will enable you to experience the culture, traditions and hidden away places less accessible to other travellers.

Our Opinion
“Travelsphere are one of the biggest names in the Escorted Tour market. Finely tuned over the last 50 years their tours have been tried, tested and refined by thousands of customers.”