The history of the hills surrounding Rimini dates back to many centuries ago, starting from the fundamental settlement of the Villanovians in Verucchio. Then came the Romans; but it was the centuries of the Middle Age and of the Renaissance that characterized the entire area living an enduring mark.
The protagonists were the Signorias of Malatesta and Montefeltro, whose events associated the area that owes them part of its matchless beauty and prosperity.
1°DAY
Arrival during the day. Transfer to a Food Hotel by your choice, accommodation in the reserved rooms. Free dinner, free evening and overnight.
2°DAY
Breakfast in the chosen food hotel. Visit to the “capital” of the Signoria Malatesta: RIMINI, one of the few centers where centuries of history live together peacefully. From the gorgeous old town surrounded by ancient medieval walls, from the Arch of Augustus, Piazza Tre Martiri, to the Tempio Malatestiano designed by Leon Battista Alberti (inside is preserved one of the greatest masterpieces of Piero della Francesca), the Tiberius Bridge, Piazza Cavour and the famous pine cone fountain, Castel Sismondo, venue of the family. LUNCH in a tavern with typical sea menu. In the afternoon, visit to SANTARCANGELO DI ROMAGNA. Stroll in the nice hold town of the medieval hamlet, where the famous Arco Ganganelli rises up; it was built in honour of Pope Clemente XIV, rich of towers, bastions, gateway and palaces, to the majestic Rocca Malatestiana. Do not miss the chance to visit the ancient Stamperia Marchi and the Button Museum. Transfer to a winery surrounded by rolling hills. Visit to the cellar and wine tasting. Return to the chosen hotel, accommodation in reserved rooms. Free dinner, free evening and overnight.
3° DAY
Breakfast in the chosen hotel. We will deepen our knowledge of Valmarecchia and of the strongholds of Malastestas. The first stop is VERUCCHIO, called the “cradle of Malatestas”, as to remark the link that the village had with the Signoria of Malatestas, hometown of the ancestor of the dynasty. Very relevant is the majestic Rocca Malatestiana, also known as Rock Fortress, for its strategic position on a rocky spur overlooking the hamlet and the Civic Archeological Museum, where rare and fine findings of the Villanovian civilization (like grave goods, everyday tools and even a wooden throne) are preserved. LUNCH in a typical restaurant with a Malatestian menu.
In the afternoon visit to the impregnable hamlet of SAN LEO. The fortress is perched over a rock, overlooking the entire Marecchia Valley. Allowance to the castle, which hosts an art gallery and the weapons museum. Back to the hold town, you will admire the facade of the Palazzo Mediceo, the Duomo and the Parish Church. Return to the chosen hotel, accommodation in the reserved rooms. Free dinner, free evening and overnight.
4°DAY
Breakfast in the chosen hotel. Today we start the discovery of Valmarecchia. Visit to the hamlet of MONDAINO which every year hosts an important medieval fair (Palio del Daino) which recalls the meeting in this border village of the forefathers to sign the treaty of peace between the two Signorias. Stroll through the hold town, from the famous “pan” square, to the Monastery of Clarisse, the gorgeous Church of San Michele, to the “Porta di Sotto”, the gateway of the town. Here we will find the Mulino delle Fosse (literally pits mill), an enchanting place were art, flavors and poetry meets in the magic frame of an ancient Jesuit mill; that’s the place where the famous Formaggio di Fossa (pit cheese) is produced. We will learn the techniques of the placement and the removal into the pits and there will obviously a tasting of Formaggio di Fossa DOP, Formaggio dei Malatesta (fermented in the wheat) and Formaggio al Tartufo (truffle cheese). Free lunch in one of the many agritourism with tasty menu based on typical products.
In the afternoon visit to MONTEFIORE CONCA “one of most beautiful hamlet in Italy”, medieval capital of the Conca Valley and stronghold of the Signoria Malatesta. The stronghold, designed to be the sentinel of the Malatesta land, thanks to its structure offers unique perspectives. It is perched on a promontory, from which in sunny days it is possible to admire the coast from Fano to Ravenna. Return to the chosen food hotel, accommodation in the reserved rooms. Free dinner, free evening and overnight.
5°DAY
Breakfast in the chosen food hotel. Today we will deepen the knowledge of the Conca Valley. Visit to the hamlet of S. GIOVANNI IN MARIGNANO, where we will take a look to the Piazza Silvagni, the Civic Tower, the remains of the ancient of the city walls, Palace Corbucci, the ancient Theatre Massari and, the innovation of Malatestian temples, the underground granary! From here, the town takes the name of “Hamlet of the Witches”, “Malatestas Granary” and “Town of the wine” thanks to the numerous wineries existing on the area. Visit to a small family run winery, tasting of wine with Controlled designation of origin. LUNCH in an agritourism with a unique menu on a base of flowers, herbs and from farm to fork products.
In the afternoon, we will move on the lands of Montefeltro with a visit to Gradara, a little gem with the medieval hamlet, the rampart pacing and the majestic Rocca Malatestiana, scenery of the tragic love story between Paolo and Francesca.
Return to the chosen Food Hotel, accommodation in the reserved rooms. Free dinner, free evening and overnight.
6° DAY
Breakfast in the chosen food hotel. Excursion to CAGLI, near the national park of Furlo, an area rich of woods and ideal for the truffle. Visit to an ancient farm, which produces truffle, based products.
Tasting of products made with truffle, explanations of the truffle traditions linked with the master of truffle. LUNCH in an agritourism or a tavern with regional menu and truffle.
LUNCH in an ancient lodging inside the fortified hamlet of Novilara with a typical menu. Free afternoon, we suggest you a free visit to PESARO, home town of Gioacchino Rossini. Strolling through the old the old town, you will discover his birthplace, the conservatory and the theatre. Do not miss the chance to taste the aperitif “Rossini” with strawberries and Prosecco wine.
7°DAY
Breakfast in the chosen food hotel. Departure to URBINO, the renaissance capital and home of the Signoria Montefeltro. Visit to the old town and to Palazzo Ducale, a short look to the “Lumaca”, a winding staircase designed by Francesco di Giorgio Martini and to the Torricini façade, created by Laurana and at the end the Palazzo “A town-shaped palace” as Castiglione defined it. .The greatest men of culture, art, music and warfare were guests of Federico da Montefeltro, the man who managed to combine the intellect and the emotions. In his palace, we can admire the masterpieces of Piero della Francesca, Paolo Uccello, Luciano Laurana, Raffaello Sanzio, the Studiolo of Federico and so on… From the Palazzo Ducale, strolling through the suggestive medieval alleys you can reach the Fortress Albornoz, a breathtaking panoramic viewpoint.
In the afternoon, visit to URBANIA, a very important place to the Signoria, where the “barco” is to be found,). The barco was a vacation destination of famous poets and humanists of the Renaissance (among others Torquato Tasso), and in the past was linked to the Palazzo Ducale by a mile long river which the knights and the dames used to go up by boat. Among the artists of that time, Piero della Francesca was so enchanted by the gorgeous landscapes of the area that he chose theme to be the background of his masterpieces. These landscapes have always been thought to be unreal, until two researchers from Urbino, keen on landscape and art, Rosetta Borchia and Olivia Nesci found out that those backgrounds actually coincided with the Montefeltro hills.
We will visit the Balcony of Piero della Francesca, from which it is possible to admire the landscape of the painting “I trionfi” (The triumph) from the viewpoint of the artist.
Return to the chosen Food Hotel, free dinner, free evening and overnight.
8° DAY
Breakfast in the chosen food hotel. Return.
Validity: Yearlong
A low season: January, February, March, April, May, 1-14 June, 16-30 September, October, November and December (except for public holidays)
B- Low season: 15 June- 15 September, bank and public holidays
Prices in Euros/€ per person/packet in double room
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B |
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Price for small groups 6/8 people |
€ 560.00 |
€ 630.00 |
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Price for groups of min. 15 people |
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The package includes:
7 nights with B&B accommodation in a Food Hotel to your choice
4 traditional lunches (water and wine included)
Tastings in the farms as in the program
Food&Wine Gift
The gourmet-traveler kit: maps, guides, paths
Excursion and guided tours as in the program (minimum 6 people)
