Marche: Ancient Cultures in the land of the Popes

By private car with driver we will transfer from Ancona airport to our hotel in Ancona. With a professional guide just for us we'll transfer to Senigallia to visit this vibrant seaside town with Art Nouveau monuments like the Rotonda a Mare, Neoclassical style ones like the Foro Annonario, and Medieval ones like the Rocca Roveresca. In this small city was born Pius IX, the Pope who lived during the turbulent period of Italian independence. From Senigallia we will move to Ancona, a wonderful city that is the capital of the region, unique for its position overlooking the sea. We'll visit not only the two Romanesque churches, the Duomo and Santa Maria della Piazza, among the most beautiful in central Italy, but its vibrant heart – People’s Square. Return to the hotel and overnight stay in Ancona.

Departure in the morning by private car from Ancona to Urbino where our guide will be waiting for us. Urbino is definitely the most interesting town in Marche region, so rich of works of art. Birthplace of the painter Raphael and Pope Clement XI, the Ducal Palace (ticket included) is the undisputed masterpiece of the region, a must-see that collects all the works of art accumulated over the centuries by the Dukes of Montefeltro, including Raphael’s paitings. At the end of the visit, transfer to Pesaro where we will discover the wonders of the city. Visit the city’s museum and the birth place of Gioacchino Rossini, composer of “The Barber of Seville”, before returning to Ancona. Second night in Ancona.

Departure by car with driver to Ascoli, where we will meet the guide to immerse ourselves in this charming medieval village. This is the birthplace of Pope Nicholas IV, testifying to the fact that Marche region have always played a very important role in the Catholic world. Piazza del Popolo is the precious gem of this city: a Renaissance square with also medieval monuments, dominated by the beautiful Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo, the Loggia dei Mercanti and the church of San Francesco: the three powers, government, church and merchant guild directly "confront" each other in this perfect square. Afterwards, but only after trying the delicious "olive all'ascolana”, the famous local street food made of fried olives stuffed with meat, we will move to Porto Potenza Picena, where a guided visit will unveil the baroque gardens of Villa Buonaccorsi (tickets included). Return to Ancona. Third night in Ancona.

Check out from the hotel in Ancona, departure.