Arrival of group at hotel in Rimini in late afternoon. Welcome cocktail. Dinner and overnight stay.

Guided visit in morning to the centre of Rimini, founded as “Ariminum” by the Romans in 268 BC, and still bearing many indelible traces from that period, like the Augustus Arch and the Tiberius Bridge, which have become symbols of the city. An important recent discovery, also from the Roman age, is the Surgeon’s House, where a unique collection of medical instruments was found. Visit to the Malatesta Temple (Rimini’s 14th-century cathedral), Piazza Cavour, Piazza Tre Martiri (the old Roman forum) and other monuments. Return to hotel for lunch. Afternoon free or optional excursion to Italia in Miniatura theme park. Dinner and overnight stay.

Departure after breakfast for Ravenna, famous throughout the world for its mosaics. Guided visit to the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe, decorated with magnificent mosaics, continuing to the city centre, where visits can be made to the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the San Vitale Basilica, the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, etc. Return to hotel for lunch. Afternoon excursion to the Republic of San Marino. Guided visit to city centre for about 1 hour, and free time for shopping. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

A food and wine day with courier accompaniment to discover the Rimini area and its local specialities. The excursion follows the coast through the resorts of Riccione, Misano Adriatico, Portoverde and Cattolica to reach Gabicce Monte, offering breathtaking view of the Adriatic coast. The panoramic route continues between hills and splendid glimpses of the sea to Gradara, an ancient mediaeval town, with an optional visit to the castle renowned for the tragic deaths of Paolo and Francesca. Free time for shopping. Lunch with traditional specialities in the town’s old monastery. The tour continues in the afternoon through the countryside towards the mediaeval township of San Leo, in the Marecchia Valley. Visit to the Romanesque church and the castle, situated on a huge rocky spur at an altitude of 583 metres, accessible only by a single road cut into the rock. Visit to a farm holiday centre on the return journey, with tasting of local wines and food specialities (bruschetta assortment with tomatoes, peppers, creamed artichokes and olive paste, olives in brine and piada bread with salami). The rural panorama of hills is intensely cultivated with olive groves and vineyards, creating a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere. Dinner and overnight stay in hotel.

Morning free for visit to Rimini’s open-air market (every Wednesday and Saturday morning). Lunch in hotel. Afternoon excursion to Urbino, with guided visit of this famous city of art where Raphael was born, including the majestic Ducal Palace, which hosts the National Gallery of the Marche Region, with its display of paintings, frescoes, sculptures in stone and terracotta, furniture, tapestries, drawings, etchings, ceramics and coins. Return to hotel. Farewell drink, dinner and overnight stay.

Breakfast in hotel and end of our services.

Time permitting, we can suggest visits during the outbound or homeward journey to: Bologna, Maranello and the Ferrari Museum, Modena with balsamic vinegar tasting sessions, or Brescello with its Don Camillo and Peppone Museum.