Arrival of group at Senigallia, an elegant seaside resort 40 km north of Ancona and the starting point for all the week’s excursions. Welcome cocktail, dinner and overnight stay in hotel.

Guided visit in the morning to Urbino, a magnificent capital of the Italian Renaissance. Urbino’s main attraction is the Ducal Palace, one of the finest buildings of the Renaissance and home of the Marche National Gallery. The gallery has about 80 rooms where masterpieces by famous artists like Raphael, Titian and Piero della Francesca can be admired. The excursion continues to Pesaro, the birthplace of Rossini, with a guided visit to the town centre, including the house where the great composer was born, the Cathedral with its splendid mosaics and the Ducal Palace. Return to hotel in late afternoon for dinner and overnight stay.

Today’s excursion follows the coast southwards to picturesque Ascoli Piceno, famous as the “City of 100 Towers”, with a host of Roman and mediaeval monuments. Guided visit to the city centre, including the Palazzo del Popolo, the San Francesco Church, the Loggia dei Mercanti and finally Piazza del Popolo, considered to be one of Italy’s loveliest squares, a Renaissance jewel with the historic Caffè Meletti. Free time to enjoy one of the city’s specialities, like Ascolane stuffed olives or anisette liqueur. Guided visit in the afternoon to Macerata, with its famous Sferisterio Arena, a unique architectural treasure for open-air music events. In the heart of the city is Piazza della Libertà, with the Loggia dei Mercanti, the Baroque San Paolo Church and the Rossi Theatre, one of the Marche region’s finest. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight stay.