8 Nights / 9 Days
Even the loudest of personalities have a quiet, intriguing side. A side that only reveals itself to the discerning few who look for it. We all know that Italy adds a pinch of flair to everything it does. But sometimes, it also likes to take a backseat to flamboyance and just enjoy a ride through rolling hills of understated charm. And it does so in regions like Marche, where its beauty and authentic culture resonate through storied medieval villages and along scenic mountain hikes. However, make no mistake, for as this journey will show, a destination doesn’t need to be loud to make you fall in love with it.
- 4 Nights in Ascoli Piceno
- 4 Nights in Santo Stefano di Sessanio
- Private Transfers
- Private Touring Experiences
Day 1 – All Roads Lead to Marche
Benvenuti in Italia. Following the Eternal City’s brief yet warm welcome at Rome Fiumicino Airport, answer the call of Marche as you head out east across rolling hills and quiet medieval villages. Watch Italy begin to reveal its quieter side as you near Ascoli Piceno, where the rhythm of Italian life may be a bit slower, but every beat carries a touch more meaning. After check-in, let its gentle cadence guide you to Piazza del Popolo, where Renaissance façades glow at dusk, or a plate of Olive all’Ascolana, a regional specialty that promises a delicious introduction to Marche’s unassuming yet unforgettable character.
Day 2 – A Mountain Call to Truffles
Trade travertine piazzas for the lush, forested plains of the Sibillini Mountains as you follow a seasoned truffle hunter and his loyal canine companions in search of Marche’s prized black and white truffles. Upon gathering your flavorful treasures and some fresh eggs, learn how to turn your bounty into a staple of Italian cuisine with a hands-on lesson in crafting hearty, authentic tagliatelle. Finally, gather around a farmhouse table for a rustic feast of truffled pasta, local appetizers, dessert, coffee, and organic sparkling wine, celebrating Marche’s essence with sensory delight.
Day 3 – Legends Woven in Wool
Sometimes the mountains call, other times they whisper. Today, lend an ear to the tales of Monte Sibilla as panoramic ridgelines and forested trails recount its most captivating legends. Guided by an experienced local hiker, step into the wild beauty of Monti Sibillini National Park. There, every breath of crisp, mountainous air reveals a piece of ancient lore, and every forested path seems woven with myth. Speaking of weaving, let your journey culminate at a traditional sheep farm, where you’ll witness the art of transforming raw wool into thread, opening a window into the pastoral heart of Marche’s natural and cultural heritage.
Day 4 – Ascoli Like a Local & Hilltop Wines
Awaken to the heartbeat of Ascoli Piceno and savor the morning at leisure, discovering its charms to the rhythm of the locals. Grab some breakfast and sip an espresso at Piazza del Popolo, watching its streets pulse with a life that still reflects centuries of tradition. Come afternoon, the hilltop village of Offida (heralded as one of the most beautiful in Italy) awaits your audience. Celebrated as much for its lacemaking as for its vineyards, have it treat you to a guided tasting of regional wines at a local winery, before returning to Ascoli for dinner at a charming trattoria, letting Marche’s understated elegance linger on your palate.
Day 5 – Kiss the Coast, Embrace the Mountains
As difficult as it may be, today you shall bid farewell to the fine-tuned charms of Marche. But not to worry, for heading south you will come upon Abruzzo, the greenest region in Europe, whose emerald allure can only be matched by its adventurous nature and captivating authenticity. Along the way, pause along the Costa dei Trabocchi, where traditional wooden fishing platforms turned seaside restaurants serve up fresh seafood kissed by Adriatic air and paired with sweeping coastal views. Then, find your lodging of choice in Santo Stefano di Sessanio, amid stone houses and cobbled lanes that offer a quiet embrace of life untouched by time.
Day 6 – The Life of a Shepherd
Step into the shoes of a local shepherd as you journey to Valle Scannese, a family-run cheese farm, and learn how sheep, goat, and cow milk are transformed into extraordinary cheeses through ancient methods. Let the cheesemakers guide you through an immersive tasting of products fresh from the source, uncovering flavors born from centuries-old pastoral traditions. With your appetite engaged, gather for lunch around a traditional grill to enjoy a hearty serving of arrosticini: tender skewers of local lamb. Whether this inspires you to take up a life as a shepherd or not, you will reveal a side of Italy few get to experience.
Day 7 – Vineyards, Valleys, and the Taste of Abruzzo
Swap the lifestyle of a shepherd for that of a winemaker as you journey into Abruzzo’s National Park, where Valle Reale’s biodynamic estate overlooks peak-studded landscapes. Walk through historic vineyards where Montepulciano and Trebbiano grapes draw character from limestone-clay soils and mountain breezes. Then, settle in for a private tasting of four estate wines, paired with freshly baked bread, golden olive oil, and cheeses from the surrounding valleys. Finally, linger over a leisurely lunch framed by vineyard vistas, where each course finds its perfect match in the estate’s bottles, discovering a true expression of Abruzzo’s natural elegance.
Day 8 – An Ode to Cheese and Italian Flavors
Let the cheese connoisseur within you rejoice with a delicious lesson in traditional cheese-making! Watch fresh milk transform into rich, rustic flavors and uncover new varieties as you taste the results of this centuries-old craft. From there, roll up your sleeves and join a local chef in learning how to shape spaghetti alla chitarra and ravioli, as well as preparing rustic bites like pallotte cacio e uova and delicate ferratelle. At day’s end, gather around the table to savor your creations with a meal that speaks of heritage, simplicity, and the warmth of Italian hospitality.
Day 9 – A Quiet Farewell
Having made your mark on Marche and Abruzzo, it’s time to let Italy tuck them away once more. After breakfast, bid farewell to Abruzzo’s timeless hills as your private driver escorts you to Rome Fiumicino Airport for your international departure. As the road winds back toward the Eternal City, carry with you the memories of Italy’s quieter side; and proof that even with a whisper, it can find its way into your heart.