Pickup at Ancona Airport with a private driver. Arrival 3pm-ish - orientation and aperitivi at local bar with Madeline ,our hotel host. Our welcome meal is at our hotel. We will get to know each other a little better and review what the week has in store for us.

Breakfast at hotel. We will explore our town of Montelparo with a local guide, then have some time to wander at leisure. Lunch is back at the hotel. In the afternoon, we will meet three generations of one family, Nonna, her son and his daughter, who together run a local Agriturismo.  We will learn how to make pasta from scratch - tagliatelle and ravioli -which we’ll get to eat later as part of a four course meal prepared by the family. 

Breakfast at hotel.  Morning at leisure/pool/yoga. In the early afternoon, we will have an excursion to the beautiful town of Ascoli Piceno, a town full of history as well as fabulous boutique shops, charming cafes and one of Italy’s most beautiful piazzas.  There will be a 2 hour guided tour and then we are free to wander on our own. Our special evening meal in Ascoli Piceno is Sabet’s birthday gift to the group- dinner is her treat! Ascoli Piceno is particularly lovely at night!

Breakfast at hotel. We will visit the beach town of Pedaso,  and shop in the vibrant  local market. After lunch at a beachside restaurant we will  return to our hotel  for some time to relax by the pool before our dinner at the hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. Our morning will start with a moderate guided hike to Foce di Montemonaco, an ancient shepherds' village nestled in a valley between the Monte Vettore and Monte Sibilla chains. This legendary mountain has attracted the attention of explorers and knights for over 1,000 years. We will enjoy lunch at a local agriturismo . Dinner tonight includes winetasting at a  local vineyard.

Breakfast at hotel.  We will enjoy a day  dedicated to celebrating the regional food and wine with a  Taste of Le Marche tour  (cheese, olive oil, farm visit).  This gastronomic ‘meet the maker’ experience involves a tour of three local artisanal producers including sampling fresh olive oil at a local mill, visiting  a local organic farm and a local cheese producer with a tour and tasting at each. We will end the day with pizza giro at a local restaurant. Our day includes transport and local guide/ translator.

Breakfast at hotel. Our final trip is to Fermo, a nearby town that many visitors describe as one giant museum because everywhere you turn you find an archeological relic going back to the Romans and Picentini people. The city is full of intriguing abbeys, medieval towers, gorgeous churches and centuries old palaces. The Piazza del Popolo is frequently mentioned as one of the most beautiful piazzas in the region. Lunch is not included today to allow everyone to explore Fermo at their own pace. Our farewell meal and celebration will be at our hotel.

Breakfast at hotel- departure back to Ancona to catch our return flights.