Paesaggio Urbino
 

ASCOLI PICENO UNUSUAL AND ITS SURROUNDINGS

 
FROM MAY TO NOVEMBER

ASCOLI PICENO: THE HISTORIC CITY CENTER - DAY 1

In the early afternoon we shall take a stroll through the medieval center of Ascoli Piceno, birthplace of the “olive all’ascolana”(meat-stuffed fried olives). The “white city of a hundred towers” is rich in architectural treasures including squares paved with travertine marble, Romanesque churches and noble palaces.

Guided tour of the historic center, with its splendid squares Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Arringo, the church of Santa Maria della Carità also known as “la Scopa” (the Broom) - a wonderful example of Baroque - and the Malatesta fortress with its museum that houses the Treasure of the Lombards. To end the day, you cannot miss the streetfood-style taste of the famous fried olives “all’ascolana”. In the evening, arrival at the hotel in Ascoli Piceno, dinner and overnight stay.

WITH THE ANCIENT PILGRIMS IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF ST. FRANCIS - DAY 2

After breakfast, a full day dedicated to discovering the places linked to St. Francis life and spirituality, accompanied by an environmental hiking guide. We shall cover the last stage of the Franciscan Way of Marca, which from Venarotta reaches the city of Ascoli: a 5-hour walk during which the participants will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the places and flavors of the past. Lunch will be included in the walk and will focus on the tastes and recipes typical of that time. Return to the hotel in Ascoli, dinner and overnight stay.

TO THE DISCOVERY OF THE ANCIENT HERMITAGES OF THE MONASTIC AGE, COLLE SAN MARCO - DAY 3

After breakfast, the day will be dedicated to the discovery of the first hermitages in the Piceno lands, always accompanied by an environmental hiking guide. A few minutes from Ascoli Piceno, Colle San Marco is located on the hills southeast of the town center. Frequented since the early Middle Ages by various communities of monks, who built their beautiful hermitage here. Thanks to an evocative environmental tour you will discover the life and spirituality of the Blessed Corrado, and will get to know the nature that once welcomed the first hermits in the Piceno lands.

Stop for lunch at the Paci Refuge, based on typical products linked to local traditions. After lunch, we will resume the journey and return to Colle San Marco. We will then pay a visit to sculptor Giuliano Giuliani’s quarry and get up close the tradition of travertine processing. Return to the hotel in Ascoli Piceno, dinner and overnight stay.

A WALK WITH THE PICENI: PICENO ANCIENT TRADITIONS, ASCOLI AND OFFIDA - DAY 4

After breakfast, free time in the historic center of Ascoli Piceno for free visits , with the possibility of tasting a delicious aperitif at the famous “Caffè Meletti”. Free lunch time. In the early afternoon, transfer to Offida , the home of the vine, but also of the ancient art of bobbin lace. We will walk through the Renaissance Piazza del Popolo and visit Santa Maria della Rocca, a Romanesque-Gothic masterpiece that will leave you speechless for the beauty of its crypt and the elegance of the upper church.

It will then be the time to enjoy a visit to the Regional Enoteca (Wine cellar) of Offida where we will learn about the Piceno winemaking tradition and listen to the continuation of the story of the Piceni’s consumption of wine , started in the morning at the Archaeological Museum. The visit to the wine cellar will end with a tasting of wines and typical local products. Return to the hotel in Ascoli, dinner and overnight stay.

INTO THE CENTURIES-OLD WOODS OF THE PICENO: THE ROAD OF WATER, ACQUASANTA TERME - DAY 5

Into the centuries-old woods of the Piceno: the road of water, Acquasanta Terme. After breakfast, a day dedicated to relaxation and nature to discover Acquasanta Terme and the benefits of its sulphurous waters, the woods and waterfalls that surround it.Accompanied byan environmental hiking guide, you will immerse yourself in the green and silence of the centuries-old woods of chestnut, fir, beech and oak trees. You will start walking from the “Lu Vurghe” path that leads to pools of sulphurous waters already known and used by the Romans, who exploited their curative properties.

On the way back , we will attend a cooking class at the Farmhouse Arcera , and assist in the preparation of a typical dish concocted with the products of the territory. After the cooking class, we will have lunch at the farmhouse. In the early afternoon we will reach the Forcella Waterfalls , located within a pristine environment rich in vegetation. Near the waterfalls you will admire the Pompili Mill , one of the oldest and best preserved mills in the region. End of services.
 
INDIVIDUAL PARTICIPATION FEES - ON A TWO PAX BASIS:

BASIC FEE - EURO 290
The fee includes: nr. 4 nights half board in a double / twin room; medical / baggage insurance.

SILVER FEE - EURO 540
The fee includes: nr. 4 nights half board in a double / twin room; guided tour of Ascoli Piceno; the second day excursion with lunch included; wine tasting at the Offida regional wine cellar; lunch in a farmhouse on the fifth day; medical / baggage insurance.

GOLD FEE - EURO 750
The fee includes: nr. 4 nights half board in a double / twin room; the guided tour of Ascoli Piceno; excursions on the second and third day with lunch included; wine tasting at the Offida regional wine cellar; the fifth day excursion with lunch at the farmhouse; medical / baggage insurance.

THE RATES DO NOT INCLUDED:
meals not mentioned, drinks at the meals; admissions where not specified and anything not mentioned under the heading “ the fee includes” .

ON REQUEST:
- Single room supplement
- Optional cancellation penalty insurance
 

Criluma Viaggi

Any part of Italy is wonderful to be discovered, but there is one region that can leave you truly breathless: Marche. Our agency has unique features in our territory, we can organise travel according to the purpose: study travel, work travel, holidays, cultural travel, natural experience, shopping journeys, etc. We are also specialize in planning weddings and weddings travels in Italy or in our region taking care of everything from A to Z The famous guide Lonely Planet has ranked Italy 2nd in the top 10 most beautiful and fascinating places to visit, right after the evocative tour along the Silk Road, in Central Asia. Green hills, endless vineyards, beautiful beaches, enchantingwoods, cities of art and ancient villages are all around. Thanks to Criluma, you will be able to get to know cities that willsteal your heart, such as Urbino, an enchanting picturesque Renaissance village located in the north of the region, which still retains the atmosphere of one of the brightest periods for Italian art and culture, celebrating the 500th anniversary of the death of its most famous citizen, Raffaello. However, Urbino is just one of the many wonders that the Marche region boasts. Among the most popular destinations are the Frasassi Caves, near the town of Genga: an extensive underground system of karst caves where you can admire the gigantic sculptures created by nature, known as stalactites and stalagmites. Moreover, the beautiful Loreto, a religious and spiritual landmarkpar excellence, a Marian pilgrimage destination known worldwidefor its majestic Basilica. In addition, during the summer, the Marche coast offers countlessbeautiful beaches, where you can relax and have fun in the crystal clear water of the Adriatic Sea. Among the most beautifulattractions, there are certainly Sirolo and Numana, sitting in thepromontory of Monte Conero. The south of the Marche Region is full of breathtaking landscapes, centuries-old traditions, myths and legends. The Red Blades can be considered as the Grand Canyon of the Marche Region, one of the most fascinating and well-known places on the SibilliniMountains. A 7-km-long itinerary that will take you up close to see wonderful rock formations with pinnacles and towers. The area of the Sibillini Mountains National Park is defined by many as magical and wild: legend has it, in fact, that there lies the kingdom of the mythical Sibyl. The places across the border of the Marche and Umbria regions are rich in ancient myths and legendsas well, adding to the evocativeness of attractions such as the cave of Sibilla and Pilate’s lake, the only natural lake in the entire region. A unique habitat where many animal and vegetable species, nowhere else to be found, coexist, such as a small and rare crustacean, which gives water its typical reddish nuance. All around the Marche region there are companies that have produced food and wine products for centuries. Moreover, there are true districts of handcrafted products such as shoes in the province of Fermo, hats in the enchanting area of Montappone and then bags, tailored objects and furnishings in the Pesaro area. The food and wine and handicrafts of the Marche Region have always been renowned and nationally certified as products of Italian excellence. The Marche region awaits you with its culture, art, history, tradition, fashion, adventure, food and unpolluted nature. At Criluma, a national landmark for tourism based in the Marche region, we look forward for you to discover our region at its best.
Criluma Viaggi
Via Totti, 2
60131 - Ancona
 
0719945580 3926426897 info@crilumaviaggi.com www.crilumaviaggi.com