The Authentic Italian Experience in Le Marche, Italy

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1 The Authentic Italian Experience in Le Marche, Italy Saturday 16 August Saturday 30 August 2014 Many visitors to Italy have enjoyed the wonders of Tuscany, but but relatively few have discovered and experienced the unique charms of neighboring Le Marche. Le Marche is the region in east-central Italy nestled between Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Umbria. Our destination is the bustling village of Mercatello sul Metauro, located at the foot of the Tuscan- Umbrian- Apennine mountains, only a couple of hours east of Florence. Luisa Donati invites you to share a week with her at Palazzo Donati, her family s home, which dates to the 1700s. Situated on the main square of Mercatello sul Metauro, Palazzo Donati is a private home upgraded with modern amenities. Luisa opens the doors to her family s Palazzo and invites you to enter the peace and authenticity of a by-gone era. You ll discover and experience a way of life which preserves the grace and culture of the Renaissance, in a small town largely undiscovered by tourists.

2 Day 1 - Saturday 16 August 2014 Transfer by minibus from Florence to Mercatello sul Metauro Our private driver welcomes us in Florence. We will transfer by private mini-bus to Mercatello. On arrival at Palazzo Donati, we will settle into the beautiful surroundings. Rest and free time. Early evening, Luisa and Nicoletta will share a welcome apperitivo and discuss the upcoming week. They ll explain the language program Italian Express, a shopping language course that will enable you to interact in Italian with locals. Dinner at Palazzo Donati. Day 2 - Sunday 17 August 2014 Mercatello Sant Angelo in Vado After breakfast Nicoletta, a charming life-long resident of Mercatello, will guide us on a walking tour of the historical centre of the town that is small, but full of art, tradition, and surprises. Then off to an astonishing archeological discovery, The Domus (Roman Villa) in Sant Angelo in Vado, home of the prestigious white truffle. We will stop at the local Enoteca and learn about regional wines and enjoy a private tasting. Back to the Palazzo to relax in the house or garden or stroll around the village feeling like a local. Dinner at a local Osteria.

3 Day 3 Monday 18 August 2014 Urbania - Cooking With Flowers A visit to the pretty town of Urbania known for its famous Rennaissance ceramics, the Ducal Palace, and the unusual Church of the Dead. Luisa will introduce you to her friends and we will have a light lunch with local products at Isabella s organic farm, La Pieve del Colle. We ll admire one of the most beautiful and famous Rennaisance views: the landscape in the background of Piero della Francesca s masterpiece I Trionfi which is displayed at the Uffizzi in Florence. After lunch, we will visit Luisa s dear friend Anna at Mulino della Ricavata where we will learn how to cook in the traditional way using local wild herbs and flowers. Dinner after the cooking lesson. The restaurant is housed in a converted mill dating to the 1700s. Day 4 Tuesday 19 August 2014 Traditional fabric printing in San Leo Carpegna Imagine a studio where, over the centuries, artists have been producing stencils and dyes to make fabric prints in an ancient manner. The studio has been managed by the same family for generations. We will join Emanuele who will teach us how to create this traditional art and we will print our own personalized aprons which will be useful for the upcoming cooking class.

4 Then off to Carpegna for deep breaths of some of the freshest air on earth. Carpegna has recently been awarded La Bandiera Trasparente the Transparent Flag for the astounding purity of its air. After the workshop, a truly unique opportunity to enjoy the hospitality of Luisa s friend Clara, Princess of Carpegna, and we will lead us on a tour of her Palace. Then we will join Prince Antonio and Clara for a sampling of the famous prosciutto di Carpegna in a local osteria. Next, La Rocca di San Leo, an impregnable fortress, with a charming village below. The Fortress tour gives offers breathtaking panaromic views. Pizza in local restaurant. Day 5 Wednesday 20 August 2014 Urbino - Accademia del Padlot We ll visit the Renaissance Ideal City Urbino, where our local guide will escort us inside the magnificent Palazzo Ducale, once home to the Duke of Montefeltro. After the tour and early light lunch, enjoy free time to shop or walk around the town, and work up an appetite for dinner at Mercatello. The dinner will be prepared by the Accademia del Padlot, a fraternity of nine local men, dedicated to food, wine and fellowship. These gentlemen prepare a sumptuous dinner with local ingredients and local wine. Their fervor and joy makes this dinner one of the great culinary experiences on earth.

5 Day 6 Thursday 21 August 2014 Le Grotte di Frasassi and Fabriano The Art of Paper Making We will experience the Grotte di Frasassi, with its ancient caves and spectacular undergound formations. Then on to the small town of Fabriano for lunch in a traditional osetria. This picturesque town is renowned for the art of paper-making. We will visit the paper museum and participate in a workshop under the guidance of Maestro Cartaio, who will teach us the art of fine artisanal paper making. Light dinner at Palazzo. Day 7 Friday 22 August 2014 Shopping in Italian and Cooking Lesson at Palazzo with Local Mama Today, we will enjoy shopping for ingredients for our dinner with Luisa and Nicoletta. Needless to say the shopping will have to be done in Italian! Light buffet at the Palazzo. At mid-afternoon, we will meet in the kitchen at Palazzo Donati with a local Mama who will teach us how to prepare a traditional family dinner. Don t forget to wear the apron you made at the studio in San Leo. We ll share the meal in the main Salon at Palazzo Donati with our last Brindisi (farewell toast).

6 The trip includes: 7 nights in Palazzo Donati all meals included all transfers by mini bus with personal driver all guided tours all workshops all cooking classes Italian Express classes COST OF TRIP: 3290 euros for one week on The Authentic Italian Experience. * Bonus, singles pay NO single supplement MAXIMUM NUMBER PER TOUR: Max seven (7) persons. REGISTRATION/BOOKING: A non-refundable 30% deposit will be required to confirm your reservation. Your balance will be required on or before 21 June To book please complete the registration form. An invoice including the Tour Terms and Conditions will be sent to you. Deposit is required within 72 hours of booking. Please note: the itinerary subject to change. Due to weather or unforeseen circumstances changes need to be made, replacement events will be equally as awesome as the above