Ravenna, Umbria & Beautiful Le Marche for Solo Travellers

EXCUSIVELY FOR SOLO TRAVELLERS

One of Italy's less-travelled corners, the blue Adriatic and some of its greatest glories, discovered and explored. This wonderful holiday is based in the traditional Adriatic resort of Pesaro. Stay in this delightful place, with its elegant old town and host of cafés and gelaterie, enjoy the company of friendly, like-minded solo travellers, and journey through the unspoilt Le Marche region. See Urbino and its famous ducal palace. Take in Ravenna, home to some of the world’s finest Byzantine mosaics, and visit tiny San Marino. The Umbrian cities of Perugia and Assisi - both surrounded by idyllic countryside - and the chance to visit the pilgrimage shrine at Loreto, complete this memorable tour.

Highlights

Spend a week in delightful Adriatic resort Pesaro
UNESCO-listed Ravenna and its famous mosaics
Tiny San Marino, one of the world’s smallest Republics
Visit exquisite Assisi, and see its majestic Basilica
The ducal palace in the historic hill town of Urbino
Wander down Perugia’s famous Corso Vannucci

Inclusions

Seven nights' dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation at a four-star hotel
A Welcome Drink on your first evening
An included orientation tour of Pesaro
Return flights to Bologna
Coach travel and transfers throughout
Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

1

Upon arrival, meet your tour manager and board our coach for the transfer south and east across Emilia-Romagna, into Le Marche, and on to your hotel in Pesaro. Settle in to your surroundings, and perhaps enjoy a stroll before joining your fellow guests for a get-together and a Welcome Drink. Dinner will be served at your hotel, this evening.

2

The first of your included tours begins with a short drive through the countryside of Le Marche to the exquisite university city of Urbino. Here, in the 15th Century, the court of Federico da Montefeltro, Duke of Urbino, was one of Europe’s greatest centres of culture and civilisation. The great, UNESCO-listed Palazzo Ducale is one of Italy’s finest Renaissance buildings - its elegant rooms and astounding collections a monument to the life of one of the period's most powerful and influential figures. Surrounding the palace, a lively jumble of medieval streets and squares offers much of interest, and plenty of places in which to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat before you return to Pesaro.

3

Rest and relax in your hotel or get to know Pesaro on an included tour of the resort, today. Pesaro is a lively, colourful, but low-key seaside town, its beaches fringed by blue waters, and its café life centred on the elegant buildings of the central Piazza del Popolo. The most energetic pastime on offer is strolling the seafront promenade, gelato in hand. The town was also the birthplace of the composer Gioachino Rossini (composer of the William Tell Overture), and it pays homage to its famous son with a museum at his birthplace and a theatre named in his honour.

4

Today’s excursion heads first to majestic Ravenna, the ancient former capital of the Western Roman and Byzantine empires. Once a major port, but now some distance from the sea thanks to centuries of accumulated silt, Ravenna is famous the world over for its stunning mosaics - often considered the finest in western art – and which are found in no less than eight UNESCO World Heritage sites dotted around the compact city. After a walking tour, take a seat at a café in Ravenna’s elegant expansive central square, Piazza del Popolo, before re-boarding the coach to journey to the tiny Republic of San Marino. The world’s fifth-smallest country, the microstate of San Marino is completely encircled by Italy. Take in the spectacular views from the ancient Città, the old town that crowns this fiercely autonomous and resolutely mysterious corner of Europe, before you return to Pesaro in time for dinner.

5

Today you'll have another free to enjoy the pleasures of the hotel and the town.

6

Relax in Pesaro, or join today’s optional excursion to Loreto, one of the most revered Catholic pilgrimage shrines. Here the Holy House of the Virgin Mary draws the faithful and the curious from across the globe. In addition to the shrine’s religious significance, it's also a home to some remarkable Renaissance art and set amid beautiful scenery. You’ll also take in the dramatic cliffs and beautiful surroundings of the Conero Riviera, with its pretty ports and tiny coves. Visits to cliff-top Sirolo and colourful Numana, with its busy harbour, add to the pleasure of a wonderful day.

7

Perhaps saving the best till last, today’s excursion takes you through the marshes (hence 'Le Marche') into Umbria, Italy’s "green heart". Here the stunning countryside of rolling hills is studded with ancient towns and cities, none more fascinating and compelling than medieval Perugia. Discover the city's famous people-watching street, the Corso Vannucci, its cathedral and its medieval centre, before heading to Assisi, birthplace of Italy’s patron saint, and perhaps Italy’s most famous hill-town. Assisi's Basilica of St Francis is Umbria's greatest glory, and is home to one of the world's finest art collections. The renowned frescoes, especially those in the Upper Church, reflect the life of the "most saintly of all the saints". Return to Pesaro to enjoy a last dinner at your hotel, and to relive the memories of the past wonderful week.

8

Bid farewell to your Italian hosts and transfer back to Bologna airport to check in for your flight home.

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately two hours.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Changes to your hotels

Should circumstances require, we reserve the right to accommodate you in alternative hotels, of a similar standard, nearby. Full details of your hotels will be sent with your Final Travel Documents.

Foreign Office Travel Advice

Visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice to find out the latest Foreign And Commonwealth Office travel advice for your holiday destination, as well as information about passports and visas.

Entrance fees

Please note: Since some attractions visited offer free admission to visitors at certain times of the year, we do not include entrance fees. These will be payable locally where applicable.

Meals in Italy

Guests on half-board arrangements will be served a three-course evening meal, and can expect a first course of traditional pasta or soup, a main meat or fish course accompanied by one or two types of vegetable, and a simple dessert of fruit, cake or Italian ice cream. Breakfasts will usually consist of bread rolls, jam, cereal, ham, cheese, fruit juice, tea and coffee. Menus will vary from hotel to hotel, but choice will be more limited than in a normal restaurant. In some instances, individual guests who have booked with the hotel independently may be offered a different menu from those who are staying at the hotel as part of a package tour.