Albatross

Join us as we explore the other 'alternative' Italy. We visit the often ignored eastern side of the Apennines Mountains, with its glorious towns and unspoiled villages, usually bypassed by the modern day tourist.

From our villa near Venice we visit UNESCO listed Vicenza with its amazing Palladian villas, Giotto's frescoes in Padua, the medieval gem of Ferrara and the extraordinary mosaics of Ravenna. We absorb the delights of the culinary capital of Bologna; indulge in parmesan cheese at a farm near Modena, taste pecorino in a mill in Mondaino, and relax in the seaside resort of Grottammare on the Adriatic coast.

Staying in Castel Montegridolfo, we take a cable car up to the Republic of San Marino, we visit the incredible Ducal Palace in Raphael's city of Urbino, the hilltop town of Macerata, delightful Jesi, and Mussolini's favourite café near the mountainous Passo del Furlo. In the unspoiled Le Marche region we wake up in a 16th century palace, we enjoy dinner and homemade aniseed liquor in Café Meletti in the glorious Piazza of astonishing Ascoli Piceno and sit in the tiny 'antique' opera theatre of the 'lace town' of Offida.

We cross Abruzzi's incredible Gran Sasso plateau to dine in a crumbling mountain village and spend 2 nights in Umbria. Visit Assisi, be guided through the sumptuous gardens of Villa d'Este in Tivoli and spend your last night in a villa in Frascati.

As a finale, our sumptuous farewell dinner will be in a vineyard with Opera! Come with us to see the other side of Italy... the Italian 'Alternativo'!