Art and History Between Marche and Umbria

Hop back in your car, fresh as a daisy, and get back on the road!

Cross the border between Emilia-Romagna and Marche and begin your discovery of this wonderful region from the highest point of the city of Urbino: the Albornoz Fortress.
From this fortress, built in the 14th century, you can admire the entire city of Urbino and the harmonious panorama of the Montefeltro hills, a unique landscape and breathtaking view, especially in the summer time.
From here you can take a sensational photo of Urbino’s Ducal Palace.
The fortress viewpoint is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Visit the official website for more information about the fortress.

Park your car in the free car park along the road just before arriving at an incredible vantage point: the Lower Furlo Terrace.
Here you'll be surrounded by the contrasting force of nature: on one side, the imposing mountains of the Appenini mountain range; on the other, the azure waters of the Candigliano River.
The incredible view will be cheered by the song of the birds that populate this magical place of natural preservation.
Close your eyes and soak in the astonishing sensations that this place’s natural beauty will give you.

Enter Umbria and park your car here to explore the medieval town of Gubbio.

Explore Gubbio's Piazza Grande, a real homage to the medieval architecture of the time.
The Piazza was born in 1321, and it’s one of the greatest expressions of a hanging square that exist in the world. In fact, it was decided to build this public gathering place in a position close to all the city districts, as a sign of balance and respect for the different people of the city, by having it resting on arches, which can be seen from lower Gubbio.
The palaces and arcades that rise within it will make you step back into the past: in fact, the square is still home today to ancient festivals and folk traditions that remain alive and unchanged.
In the square, you can also admire the imposing Palazzo dei Consoli, a visible sign of the power of 14th-century Gubbio, which was the first Italian palace to have running water, plumbing, and toilets.
Take a while to savour every inimitable moment in this incredible place: the width of the square and the wide view of the surrounding panorama will give you an unforgettable experience.
Fun fact: in the town of Gubbio and especially in Piazza Grande, the very popular Italian TV series "Don Matteo" is filmed.

Stop for lunch at this restaurant that will awaken your appetite, thanks to an excellent traditional Italian ingredient: truffles.
In this restaurant, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy traditional Umbrian dishes, enriched with the finest truffles picked in the surrounding areas.
Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy excellent truffle dishes, both sweet and savoury, and fall in love with the authenticity of the place and its owners.
Opening Hours: Sunday, Monday, Thursday: 11:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m. Friday – Saturday: 11:45 a.m. – 2:15 p.m., 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. Tuesday – Wednesday: Closed
Reservations are recommended; visit the restaurant’s official Facebook page for more information and to book your table.

With a full belly, it's time to head to the Bargello Fountain, better known as the "Fountain of Madmen": according to an ancient tradition, in fact, the city has always been home to particularly playful and eccentric people, hence the nickname “madmen”.
According to a now widespread custom, anyone visiting the city, by running three laps around the fountain, can obtain a "Madman's License". But this is only if it’s done in the presence of a Gubbio citizen, who, at the end of the three laps, "baptises" each applicant with water from the same fountain and applies to the Associazione Maggio Eugubino for the licence, the only original one (otherwise, you can also buy it in the shops around the fountain, but this is the official one and proves that you really are..."crazy”)!
A nice and fun way to get in touch with the culture and cheerful atmosphere of the village!

Go back to the car park and get in your car to continue your journey of discovery through central Italy.

Reach Spello, remembered as the “Splendidissima Colonia Julia”, famous above all for the Infiorate, incredible floral compositions created every year on the occasion of Corpus Christi.
Another key stop on your road trip today is the Villa of the Mosaics, a true archaeological preservation site.
In the Villa of the Mosaics, only discovered in 2005, you’ll be able to find various testimonies of the Roman era and of one of their most important artistic expressions, specifically mosaics.
You’ll find yourself walking in a real ancient Roman villa, which, according to reconstructions, dates back to the era of Augustus. In this place, you’ll be able to admire the attention to detail in the mosaic floors and get lost in your imagination observing animals, mythological figures, and much more.
Fun fact: the most important mosaic in the villa depicts wine pouring; for this reason, it’s assumed that the owner of the house was a wine producer.
Opening Hours: May 1 to September 30th Monday, Wednesday – Thursday: 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday – Sunday: 10:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Tuesday: Closed
Until April 30th Open daily (except Tuesdays): 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Visit the website for more information.

The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Maggiore is a jewel box full of artistic treasures in the historic centre of Spello.
Besides catching your eye with its exteriors dating from the 11th to 12th centuries, the Collegiate Church will amaze you with the frescoes preserved inside.
It’s indescribably exciting to find yourself admiring pictorial masterpieces by masters such as Perugino and Pinturicchio, whose self-portrait is also present, in a location that’s truly one of a kind.
Opening Hours of the Baglioni Chapel Tuesday – Saturday: 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 3:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday: Closed
For more information, visit the website.

Take a break in silence and nature under the centuries-old oak tree in Nottoria.
In this small Umbrian town, which was unfortunately hit by an earthquake and is slowly rebuilding, stands an ancient oak tree, guardian of wisdom and peace and symbol of rebirth.
Before resuming your road trip, lie down at the foot of this giant tree and fill yourself with all the positive vibes it can give you.

Dine in this gourmet restaurant with minimalist and modern tones, starting with the ambience.
Here you can take a journey through the flavours of the Le Marche region, revisited in a modern key, not only in taste but also in the presentation of the dishes.
The culinary experience is enriched by the friendly staff, who’ll be able to satisfy your every request.
The restaurant is open from Wednesday to Saturday for lunch from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. and for dinner from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., on Tuesdays it is only open for dinner at the same time and on Sundays it is only open for lunch from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. It is closed on Mondays.
Be sure to book your table by visiting the website.

It’s now time to head to your accommodation for this night, surely one of the most unusual on this trip.
The Rifugio dei Marsi (named after an ancient local Italic population) offers double rooms, a Turkish bath with chromotherapy, and a splendid view of the Le Marche countryside.
But, if all this isn’t enough for you, you can spend your night here in one of the wooden barrels used as bedrooms, with attached bathroom and breakfast room!
Le Marche is a region where the bond between the land and its products is very strong, so what better way to visit it than sleeping in a real wine barrel and enjoying a hearty and authentic brunch the next morning?
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