Package Tour in Marche and in Umbria
This programme can be organized in other periods of the year
The so called “Via Lauretana” is an ancient pilgrimage route which since the Middle Ages has connected Rome to the Shrine of the Holy House of Loreto – The route was destroyed in the sixteenth and seventeenth century, but since the thirteenth century it had been used as a connection between Rome and Ancona – Starting from the capital, the route initially coincides with the Via Flaminia, through dfifferent villages in Lazio and Umbria – Then it traces a path along the Apennine, through the Colfiorito passage, to the village of Loreto – Ancona with its thriving port, favored not only the goods movement , but also the pilgrims’ flow towards Rome, via the nearby Loreto – The pilgrims arrived by sea in Ancona and from there they moved to Loreto, or otherwise they came from Rome or Loreto and they embarked in Ancona for different destinations – The importance of this route was due to the fact that it connected two holy cities: Rome and Loreto, the first one representing the guardian of St. Peter’s tomb, and the second one the guardian of Virgin Mary’s Nazarene House, also through the Shrines of St. Nicholas in Tolentino and St. Francis in Assisi – That’s why this route was also called “route of the Sanctuaries”.
Minimum 2 participants to a maximum of 50.
The route will start from the picturesque village of Assisi (PG), where St. Francis, patron saint of Italy, and St. Clare lived and died – This country attracts thousands of faithful pilgrims, wishing to visit the place where St. Francis lived, not forgetting to make a stop at the Basilica of St. Francis that, in 2000, was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites – Starting from Assisi, you will head to Monte Subasio (1,290) in Umbria-Marche Apennines, where you can find one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, Spello (PG). The route is accessible to everyone, easy and effortless. It is also advisable to use hiking boots – Arrival and accommodation at the facilityof your choice – Dinner and overnight.
Optional extension: From Assisi, on the way to Colfiorito you could make an alternative route through Foligno (PG) and not through Spello – Do not miss here the church of San Salvatore and the Abbey of Sassovivo.
After breakfast, the walk starts from Colfiorito (PG) in the Umbria region, until arriving in Camerino (MC), in Le Marche, a famous village for its religious buildings including the Cathedral, the Basilica of San Venanzio and the Convent of Capuchin Friars, which represents the cradle of this order as it is the place where it was originated – The path is quite easy and undemanding, we recommend attention on the paved road because of the passage of cars – Before arriving in Camerino, you will visit the villages of Serravalle and Bavareto.
Optional extension: Rather than going to Camerino, you could make an alternative route through Muccia, Visso and Pievebovigliana – Muccia is a village of a great artistic interest located on the banks of the River Chienti – The many archaeological remains found near the village, witness its prehistoric origins – Do not miss the picturesque church of Santa Maria in Varano with its fascinating architecture and the church of Santa Maria Col dei Venti – Visso is a centre of great historical and artistic interest, situated in a picturesque landscape of gorges, meadows and woods – The view here is exceptional and exciting – Do not miss the church of St. Augustine with the museum-gallery and the elegant Macereto Sanctuary – Pievebovigliana is a mountain village that, with its lakes, streams and valleys provides a unique and relaxing emotion – Here there are many attractions to see and not to be missed such as the great Romanesque church of San Giusto in San Maroto, the crypt of the church of Santa Maria and St Francis’ Church – Arrival and accommodation at the facilityof your choice – Dinner and overnight
After breakfast, departure for Tolentino, in the Macerata Province – The village is renowned for its Museum of Caricature and Humour, which promotes an international art exhibition attended by artists and cartoonists coming from all over the world – In addition, the Basilica of St. Nicholas, the Augustinian convent and the Laurentian Library are of great religious and artistic interest – The road towards Tolentino is quite easy because it is partly paved with little traffic – They will cross the countries of Campolarzo, Valcimarra, Caccamo and Belforte before coming to Tolentino – Arrival and accommodation at the facilityof your choice – Dinner and overnight.
Optional extension: Before arriving in Tolentino you could choose an alternative route through Pievefavera, Caldarola, Cessapalombo and San Ginesio – These little towns offer a scenario of undisputed historical and artistic value – Among them, San Ginesio, located on a hill in the valley of Fiastrella, it is a center of historical importance and for its imposing monuments including the medieval town walls and the Collegiate Church – Arrival and accommodation at the facility of your choice – Dinner and overnight
After breakfast, the route continues towards Macerata -It is the capital of one of five provinces in Le Marche – This town is famous for one of the oldest universities in the world, founded in 1290 – In addition to this, every year, Macerata is the departure point of a very important votive pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Holy House of Loreto – On the way, you will cross the town of Pollenza, where here you will have the opportunity to visit the Rambona Abbey – Arrival and accommodation at the facility of your choice – Dinner and overnight
After breakfast, departure to Recanati, the native town of the famous poet Giacomo Leopardi. Here, in addition to visiting the birthplace of the poet, you can see the characteristic Piazza Leopardi with the Town Hall and the Tower of the old town with its churches, in a very unique hill landscap – You will cross some little villages such as Villa Potenza, Sambucheto and Montecassiano before reaching Recanati – Arrival and accommodation at the facility of your choice – Dinner and overnight.
Optional extension: You can make a different path through Madonna del Monte area
After breakfast, the route continues from Recanati to Loreto, in the province of Ancona – This particular village on the top of a hill is very famous for the Shrine of the Holy House, one of the most important and ancient places of pilgrimage in the Catholic world – Inside the Basilica there are the remains of the Holy House of Nazareth, where Jesus lived and the Virgin Mary received the Annunciation – The path is not easy and you will also walk on a paved road for 5.4 km from Recanati to the end of the journey
Notes:
(B / L / D): B = breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner
Accommodation in convents and religious guest houses:
Spello: Casa Accoglienza del Convento Frati Cappuccini
Colfiorito: Locanda Emmanus
Camerino: Casa Accoglienza e Foresteria del Monastero di S.Chiara
Tolentino: Convento Agostiniano
Macerata: Domus San Giuliano
Recanati: Convento Cappuccini
or similar
Accommodation in 2 * / 3 *hotels at your choice:
Spello: Hotel Portonaccio
Colfiorito: Hotel Lieta Sosta
Camerino: Hotel Roma
Tolentino: Hotel Clentum
Macerata: Hotel Arcadia
Recanati: Hotel Ginestra
or similar
PRICE PER PERSON (min.2 participants) from:
Package tour in convents and religius guest houses 240 €
Package tour in 2*/3* hotels 360 €
Health and luggage insurance 20 €
Minivan (max. 19 seats) 2.900 €
Coach (max 50 seats) 3.700 €
The price includes:
-6 overnights in the chosen accommodation -Half Board treatment (from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 7) -Health and luggage insurance – Gadgets and tourist brochures.
The program does not include:
-Transport by minivan or coach -All meals not mentioned, drinks, tips, personal extras and anything not expressly mentioned under “the price includes”.
