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Italy, Off The Beaten Track

Unwind in the opulent gardens of Villa d'Este

Stay 3 nights in a charming 16th century Palace in Ascoli Piceno.

Explore the ‘alternative’ Italy, the eastern side of the Apennine Mountains, with its glorious towns and unspoiled villages. See the extraordinary mosaics of Ravenna and take a cable car up to the Republic of San Marino. Wake up in a 16th century palace in the unspoiled Le Marche region, cross the incredible Gran Sasso plateau and relax in the sumptuous gardens of Villa d’Este in Tivoli!

  • Travel in a first-class air-conditioned touring coach

  • A complimentary glass of wine, beer or soft drink with all included dinners 23 meals including breakfast daily (B), 1 lunch in a local trattoria (L) and 8 evening meals (D) Welcome drink on Day 1

  • Hotel porterage of 1 bag per person (where available) 14 nights specially selected hotel accommodation Free WiFi at most hotels (where available)

  • Personal audio system whilst on tour (where available) Local guides as described in the itinerary ALL tips for your Tour Manager, Driver and Local Guides Fully escorted by our experienced Tour Manager

  • Hand Selected Albatross Experiences including riding up a cable car up to the tiny country of San Marino and enjoy a special Pecorino cheese tasting, dining in unique locations and scenic drives ALL excursions, scenic drives, sightseeing and entrances as described

Tour itinerary

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Hand Selected Experiences

These are just a few of the very special hand selected experiences that will really make your touring experience exceptional and unique, and don’t forget, with Albatross they are always included.

Vicenza

UNESCO World Heritage Site

A local guide will join us for a walking tour to discover the highlights of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. We will see Piazza dei Signori, with its ‘Torre di Piazza’ clock tower, flanked by Palladio’s striking Basilica Palladiana, the medieval law courts, and Palladio’s last work and masterpiece, Teatro Olimpico.

Bologna

Italy's Gourmet Capital

Over our 3 night stay in Bologna we enjoy guided walking tours of Padua, Bologna & renaissance Ferrara, including visits to Scrovengi Chapel with its magnificent Giotto frescoes, Basilica San Petronio on Piazza Maggiore and the Archiginnasio Palace – Europe’s first University. We also enjoy a 4 course Bolognese dinner and a relaxing lunch in a local Trattoria.

Ravenna

& the Adriatic Coast

On our way to the Adriatic beach resort of Pesaro, where we stay 3 nights, we explore the elegant city of Ravenna. Joined by a local guide we visit the UNESCO Heritage listed, early Christian monuments including the striking Basilica of San Vitale with its lavishly decorated interior with striking marble and Byzantine mosaics.

San Marino

Guided Walking Tour

Our local guide joins us for a spectacular cable car ride up the mountain to explore San Marino, with its walled castles and towers standing on the rim, beside huge precipices. The stunning, sweeping 360 degree views down over the Alta Valmarecchia and Montefeltro hills, and out to the flat plains beside the Adriatic Coast will take your breath away.

Mondaino

Pecorino Cheese Tasting

The chance to sample up to 4 different cheeses along with locally cured salamis and meats in the impressive cheese cellars.

Urbino

Visit the Ducal Palace & Mussolini's Bar Furlo

Walk amongst the Renaissance walls and bastions of the UNESCO Heritage listed city of Urbino, birthplace of Rafaello (Raphael) to visit the impressive Ducal Palace. Another unique experience today. We stop to enjoy a drink in Mussolini’s favourite cafe - Bar Furlo, located by the the dramatic Passo del Furlo. You will discover historic memorabilia and photos.

'Le Marche' Region

Rolling Hills, Vineyards & Medieval Towns

Driving through the rolling hills and vineyards of this undiscovered region, we stop to explore the 14th century fortified town of Jesi and the charming medieval town of Macerata with its impressive Loggia dei Mercanti – a 16th century arcaded merchants hall.

Offida

Santa Maria della Rocca

We visit one of the of the ‘Borghi più belli d’Italia’ (most beautiful villages in Italy) – the ‘lace town’ of Offida. We have included entrance to the catacombs in the medieval church of Santa Maria della Rocca (Church on the Rock), with its 13th century, time worn frescoes. We have also include entrance to the Lace Museum and the 19th century antique Opera Theatre.

Assisi

Discover Assisi with a Local Guide

We explore the Umbrian city of Assisi with a local guide, and visit the Basilica of St Francis with its magnificent frescoes.

Dates and Prices

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* Dates, prices, itineraries and hotels shown may be subject to change on specific departures. Please contact our European Tour Specialists for further details.

Pre-register your interest

To register your early interest in our 2026 Europe and UK Spring tours, please complete our pre-registration form.  We will keep you informed as our tours are developed and released.

Your Hotels

Tour Suitability

Due to the nature of the niche places we visit on this tour, to explore all of the beautiful towns and sites a level of mobility is required.

  • In mid-summer, the heat may be energy sapping.
  • Being in Italy there are a number of beautiful hilltop towns we visit.
  • There are a number of beautiful towns and sites we visit which require exploring on foot and often have cobbled-stone streets and uneven walkway.

Please refer to our Tour Suitability section for more information.

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