The birthplace of Italy’s patron saint. Not in Marche but in neighbouring Umbria which thanks to the new motorway is only an hour’s drive from Magari Domani. As with any of the larger, more well-known, towns in the region over the summer months it is always worth trying to get there before 1000hrs when the coach and tour operators start to deposit the crowds.  The town is also a 30 mins drive from Perugia, the ancient Etruscan capital of Umbria, so the two are very easily combined in one long day out.

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• Top 10 Things To Do In Assisi

• The Basillica Website

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Like Assisi this medieval walled hillside town is in Umbria and worthwhile combining with a day trip to Assisi or Perugia. One event that has drawn us here a few times is the annual crossbow competition against the town of Sansepolcro, the Palio della Balestra. This competition has persisted since the early fifteenth century and is held in May every year. A renaissance costume spectacle held in the Piazza della Signoria opposite the Palazzo dei Consoli. Even more unique is the town’s Race of the Candles, Corsa dei Ceri, during the festival of the Candles (Festa dei Ceri) every May. A tradition that started in the 12th century in honour of the death of Ubaldo Baldassini, a revered bishop of Gubbio. The Commune commemorates the patron saint of the town with a procession and race, in which the men of the city carry three huge wax sticks (no longer wax but wooden) through the streets to the Basilica of Mount Igino. The men carrying the Ceri are dressed to reflect one of the three saints they represent blue for Saint George, yellow for Saint Ubaldo and black for Saint Anthony. The whole town turns out and it's intense.

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• Gubbio Tourist Information

• What To See In Gubbio

• Umbria Tourism - Gubbio

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We recommend a double-header trip so that your scenic journey north is really optimised. Urbino is a world heritage and University town in the north of the Region that was also the birthplace of the great Renaissance artist, Raphael. It is a 2 hours drive from Magari Domani, a little longer if you take a more scenic route along the mountain fringe but we recommend heading to Fabriano and using the dual carriageway to the west. Doing so allows you to drop-in on Acqualagna on the way there or on the way back. Alternatively, if you do as we have done and combine Urbino with a visit to San Leo then we recommend heading to Matelica and then onwards to the motorway up the Adriatic coast. This route means you can be in San Leo, with its amazing fortress and Dante’s inspiration for Purgatory, in 2.5 hours and then drop down to Urbino on the route back but expect a long day either way.

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• About Urbino - Unesco

• About San Leo

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Travertine wonder at the confluence of the Tronto and Castellano rivers for a lazy lunch that often quickly drifts towards supper in the Piazza del Popolo, whatever the weather. This is an ancient place. It was already a thriving market town before the Roman’s arrived to found the salt road, Via Salaria.

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• CNN Travel - About Ascoli Piceno

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A town on the Marche / Umbrian border within the Sibillini national park. It was badly damaged by two earthquakes in August and October 2016 but still worth the visit. The birthplace of St Benedict, famed for its butchers and its gastronomy particularly its smoked and cured pork / boar meats - salumi. If time permits do call in on the brewmonks of Norcia (Birra Nursa) and their chart-topping plainsong chant. The journey south to Norcia takes you past the hamlet of Casteluccio the home of every Michelin-starred chefs preferred DOCG lentils and some amazing agrarian graffiti!         

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• Italian Delights - About Norcia

• Visit Italy - About Norcia

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Small town on the wooded slopes of the Black Mountain. The hilltop contains the oldest medieval parts of the town and overlook the 13th century Piazza de Popolo and the former palaces and merchant houses that surround it. Who needs Siena’s Palio when fifteen minutes drive from Magari Domani in July we have San Severino Marche’s Palio dei Castelli - sure it lacks the horses and the international spotlight but it also does not have the crowds, Siena’s costs nor its pickpockets. The whole town goes back to the fifteenth century for a few days through costume, music, games and food. 

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About San Severino

About Palio dei Castell

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Renaissance palazzo-filled coastal town with the 13 kms long velvet beach (spiaggia di velluto) - blue flag certified, the best ice cream in Italy, and host to the top swing and rock’n roll festival in Europe - Senigallia’s Summer Jamboree between late July and early August.

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• Wonderful Marche - About Senigallia

• Crowded Planet - Visit Senigallia

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Another medieval gem of a town. Like others it encourages you to take your time, stay for lunch and soak-up its unhurried charm.

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• What To See In Corinaldo 

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Italy’s truffle capital and gateway to the dramatic Gola de Furlo limestone gorge. Ignore the claims of those in Piedmont or Umbria - this area produces 2/3 of all of Italy’s truffles with three large food festivals every year in which the truffle and truffle cuisine is celebrated. Head here either when en route to Urbino or if heading down into the beautiful Furlo gorge or simply if, like Stanley Tucci, you are adore the taste of this earthy tuber.

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• Italy Magazine - About Acqualagna

• Acqualagna Tourism

• Fiera Nazionale del Tartufo Bianco

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