Le
Marche - Perhaps Italy's best-kept secret?
  
Say you
are holidaying in central Italy and most people will immediately
think of Tuscany, and then they will guess at Umbria, but we would
like to share with you the third region in this area, the Marche,
perhaps Italy's best-kept secret. Lying between the high peaks
of the Apennine Mountains to the West and stretching to Adriatic
Sea. Marche is a diverse region with much of it completely unspoiled.
There is a beauty,serenity and way of life,which hasn't been affected
by today's hustle and bustle and fast-food ethos. This gentle
rhythm of life is reflected in the cookery which you will enjoy
both by the sea or inland in the lush green countryside. There
are two main cuisines in Le Marche. and in both you will find
recipes which have been handed down from mother to child, making
the most of indigenous ingredients which are plentiful and in
season. By the sea, there is an abundance of fish and seafood
exemplified by the local dish of brodetto which, here,
is cooked with 13 different types of fish, together with garlic,
parsley, onions and some wine vinegar or perhaps a little saffron.
Inland, the people, whether at home or working in restaurants,
are happy to live off the land, and you can find a large repertoire
of pasta dishes, delicious vegetables, and chicken, lamb, rabbit
and pork. Unlike many Italians, here, quite a bit of meat
is eaten, but like most Italians,they detest throwing away food,
so ingenious recipes have developed, such as the local specialty
of Vincisgrassi, a kind of baked pasta dish made with
chicken livers, Prosciuttto,mushrooms and sweetbreads. Now, what
will you wash your lunch or dinner down with? Perhaps a glass
of refreshing Verdicchio Castelli di Jesi with the seafood or
a some Rosso Conero with the Porchetta - At a special
celebration, you can imagine enjoying an aperitif as you wait
for this glorious dish of spit-roast pork, stuffed with garlic,fennel
and rosemary to be ready - A veritable feast of the senses.
Now,
imagine you have just a few days to spend, and can take advantage
of a low-cost airline flight to Ancona in Le Marche, and you want
to shop in designer outlets, walk, cycle, bike, or ride in glorious
countryside, or perhaps delight in the wealth of history and art
on offer in the lovely old towns and villages. You can ! - It
is very tempting to realise that what you save on the flight you
can spend on shoes, handbags or an Armani jacket or two!
Shopping
Spree in Le Marche
Day
One
Arrive
in Ancona airport and collect your hire car
Drive
through picturesque green hilly countryside to the ancient town
of San Severino Marche.
Just
about 2 miles from here is the Locanda Salimbeni ( a 3 star hotel/restaurant)
which oozes peace,tradition,culture and great food.
Dinner
bed and breakfast at your hotel.
  
Day Two
This
is your special shopping day. With our help, we will direct you
to designer outlets where you can buy wonderful clothes, shoes,
handbags - many with discounts up to 50 per cent. Jeans, home
furnishings, lighting? - Classical Italian style, contemporary
elegance and excellent value. Right on the doorstep is Tolentino
with many outlets including Nazareno Gabrielli Multifirme with
the complete Nazareno Gabrielli line: Leather garments, bags and
footwear at interesting prices. 20% off regular articles, 50%
on samples and even more on season remnants. Not so far from here,
the chance to buy a whole range of Arena swimwear and sportswear
at great prices. If Armani is your style, then don't miss the
chance to visit the Georgio Armani factory store at nearby Matelica.
It's shopping heaven with the only headache being having to bear
in mind the amount of free luggage which you are allowed to bring
back with you on board your plane home !
Dinner
bed and breakfast at your hotel.
Day
Three
Perhaps
you would just like to relax by the pool? Alternatively, a little
exercise? We are able to arrange hiking,
horeseriding,mountain bikes or motorbikes, suggest itineraries
and arrange lunch stops. You may prefer some local sightseeing,
with maybe a guided tour into the town where you can appreciate
the art of the Salimbeni brothers from whom the hotel takes its
name. Born in San Severino in the early 15th century, their work
is universally appreciated by art critics. In this environment,
it is easy to get creative, why not enjoy a painting or ceramic
lesson or take the chance to learn about wine production.
  
Lunch
is arranged in a typical restaurant or possibly in a local vineyard.
The
day would be incomplete without a visit to the vineyard with winetasting
of important local wines such as Rosso Cornero, Verdicchio, Lacrima
di Morro D'Alba and others directly from the wine cellars.
Dinner
bed and breakfast at your hotel.
Day
Four
After
a leisurely breakfast, check out to make your way back towards
Ancona in time for your homeward flight.
Special
price of just £385.00 per person ( based
double room occupancy )
Includes:
3 nights at the hotel Locanda Salimbeni
3
Evening meals
lunch in a local restaurant or wine cellar
guided
visit and winetasting in a local wine cellar
car
hire throughout.
Small
groups ( up to 8 persons) may prefer to arrange a small minibus
with driver. Contact us for quotations.
One week
stays arranged at the Locanda Salimbeni ( 7 nights Bed and Breakfast
) - from £180.00 per person
Relaxation
or activity in the Sibillini National Park, lazing on sun-drenched
golden beaches, shopping, sightseeing or celebrating, Le Marche
offers all its visitors excellence of service and a high quality
holiday experience. A region with a strong identity, whose colours
and scents echo the history of the many people who have lived
or passed through there, leaving behind evidence of their cultures.
There is a warmth of welcome from the people of the region, and
they want to share with you their enthusiasm for their excellent
food and wines, and create the kind of special stay with them
which will leave you wanting to return again and again.
Special
Occasions in Le Marche - Italian style
For excellence
in hospitality, service second to none, the best in food and drink
and wonderful photo opportunities, few places are harder to beat
than Countryhouse Le Case in Macerata in Le Marche. So where better
to celebrate your special occasion ?
The
atmosphere of this fine country hotel is friendly and peaceful.The
rooms combine classical elegance with cosy comfort and modern
conveniences. The hotel boasts One suite, Twelve double bedrooms
and One twin room. There are also studio apartments with kitchenette,
bathroom with shower, TV and independent air conditioning. The
fine restaurant offers traditional and regional cuisine lovingly
prepared and served. Whether you choose a romantic candlelit dinner
for two or a special banquet with family and friends you will
experience a feast to delight all the senses. In warm weather,
enjoy your dinner al-fresco on a delightful terrace.
There are
two dining halls, one with a capacity of 150 persons whilst the
larger can comfortably seat 400 guests for a very special occasion.
With such beautiful and elegant surroundings, warmth and excellence
of service, superb food, and large choice of national and international
wines, any ceremony celebrated at Le Case will remain in memory
as a unique, special and unforgettable experience.
Certain birthdays, anniversaries,
family celebrations? - Let us tailor-make a splendid and memorable
event. Full wedding service is also available, personally co-ordinated
and supervised by experts, so that the bride and groom with family
and guests can relax and enjoy the day!
Perfect
Harmony Spa Break at Le Case
 
Day
One
Arrive
at Ancona Airport. Collect car and make your way to Le Case Country
Hotel and Restaurant. ( Situated 20 miles from the Adriatic coast
and equally from the Sibelline Mountains ). Check in to your hotel.
Afternoon of relaxation with free use of pool, sauna, whirlpool,
mint-scented steam shower and gym.
Dinner
(optional extra) can be in the hotel's fine restaurant, with a
wide choice of meat, fish or vegetarian dishes or at a local venue.
Bed
and Breakfast at your hotel.
Day
Two
Day
of sports and recreation and/or well being, fitness and beauty.
There
is a large lake for fishing, football and sports fields,stables
with horseback riding, walking and jogging paths and trails.
Alternatively
you can make free use of the indoor pool and gym or choose some
treatments ( which should be booked in advance )
Choice
includes:
16
minute total body sun lamp
£12.00
Anti-stress
massage
£36.00
Foot/face/head
massages from £25.00
Shiatsu
£36.00
baths
and soaks (mud,hay,milk,
chalk,algae,herbal
and others) £40.00
Dinner
(optional extra) in your hotel or at a local restaurant
Bed
and Breakfast at your hotel.
Day
Three
Day
at leisure in the Marche, with its beautiful countryside, fascinating
architecture, archaeological sites, mediaeval castles, designer
shopping outlets, and wealth of events, from food and wine festivals
to opera and folklore.
Bed
and Breakfast at your hotel.
Day
Four
After
a leisurely breakfast, and feeling refreshed and invigorated,
check out and make your way towards Ancona for your homeward flight.
Price:
£ 220.00 per person
Includes:
3
nights at Le Case ( double occupancy ) - Bed and Breakfast
Car
hire throughout
.
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