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Nature, 'Borghi', Food & Wine
Santarcangelo-Rimini-San Leo
The Valmarecchia, located in Emilia-Romagna, more precisely on the border with Marche and Tuscany. Characterized by the presence of fortresses, castles and old villages, it is an area rich in beauty both from a naturalistic and socio-cultural point of view. It has hosted important names in Italian history such as Federico Fellini, Dante, Piero della Francesca, San Francesco, Ezra Pound…
During this tour, we turn our attention to SANTARCANGELO di Romagna, the city of artists. Considered the “gateway to the Valmarecchia” because it is located on the first hill you come across, Colle Giove, 10 km from Rimini.
Although small, it is a lively town full of history and is perfectly located because it is well connected (also by public transport) to various destinations. Surrounded by beautiful hills, it is connected to the Marecchia river cycle path from Rimini to Novafeltria.
Interestingly, it is the birthplace of the name of Sangiovese wine.
You will stay in a country house of a famous wine grower, amid the greenery of vineyards and olive groves. An excellent place to taste extra virgin olive oil and wines directly from the 3 hectares of vineyards and 1100 olive trees. Together with an expertise guide, Erika, you will discover on for the surroundings of Sant’Arcangelo.
The cuisine of Emilia-Romagna is known and praised worldwide. Who does not know the tasty tortellini in broth and the tagliatelle al ragù. Not to mention the gnocco fritto accompanied by excellent cold meats and a tasty plate of lasagna alla Bolognese. An important rule is to accompany everything with a good glass of wine.
It is important to arrive by car to enjoy this trip to the fullest, for the various transfers and the possibility to visit interesting places, such as San Marino or to enjoy some relaxation by the sea with a tasty fish lunch. Delicious meals, wines from the winery and a cooking course add a gourmet touch to this trip.
The daily program of the 5-day tour
In the afternoon is the Optimism Tour scheduled in Santarcangelo. You will meet your guide Erika and she will explain the origins and geological conformation of the area, recounting legends about the history, traditions and personalities that have inhabited this village.
Discovering the hinterland of Romagna, through orchards and along the Uso River. Climbing up the Giove hill where it will be possible to enjoy a breathtaking view, we will arrive in the cozy alleys and squares of the historic centre, touching on the most important places of the town: the Malatesta fortress, the civic tower, the arch of Pope Clement, the ballroom, the murals of Eron and the fountains of Tonino Guerra. Visit to hypogea and the workshop of the ancient mangle, dated 1632. Dinner at the hotel or in a typical restaurant in Santarcangelo.
Overnight stay with breakfast & dinner
Walking time: 3 hours
Distance: 6 km / 3,7 miles
Ascent: +50 m
After breakfast, meet your guide and depart for San Leo in your own car. Once there, we set off on a loop hike in the Monti Tausani. From the top of Monte San Severino, a 360° view can be enjoyed, from the hills to the Adriatic coast. During the walk, you will be lucky enough to find yourself in the vicinity of the ‘renaissance views’, the vantage points that would appear to be the backdrop to some of Piero della Francesca’s paintings. We walk along the ancient Via Maestra, the only road connecting with Rimini until the mid-1800s, until we reach the Convent of Sant’Igne, the place where St Francis found shelter in 1213. At Sant’Igne it will be possible to stop for a packed lunch or to reach San Leo by car and have lunch in a village restaurant. In the afternoon, you could visit the fortress independently. Dinner at the hotel or in a typical restaurant in Santarcangelo.
Overnight stay with breakfast and dinner
Walking time: 3/4 hours
Distance: 10 km/6,2 mi
Ascent: + 250 m
Rimini by bike
After breakfast, meeting with the guide, delivery of bicycles and departure for Rimini. It will be possible to admire the parish church of San Michele Arcangelo, then reach the cycle path along the Marecchia river and visit the Mutonia community, with its art exhibition made from recycled materials. Once in Rimini, we pass by the Tiberius Bridge and Borgo San Giuliano, with its murals dedicated to Federico Fellini. Once at the beach, there will be time to enjoy the sea and a lunch. In the afternoon, cycling again to visit the historic centre. The Arch of Augustus, the covered market, the Malatesta temple, the Surgeon’s Domus, Piazza Cavour with the ancient fish market and Palazzo dell’Arengo, and finally Castel Sismondo, the main residence of the Malatesta family, lords of Rimini. Return to Santarcangelo by the same route along the river.
Duration: 4/5 hours; Distance: 35 km/21,7 mi; Ascent: + 50 m
OR
Excursion to Montebello.
After reaching Montebello by car, we set off on a loop hike to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di Saiano, and then return to the starting point along the Sentiero dei Gessaroli.
Legend has it that the castle of Montebello is inhabited by the ghost of Azzurrina, the daughter of the feudal lord of the time, who disappeared mysteriously on 21 June 1375. During the excursion, the guide will tell this strange story and that of the plaster statue of the Madonna, which did not want to be moved from the small church of the Sanctuary. At the end of the walk, it will be possible to stop on your own in the village to have a packed lunch or eat in one of the two trattorias.
Overnight stay with breakfast and dinner.
Duration: 3 hours
Walking time: 8 km/4,9 mi
Ascent: + 350 m
Late morning: cooking class (tagliatelle and/or piadina) with lunch. Signora azdora, the grandmother queen of Romagna cuisine, will teach you how to prepare tagliatelle or piadina to perfection. Followed by a visit to the estate, with its vineyards and olive groves, and the wine cellar, with lunch based on the dishes prepared by the guests.
Free afternoon.
Dinner at the hotel or in a typical restaurant in Santarcangelo.
Overnight stay and breakfast
After breakfast ends your tour ‘the flavours of Emilia -Romagna.
Impressionsof Emilia-Romagna
Santarcangelo-Rimini-San Leo
LEVEL 2
Moderate: For all trekking enthusiasts, short stages with no particular difficulty and slight differences in altitude, the important thing is to have a minimum of walking experience. Average duration of the stages from 3 to 5 hours, average height difference 500 m uphill. You will walk on dirt roads, paths and sometimes on quiet asphalt roads. Experienced hiking guide Erika accompanies the walks. She knows the area like the back of her hand and she will tell you all curious anecdotes from the history, food & wine and culture of this area. The walks can be longer or shorter in consultation with the guide
Total km: 24 km
DEPARTURES:
Daily from April to October 2024
PARTICIPANTS:
2 or more people.
START / FINISH:
Santarcangelo di Romagna
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