TOUR 1: Jean and Alan May 05 to 15

Jean and Alan golfing outside of Rome. To see details of their itinerary visit www.travelswithaudrey.com Audrey was also their driver-guide between Rome and Venice • 2 nights in Naples at Hotel Il Convento • 4 nights in Rome at Hotel Smeraldo • 1 night in San Marino at Hotel Rosa • 3 nights in Venice at Hotel Ala

Alan with my local expert guide in Rome, Francesca

Transporation for the 2 days from Rome to Venice, with me as their private driver-guide (stops in Umbria for wine and olive oil tasting, San Marino overnight, Ravenna guided tour of the famous UNESCO world heritage sites known for their Byzantine mosaics.

Montefalco, Umbria, on the Sangratino wine road, named the balcony of Umbria

Wine and olive oil tour and tasting (lunch) at Montioni in Montefalco

UMBRIA, the green heart of Italy

SAN MARINO for overnight

San Marino is a mountainous microstate surrounded by north-central Italy. Among the world’s oldest republics, it retains much of its historic architecture. On the slopes of Monte Titano sits the capital, also called San Marino, known for its medieval walled old town and narrow cobblestone streets. The Three Towers, castlelike citadels dating to the 11th century, sit atop Titano’s neighboring peaks.

FIRST TOWER OF SAN MARINO

Walking around on a glorious evening in San Marino First Tower Built directly on the rock with no foundation, with a pentagonal base, dates back to the X century, it has, however, been reinforced many times in the past. It was rebuilt in the second half of the XV century, in the sixteenth century has been covered with a sloping roof. It is called the “Rocca Guaita” and, within its solid walls, protected by double walls (the external wall with merlons and truncated towers at the corners), the population found refuge during sieges. Some parts of the tower were used as prisons up til October, 1970.

View from Hotel Rosa in San Marino

Piazza della Libertà was once the epicentre of political life in San Marino. Here you’ll find Palazzo Pubblico, the town hall and official government building, the façade of which is elaborately decorated with the coat of arms of the republic and its four municipalities. Over the square’s stone walls the views of the surrounding landscape are beautiful.

Torre Cesta (The Second Tower) This castle was built at the end of the 11th century and was home to the Fortification Guards Division as well as a number of prison cells. However, much of the structure you see today is a reconstruction from 1930s, as the fortress fell into disrepair when it was no longer being used in the 16th century. It now houses the city’s Museum of Archaic Arms, a large collection of ancient and medieval weaponry and battle dress. This tower is must visit for military geeks or children still enchanted by knights and soldiers.

Montale is the smallest of the three towers and dates back to the end of the 13th century. In spite of its size, apparently for defensive purposes, it had a very strategic purpose: it is the best lookout post. It is encased in a primitive rock wall and has an eery prison cell that is eight metres (26 feet) deep. Entry is free.

La Terrazza restaurant for dinner