Spectacular botanic

Spectacular firework of colours in Le Marche

Thanks to the perfectly intact nature of the Sibillini mountains, nature lovers will find a true paradise. In the previous botany trips, the participants were surprised by more than 37 different species of wild orchids, as well as all otherwise hard to find species of alpine flowers, but not only: it is a mountain area that takes us back to a time when the nightingales sang. The silent of the Night was broken only by the call of the owl or other night birds and the butterflies danced before us from blossom to blossom. All this becomes true again.
We want to point out that this journey is for the enjoyment of the beauty and not for "dissecting" every single flower. The yield of photos will be enormous and the memory of the flower carpets as well - which is much more than recognizing the components of a single flower.
In addition to the botanical peculiarities are also numerous bird species: golden eagle, peregrine and peregrine falcon, bee eater. Larger animals include wild cats, badgers, porcupines and occasionally wolf (meeting with wolves rather unlikely).

1st day: Benvenuti nelle Marche!
Pick up at the airport in Ancona Falconara. Drive to the country hotel in Montemonaco. Self-delivery by car of course also possible. Check-in and first small exploration tour. Dinner with specialties of the Marche.

2nd day: The flower carpet
The first day of your stay will be unequaled by a flower spectacle. In the morning you will drive to the "Great Plateau" with Castelluccio, the area that shares Marche and Umbria, where you will take a hiking trail that is a single flower carpet of wild tulips, daffodils and orchids Viola eugenia, Affodill u.v.m. This is just a selection of the flowers actually found. Lunch will be taken in a refugio. The afternoon is dedicated to the plateau itself, a so-called "dying lake", where we also find a sea of ​​wild daffodils and other spring messengers. A little surprise in the tiny ponds, the tritons that live there!

3rd day: The virgin wall
In the morning you will hike from Garulla near Amandola to Ambrotal. On this beautiful path down the valley you will meet u.a. on the rare Ophrys Insectifera, the bumblebee orchid, the Sambucina, various saxifrages, which are also quite rare and a variety of flowers that characterize high-altitude meadows. Having lunch. As a cultural end to the afternoon you will visit the oldest Marian pilgrimage church of Italy, Madonna dell 'Ambro at Montefortino.

Day 4: The path of mowers and threshers
In the variety of the terrain the way is probably unsurpassed. It begins a long way to Balzo di Montegallo, the path leads through both open flower meadows as well as through various forests. Here, in addition to numerous orchid species, we encounter the Cyclamen, Affodill, u.v.m. The path therefore provides new botanical and panoramic highlights on every meter. It ends in the small town of Balzo di Montegallo. Here also lunch. As a small excursion, a cultural gem will surprise you.

Day 5: All glory on earth
This day leads to Ragnolo in the morning and not only brings a wonderful panorama but also the whole range of the most wonderful flowers, including the Dactylorhiza majalis the Sambucina and the Maculata, as well as many other wild orchids and spring flowers. You will encounter a unique floral carpet that will be remembered for a long time. At Fiastrase Lake you will have a wonderful lunch during lunch time and then take a walk along the lake or, if possible, go for a summer truffle hunt. Return to the hotel in the late afternoon.

6th day: place of silence
The Gola del Infernaccio between Montemonaco and Montefortino is one of the most impressive gorges of the Marche. No less impressive are the plant species that can be found here: cyclamen, wild geraniums, belladonna, forest birds, u.v.m. The path that leads through light-flooded beech forests ends at San Leonardo, where a hermit has built a small church on the ruins of an ancient. Here, with a magnificent view of the highest mountains of the Sibillinen, we will organize a picnic. In the afternoon we will make a small visit to Montefortino, a town like a picture book with a cultural surprise!

Day 7: Transformations
Le Marche is a region full of variety. We would like to take advantage of your last day to also introduce you to the counterpart of the mountains, our sea. S. Benedetto del Tronto on the so-called Palm Riviera will be the destination. Friday is market day there, one of the largest markets in the region, where you can find everything from wooden spoons to model dresses. The harbour and the pier are also interesting, where many different artists have immortalised themselves on the travertine stones of the pier. Of course, a walk along the promenade is just as relaxing as simply having an espresso in a bar. It is up to you to decide what you would like to do this morning below. In the early afternoon we head back to the Sibillini, but not without a stop in Ascoli Piceno. It is considered the most beautiful town in the Marche, built entirely of travertine and boasting several superlatives: the Piazza del Popolo as one of the 10 most beautiful squares and the Meletti as one of the most beautiful coffee houses in Italy. After a stroll through the city, we return to the hotel. At the end of the tour you will be served a wonderful dinner.

day 8: Arrivederci nelle Marche!
Return trip, in the luggage hopefully many beautiful photos and memories.
© ulla Kastner

Min. 6, max. 14 participants

Travel date:
06.05. - 13.05.2023

Included services:
7 x hotel nights in the country hotel La Cittadella, dinner
6 x lunch/picnic
All excursions and transfers as per program
tour guide from/to Ancona
Licensed hiking guide

Not included:
Other meals
Drinks
Tips
Travel costs
Eventual entrance fees

Prices
Price per pers. in double room 1.690,00 € from 4 participants
Price per pers. in double room 1.460,00 € from 8 participants
double room as single: +175,00 €