Montefeltro and the Metauro valley

Your first stop is the walled hamlet of Montefabbri. Pass under the single gateway with its marble crest, wander the quiet lanes to the church, and see the bell tower that looks out over the hills. Then on to Monte Grimano.

Monte Grimano is a village of narrow lanes with lilac boxes for swapping books. Climb to the civic tower, follow the panoramic walk along the old walls, and then continue to Macerata Feltria, where the day ends.

Macerata Feltria ends the day. Look at the castle built from the remains of a Roman town, then visit the archaeological museum and the old church at Pitino before finding a bed nearby in the Montefeltro hills.

Day two begins in Frontino, the smallest comune of its province. Head up to Montefiorentino, the Franciscan convent, to see the Renaissance Oliva Chapel and its altarpiece by Raphael's father, and walk a little in the nature park before Mercatello sul Metauro.

Mercatello sul Metauro is a small fortified town of markets. See the crucifix in San Francesco and the fifteenth-century Ducal Palace, then have lunch with the region's vincisgrassi before the road on to Sassoferrato.

Sassoferrato is your stop for the night, a town on two levels among the Apennines. Visit the remains of Roman Sentinum, the Collegiata di San Pietro and the Santa Chiara sanctuary, then settle in for the evening.

Day three starts in Pergola, where the gilded bronzes of Cartoceto are the town's great treasure. See them in the museum, stroll to Santa Maria delle Tinte by the bridge, and if you come in October, take in the white truffle fair before Mondolfo.

Mondolfo ends the journey on a hill near the sea. Walk its double ring of walls, enjoy the belvedere looking east over the Adriatic, and see the Mondolfo stele in the civic museum before the final road on to Ancona.