From Fano to Gradara

Heading inland we reach Fossombrone town located on a slope, it owes its name to the ancient town of Roman origins (Forum Sempronius), the remains of the Malatesta fortress are still visible today. Another site that deserves to be visited for its spectacular landscape, it's Giants' pots, there are not many indications to get there, they are located in the San Lazzaro area, fraction of Fossombrone, they can be reached later 2 approximately km from Fossombrone along the Via Flaminia. Fossombrone west exit, at the junction for Fossombrone and Urbino, follow the signs for Urbino and then at the San Lazzaro sign, turn left and take Via Parrocchiale San Venanzio. After a few hundred meters you have arrived. Park and look out from the Saltelli bridge from where you can admire all the beauty of this place. The ideal would be to participate in a canoe or kayak excursion and venture into the wonderful natural scenery of the Marmitte dei Giganti.

The journey continues towards the municipality of Acqualagna, the Truffle Capital, for the spontaneous presence of the prized white truffle. The city is located near the magnificent Gola del Furlo, confluence of the Burano stream, a land surrounded by unspoiled nature and an enchanting scenery for the visitor who comes to discover it. The position of Acqualagna is strategic because it is located at the foot of the highest mountains in the area: the Catria and the Nero. On the left bank of the Candigliano river, along the Flaminia, a 3 kilometers from Acqualagna, theAbbey of San Vincenzo al Furlo, Benedictine abbey of the 10th century. also called “in Petra Pertusa” (at the Rock of Pertusa),

The route continues towards the Umbria-Marche Apennines in the direction Piobbico, where from 1879 the original is located Ugly Club, Known all over the world, counts beyond 30.000 members and 25 offices around the world. Every year, in September, the festival dedicated to it is held. Piobbico extends over a valley closed between two mountains which are Monte Nerone (1526 m) and Monte Montiego (975 m); it is bathed by the Biscubio and Candigliano rivers which join right in the inhabited center. It might be interesting to visit Il Brancaleoni Castle, a building belonging to the Brancaleoni counts. Built in the 13th century as a fortress, later remodeled and transformed into 1573-1587 in a splendid Renaissance residence at the behest of the Counts of Piobbico. Left in serious neglect and defaced inside after the war, it has recently undergone radical restoration works.

Now continue towards City of Castello, surpassing Arezzo towards Bibbiena. From here we come to Badia Prataglia e we travel along the tortuous SS 71 until you get to Bath of Romagna municipality in the province of Forlì-Cesena, in Emilia-Romagna, located in the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines. Much appreciated spa town in central Italy, known for the healing properties of its waters since Roman times, currently offers excellent spa facilities. The village is very small, offers beautiful walks in the nature of the Foreste Casentinesi National Park, Monte Falterona and Campigna and the area also offers other naturalistic treasures including the Pass of the Mandrioli, a pass that is very popular with motorcyclists. The Apennine territory in which the Passo dei Mandrioli is inserted was, already in the past, place of passage between Emilia Romagna and Tuscany. A mule track, indeed, allowed to reach Bagno di Romagna and Poppi, passing through the Sanctuary of La Verna. Here we find the Lake of the Pontini and the Long Lake, delightful mirrors of water surrounded by lush nature. In addition to sport fishing, they offer places of refreshment, areas for picnics and walking paths among the chestnut groves.

Continuing the path we arrive at Saint Leo a town built on a rock spur of the Valmarecchia from which San Marino and the Marecchia can be observed. Saint Leo, which has always been the historical capital of the Duchy of Montefeltro. Here we find the famous Fortezza of San Leo del 1631, where he died Alessandro, count of Cagliostro, or more simply Cagliostro (Palermo, 2 June 1743 - Saint Leo, 26 August 1795), Cagliostro was an adventurer, Italian esotericist and alchemist who led a wandering life in the various European courts, he was condemned by the Catholic Church to life imprisonment for heresy. In the narrow cells of the Fortress patriots from the Risorgimento were also imprisoned, including Felice Orsini . Even after the unification of Italy, the fortress continued to fulfill its function as a prison, until the 1906.

Continuing for approx 25 Km, you get to San Marino, officially Most Serene Republic of San Marino, it is the third smallest state in Europe and is located inland between Emilia-Romagna and the Marches. The Republic of San Marino includes the upper Ausa valley, the left side of the upper Marano valley and almost the entire valley of the Rio San Marino. San Marino Alta, it has three fortified nuclei, defined “torri”, built around the 14th century, with extensions of the sixteenth century. Strolling through the narrow characteristic streets of the medieval village up to the piazza del Governament Palace of neo-Gothic style, headquarters of the main institutional and administrative bodies, and then visit the Basilica of the Patron Saint in neoclassical style,: the main church of the state, sorge in piazzale, belonging to the diocese of San Marino-Montefeltro dedicated to the patron saint of the city and the state.

Leaving San Marino, we head towards Fiorentino and from here we take for Sassofeltrio and then crossed Morciano di Romagna after a few km. we find Misano Adriatico a place markedly devoted to seaside tourism, summer vacation destination. The city has a lot to offer also on the naturalistic and sporting front, thanks to its exclusive dock, at the nearby International Circuit Misano World Circuit Santamonica and the cycling routes that can be followed in the hinterland of the nearby Valconca. Misano World Circuit since 1972 it is the beating heart of a territory historically passionate about two and four wheels, of trucks and in recent years also of rallies and flat tracks: for decades the circuit has exalted the show of motors by hosting and organizing events for an audience of over 600.000 people from all over the world. September is the period in which Misano is filled with two-wheel enthusiasts for the Italian leg of the MotoGP race. The circuit was named in memory of Marco Simoncelli, Italian motorcycling champion passed away due to a serious accident in 2011.

The journey continues towards the last leg of our journey, Gradara the Village of the Villages of Europe. The castle of Gradara, ancient residence of Paolo and Francesca, characters among the most fascinating and intriguing of the fifth canto of hell in the Divine Comedy by Dante Alighieri, and its fortified village represent one of the best preserved medieval structures in Italy. It announces itself to the visitor with its grandeur, is the protagonist of the landscape as you get closer, we begin to see the walls that defend the fortified village. The internal rooms of the castle recall the splendors of the powerful families who ruled here, Malatesta, Sforza and Della Rovere. Also you can visit the caves and the historical museum.