A genuinely small group
Generally 8–12 travelers, never more than 16—small enough for personal hosting and comfortable movement through hill towns, vineyards and villages.
A limited-series Now Journey original
Italy: Le Marche to Umbria
Le Marche, Abruzzo & Umbria—Italy beyond the familiar.
Urbino → Le Marche → Abruzzo → Umbria
- 10 days / 9 nights
- September 28–October 7, 2027
- Generally 8–12 guests / maximum 16
- Hosted by Mark Story
- Private Umbrian villa finale
10 Days / 9 Nights · Sep 28–Oct 7, 2027 · Hosted by Mark Story
No obligation. No pressure.
10 Days / 9 NightsBeautifully paced
Three RegionsLe Marche, Abruzzo & Umbria
8–12 GuestsMaximum 16
Hotel CollectionsDELUXE & ELEVATED
Tour CaptainHosted by Mark Story
Your Journey at a Glance
Your Journey Ahead
From a Renaissance hill city to a private Umbrian villa.
Begin in Urbino, follow the Adriatic, then settle into the green heart of Italy.
Scroll through destinationsSwipe through destinations
- 01UrbinoMake the ducal city your home while exploring Palazzo Ducale, Ascoli Piceno, the Le Marche countryside and the Adriatic.
- 02AbruzzoTravel from the trabocchi coast to a wine estate, stone villages and the high landscapes of Gran Sasso.
- 03UmbriaSlow down for Assisi, Spello, Perugia and four nights with a private Umbrian villa entirely to your group.
Urbino → Le Marche → Abruzzo → Umbria
Italy Beyond the Familiar
Another Italy is waiting.
Beyond the celebrated cities lies an Italy of Renaissance palaces, medieval villages, mountain silence, family vineyards and long tables. This limited-series Journey crosses three captivating regions before giving the final four nights to a private villa in Umbria.
Luxury that Feels Personal.
Why Now Journey
Hosted, not hurried.
Thoughtful planning gives you confidence without taking away the pleasure of discovery.
Your Tour Captain
Mark Story hosts throughout, connecting the days, supporting the group and making each transition feel considered.
Guided discovery, with room to breathe
Private guides and local storytellers bring each place into focus while meaningful personal time remains part of the design.
Thoughtful stays and logistics
A Renaissance hill city, an Abruzzo wine-estate setting and a four-night private villa create a natural progression through the Journey.
10 Days from Urbino to Umbria
The Complete Itinerary
See exactly how each day unfolds—from your Urbino arrival to the final private-villa morning.
Chapter One
Days 1–3
Urbino & Le Marche
Renaissance beauty, local storytellers and the generous table of the Marchigiano hills.
The Renaissance, at a human pace.
Three nights in Urbino let the Journey begin gently, with private context and time to notice the region beyond its celebrated facades.
Day 1
Welcome to Urbino
We recommend flying into Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) for this Journey. Your proposal confirms the arrival timing and private transfer arrangements to Urbino, one of Italy’s most complete Renaissance cities.
Settle into your home for three nights, then join Mark Story for a gentle Tour Captain Discovery Walk. A private aperitivo and welcome dinner bring everyone together for the first time.
Included Today
- Private arrival transfer to Urbino
- Tour Captain Discovery Walk
- Private welcome aperitivo and dinner
- Urbino · 3 nights
Day 2
Urbino & Palazzo Ducale
A private guide leads you through Urbino and the Palazzo Ducale, revealing the world of the Montefeltro court and the ideals that shaped this extraordinary hill city. The later afternoon is open for your own discoveries.
Included Today
- Private guided Urbino exploration
- Palazzo Ducale visit
- Afternoon at leisure
Day 3
Ascoli Piceno & the Hills of Le Marche
Meet a local storyteller in Ascoli Piceno and look beyond its celebrated piazzas to Roman foundations, quiet courtyards and noble palaces. Taste a local specialty, then continue into the hills for a family winery visit, private tasting and seasonal country meal.
Included Today
- Local storyteller-led exploration
- Tasting of a local specialty
- Family winery visit and private tasting
- Seasonal country meal
Typical stay in Urbino: a characterful base for three nights. See hotel examples and collection details. Final assignments remain subject to proposal confirmation.
Chapter Two
Days 4–5
Abruzzo
From sea-built trabocchi to mountain villages and the open landscapes of Gran Sasso.
Italy’s wild heart.
Abruzzo changes scale in a single day: the Adriatic coast, a wine-estate castle, stone villages and high mountain silence.
Day 4
The Adriatic Coast to Abruzzo
Leave Urbino and follow the Adriatic south, with time for a historic fishing village or panoramic coastal path. Continue along the Costa dei Trabocchi, where old fishing platforms stretch above the sea, and enjoy a special coastal lunch before arriving at your historic castle for a wine tasting and dinner.
Included Today
- Adriatic and Costa dei Trabocchi discovery
- Special coastal lunch
- Wine tasting and dinner
- Castello di Semivicoli or similar · 2 nights
Day 5
Gran Sasso & Mountain Villages
Enter Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park for a day of high landscapes and stone villages. Walk the lanes of Santo Stefano di Sessanio, share a rustic lunch inspired by shepherd traditions and, weather permitting, continue to the open plateau of Campo Imperatore.
Return to the castle for the evening and dinner.
Included Today
- National park and village exploration
- Rustic mountain lunch
- Campo Imperatore, weather permitting
- Dinner at the castle
Typical stay in Abruzzo: Castello di Semivicoli or similar for two nights. See hotel examples and collection details.
Chapter Three
Days 6–10
Umbria
Four nights. One private villa. Assisi, Spello and Perugia balanced with garden time and long evenings around the table.
The exhale.
The final chapter is intentionally unhurried. Each day returns to a private villa held entirely for your group.
Day 6
Into Umbria & Your Private Villa
Turn west toward Umbria, pausing in a medieval town for lunch and time to explore. By late afternoon, arrive at your private villa and settle into your suite and the gardens. The villa is entirely yours for four nights, beginning with an aperitivo and private chef welcome dinner.
Included Today
- Medieval town pause with lunch
- Private villa arrival and aperitivo
- Private chef welcome dinner
- Private villa in Umbria · 4 nights
Day 7
Assisi, Art & the Villa Table
Discover Assisi with a private guide, including the Basilica of Saint Francis and Giotto’s luminous narrative. Continue through courtyards, workshops and terraces, with time for lunch and personal exploration. Back at the villa, the evening becomes a culinary experience followed by dinner.
Included Today
- Private guided Assisi discovery
- Basilica of Saint Francis visit
- Villa culinary experience and dinner
Day 8
Your Umbria, Your Pace
Choose the shape of your day. Join an outing to Spello and a family olive mill for a tasting and country lunch, or remain at the villa for the pool, gardens and the possibility of a massage. Everyone returns to the villa table for dinner.
Your Time, Your Way
- Spello, family olive mill tasting and country lunch
- Or a restful villa day at your own pace
- Dinner at the villa
Day 9
Perugia or a Slow Villa Morning
Join Mark Story for a discovery of Perugia, or claim one more unhurried morning at the villa. As sunset approaches, gather for a final aperitivo and private finale dinner—a last evening designed to feel less like the end of a tour and more like the close of a remarkable house party.
Included Today
- Choice of Perugia with your Tour Captain or villa time
- Sunset aperitivo
- Private finale dinner
Day 10
Arrivederci, Umbria
Share a final morning at the villa, then depart together on the included private group transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport. Leave with three regions, countless stories and an Italy few travelers ever meet.
Included Today
- Final villa morning
- Private group transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport
Typical stay in Umbria: a private villa reserved entirely for the group for four nights. See collection details. Final villa assignment remains subject to proposal confirmation.
Hotel Collections
Same beautiful Journey. Your preferred level of accommodations.
Both collections share the same 10-day itinerary, Tour Captain services, transportation and confirmed included experiences. Your proposal confirms selected properties and room categories.
Signature Collection
DELUXE
Hand-selected 4- and 5-star properties emphasizing location, service, comfort and thoughtful room selection.
Your accommodations
At 4-star properties, Now Journey requests accommodations one category above the hotel’s entry-level room; at 5-star properties, accommodations begin with the standard category or better.
Upgraded Accommodations
DELUXE | ELEVATED
Enjoy the same thoughtfully designed Journey with preferred upper room categories requested at the selected properties.
What Elevated may include
Junior Suites, Suites, more spacious premium rooms, or desirable view, balcony and terrace categories, depending on the property. All requests remain subject to availability and proposal confirmation.
Both collections enjoy the same itinerary, Tour Captain, sightseeing, transportation and confirmed included dining. Imagery illustrates each collection’s atmosphere; your proposal confirms selected hotels and room categories.
Representative stays by destination
Urbino · 3 nights
Urbino
A characterful base for Palazzo Ducale, Ascoli Piceno, family vineyards and the Adriatic coast; final hotel or similar confirmed in your proposal.
Abruzzo · 2 nights
Castello di Semivicoli or similar
A historic wine-estate setting for the Journey’s passage from coast to mountains.
Umbria · 4 nights
Private villa in Umbria
A private home for the group, with suites, gardens and long evenings around the villa table; final villa or similar confirmed in your proposal.
Dates & Prices
One remarkable hosted departure.
The verified Journey price is shown in US dollars per guest. Request your personalized proposal for current availability, final hotel assignments and any DELUXE | ELEVATED room-category pricing.
DELUXESignature CollectionCurated 4- and 5-star properties with thoughtful room selection.
DELUXE | ELEVATEDUpgraded AccommodationsPreferred upper room categories subject to availability and proposal confirmation.
2027 Hosted Departure
One limited-series departure hosted by Mark Story.
Sep 28–Oct 7, 2027
Hosted departureDELUXE$10,779per guestDELUXE | ELEVATEDPriced in proposalsubject to room availability
1. Choose your hotel collection
Select a preference or let us help.
2. Request your personalized proposal
Request a Journey ProposalNo booking commitment · Prefer to upgrade only some hotels? Just ask.
Deposit: $1,000 per guest. Double room for solo use supplement: $2,890. Request current availability before making independent travel arrangements.
Not sure which collection is best?
Tell us how you like to stay. A Journey specialist can compare DELUXE and available DELUXE | ELEVATED room categories without obligation.
Three regions. Three distinctive stays.
Why this Journey feels different.
Italy beyond the familiar, with time to let each chapter settle.
The route links Renaissance Urbino, the Adriatic and Abruzzo’s mountain landscapes before slowing down for four private-villa nights in Umbria.
01Three stays, no one-night stops
Three nights in Urbino, two in Abruzzo and four at the Umbrian villa keep the route considered rather than rushed.
02Experiences rooted in place
Local storytellers, a family winery, coastal traditions, mountain villages, olive oil and the villa table connect culture with landscape.
03A finale with genuine choice
Spello, Perugia and Assisi are balanced with time for the gardens, pool and a slower private-villa rhythm.
Now Journey guest reviews
The proof is in the way guests talk about it.
These are general Now Journey company reviews, not claims that each guest traveled on this Le Marche departure.
“I can’t say enough about our recent trip to Italy. It was perfection from beginning to end.”Esther P., Now Journey guest
“We all were made to feel special, almost like royalty, with personal service by fabulous chefs and seamless check-ins at our gorgeous hotels.”
Teresa C.“Our hotel accommodations were all perfect. Now Journey did an exceptional job planning and we even got surprises along the way.”
Tammy A.Plan & Prepare
Is this your kind of Italy?
Expect walking on historic streets, gentle hills, castle and village visits, and time outdoors, balanced with guided discovery and meaningful time to pause.
Journey framework: nine nights across Urbino, Abruzzo and Umbria; Mark Story hosting throughout; itinerary-listed transportation, guided discovery, tastings and meals; and the Day 10 private group transfer to Rome Fiumicino Airport. International airfare and anything not confirmed in your personalized proposal are separate.
Walking, terrain and activity expectations
Historic centers involve uneven streets, gentle hills, stairs and standing during visits. The Journey also includes castle and village visits and time outdoors. Campo Imperatore is weather dependent. Tell us about mobility needs before deciding whether the Journey is the right fit.
Included dining and experiences
The day-by-day Included Today panels are the authoritative summary of planned visits, tastings and meals. Your personalized proposal confirms the complete service schedule for the hosted departure.
Transportation and luggage
Thoughtfully coordinated transportation connects Urbino, Le Marche, Abruzzo and Umbria. Ask the team about luggage arrangements and limits for this departure before booking independent travel.
How do the hotel collections differ?
Both collections share the same itinerary and confirmed services. DELUXE uses the curated 4- and 5-star collection; DELUXE | ELEVATED requests preferred upper room categories. See the Hotel Collections comparison.
Solo travel and pricing
The verified Journey price is $10,779 per guest, with a $1,000 deposit per guest. The supplement for a double room reserved for solo use is $2,890. Ask for a proposal for current availability and DELUXE | ELEVATED pricing.
Arrival and departure airports
We recommend flying into Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ). Day 1 includes a private arrival transfer to Urbino, with timing confirmed in your proposal. On Day 10, an included private group transfer serves guests departing through Rome Fiumicino Airport.
Independent time and included choices
On Day 2, the later afternoon is open. On Day 8, choose Spello with an olive mill tasting and country lunch or a restful villa day. On Day 9, choose Perugia with your Tour Captain or another slow villa morning.
Booking and payment terms
Our team reviews your preferences, confirms availability and prepares a personalized proposal. Sending an inquiry is not a confirmed booking or reservation hold. Review the existing booking and payment terms before reserving.
Are the named hotels guaranteed?
Named properties are the planned collection. Comparable hotels or villas may be used when availability or operating conditions require it, with final assignments confirmed before departure.
Make the Journey Your Own
Open time is part of the Journey.
Choose the shape of your time without losing the shared story: an open Urbino afternoon, Spello or the villa, Perugia or a slower morning.
Urbino at leisure
Use the later afternoon on Day 2 for your own discoveries.
Spello or villa time
On Day 8, choose an outing with olive mill tasting and country lunch or remain at the villa.
Perugia or a slow morning
On Day 9, join Mark Story in Perugia or enjoy more private-villa time.
Your Tour Captain’s help
Recommendations can be shaped around your interests, energy and preferred pace.
Your Journey Begins Here
Can you picture yourself in this Italy?
Tell us your room needs and travel preferences. We will confirm current availability and prepare a personalized Journey Proposal for September 28–October 7, 2027.
No obligation. No pressure.