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This tour leaves the bustle of Ancona and heads inland to visit a string of beguiling hill towns while passing through vine-clad rolling hills
where Verdicchio, the Marche's most famous wine is made. It also takes in some of the most dramatic caves you are ever likely to see and ends at the old town of Fabriano, know across the world
for its paper.
Leave Ancona taking the main road west to Jesi, a splendid old town with dramatic walls. You'll need at least half a day here to see the sights.
Then head south-west to the small medieval hill town of Staffolo. From
here drive through the typical gently rolling Marche landscape amidst the Verdicchio vineyards to Cupramontana, one of the
most important centres for wine production and a good place to stock up with a few bottles.
You can either make a short detour to Maiolati Spontini, a tiny place
where the composer Gaspare Spontini was born and is buried, or travel on the main road west to Serra San Quirico, an ancient little
town perched high on a hillside. It's worth stopping here to wander along its curious arcaded alleyways and hunt out some calcione, a delicious sweet cake made from cheese and lemon.
Back on the main road west follow the many signs for the Grotte di Frasassi to visit the Frasassi Caves, amongst Europe's most spectacular caves. Leaving the dramatic Frasassi Gorge, take the back road to the thriving town of Fabriano and journey's end.
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