Local Attractions

 

Nearby places to visit include:

URBINO * * * * * The Renaissance jewel not to be missed. Raphael's home town and, together with the much larger Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. A must.
www.italytraveller.com/en/r/marche

FANO * * * * (Twinned with St. Albans for their Roman origins). A beautiful town, with fantastic chic shops, fish market, beautiful square, bars, restaurants etc. Huge beautiful marina. European Blue Flag beaches. A must.
www.fondazionecarifano.it/metauro/maine/schedafano

GENGA - Caves of Frasassi * * * * * The fabulous subterranean world discovered in 1971, probably the largest limestone cave system open to the public in the whole of Western Europe. The caves extend to 13kms (but you don't have to walk that distance in order to see caves and passages of stalagmites and stalactites creating amazing structures of indescribable beauty and colour). This is a very professionally managed attraction with translators and regular guided tours. Another must!

Its largest cavern is 500 ft high (remember this is underground!). The caves have been voted a Number 1 attraction by our guests over the years.
www.frasassi.com

PERGOLA - THE GOLDEN BRONZES * * * The gold on bronze lifesize sculptures of Roman figures on horseback were found in a field nearby in 1946 and can be seen at the museum in Pergola. This is an old unspoilt town worthy of a stroll through the centre. Some shop interiors are from the 1920's.
www.bronzidorati.com

FURLO - Gola Del Furlo * * * * A dramatic natural pass through the mountains that has been in use since prehistoric times and later in the Roman period an important part of the via Flaminia. This was one of Mussolini's favourite parts of Italy. He stayed in a local inn, which kept a room permanently at the ready for his regular stop-overs.
www.turismofano.com

RICCIONI (near Rimini) - 'Aquafan' * * * * a spectacular swimming 'park' with water chutes etc. (a dream for children) - also, Rimini's Renaissance period town centre with its beautiful square and shops.
www.aquafan.it

FOSSOMBRONE * * * Our local town; most things can be bought here. Stylish shops, many bars and 20 restaurants. A historic centre with lots of character, positioned on the old Via Flaminia, the road to Rome.
www.comune.fossombrone.ps.it

SAN LAZARRO - LE MARMITTE DEI GIGANTI * * Fantastic chasm visible from the bridge which carries a road across this spectacular stretch of the River Metauro.
www.metauroturismo.it/index.php?id=10201

GRADARA * * * * A fine example of a medieval stronghold; one of the many fortresses in the region. In Dante's Inferno, the lovers Paolo and Francesca met their untimely deaths here in 1238.

MONTE CONERO * * * Just south of Ancona is an exceptional coastline - a high limestone mountain that plunges into the sea and a scattering of captivating little bathing resorts. Visit Sirolo and Numana.

MONTE CATRIA * * * A range of mountains which can be seen from the house includes the giant Monte Catria (6,500 ft). In the spring, the upland meadows are smothered in alpine flowers.

MACERATA * * * Famous for its annual outdoor opera festival held in the huge Roman amphitheatre.

Other beautiful places to visit:

Acqualagna	Fratte Rosa
Ascoli Piceno	Jesi
Assisi	Loreto
Camerino	Mondavio
Cantiano	Parco Regionale del Monte Cucco
Cingoli	Recanati
Corinaldo	Sant Angelo in Vado
Fabriano	Sant' Ippolito
Fermo	Torricella

 

Drives in the area

Le Marche is spectacular, so there are many beautiful drives by car. We have a book detailing 18 drives considered by the local Tourist Board to be the best in the province of Pesaro-Urbino. We have tested six so far and they have proved to be deserving of the recommendation.

Vineyards to visit - Go Wine Tasting!

There are many vineyards nearby offering wine tastings and guided tours. Try:

• FIORINI, Barchi;
  "Wine is a vocation"
  Bianchello del Metauro
  Sangiovese dei Colli Pesaresi
• GUERRIERI, Piagge;
  "Guided tours, wine tasting - Free"
  Bianchello del Metauro
  Colli Pesaresi Sangiovese
  

Smaller ones include:

• CIGNANO, Isola di Fano
  Colli Pesaresi Rosso
  Bianchello del Metauro
• BUCCHINI, Isola di Fano
  Marche Bianco Gualtresco
  Marche Sangiovese Sempronius
  Grappa di Bianchello Stefy

Shopping for shoes - Calzature

The Marche region is the centre for shoe manufacturing in Italy. 65% of Italy's shoe production comes from Le Marche. Fantastic shoe shops are to be found everywhere - Fossombrone (our local town) has several. There are two great shoe shops - both are on the road from Pergola to Marotta (N424):

• IMPULS Calzature
• OKI