FATTORIA SANT’ONOFRIO | Villa Sant’Onofrio & Casale di Caccia

A unique jewel of beauty and wisdom, Urbino is a symbol of the Italian Renaissance and since 1998 its historic center has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Ducal Palace is the residence where Federico da Montefeltro lived, described as a “Palace in the form of a city” by Baldassarre Castiglione, with its small towers rising toward the sky.

The Ducal Palace of Urbino – Photo by Paolo Mini

Today it is home to the National Gallery of the Marche, which houses one of the finest and most important collections of Italian Renaissance art, with works by Raphael, Piero della Francesca, Paolo Uccello, Titian, and Melozzo da Forlì. Raphael was born in Urbino, and here you can visit the House Museum where the famous painter lived. There are so many things you can experience and admire in Urbino—read about them here –> 10 things to do and see in Urbino What to see around Urbino

The Castle of Gradara and its fortified village represent one of the best-preserved medieval structures in Italy. The fortress, located on a hill 142 meters above sea level, is known for the love story of Paolo Malatesta and Francesca da Rimini, made immortal by the verses of Canto V of Dante’s Inferno. The keep, the main tower, rises to a height of 30 meters, dominating the entire valley. information for visiting the Castle of Gradara

Gradara

Gradara will immediately provide a strong scenic impact thanks to its double ring of walls and the excellent state of preservation of the castle, furnished with furniture from the 15th and 16th centuries. Around the fortress, you can walk along the Lovers’ Path, which encircles the hill and offers enchanting views of the surrounding landscape.

Within the medieval fortress complex there is also the Ornithological Park – Falconry Center “Il Teatro dell’Aria”, an environmental education park entirely dedicated to the art of falconry. Here you can admire demonstrations of birds of prey in flight—falcons, vultures, kites, eagles, owls, little owls, goshawks, and buzzards—and attend thrilling shows featuring these magnificent raptors.

It is one of the most lively and diverse cities in the Marche, where you can enjoy many different types of holidays: from the sea to the hills, from sports to music, passing through art and culture. One of the symbols of the city is the striking contemporary sculpture, the “Sphere” by Pomodoro, a bronze sphere created in 1998 by the sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro, located overlooking the sea. There are seven kilometers of sandy beaches, both equipped and free, and more than 100 tourist accommodation facilities, with particular attention to families and children. There are numerous cycle paths: unique of its kind is the Bicipolitana, a route reserved for cyclists that connects different areas of the city.

–> Discover the 10 things to do and see in Pesaro

But Pesaro is not just about the sea. Pesaro is in fact the city of music thanks to its most illustrious citizen, Gioachino Rossini, who was born here and remained deeply attached to the city, so much so that upon his death he left a sum of money to establish the Rossini Conservatory, one of the most prestigious music schools in Italy.

–> Itinerary of Rossini-related sites in Pesaro

Fano, in the province of Pesaro–Urbino, is the third-largest city in the Marche. Rich in history, culture, and good food, it is a welcoming city with a surprising historic center and a lively, inviting seafront area, an ideal place for a relaxing and rejuvenating holiday…

Fano has many names. It is known as the City of Vitruvius, the City of Carnival, and the City of Girls and Boys. In this article, we will discover why, confident that if you choose it as a stop or a base for your holidays, it will surely be a city that surprises you!

A tradition that has been repeated for over 600 years: the Fano Carnival is the oldest in Italy, with the first documented record dating back to 1374—an event not to be missed for all ages. There is a children’s carnival and even one for animals, but what truly unites everyone is the traditional throwing of sweets. Arms outstretched and hands in the air, umbrellas open to catch the rain of treats thrown by the festive masked figures from atop the floats.

Arch of Augustus in Fano – Photo by Massimo Morreale.

Fano, the ancient Fanum Fortunae, was an important center during the Roman Empire, serving as the terminus of the Via Flaminia on the Adriatic coast. The traces of its glorious past are still clearly visible throughout the city.

–> Discover the 10 things to do and see in Fano

Senigallia is a “top destination for carefree holidays with sun, sea, good food, romantic evenings, and a touch of culture, which is always welcome. Here the atmosphere is decidedly soft, just like the sand of the legendary ‘Velvet Beach,’ 14 kilometers of coastline waving the coveted Blue Flag, a guarantee of water quality and virtuous environmental management.” (Maria Grazia Casella from the blog Compagnia dei Viaggiatori)

Rotonda a Mare of Senigallia © Viaggio Vero

Senigallia is one of the liveliest towns in the Marche, certainly among the most appreciated by young people and lovers of social life and entertainment. Boredom is an unknown word for those spending time in Senigallia, where you can alternate hours on the beautiful fine sandy beaches with refreshing walks along the seafront or visits to the historic and artistic monuments of the town center.

The Senigallia seafront is a very long promenade that runs along a clear and calm sea, with shallow water suitable for children. It is equipped with cafés and services to welcome visitors with every convenience. The most famous monument is undoubtedly the Rocca Roveresca. In reality, it consists of two fortresses built within each other, with improvements and expansions carried out over the centuries. The most notable modifications, which currently dominate, are from the Renaissance period.

Senigallia is also about fun. Many events and festivals are organized in the city every year. Not to be missed is the Summer Jamboree, the most important rock’n’roll festival in Italy, which each year attracts thousands of enthusiasts of 1940s music and culture from all over Italy and beyond.

The Frasassi Caves are one of the largest underground complexes in Europe, located within the Gola della Rossa and Frasassi Regional Natural Park, where visitors can admire natural sculptures formed by limestone stratifications over 190 million years through the action of water and rock.

Alberto Angela and his show “Meraviglie – la Penisola dei Tesori” visited the Frasassi Caves

The shapes and sizes of these natural formations have sparked the imagination of speleologists, who have “christened” them with curious names.

–> Discover everything you need to know about the Frasassi Caves

The discovery of the Frasassi Caves dates back to September 25, 1971, by the speleological group of the CAI of Ancona. The cave visit lasts approximately 70 minutes. Groups are accompanied by professional guides provided by the Frasassi Consortium. The route is 1,500 meters long, well-equipped, and easily accessible. The internal temperature is a constant 14 °C.

Ancona stands atop the Colle Guasco, in a scenic location overlooking both land and sea. Charming views will capture your attention: from the harbor front to the Roman amphitheater, up to the promontory crowned by the Cathedral of San Ciriaco, and finally to its enchanting historic center.

Among Ancona’s landmarks are the Arch of Trajan, a Roman arch erected in the 1st century AD, and the Mole Vanvitelliana, a stunning pentagonal artificial island within the harbor, built according to designs by the papal architect Luigi Vanvitelli. Today it hosts fascinating art and photography exhibitions, as well as the Museo Omero, a barrier-free museum, unique in the world.

–> 10 things to do and see in Ancona

The city offers various beaches, both on high cliffs and low coasts. Among the former, the most central is Passetto, featuring large white rocks, including the Seggiola del Papa and the Quadrato Rock.

Before leaving the city, don’t forget to try stoccafisso all’anconetana and the wild mussels of Portonovo, a Slow Food recognized product—a mussel that reproduces naturally and lives attached to the submerged rocks along the Conero coast.

The stretch of coast that extends from the port of Ancona to that of Numana is called the Riviera del Conero. Crystal-clear waters, stunning beaches overshadowed by Mount Conero—a silvery-green promontory plunging into the deep blue sea—rich in coves and small beaches, rocky or pebbly, all awarded the Blue Flag. The Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle in Sirolo is the emblem of the Riviera del Conero, a magical place named after the two twin rocks that emerge from the sea.

–> Everything you need to know about Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle

Spiaggia delle Due Sorelle – Photo by Ionut Burloiu

Nestled within the Monte Conero Regional Natural Park, certified with the European Charter for Sustainable Tourism, the Riviera is one of the most famous symbols of natural beauty facing east toward the Adriatic Sea. It is the homeland of Rosso Conero wine, dotted with picturesque villages with Greek, Picene, and Roman histories such as Sirolo and Numana, spectacular bays like Portonovo, and includes sites of natural interest, art cities, museums, fortresses, castles, and religious complexes.

–> Discover the 10 best beaches of the Riviera del Conero

Loreto represents the heart of Marche spirituality and owes its fame to the Sanctuary, which houses the famous relic of the Holy House of Nazareth, where, according to tradition, the Virgin Mary was born and lived, and where she received the announcement of the miraculous birth of Jesus. A rich and sumptuous marble enclosure surrounds the Holy House, designed by Bramante.

Basilica of Loreto – Photo by Ionut Burloiu

The Loreto Sanctuary is a beautiful example of a fortress basilica, featuring ramparts, towers, guardhouses, and defensive systems. Walking along the ramparts offers views of the gentle Marche countryside and a wonderful panorama stretching from the “blue mountains” to the sea!

–> Things to do and see in Loreto

–> An itinerary in the Gola della Rossa and Frasassi Park, between villages and adventure

–> Itinerary around Ancona toward the inland

Perhaps not everyone knows that in this beautiful village were born Giacomo Leopardi, one of the greatest Italian poets, and Beniamino Gigli, the renowned opera singer.Located in the center of the Marche region, in a strategic position between the coast and the inland, Recanati is the typical “balcony town,” offering wide panoramic views.

Colle dell’Infinito in Recanati – Photo by Emanuele Orazi

We recommend getting lost exploring the Leopardi sites, such as the Piazzetta Sabato del Villaggio, overlooked by the 18th-century Palazzo Leopardi, the poet’s birthplace, which houses the precious library containing over 20,000 volumes, and the “Casa di Silvia”; the “Colle dell’Infinito”, the summit of Monte Tabor, and the “Tower of the Solitary Sparrow”, located in the courtyard of the Sant’Agostino cloister.

—> Recanati: a tour of the museums with a single ticket

Piazza del Popolo is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. Rectangular in shape, it is bordered by the imposing façade of the Palazzo dei Capitani, the historic Caffè Meletti in Liberty style, and the Gothic features of the Church of San Francesco, to which the Loggia dei Mercanti is attached.

–> 10 things to do and see in Ascoli Piceno

The Oliva Ascolana is the street food dish that best represents this city, known and appreciated worldwide. We recommend trying a generous portion, perhaps while strolling through the ancient streets of the historic center, built almost entirely in travertine. Another absolute must-try is Anisetta, a green anise-flavored liqueur typical of the area, best enjoyed while sitting at Caffè Meletti, the city’s elegant lounge.

–> An itinerary in the Piceno area among villages and nature

At any time and in any season, there’s always a good reason to take a trip to San Benedetto del Tronto, a charming town with a strong maritime tradition in the province of Ascoli Piceno, the vibrant heart of the Riviera delle Palme.

–> We recommend an itinerary featuring Blue Flag beaches, open-air museums, and Brodetto

If you want to delight your palate with traditional maritime recipes, you’re in the right place. San Benedetto is indeed the home of “Brodetto alla sambenedettese”, a fish soup distinguished from other recipes by the addition of peppers and vinegar. It is unique in its kind and has existed “since fishermen have existed.” Tasting it will take you on a journey back in time…