Gretchen & Jim
Things To Do
Restaurant: Da Marina Al Teatro
Fantastic pizza and traditional Italian fare. Ask Andy & Anita about the mixed grill platter...
Restaurant: Osteria Dell'Arco Di Natali Tiziano
(Pictured above). Exceptional Cacio e Pepe, steaks and wine, plus the desserts were divine...Martin & Sara introduced us to this place!
Tour Options for Rome
Many of you are looking to spend some time in Rome. If you're interested in booking private, guided tours please reach out to our friend David Bittner at The Cruise & Vacation Authority david@tcava.com or +1-678-903-0213. If you prefer, here is information on a free 2-day walking tour https://www.rome.net/two-days-in-rome or private guided tours.
Caves at Frasassi
The Frasassi Caves are a karst cave system in the municipality of Genga, Italy, in the province of Ancona, Marche. They are among the most famous show caves in Italy.
Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi
We haven't been here yet, but it's on our list! An approximate 40 minute drive, the Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi is in the Umbria region in central Italy. This is where Saint Francis was born and died, and it's one of the most important places of Christian pilgrimage in Italy.
Natural Reserve of Abbadia Fiastra
Fiastra Abbey Nature Reserve was established in 1984 and includes 4,448 acres of land surrounding the Abbey of Chiaravalle di Fiastra.
Lago di Fiastra
Created in 1955, Lago di Fiastra is a reservoir in the province of Macerata. The Fiastrone flows into the reservoir from the south and exits the reservoir in the northeast part of the lake. The lake is located within Monti Sibillini National Park.
Castello di Gradara
The Gradara Castle - a medieval fortress straddling the Marche and Emilia-Romagna regions - stands on a hill from which it dominates the Adriatic Sea on one side and valleys on the other. Particularly striking is the view of the fortress and the underlying historical village at night.
Monti Sibillini National Park
The Monti Sibillini National Park (Italian: Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini) is an Italian national park located across the regions of Marche and Umbria, encompassing the provinces of Macerata, Fermo, Ascoli Piceno and Perugia. It was established in 1993, and now contains more than 70,000 hectares. If you want to hike anywhere in the Sibilini Mountains, download www.alltrails.com for suggested hiking routes.
Macerata (City) and Sferisterio di Macerata (Opera House)
Established in 1138, Macerata sits on a hill between the Chienti and Potenza rivers. The Palazzo Buonaccorsi houses masterpieces including the Madonna and Child by Carlo Crivelli. To the north lie the remains of ancient Helvia Recina, a Roman settlement destroyed by the Visigoths. Local specialities include vincisgrassi alla maceratese, a regional version of lasagna. In July and August the Opera Festival is held in the 2,500 seat Arena Sferisterio. It is a huge neoclassical arena erected in the 1820s as a stadium for a form of handball. The orchestra pit is so wide that musicians at each end cannot hear each other.
Ascoli Piceno
Ascoli Piceno is a town in central Italy. It has an elegant Renaissance square in the center, travertine paving and a 13th-century Palazzo (palace) built over Roman ruins. The Civic Picture Gallery, contains Murano glass chandeliers, and paintings by Titian and Carlo Crivelli. Nearby is the Cathedral of St. Emidio (pictured), with a crypt featuring elaborate mosaics.
Basilica of San Nicola in Tolentino
The Basilica of Saint Nicolas of Tolentino is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica that is part of the Augustinian monastery in the hill-town of Tolentino, province of Macerata, Marche, central Italy. The church is a former cathedral of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tolentino.
Beaches of Marche
There are so many beaches to choose from, they're all beautiful and most will be about a 45 minute drive from Mogliano. This link will take you to several beach options.
Casa Leopardi
Giacomo Leopardi, one of Italy's most famous poets, was born in Recanati in 1798. He is known for his prose and poetry, and patriotic writings. The house where Leopardi grew up was a modest noble palazzo and is now a museum.