Two weeks in the Le Marche region this August
Discussion
Italy in August? You must be absolutely mad. Google "Ferragosto" - in short: Everybody in Italy takes the month off and spends it with his/her relatives at the beach. However, choosing the Marche for your trip would turn out as a big advantage as it is a quiet, rural area with a few mountains thrown in and moderate temperatures.
Being mobile is very important because things to do and see are scattered with quite some drives in between. There is something for everybody here:
-> Culture: Marche is full of it, mainly architecture and painting/affreschi in museums and in palazzi
-> Relax: The main beaches (Rimini/Ancona) will be absolutely packed, however there are of course some more remote places
-> Drive: Some nice mountain passes
-> Eat: Yes
-> Drink: Some interesting microbreweries and lots of good wine
Let me know what you and your family are up to and I will try to help. Avoid San Marino, it is not worth it.
Christian
Being mobile is very important because things to do and see are scattered with quite some drives in between. There is something for everybody here:
-> Culture: Marche is full of it, mainly architecture and painting/affreschi in museums and in palazzi
-> Relax: The main beaches (Rimini/Ancona) will be absolutely packed, however there are of course some more remote places
-> Drive: Some nice mountain passes
-> Eat: Yes
-> Drink: Some interesting microbreweries and lots of good wine
Let me know what you and your family are up to and I will try to help. Avoid San Marino, it is not worth it.
Christian
Edited by chalda on Saturday 5th April 16:24
Great, thanks Christian.
I have heard that it's packed in August but that's the only time we can go, unfortunately.
We've heard that Sienna is worth a visit. We're staying in San Ginesio, apart from not I haven't a clue what to do, to be perfectly honest.
I have heard that it's packed in August but that's the only time we can go, unfortunately.
We've heard that Sienna is worth a visit. We're staying in San Ginesio, apart from not I haven't a clue what to do, to be perfectly honest.
Edited by Adenauer on Monday 7th April 13:21
San Ginesio looks lovely but you are truly in the middle of nowhere. Which is nice.
A good point about San Ginesio is that you can turn west into Umbria and go and visit some very interesting towns there: Perugia/Assisi (art art art), Spoleto (eat, art), Foligno (eat), Norcia (eat eat eat), Todi (medieval, small, mindblowing location, very good trattoria), even Orvieto (art, eat, everything).
Gubbio in Umbria is one of the strangest, most amazing towns I have ever visited, however remember to go when it is raining (difficult) and not to jump onto the low ceiling of the main piazza next to the town hall - which again houses a fantastic museum (if you are into etruscian art and ceramics).
Citta di Castello features a most unusual museum for modern art located in an old tabacco drying facility which is completely painted black (not good in August). But this area already requires a few hours driving.
Sightseeing north of San Ginesio in the Marche itself: Urbino (national gallery of the Marche, great palazzi, some amazing affreschi), Loreto (very very holy, the santa casa which flew right there from Jerusaleme).
Beaches: There are some insiders tips around the Conero reserve south of Ancona. Generally speaking, the coastal area is horrible. If your kids are male and of the right age, they might well have a lot of fun chatting up italian girls, like one used to do in the good old times ;-).
You did not specify what you would like to see & do - art, beach, eat, drive? PM me if you want. Avoid Ancona as it is an industrial port.
Car things to do: Niente. The next interesting car-related museums would be in the Modena area, which is too far away. So drive and enjoy. You will make approximately 50 km/hour average speed through this area.
Chris
A good point about San Ginesio is that you can turn west into Umbria and go and visit some very interesting towns there: Perugia/Assisi (art art art), Spoleto (eat, art), Foligno (eat), Norcia (eat eat eat), Todi (medieval, small, mindblowing location, very good trattoria), even Orvieto (art, eat, everything).
Gubbio in Umbria is one of the strangest, most amazing towns I have ever visited, however remember to go when it is raining (difficult) and not to jump onto the low ceiling of the main piazza next to the town hall - which again houses a fantastic museum (if you are into etruscian art and ceramics).
Citta di Castello features a most unusual museum for modern art located in an old tabacco drying facility which is completely painted black (not good in August). But this area already requires a few hours driving.
Sightseeing north of San Ginesio in the Marche itself: Urbino (national gallery of the Marche, great palazzi, some amazing affreschi), Loreto (very very holy, the santa casa which flew right there from Jerusaleme).
Beaches: There are some insiders tips around the Conero reserve south of Ancona. Generally speaking, the coastal area is horrible. If your kids are male and of the right age, they might well have a lot of fun chatting up italian girls, like one used to do in the good old times ;-).
You did not specify what you would like to see & do - art, beach, eat, drive? PM me if you want. Avoid Ancona as it is an industrial port.
Car things to do: Niente. The next interesting car-related museums would be in the Modena area, which is too far away. So drive and enjoy. You will make approximately 50 km/hour average speed through this area.
Chris
Edited by chalda on Monday 7th April 20:29
iva, a day trip to Florence is probably on the cards but I have heard that Sienna is actually nicer?
Chris, that's brilliant info, thanks. The kids are girls (17 & 18). They want to eat Pizza and Pasta.
Mrs Adenauer and I want to have a few nice days out, also maybe a few days on the beach, and then spend the rest of the time lounging by the pool.
We do wine, food, nice towns and nice beaches.
We don't do, religion.
Chris, that's brilliant info, thanks. The kids are girls (17 & 18). They want to eat Pizza and Pasta.
Mrs Adenauer and I want to have a few nice days out, also maybe a few days on the beach, and then spend the rest of the time lounging by the pool.
We do wine, food, nice towns and nice beaches.
We don't do, religion.
Adenauer said:
Yes but they're not the 'bad' scorpions like you get in the desert.
As for the Florence vs. Siena thing both are nice but Florence has to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Will be there in early August as the kids want to visit Rome before we go to the beach (S. France) and I can't pass by Florence without stopping for at least one day.
Florence is an obvious destination, but Siena is also something else, and well worth a visit. On the other hand le Marche coast is lovely: quieter than the west, but with lovely beaches. We've stayed twice in Sirolo. Lovely little market town, good hotels (campsite if you want it)and really can recommend it. Good luck!
rupert the dog said:
Florence is an obvious destination, but Siena is also something else, and well worth a visit. On the other hand le Marche coast is lovely: quieter than the west, but with lovely beaches. We've stayed twice in Sirolo. Lovely little market town, good hotels (campsite if you want it)and really can recommend it. Good luck!
Thanks, Rupert. Not long now, really looking forward to it.Do you have any names of the lovely beaches, any secret ones off the beaten track perhaps? We have a Villa for the duration so shan't need any hotels or campsites.
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