THE SEASIDE CITIES OF LE MARCHE

To the north Gabicce Mare is situated. It is a fine sea resort on two levels: sea level and cliff level. The sea level lays on a small bay surrounded by a llarge sandy beach eclosed by gardens and numerous hotels - the ideal setting to while away the sun soaked hours of the day. Gabicce Monte is situated on top of a scenic vegetation covered cliff - it offers many an evening attraction including retaurants, pizzerias and night clubs.

Pesaro - a stunning city where the echoes of Gioachinno Rossini's music still lingers on. Pesaro offers 8 km of deep sandy beaches - some sheltered by cliffs - and a quiet sea reort life style. A 20km long scenic road twists from Gabicce Mare to Pesaro, passing numerous pituresque fishermans towns pershed high on steep cliffs above the deep blue adriatic - with sea views to remember. Casteldimezzo, Fiorenzuola di Focara, Santa Marina alta. The whole area is part of the Regional Park of Monte San Bartolo (similar to the Monte Conero Park) it was founded in 1966. The cliffs are not as steep and severe as those of Monte Conero but the charm of this area and the regions natural and wild beauty is ever evident. The flowering ginesta add to the experience with the suggestive, incomparable scents and colours bleeding into the crystal clear blue adriatic.

Another Scenic road unwinds on the Aridizio hill top, between pesaro and Fano, where the shore flattens, and contrasts from the Regional Parks, to offer sandy beaches, interupted by the occasional short shingle beach. Openly cordial and friendly are the two resort areas of Fano: to the north, the short and sndy Lido, and the long and shingly Sassonia to the south laying in between a picturesque fising port.

With its very ancient origins, Fanun Fortunae maintains clear and
evident signs of its history offering its guests an opportunity to discover its artistic, historical and cultural assets. Two other friendly sea resorts are situated between the rivers Metauro and Cesano, these are Torrette di Fano and Marotta di mondolfo with its old fisherman's village. The unique beach here is sand, yet shingle in some parts.

Senigallia, with its 12km of white and sandy beach is the perfect setting for a bathing holiday but its ancient origins (it was well known as Sena Gallica, ancient capital city of the Senone Gauls) offers sites of historical interest as well. By 1850's the coaches of the aristocratic Romans and Austrians already strolled on its avenues.

This tidy city has kept alive its old warm and welcoming attitude which together with its "velvet beach" has made it famous throughout Europe. The town here is stunning if trafficated in the outskirts and well worth a visit.

Nearby almost a natural follow up to the sandy beach is Marzocca. Moving on towards Ancona we can find other characteristic sea resorts. Only a few kilometres from Montemarciano, originally the ancient city of Marziano, is Marina with its fine beach plus the ruins of a fifteenth century fortress. Next to this is Falconara Mairittima - this is 40 minutes from the apartments, farmhouse and villa situated near Cingoli, and it is here that you turn off from the coast and head inland.

Fanconara is very conveniently located for train, car and plane. Towards the southern end of Falconara is Palombina beach - modernly equipped it is the ideal setting for a quiet family orientated beach holiday, with its protected shores and gentle shallow beach it is great for children of all ages. It also comes to life in the evenings with restaurants and bars and music the beach.

In Ancona, a trip to the Duomo, the OPERA and a promenade down the Passetto are all highly recommended. The Passetto is one of the most suggestive areas of the city offering a fully equipped park and a double stone stairway from which it is possible to reach the sea below. The flat and level sea shore is abruptly interrupted south of Ancona by the green vegetation of Mount Conero (Monte Conero).

Numana

Ancona Duomo

Monte Conero

PORTONOVO

Conero