Lido di Camaiore is one of the most popular and best-equipped seaside resorts in Europe. Its lovely golden sand beach, stretching between Marina di Pietrasanta and Viareggio, is washed by the Ligurian Sea. The city is conveniently located to explore the charming Tuscan countryside, and is an excellent starting point towards the major tourist destinations and art heritage cities in Tuscany and Liguria. The elegant promenade, lined with beach resorts, restaurants and shops, is the hallmark of the town, and the iconic Bellavista Vittoria pier offers a stunning view over the Tyrrhenian Sea and the Apuan Alps, just behind. Sports enthusiasts will love the many beach activities and the long cycle track running from Viareggio to Forte dei Marmi. The hilly inland area is a major destination for hiking, biking and horse riding among the lush greenery, while the mountains (within short driving distance) offer a variety of routes. Lido di Camaiore has often been Giro d’Italia finish city in 1997, in 2002 and in 2007, and currently hosts the opening stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico.
Camaiore lies at the heart of Versilia, a charming region with long-established traditions, and has a varied landscape. Only a few other places on earth can boast such a combination of contrasting yet harmonising sceneries: from the heights of the Apuan Alps to the gentle rolling hills, dotted with lovely villages, to the beaches in Lido di Camaiore.
The customs and traditions of the city, such as the sawdust carpets and the oil-lamp procession commemorating the death of Jesus, made it a major tourist destination. Camaiore has a typical chessboard layout, and is surrounded by defensive walls. Major landmarks include the famous Collegiate church and the Benedictine Abbey. The town bursts into life especially in the summertime, offering a wealth of tourist attractions. The Palio takes place in June and in July, with the six town’s districts challenging each other in a set of athletic and entertaining competitions. The town of Camaiore is also known to sports and cycling enthusiasts for the historical “Gran Premio Città di Camaiore”, which was raced from 1949 to 2014, while in recent years it has become a permanent feature of the Tirreno-Adriatico route.
Scarpaccia: A savory pie, traditionally prepared with zucchini, flour, salt, pepper and onion.
Torta di pepe or “co’ pizzi”: A savory rice pie, with the alternative name referring to the lace-like design of the puff-pastry crust. The filling is made with rice, chard, bread, eggs, pepper, parsley and pecorino cheese.
Tordelli: A pasta dish, similar to ravioli, stuffed with ground beef and pork, chard, parmesan, eggs and breadcrumbs. It is served in a rich meat sauce.
Norcineria camaiorese: “Norcineria” refers to artiginal pork products, and in the Camaiore area this food originates from the butchers of the village of Gombitelli. This is a linguistic island that has hosted a Longobard population since the Middle Ages. Typical products are lard, pork mortadella, or “sbriciolona”, and biroldo. The sbriciolona is sweet and delicate tasting, made with shoulder loin, neck and pork belly, to which are added aromas and spices – salt, pepper, fennel seeds, cinnamon and cloves. Biroldo is a blood-based pork sausage, made with parts considered less noble, such as head, lungs, heart, tongue and sometimes intestines.
Badia di San Pietro: A monumental complex located near the historic center. The first documents mentioning it date back to the time of Lombard domination. At the beginning of the 12th century, the abbey reached its maximum splendor as a Benedictine one.
Pieve di Santo Stefano: The presence of this parish church is documented since the 9th century, and it is located in a hilly area below Mount Prana along the Via Francigena. It is of Romanesque-Lucchese style, and on the inside, there is a marble sarcophagus of Roman origin dating back to the 2nd century AD.
Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta: Located at the center of the city’s ancient urban layout, the church was founded in 1278 following the transformation of the existing rural village. Between 1350 and 1365 the imposing bell tower was built. It houses paintings by Marracci.
Teatro dell’Olivo: Theater of the typical style called “teatro all’italiana”. It is of seventeenth-century origin and stands in the place that once was used for the production of wool fabric. The theater was renovated during the early 2000’s and now delivers a popular program each season.
Villa Borbone delle Pianore: Located in the fraction of Capezzano Pianore, and the place where Zita di Borbone, the last empress of Austria, was born. The villa stands in the middle of a picturesque park, created by the landscape architect Deschamps.
Civic Archaeological Museum: Piazza Francigena is the location of the Civico Museo Archeologico, and the museum has undergone a long restructuring work for functional adaptation. Now it is exhibiting numerous archaeological and historical artefacts from this territory, documenting a continuity of settlement from prehistoric times, to the Middle Ages up to the proto-industrial age.
Museum of Sacred Art: Born as a place for collecting and storing furnishings, paintings, vestments, sacred furnishings from the 14th to the 16th century, the Museo d’Arte Sacra was established in 1936. It is located in the headquarters of the Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament of San Michele and San Vincenzo, a seventeenth century building. Standing out in the collection, is the Virgin of the Annunciation in polychrome wood by Matteo Civitali, a fourteenth-century Madonna with Child, also in polychrome wood, and a Flemish tapestry with scenes from the Passion of Christ, executed on cardboard in 1615 by Pieter Pannemaker or Giusto di Gand.
Follonica lies at the heart of the Gulf bearing the same name, in the Tuscan Maremma, between the promontory of Piombino and Punta Ala, opposite the Elba Island. Its strategic location and mild climate make it a popular destination for seaside, sporting, cultural and eco-tourism. The coastline is a stretch of white thin sand beaches, with shallow waters that gradually grow deeper. The surrounding scrubland and lush greenery offer endless possibilities for leisure, relaxation and recreation activities – not just at the beach – such as hiking, biking and horse-riding routes, breath-taking bays and wildlife sanctuaries. The gulf and the surrounding hills offer a large, diverse range of stunning landscapes with a rich history, from the turquoise blue sea, to the mountains and the woods of Cornate di Gerfalco and Montieri. Between the two, a variety of places, villages and hamlets surrounded by unspoilt nature, with their unique customs, traditions and landscapes. Nearby are a number of must-see sites, such as the villages of Scarlino, Castiglione della Pescaia and Suvereto, the mediaeval city of Massa Marittima, and the archaeological sites of Populonia, Vetulonia and Roselle. Local food and wine are just as rich and varied: wine is king, and is best paired with some tasty “pappardelle al cinghiale” (fresh pasta with wild boar sauce), the traditional Maremman specialty, or with more delicate, classical fish dishes, such as cacciucco.
Follonica lies at the heart of the Gulf bearing the same name, in the Tuscan Maremma, between the promontory of Piombino and Punta Ala, opposite the Elba Island. Its strategic location and mild climate make it a popular destination for seaside, sporting, cultural and eco-tourism. The coastline is a stretch of white thin sand beaches, with shallow waters that gradually grow deeper. The surrounding scrubland and lush greenery offer endless possibilities for leisure, relaxation and recreation activities – not just at the beach – such as hiking, biking and horse-riding routes, breath-taking bays and wildlife sanctuaries. The gulf and the surrounding hills offer a large, diverse range of stunning landscapes with a rich history, from the turquoise blue sea, to the mountains and the woods of Cornate di Gerfalco and Montieri. Between the two, a variety of places, villages and hamlets surrounded by unspoilt nature, with their unique customs, traditions and landscapes. Nearby are a number of must-see sites, such as the villages of Scarlino, Castiglione della Pescaia and Suvereto, the mediaeval city of Massa Marittima, and the archaeological sites of Populonia, Vetulonia and Roselle. Local food and wine are just as rich and varied: wine is king, and is best paired with some tasty “pappardelle al cinghiale” (fresh pasta with wild boar sauce), the traditional Maremman specialty, or with more delicate, classical fish dishes, such as cacciucco.
Sacrofano is a town just a few kilometers North the city of Rome. It lies at the hillside of Monte Musino at 260 m. above sea level within the territory of the Veio Regional Park. The town originally developed around an ancient medieval citadel, and today counts little more than 8 thousand residents. Set on a land created by volcanic eruptions declining towards level ground, the town is rich in vegetation – the so-called Sacrofano scrub – with large expanses of meadows, and villas and farmhouses nestled among olive groves. This large territory is suitable for horse riding, trekking and cycle tourism, and extends over an area of 2800 hectares, more than 80 percent of which fall within an area protected by the Veio Regional Park, the University of Cattle Owners and the Agricultural University of Sacrofano.
The name Sacrofano comes from “Sacrum fanum” that refers to a sacred temple dedicated to Jupiter Tonante and Hercules Musino, the remains of which were found on the slopes of Monte Musino. According to others, however, the origin of the name is due to the presence of the “sow” in this territory, an animal that found an ideal settlement and reproduction environment here, thanks to the abundance of water and the richness of oak woods. Interesting enough, the sow is also on the emblem of the municipality. The territory of Sacrofano is located between two historical roads – via Cassia and via Flaminia. It was part of the territory of the Etruscan city of Veio (ager Veientanus), eventually becoming part of the Catholic possessions and fortified by a stronghold to protect it against the Saracenic invasion. Later, it became a fief of the Orsini and Chigi families.
The town’s typical dishes are simple and genuine and recall the tastes and flavors of a peasant cuisine sided by traditional local meat, cheese and oil:
Green heart of Italy, Umbria is the region of uncontaminated landscapes, of small and ancient villages rich in history and tradition, of pleasant places, far from the chaos of the city, nestled among the green hills. Terni, the second city in the region, thanks to its strategic geographic position, allows tourists to easily and quickly reach the main Italian cities of art including Rome, Florence, Pisa, Perugia, Assisi, Orvieto. An area that is not wet by the sea, but rich in water: the Marmore Waterfall, the sublime diamond of Valnerina, is the main attraction, an essential destination for every tourist who wants to discover Umbria. To welcome visitors a variety of experiences that allow to satisfy every type of need: guided tours in the medieval villages of the Terni landscape such as Narni and San Gemini, historical centers where tradition and antiquity are the protagonists during the fascinating historical re-enactments that involve the whole communities, but also containers of archaeological and artistic treasures, such as the splendid Carsulae, the ancient Roman city whose remains brought to light are able to enchant anyone; the adrenaline adventures of rafting and canyoning, excursions and horseback riding allow you to discover in depth the natural wonders of a varied environment; for those who, however, decide to move away from stress and fatigue, the Terni area offers the opportunity to visit enchanting places of worship and spirituality, appreciated by all also for their historical and artistic beauty. A rich territory where the welcome to the visitor is itself an excellence: in the best structures including hotels, farmhouses, period residences, the tourist can enjoy the food and wine excellences made in Italy, often at km 0: exquisite meats , DOP brand olive oil, truffles, wines and traditional herbal liqueurs will delight the tourist who will not be able to get away easily from this land.
The cultivation of the olive tree is one of the oldest in Italy, already present since the Etruscan era. Although at a national level the production of oil is somewhat reduced, the Umbrian oil stands out as an oil of a certain value, obtaining in 1997 the European recognition of the Protected Designation of Origin Umbria, the only one at national level to enclose a whole region. The credit of all this is the combination of the climatic conditions of the territory: the characteristics of the soil and the mildness of the climate have favored the cultivation of the olive tree which has always been planted in the various species (moraiolo, leccino, rajo, frantoio). To enjoy the quality of the oil, bruschetta is a must: toasted bread scented with garlic, salt and plenty of olive oil.
The culture of the vine has, in our territory, millennial traditions. In the first book of the Georgics, Virgil recalls the patience with which the vintners of the time dedicated themselves to the cultivation of vines in these pleasant places. We are in the lands crossed by the high course of the Tiber, which gives life to vines. The following wines are produced from the vineyards located in favorable exposure soils in the various municipalities of the province of Terni: White, Red, Rosé, Novello, Malvasia. The Association of the Etruscan Ro-mana Wine Route, which mainly winds in the province of Terni, was born with the aim of promoting in Italy and abroad a particular form of conscious tourism, which combines the knowledge of the territory with that of environmental and agricultural products.
Since ancient times, truffles have interested philosophers and scientists. Greek philosophers claimed that truffles were rootless vegetables that originated during the autumn rains accompanied by thunder. The Romans were very fond of it and the Latin poets sang its praises and dictated its cooking rules. In the Renaissance era he was the prince of the table in the refined stately courts. Valuable product of nature with an unmistakable scent, it is appreciated and highly sought after. The Terni mountain is rich in it and produces various types, from the unmistakable black to the even rarer white; in summer it offers types of truffles equally appreciable in flavor and aroma, the “scorzone” and the “bianchetto”. Combined with food and dishes, the truffle is widely used in local cuisine.
Rising upland, right of River Tennacola and against the background of the Sibylline Mountains that seem to protect the town, Sarnano is an Orange Flag certified by the Touring Club of Italy. Among the red cotto tiles, major landmarks include the church of S. Maria di Piazza, Palazzo del Popolo, Palazzo del Podestà, Palazzo dei Priori, the San Giacomo baths and the Sassotetto ski resort. The medieval old town has survived undamaged to the present day; it still has the shape of a castrum, a fortified centre that expands in concentric circles, starting from Piazza Alta, and descending all the way to the foot of the hill, with tiny streets and lovely houses creating an evocative atmosphere where time seems to have stopped. Taking a first glance at the historical district of Sarnano, it really feels as if everything has retained its original appearance: the mediaeval layout and the defensive walls are still recognisable, and Porta Brunoforte still marks the entrance into town. Sarnano is also home to a ski resort extending from Monte Sassotetto to the Santa Maria Maddalena pass, with a unique feature: on a clear day, the view reaches the sea. As the Sibylline Mountains are just 50 km away from the Adriatic coast, skiers can enjoy a stunning view that ranges from the mountain tops, through the hills and to the sea.
In the rolling hills of the Conero Riviera stands a town that is particularly famous throughout the world for being the home of the accordion, a fascinating instrument that can adapt to all genres of music, from classical to folk music. An emblem of Italian music, the accordion is celebrated in Castelfidardo with a special international museum displaying more than 400 unique pieces that cannot be found anywhere else.
Castelfidardo is also rich in history; in fact, this is where the battle of Castelfidardo took place on 18th September 1860, a key stage of the Italian Risorgimento, which saw the Piedmontese army fighting against the Papal army. To commemorate this event, the sculptor Vito Pardo erected a grandiose monument, which from the top of a hill overlooks a large park surrounded by greenery, and an interesting Risorgimento museum has also been built containing artifacts and relics of the period.
The Selva di Castelfidardo is another green oasis to be admired for its exceptional flora and fauna, a unique area with a prehistoric forest under a special environmental conservation order and in which Villa Ferretti stands, built in the second half of the eighteenth century, where you can visit the personal art collection of Duke Roberto Ferretti.
Since 1975, in September, Castelfidardo has been home to the International Accordion Prize, the largest competition for accordionists in the world, a musical event that every year attracts more and more musicians from all continents with numerous guests and visitors.
La rotonda a Mare is a harmonious example of beach architecture and the result of many vicissitudes, destructions, projects and reconstruction works. Everything started during the Belle Époque with the creation along the beach, just in front of Hotel Bagni, of a wooden platform for hydrotherapeutic treatments and recreational activities designed by Vincenzo Ghinelli (1792-1871).
The final decision to build Rotonda a Mare in Senigallia was taken by Azienda Autonoma Stazione di Cura e Soggiorno on 30 January 1932. The project submitted by Engineer Enrico Cardelli, was chosen because of its “ingenious and favourable economic characteristics”.
Rotonda a Mare was inaugurated on 18 July 1933, and soon became a popular place with music entertainment. On 7 July 1935 the Italian Prince Umberto of Savoy travelled to Senigallia to inaugurate a beach holiday centre, called Colonia Marina Maria Pia di Savoia, and visited Rotonda a Mare.
Rotonda di Senigallia lived its golden years between 1950 and 1960, when it became a “temple” for the local jet set and a place where Italian music stars performed in concerts. It was reopened to the public in 2006 at the completion of restoration and requalification works.
Traditionally Rotonda has represented many different things for the local people: a meeting place with a social function, a pleasant opportunity for entertainment, and a symbol of the artistic and cultural life of the city. For its historical and architectural peculiarities, as well for its strategic position in the centre of the Marche region in Italy, Rotonda a Mare is a valuable evidence of a modern tourism model that is no longer founded on intensive construction activities along the coast, but on the idea of sustainable development, in a strict relation with the protection of the environmental and cultural heritage of the city and the landscape, for a better life quality.
Just like Portici Ercolani, Piazza Garibaldi, also known as Piazza del Duomo, recalls the most splendid time of Senigallia’s fair. It belongs to the urban development works ordered by Pope Lambertini in the mid of the 18th century.
Thanks to the recent refurbishment works, Piazza Garibaldi is a charming urban scenario, surrounded by public buildings with high architectural value: Palazzo Becci, Cattedrale di San Pietro Apostolo (Cathedral of Saint Peter the Apostle), Palazzo Vescovile (Bishop’s Palace) with Pinacoteca Diocesana, Palazzo Micciarelli (a former spinning mill), Auditorium San Rocco, Palazzo delle Dogane (Il Doganone) (The Customs Building) and Collegio Ginnasio Pio IX.
Especially worth of mention are Palazzo Micciarelli, designed by Senigallia’s architect Pietro Ghinelli, which in the early 19th century its courtyard hosted a communal wooden theatre, and the Cathedral, full of works of art.
Portici Ercolani are one of Senigallia’s landmarks, They bear the name of Monsignor Giuseppe Ercolani (1677-1759), who designed them in the mid of the 18th century upon order of Pope Benedict XIV, in the world Prospero Lambertini, as the celebration venue for the famous Fiera Franca (Trade Fair).
The one hundred and twenty-six Istria stone arches of Portici Ercolani line up along the right-hand side bank of Misa River. According to the original project, the arcades were to be built also on the opposite side of the river, but the crisis that hit the trade fair, due to the loss of tax benefits, stopped the new constructions and slowed down the works. Today, under Portici Ercolani, visitors can live and breathe the atmosphere of the fair’s golden years every Thursday morning with the open air market.
Palazzo del Duca is situated exactly in front of Rocca Roveresca. Erected by Guidubaldo II della Rovere in the middle of the 16th century according to a project by Gerolamo Genga, it was enlarged in the following decades by his son and heir Francesco Maria II, the last representative of the dynasty, who altered the symmetry of the façade by placing the entrance portal on the left-hand side. The palace was not built as a permanent residence for the Duke, but as a place for the court and its illustrious guests who could admire the military parades that were taking place in the square from the windows.
The Throne Hall is enriched by a splendid coffered ceiling attributed to Taddeo Zuccari. The forty-nine coffers were probably made between 1553 and 1555 and depict joyful festive scenes. Irony and satire against political and cultural power are also present: Zuccari paints carnival subjects, showing an imaginary upside-down world, where children represented as puttos rule over adults, just like the poor over the rich. In the Throne Hall visitors can also admire a Della Rovere genealogical tree on paper.
The palace overlooks the square named after Giovanni Della Rovere. The square has some unique features for Renaissance: there are no religious buildings and the so-called Fontana delle Anatre (o dei Leoni) (Fountain of Ducks or of the Lions) is situated in an off-centred position, thus confirming the military use of the space.
The fountain was built between 1599 and 1602 upon order of Francesco Maria II della Rovere to celebrate the reclamation of the Saline marshland. The ducks represent the birds that used to live in the damp area, whereas the presence of water represents the ability of man to control water, a former carrier of disease and now a modern symbol of prosperity.
An oasis of palms and greenery and a Blue-flag winning sea, paired with top-quality tourist reception facilities, fabulous food, a lovely climate, leisure activities for children, a bustling nightlife, sports and culture. San Benedetto del Tronto is all of this – and much more. The seafront is the city’s crown jewel: stretching four kilometres, it is considered one of the most beautiful promenades in Italy. The port, one of the most important ones in Italy, also has a large tourist harbour. San Benedetto started to develop in the late 19th century, following the construction of the Adriatic Railway and the creation of the first beach resort. Since then, San Benedetto del Tronto has been thriving around the sea, which is its source of economic and cultural wealth. Fishing has moved from contributing to people’s livelihoods to being the mainstay of local economy. At the same time, tourism has grown remarkably, intensely and unstoppably, and San Benedetto del Tronto has become the first city in the Marches region in terms of hotel stays. The popular “brodetto alla sambenedettese”, a fish stew with bell peppers and vinegar, which makes it different from any other recipe, is a must-taste in local cuisine. It has been a one of a kind since forever, and just a spoonful of it will take you back in time.
San Benedetto del Tronto has always been connected with sea and sea tradition. The Museums of the Sea includes the Maritime civilization Museum, the Amphorae Museum, the Fish Museum and the Truentinum Antiquarium. The Art Gallery of the Sea, opened in April of 2009, is part of the Museums of the Sea. The MAM (the Museum of Art on the Sea) is a permanent outdoor museum, collecting 145 works of art. The older part of the town, with its fourteenth century hexagonal Gualtieri Tower and red brick houses, sits above the main resort. The most remarkable tourist attractions are: the Sanctuary of the Blessed Sacrament Modonna, the Santa Maria Cathedral of the Marina, the Church of St. Joseph, the Municipal Concordia Theatre, the Lighthouse.
San Benedetto del Tronto was a martyr and a soldier born in Cupra during the reign of Roman Emperor Diocletian. Shortly thereafter, following the edict of Constantine in 313 AD, some believers built a chapel around the tomb. Since then, San Benedetto has been highly revered by locals. The archaeological findings indicate Roman origins, linking San Benedetto to the ancient city of Alba Picena on the right bank of the Albula river.
The first document which indicated the name of the village dates from 998. In 1478, there was a plague epidemic which decimated the city’s population. The area remained virtually uninhabited until refugees from Romagna repopulated San Benedetto where they were granted land leases. From the 16th century until the 19th century, the Turks repeatedly invaded the city where they captured sailors and forced them into slavery. Since 1650, the urban center expanded beyond the city walls. In 1754, the first marine suburbs. In 1860, the “Cacciatori delle Alpi” freed the city from the dominion of the church. The Royal Decree giving San Benedetto the “del Tronto” attribute was in 1896. From 1943 to 1944, during the Second World War, the city suffered 144 air raids and 6 naval shellings. Following the end of the war, the city’s economy and businesses prospered. Fishing became a cornerstone of the local economy and in the 1960s and 1970s, the city became one of the largest fishing ports in Italy. After the war, San Benedetto became a popular holiday resort on the Adriatic coast.
The Brodetto alla Sambenedettese fish soup is without doubt the finest example of local cuisine.
This recipe is handed down from the old fishermen who, once out at sea with their boats, satisfied their hunger by preparing a dish from the part of their catch which was less suitable for market. Vinegar is the fundamental ingredient. The types of fish more commonly use to prepare the brodetto alla sambenedettese include cuttlefish, squid, weever, horse mackerel, white skate, sea-hound, monkfish, scorpion fish, shrimp and mantis shrimp. Essential ingredients include white onions, red-green peppers, yellow peppers, unripe green tomatoes and extra virgin olive oil from our hills. Before serving this dish, add slices of roasted, homemade bread to be soaked in the “brodetto”.A must-try is the traditional “frittura di paranza”, a kind of fish fry only prepared with selected species caught in the Adriatic Sea.
One of the Italian cuisine’s most peculiar dishes, the meat-stuffed olives known as “olive all’ascolana”, takes its name from a place in the Marche region, the city of Ascoli, where the recipe is supposed to be originally from.
San Benedetto del Tronto and the lands of Piceno are the area with the greatest wine production of the Marche region. Piceno was initially known for its red wines, the first to receive national recognition, gradually joined by local whites (Passerina and Pecorino), that are experiencing new vitality today thanks to the general public. At present, the reality of the Piceno wine can count on: DOCG “Offida”, Rosso Piceno DOC ,Rosso Piceno Superiore DOC, Falerio DOC and Falerio Pecorino DOC, Terre di Offida DOC. The Offida DOCG is named after the town of Offida. The DOCG was established in 2011, it includes three types of wine: Offida Rosso, Offida Passerina and Offida Pecorino. The DOC Rosso Piceno is the first DOC born in the Piceno province. Established in 1968 and changed later, its name dates back to the Piceni, the pre-Roman population. The Rosso Piceno Superiore type is produced in a limited area: only 13 municipalities in the province of Ascoli Piceno. It differs from the Rosso Piceno DOC for the additional ageing time spent in wood. The Falerio DOC dei Colli Ascolani was established in 1975 and changed later. The name is linked to the origins of the history of the Piceno area: in fact, it derives from Faleria, an ancient Roman city now known as Falerone (Province of Fermo). The value of this wine lies in the coastal culture, linked to the use of fish: no other wine like Falerio enhances the flavour of white and blue fish that the Adriatic Sea offers the inhabitants of this area. The Offida wines have been acknowledged as DOC in 2001, for the Passerina spumante, vin santo and passito types. The name was changed to Terre di Offida in 2011.
