The Magnificent Riviera
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The perfect place for a family holiday, it is also a fantastic place for a great vacation with friends, or for that romantic escape. My friend Fabio's photos on my le Marche images page really do it justice.
Do you enjoy hiking and walking Italy? This whole area is ideal. I enjoy the Anello di Portonovo hike through the National Park. It takes about ninety minutes, taking it slowly, but it really depends on your level of fitness. I take the full ninety minutes but many would no doubt do it in an hour. The whole National Park has a network of very well marked paths so do it yourself hiking is very easy.
Monte Conero, dominates the area, looking like it belongs elsewhere, rising up from a coastline that is otherwise completely flat to the north and south. Along the Riviera Portonovo is the first stop south on the way from Ancona, which if you have taken one of the many cheap flights on offer will be where you arrive from.
For more Monte Conero and Marche images please click here
Portonovo is the place the locals of le Marche go. It is truly picture postcard gorgeous, immersed in nature, with the sea on one side and the lakes of Lago Grande and Lago Profondo on the other. It is even more beautiful than the great Fabio Fava photos would suggest.
Portonovo has a few hotels, some good camping sites and if you are very lucky you might find a beautiful Italian villa to rent. Don’t miss the great fish restaurants and try the famous local wine the Rosso Conero.
A good restaurant is to be found in the old Napoleonic fort built in 1808. The restaurant is excellent and it is just a short stroll from the beach.
Where to Stay
If you need a good hotel in the area then the Hotel Il Brigantino is probably the best option. Not expensive and definitely nothing fancy it is a place we really enjoy.
In Portonovo the Hotel Internazionale Portonovo is now a very good choice having recently been completely refurbished.
Portonovo offers some architectural interest in the form of the watch tower built in the early 18th century to defend the town from pirates and the beautiful little eleventh century church of Santa Maria – the architectural style of this church is unique in le Marche and Italy – seemingly more French than Italian.
For a great view it is well worth the effort to drive up to Badia di San Pietro, a hotel in what was once a Benedictine Hermitage built in the twelfth century. This is as far up that a car will get you – if you want to go higher you will need to hike.
The best time to come is late in late May through early June or early September. The weather in Le Marche is ideal then – not to hot - absolutely perfect.
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