Relax & Explore:
'Il bel sogno’ is ideally located between the Adriatic coast and the wonderful national park Monte Sibillini. In the area you will find plenty of possibilities for hiking, cycling, mountain biking, golfing, fishing, horse riding and skiing; plenty of opportunities to explore and to relax.
Zee:
Pedaso (10 min.) is a small coastal town with a lovely pebble beach. It is known for its mussels and mussel festival (Sagra delle Cozze) in summer.
The Riviera Picena delle Palme runs from Cupra Marittima through Grottamare to San Benedetto Del Tronto and is characterized by about 8,000 palm trees along the beach.
Cupra Marittima (20 min.) has a quiet sandy beach. The lush vegetation of pine, palms and oleander gives Cupra Marittima her laid-back
charm.
San Benedetto del Tronto (30 min.) is an upmarket seaside resort, mainly known by the Italians, with beautiful sandy beaches and a great nightlife. Here is a kilometers-long promenade with beach bars and restaurants where you can find good and relatively inexpensive food. The 'brodetto' is served everywhere.
Porto San Giorgio (25 min.) has a beautiful wide sandy beach. And with its many terraces and restaurants it is a lovely place to have an extensive lunch and enjoy Le Marche's ‘brodetto’ (fish stew from 13 species).
Grottamare (25 min.) is also known as the pearl of the Adriatic sea with beautiful white sand beaches and cozy cabanas. Spectacular is the beautiful sea view from the arcades of the Piazza Peretti, and do not forget the excellent restaurants! Make sure you bring good walking shoes, because the old hamlet sits on a hill and is only accessible by foot.
Civitanova Marche (30 min.) is an attractive seaside resort that serves as a colourful fishing port and centre for the footwear industry. The long deep (pebble) beach offers a bit more style than its nearby neighbours.
Mountains:
‘Il bel sogno’ lies about 50 km from the foot of the Apennines. This beautiful national park is easily accessible by car.
Gran Sasso e Monti della Laga (1h15min.)
This natural park in the Apennines, which is mostly located in the Abruzzo province is very diverse and is famous for its six pairs of golden eagle. The top of the Gran Sasso with its 2.912m forms the roof of the Apennines.
Monte Sibillini (1h30min.)
In the southwest of Le Marche lies the Monte Sibillini National Park, part of the Apennines. In summer the snowy peaks form a beautiful hiking area, where you can be greeted with large flocks of sheep, and in winter time you can ski. The highest peak Monte Vettore (2.476m) towers over everything. Amidst the mountains is the Piano Grande (‘the great plain’) which especially in spring offers fantastic views when the plain is coloured by thousands of flowers.
Cycling / Mountain Biking:
Le Marche is perfect for great cycling holidays. As well as for sportive cycling as for mountain biking. It is not for nothing that almost every year the Giro d'Italia organises several mountain stages in Le Marche.
Hiking:
Le Marche is a perfect hiking area par. A bit inland, at the foot of the mountains, you will find most hiking trails and opportunities. Spread over Le Marche you will find a large number of described trails:
In the south of Le Marche you will find the famous hiking destination: the National Park of ‘Monte Sibilinni’, a real hiker's paradise. Amandola and Sarnano, are just two of the beautiful towns on the outskirts of the Monte Sibellini. This really is a hiker's paradise with many nearby possibilities; different options from really difficult to more normal routes can be found here
Horse Riding:
In the Monte Sibilinni it is possible to make beautiful nature orientated tours by horse or donkey.
In the area surrounding Montefiore dell'Aso you can find several horse riding centres.
Golfing:
Golfclub 'I Lauri' is located about 5 km away on the other side of Montefiore dell'Aso. It is a 9-hole golf course with putting green, pitching green, golf academy and driving range. A beautiful green oasis with lots of birds; a nature park worthy. The course is located at 185m altitude and has a hilly character with a natural stream flowing through it.
Fishing:
To be allowed to fish in Italy, you need a permit. For some parts even an additional day pass. The rules vary by region; each lake or area has its own unique license. A permit can be collected at ‘Prefettura’, the town hall. Take a copy of your ID with you. This permit then needs an additional tax stamp, called ‘marca da bollo’, which can be bought at the local ‘Tabaccheria’ (recognisable by the sign with the 'T'). You can send an email via the specific link to the provincial office for more detailed information about that region. Some regions can provide you a special tourist permit.
In Italy you do not need a permit to fish in the sea as long as it comes to non-professional fishing! In summer, surf casting and spinning from the beach are banned in most areas between 08h00 and 20h00. In case you want to go for this type of fishing you need to inform yourself well with the locals.
At about 5 km from ‘il bel sogno’ there are a number of fishponds falling under 'Parco Laghi Adriatico'.
Skiing:
During the winter months usually there is enough snow in the Monte Sibilinni where you can go hiking or skiing in various places. The slopes are certainly not massive and suitable for all ages and for beginners or more experienced skiers.
'Sassotetto - Santa Maria Maddalena' (11.5 km slopes)
Strada Provinciale 120, Località Santa Maria Maddalena, 62028 Sarnano, Italy
'Pintura – Bolognola' (7 km slopes)
Pintura, Via III Salti, 62035 Bolognola, Italy
'Forca Canapine' (25 km slopes)
Manovia Serenella, Strada Provianciale, 64, 63096 Arquata del Tronto, Italy
'Monte Prata – Castelsantangelo sul Nera' (3.6 km slopes)
Monte Prata, Strada Provinciale 136, 62039 Castelsantangelo sul Nera, Italy
'Ussita Frontignano' (9 km slopes)
Lo Schiancio-Le Saliere, SP130, National park Monti Sibillini, 62039 Ussita, Italy