Things to do for the Non-painter

For non-painting companions there are many things to do. Most of all, relax in this most beautiful part of the world. You can spend as much or as little time as you want here ar The Retreat. There are deck chairs outside and a comfortable lounge where you can sit and read. We have country walks, for example there is a charming derelict chapel nearby or you can take a gentle 30 minute walk through stunning countryside past the sunflower fields to our nearby hill-top town of Force. Force is an ancient town perched 700 m above sea-level, famous for it's artigiani, including copper beating traditions. There are cafes with panoramic terraces boasting views to the Adriatic Sea, a host of beautiful churches and square with panoramic views to the mountains.

 

 

  Le Marche is known as "Italy in one region"and yet it is relatively undiscovered and surprisingly

  accessible. The Sibillini Mountains which are one of the highest sections of the Appenines are

  laced with old mule tracks and paths which make for great walking and hiking routes. The

  Sibillini's are 40km long, contain 10 peaks in excess of 2000m- the whole area is home to

  many species of rare wildlife and is protected by the Sibillini National Park. A visit to the Gola

  dell' Infernaccio, an awe-inspiring gorge or the 17th century Sanctuary of the Madonna dell'

  Ambro make for a great day out. Visit the parks website for itineraries and intersting places to

  visit: http://www.parks.it/parco.nazionale.monti.sibillini/Eindex.html

 

  Find out about the four main sections into which the protected area is divided, that is: the

  historical slope, the flowering slope, the magic slope, and the sacred slope.

 

  http://www.parks.it/parco.nazionale.monti.sibillini/Epun.html  

  Or: http://www.sibillini.net/en/index.html

 

  You can also find itineraries and information on the Lake Fiastra Nature Reserve:

   http://www.parks.it/riserva.statale.abbadia.fiastra/Eindex.html

  Map: http://www.parks.it/parco.nazionale.monti.sibillini/emap.php

Southern Le Marche's provincial capital boasts a wealth of classical squares and historical buildings

dating back to Roman times. The Duomo houses an original Crivelli Tryptic, only one of the many

Renaissance masterpieces created in this region. During the summer months the town becomes alive

with it's annual Quintana, a medieval palio featuring many costume parades and events in historical

settings throughout the town. It is a traditional competition between the sestiere of the city culminating

in a lancing competition on horses between the sestiere, or districts of Ascoli. Spectators Read more

about Ascoli Piceno. You can enjoy many of the events free of charge and use this opportunity to

explore this magnificent town on a day out.

Read more about Ascoli Piceno  Watch a video on Ascoli Piceno & the Quintana  

Known across the world for its annual open-air opera festival, but Macerata is a city that also warrants

a visit for its other charms. Macerata was founded in the 6th century and it's origins date back to the

Visigoth influences. The many squares, it's fine Palazzos and churches speak of it's rich cultural and

historical past. It is an ideal destination for an inspiring day out. Must see places include, Lo Sferito -

the grand neoclassical open-air opera arena seating 7000 people, the remains of the nearby Roman

City of Helvia Ricina and Corso Matteoti a street lined with historical palazzos in the town centre and

Loggia dei Mercanti.

Find out more about:

Macerata 

Lo Sferisterio- including the opera programme 2010. We are happy to assist with booking your tickets for this fantastic venue.

Helvia Ricina

Urbino remains one of the most important towns in the Marche - indeed in Italy - for the tourist in search

of great Italian art and architecture and its beguiling streets will reward the curious traveller. Its centro

storico is included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

For the second half of the 15thC its windy hill was the setting for one of the most illustrious courts in

Europe. Duke Federico da Montefeltr, Renaissance lord of the city. He gathered around him the greatest

painters, poets and scholars of his day and housed them in one of Italy's most beautiful Renaissance

palaces, a palace that still stands as an eloquent memorial to this quintessential Renaissance man.

Thanks to a refined cultural education, Federico da Montefeltro was able to summarize in this territory

the cream of the Italian renaissance humanistic culture. He tried to make his house the abode of the

Muses and to this end he welcomed to his house the best artists of that time: Piero della Francesca,

Luciano Laurana, Leon Battista Alberti and Francesco di Giorgio Martini. In this cradle of culture, artists

such as Raphael and Bramante took their first steps. After the Renaissance, the city experienced new

glory at the beginning of the 18th century, after the election to the papacy of Clement XI, son of the

princely Albani family. Read more: Urbino   Urbino - Culture and Tourism 

Heading north along the Adriatic one is able to see the magnificient basilica of Loreto. This striking hill

top town hosts one of the most important shrines to the cult of the Virgin Mary.

The great dome of the Sanctuario della Santa Casa dominates the countryside for miles around; below it

stands the focus of piety - the rustic cottage from Nazareth that witnessed the Annunciation and the

childhood of Jesus. Although the Santa Casa arrived, according to tradition, in 1294, it was not until 1507

that the church finally approved of Loreto as a place of pilgrimage.

Read more: Loreto  The sanctuary of Loreto

 

There is a reproduction of a Crivelli painting 'The Madonna of Force' in the towns

Romanesque chapel. The original is now in the Vatican museum. Take notice of

the unusual black dress of the Madonna which has a sinister overtone.

If you want to venture further afield, there are many places worth visiting, such as

The Sibillini National Park, Ascoli Piceno with it's stunning medieval towers and

Roman bridges. Built on the Roman Via Salaria it has for centuries provided a link

between the Adriatic and Rome and it's Roman history is well preserved.

In the Cathedral on the market square you will find Altar paintings by Crivelli. Did you know that the Crivelli Brothers come from the Ascoli Piceno region, which is why you find many of their frescos and paintings in Le Marche and even remote farmhouses in the Sibillinis. There is a nearby hermitage built into the Rocks, the nearby spa town of Aquasante Terme and of course, the Adriatic Sea. Unlike Tuscany or Umbria, you will find that here you will get to see the attractions not just the tourists. Le Marche benefits from the attractions of scenic locations, classical architecture and art work and of course the food and wine, without the hustle and bustle of too much tourism! You will find there is plenty for you to do and we are happy to provide you with ideas and itineraries. A hire car is recommended but not essential as we can organise transport for you at extra cost.