Here is a true travel secret, tucked away in the eastern area of Italy called Le Marche.

Monterubbiano.

This town holds no blockbusters. It isn’t mentioned in any guidebooks that I know of. This is the same for many of the surrounding hilltop villages. No crowds or lines either.

A car is needed here, as well as a touch of patience and the ability to roll with the punches.

English is spoken but not fluently is most cases and with quite a bit of hesitation. The people are more formal and initially feel very reserved.

Dig a little deeper and stay a little longer. You will be rewarded with exceptional memories, the kind you never thought possible to create. Each gesture of appreciation you make or interest shown will be returned to you doubled.

This is where to go for the real experiences, not the easy and prepackaged ones. You’ll probably get lost a few times, have a hard time finding out exactly when certain things are open and will definitely get creative with communication. You’ll also go to bed every night feeling like you’ve been a part of everyday life. A life that didn’t try to impress you, that just was as it is.

This simplicity is the unicorn of travel.

Things to do in Monterubbiano:

• For starters, stay at minimum 3 nights.
• Explore the multiple hill towns with no agenda.
• Visit the incredible yet simple La Bottega dei Vasai.
• Explore the Adriatic coastline.
• Visit the Frasassi Caves and the Temple of Valadier, the most difficult church to get to in Italy.
• Spend the day in Ascoli Piceno. There is so much to see and do here.
• Fall down the rabbit hole on this site. You’ll find enough beautiful villages to visit to last a lifetime.

Where to eat in Monterubbiano:

• Breakfast at my recommended B&B. Every. Single. Morning.
• Have a polenta party at Osteria della Cornacchie.
• A cone of olives while strolling along the piazza in Ascoli Piceno.
• A fancy coffee or apertivo from Anisetti Meletti in Ascoli Piceno.

Where to stay in Monterubbiano:

• Vento di Rose B&B. You will never sleep more comfortably or be more spoiled for such an affordable stay. I wrote about my first experience in this article.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Andi Brown, Once in a Lifetime Travel ©copyright 2019