Monteleone di Fermo
Distance from hotel: 5km / 10 minute drive
Lunch: on-site food truck
Altitude: 427m
A peaceful medieval hilltop village surrounded by rolling fields and views of the Adriatic Sea and Sibillini Mountains. Its warm stone architecture, narrow streets, and terracotta rooftops make it a very inspiring painting location.
The village’s history dates back to the Middle Ages, with remnants of its ancient castle walls and an irregular hexagonal bell tower (13th–14th centuries) still intact.
Santa Vittoria in Matenano
(Not recommended for 2026 due to ongoing construction)
Distance from hotel: 6km / 10 minute drive
Lunch: in local restaurant
Altitude: 626m
A small town with charming cobblestone streets, historic buildings and breathtaking views from atop the cliff face, where it sits. The picturesque town is renowned for its natural beauty and old-world charm with its winding streets and panoramic views to the stunning Sibillini Mountains.
During the medieval period, Santa Vittoria in Matenano became a centre for art and culture, attracting artists, writers and intellectuals from across Italy and beyond.
The town has preserved its old- world charm and natural beauty.
There is a market in Santa Vittoria in Matenano on the second Sunday of the month.
Madonna dell’Ambro, Montefortino
Distance from hotel: 35km / 45 minute drive
Lunch: in local trattoria
Altitude: 658m
The shrine to the Madonna dell’Ambro is the heart of the Sibillini National Park and is the oldest place of worship to the Madonna in the Le Marche region.
The church has a fast flowing stream running alongside it as well as being flanked on either side by striking mountain peaks. There are nature paths from the shrine up into the woodlands and heading into the mountains
Monte Rinaldo
Distance from hotel: 6km / 8 minute drive
Lunch: in local bar
Altitude: 485m
An extremely quaint, peaceful, hill-top, medieval village built in a classic architectural style that reflects the typical medieval villages of the area and with stunning views of the surrounding hills and valleys.
There are two gates / entrances to enter the town – Port Romana and Port Ascolana as well as a clock tower and church and at the top of the town there is a shady park with views to the distant Sibillini Mountains.
Lago di San Ruffino
Distance from hotel: 20km / 30 minute drive
Lunch: in lakeside trattoria
Altitude: 360m
Lago di San Ruffino is an artificial lake nestled in the foothills of the Sibillini National Park created, along with a dam, to stop the flow of the Tenna River.
Surrounded by unspoiled natural beauty – lush greenery and stunning mountain views – its provides a peaceful and tranquil setting for any painting day.
Smerillo
Distance from hotel: 15km / 25 minute drive
Lunch: in local trattoria
Altitude: 800m
Smerillo sits on spur midway between the Sibillini Mountains and the Adriatic Sea. Its origins date back to the Roman era and has a compact historic centre enclosed by the remains of a medieval castle and ancient walls.
It offers a charming atmosphere with its narrow streets, stone houses and stunning views of the surrounding countryside to the Adriatic Sea on one side and the majestic Sibillini Mountains on the other.
Gola d’Infernaccio / The Gorge of Hell!
Distance from hotel: 35km / 50 minute drive
Lunch: Packed lunch
Altitude: 885m
One of the most exciting gorges in Central Italy which slices through towering limestone cliffs via small paths and bridges and opens out into beautiful woodlands.
There are small waterfalls located at the entrance to the gorge as well as a stream running through the gorge itself.
Notes: the walk to the start of the gorge from the drop off point takes 15 minutes and then to get to the woodlands through the gorge is another 45 minutes.
For groups over 8 people, it’s not possible for the bus to arrive at the normal drop off point which means it’s a one hour walk to the gorge from the accessible point for a larger bus.
There are no public toilets.
Altidona
Distance from hotel: 31km / 35 minute drive
Lunch: in local trattoria (Thursdays only) or packed lunch
Altitude: 800m
Altidona is a charming village with its well-preserved medieval architecture, cobblestone streets and with it’s ancient fortress, dating back to the 13th century, which dominates the skyline and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside and nearby Adriatic Sea.
There’s also a park just before the clock tower entrance to the historic centre of the village.
Foce di Montemonaco
Distance from hotel: 35km / 45 minute drive
Lunch: on-site food truck
Altitude: 945m
Foce is a tiny hamlet nestled within the Sibillini National Park. It is surrounded by striking mountains, rolling hills and lush forests. It has charming stone houses, narrow winding streets, and breathtaking views of the Apennine landscape.
There’s a path leading out to the back of the hamlet which eventually takes you up to Lago di Pilato – a glacial lake located at 2476m.
Montedinove
Distance from hotel: 12km / 15 minute drive
Lunch: in local bar (except Mondays) or packed lunch
Altitude: 561m
Montedinove is a charming, small hilltop village characterised by its narrow, winding streets and historic stone buildings, some of which date back to the 13th century.
Montedinove is also known for its scenic views of the surrounding countryside, as well as being home to several churches and historical landmarks, including the 14th century Church of San Lorenzo and the 16th century Palazzo Comunale.
Comunanza
(Not recommended for 2026 due to ongoing construction)
Distance from hotel: 15km / 20 minute drive
Lunch: local trattoria
Altitude: 448m
Comunanza dates back to the 5th/6th century and sits in the middle of a pleasant valley crossed by the River Aso. The town is surrounded by wooded hills and small hamlets and from any corner there are wonderful views of the Sibillini Mountains.
The old town is reached by crossing a small bridge where there are many historic buildings dating back to the 13th centrury.
Amandola
(Not recommended for 2026 due to ongoing construction)
Distance from hotel: 24km / 30 minute drive
Lunch: local trattoria
Altitude: 500m
Amandola, a town in the Sibillini Mountains, is known for its stunning natural beauty, with the mountains providing a dramatic backdrop. It is characterised by its medieval architecture dating back to the Middle Ages. Various artists have led their mark on the town.
Every Wednesday morning there is a market in Amandola.
Vineyard
Distance from hotel: From 5 – 25km / 5- 30 minute drive
Lunch: in cantina
Altitude: various
Enjoy a peaceful and natural experience in a local vineyard. Capture the natural beauty of vineyard scenery – the vines, the surrounding landscape and the vineyard buildings.
Servigliano
Distance from hotel: From 13km / 17 minute drive
Lunch: local bar
Altitude: 215m
Servigliano is a charming town known for its beautiful and well-preserved historic centre, which is home to numerous architectural treasures and sits amidst picturesque hills and countryside.
An added attraction for Servigliano is that there is a market on the first and third Monday morning of each month.
Pedaso (only possible until 9th October)
Distance from hotel: 30km / 30 minute drive
Lunch: local restaurant or packed lunch
Altitude: 0m
Pedaso is a small seaside town with a very small port and a pebble beach. As well as the beach there is a park area a very quaint ‘old town. Pedaso is know in the area as the “mussels” beach as these molluscs are cultivated from the concrete pillars that lie just off the gravelly beach.
Pedaso also has a small local market every Monday morning.
Note: from September until the end of May the market takes place every first and third Monday of the month
Montefiore dell’Aso
Distance from hotel: 27km / 30 minute drive
Lunch: local restaurant
Altitude: 412m
Montefiore dell’Aso is a typical medieval-style fortified village with an elliptical shape located towards the Adriatic coast and as well as having an historic centre also has far-reaching views across the rolling hills.
Its historic centre is enclosed by a beautiful city wall, mostly still present and well preserved and characterised by six towers and two gates dating back to the 14th, 15th and 16th centuries.
There is a market in Montefiore dell’Aso the third Sunday of each month
