Comunanza town (time: 30 minutes – half day).
Just a 5 minute drive away, Comunanza is our nearest point of ‘civilization’ with a surprisingly good range of banks, shops, cafés/bars, and a post office. Here you can buy anything from jewellery to a washing machine so whatever you’ve forgotten you should be able to find it here. There’s also an old historic part of the town across the river worth exploring. And each Saturday morning arrives a lively local market selling flowers, fruits and vegetables, shoes, clothes and household items.
An alternative to driving is a pleasant one hour walk through a nature trail which begins right outside Montemuse’s front door. Quite possibly you will spot a hare, a family of wild pigs, or a porcupine en route. But remember, it’s uphill all the way home (so maybe ask someone to meet you in Comunanza and drive you back!)
Montefalcone village (time: 1 hour – half day).
Our home hilltop village built into limestone cliff at well over 2,000 feet above sea level boasts a museum of sea creature fossils found in nearby rock formations, revealing something about the geological history of the region. There are also two churches and the Tronelli Gardens behind the museum.
Whatever you don’t do, don’t miss the incomparable view from mountains to sea from the terrace by the main car park at the back of the first church.
Smerillo village (time: 1 hour – half day).
At the other end of the limestone bluff, about 3 kms from Montefalcone nestles Smerillo, another tiny picturesque hilltop village of ancient homes and churches. Le Logge restaurant, perched right at the end of the one way street has fabuous vews across the Marche scenery to the north, over the Lago di San Ruffino and all the way to Ancona
Montefalcone to Smerillo forest walk (time: 1 hour – half day).
Between Montefalcone and Smerillo is a wonderful network of forest trails over which you can wander while you wonder at the wonderful views. There are mountain bike trails too and it’s even possible to hire donkeys (plus guide) to accompany you on your hunt for fossils. An evening stroll is sure to be rewarded by an unforgettable sunset behind the Sibilini peaks.
Street markets
Street markets magically appear in the mornings on:
- alternate Mondays at Servigliano
- Wednesdays at Amandola
- Fridays at Force
- Saturdays at Comunanza
and just as magically disappear soon after midday. There is also an antique market in Fermo every Thursday evening in July and August, and a larger one in Ascoli Piceno in the mornings on the third Sunday of each month.