Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Call
071 4 33 21 at the train station or
071 20 28 95 in the town centre.
WORTH A TRIP
THE FLYING HOUSE OF LORETO
Straddling a hilltop and visible from afar, Loreto is absorbed entirely by its bauble-domed
Basilica
della Santa Casa
(Piazza della Madonna; 6.15am-7.45pm summer, to 7.15pm winter) . While the
original basilica started in 1468 was Gothic, Renaissance additions have made today's basilica an ar-
chitectural masterpiece, with its riot of gold-leafed halos, impressive frescoes and religious triptychs.
Inside stands the elaborate marble
Santa Casa di Loreto
, or the Holy House shrine, where pilgrims
flock to glimpse a jewel-encrusted black statue of the Virgin and pray in the candlelit twilight. The
chapel is allegedly where Jesus was raised as a child. Legend has it a host of angels winged the chapel
over from Nazareth in 1294 after the Crusaders were expelled from Palestine.
If you fancy staying the night in the calm, pretty old town, 18th-century townhouse
B&B Antica
Maison
( 366 1754341;
www.anticamaison.net
; Via Francesco Asdrubali 24 ; s/d €55/65; )
brims with charming features like beams and four-poster beds. Fausta and Livio extend a very warm
welcome. Foodie pilgrims won't want to miss out on the grilled meats prepared with a gourmet twist
at Michelin-starred
Ristorante Andreina
( 071 97 01 24;
www.ristoranteandreina.it
;
Via
Buffolareccia 14; menus €25-60; Thu-Mon) .
Loreto can be easily reached by train from Ancona (€2.20, 15 minutes, hourly).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Parco del Conero
Only minutes from Ancona but a world unto itself, Parco del Conero is stunning, with
limestone cliffs razoring above the cobalt blue Adriatic and crescent-shaped, white pebble
bays backed by fragrant woods of pine, oak, beech, broom and oleander trees. Walking
trails thread through the 60 sq km park, which is a conservation area. Remarkably still off
the radar for many travellers, the park retains a peaceful, unspoilt air found nowhere else
along Le Marche's coastline. Its highest peak is 572m Monte Conero, which takes a spec-
tacular nosedive into the sea. The vineyards that taper down its slopes produce the excel-
lent, full-bodied Rosso Conero red wine.
Parco del Conero encompasses the cliff-backed seaside resorts of Portonovo, Sirolo and
Numana, all of which make fine bases for exploring. Boat trips from Portonovo and Sirolo
are the best way to cove hop.
