Local Area

Sei Camini is set in rolling hills between the flat lands of the marshes (Le Marche means 'the marshes' - long since drained) and the magnificent eastern edge of the Sibillini mountains some twenty minutes drive away.

The natural beauty of the Marche region extends from the Monte Sibillini mountain range in the Apennines, which provides skiing in the winter and has an abundance of hiking and biking trails, to the Adriatic shore with its resorts and fishing villages.

Its culture is closely related to its neighbours, Tuscany and Umbria, and yet is quite distinctive. The geography in this region is less undulating than Tuscany, as the large number of beautiful hill top villages will testify!

It is an area with renowned health spas, local handicrafts still being produced in the same manner they were in the last century and many local fairs; especially the new wine, the fungi and truffle fairs usually held in the autumn.

 

Monte San Martino and Penna San Giovanni:

Our two nearest villages are both on hill tops. Monte San Martino (5.5km) has a population of approximately 800 people and stands some 600 metres above sea level. It is a village of great interest, standing in a prominent position jutting out over the valley of the river Tenna. It has a small shop (like a corner shop in the UK), chemist, a couple of great restaurants and cafes.

In its churches are preserved wonderful artistic works by Carlo and Vittore Crivelli and Giovanni da Camerino dating back to the 15th. Century

Penna San Giovanni is slightly larger and further way (1,300 people, 8.5km) and has a tiny early nineteenth century theatre and more shops. In the summer the Commune lays on events on many evenings, including the Festa della Polenta. Both are beautiful and well worth an explore.

 

Amandola

The nearest town with large supermarkets is Amandola, 10km away.

Amandola is a beautiful town with a delightful square, cafes, bakeries, fresh pasta shops and the heavenly Casa del Gelato (House of Ice-cream).

 

Monte Sibillini National Park:

Whether it is summer or winter the mountains of Le Marche have something to offer to the hiker and lovers of winter sports alike. 

There are great walks such as a pass known as Golla dell'Infernaccio (the Gorge of Hell) and one can also visit a cave in which legend says that a soothsayer lived.

In addition to these legends, the Monte Sibillini National Park is the most beautiful part of the Apennine range that are, in places, Alpine in character and extend to forty kilometres (25 miles) in length from the Valley of the Fiastrone to Force Canapine with many peaks in excess of 2,000 metres in height.

The summit of the Bove Mountain can be reached by the highest cable car in the Apennine range, rising to over 2,100 metres. 

The best way of exploring the Sibillini is on foot however, with the most agreeable bases for touring being the numerous medieval towns and villages scattered around the foot of the mountains.