One of Fermignano's secrets is its location: you're in the heart of the Metauro valley, with some of the most beautiful places in Le Marche within a short trip. Here are our favourites, easy to pair with lunch or dinner at da Lola.
Urbino, the ideal city
About a quarter of an hour's drive away is Urbino, a UNESCO World Heritage city. Federico da Montefeltro's Ducal Palace houses the Galleria Nazionale delle Marche, with masterpieces by Piero della Francesca and Raphael, who was born in Urbino; his birthplace is open to visitors. Take time to wander the steep lanes and stop for a crescia sfogliata.
The Furlo Gorge
The Furlo is a gorge carved by the Candigliano river between towering rock walls, now a state nature reserve. The ancient Via Flaminia runs through it, and here you'll find the tunnel Emperor Vespasian had dug in 76–77 AD, still in use, with a smaller and older tunnel beside it. It's perfect for a walk and, with a bit of luck, for spotting the birds of prey that nest on the cliffs.
Urbania
Following the Metauro upstream you reach Urbania, the old Casteldurante, known for its ceramics and its Ducal Palace overlooking the river. Lovers of the curious shouldn't miss the Chiesa dei Morti and its natural mummies. In early January Urbania becomes the home of the Befana, with a big national festival that draws families from all over Italy.
Acqualagna, truffle capital
A few kilometres south lies Acqualagna, where truffle is found all year round: shops, restaurants and, in autumn, the National White Truffle Fair. A great excuse for a weekend outing.
The sea: Fano and Pesaro
Thanks to the E78 expressway the coast is close: Fano and Pesaro are around half an hour away, a little more depending on traffic. A morning on the beach and an evening in the hills over char-grilled meat: that's the beauty of Le Marche.
A typical day: morning in Urbino, lunch at da Lola, afternoon at the Furlo. Remember we're closed on Wednesdays.
