Good Things From Italy - Le Cose Buone d'Italia

Le Marche’s Carnivals are renowned for being spectacular, fun and full of tradition. One Carnival, celebrated on Fat Tuesday (as many are), starts with huge and colorful floats by the shore, and then moves inland for the real party. There is more food than you could imagine, and so many people in costume, just enjoying the frivolity of having a good time.

There is also the Offida Carnival, which consists of men moving a giant fake ox through the streets, then a crowd of young people in robes move it swiftly, in attempt to show the ox’s nature. This used to be performed with a live ox and then it was ritually slaughtered, whereas now they just do so symbolically.

The Fano Carnival, Italy’s oldest, is a huge and beautiful affair, with entertainment, food, exhibits and so much more. They try every year to make it better than the last, with more color and excitement to give people an experience not to be forgotten. It is one giant party, each day different and new with a lot of great things to do free of charge.

The carnival of Macerata has chariots, music, dancing, cake and a whole lot of fun. With all of its colorful displays and confetti everywhere, it truly is a wonderful celebration.

The Ascoli Carnival is a traditional festival of dancing, music, masks, confetti and fun. With so much to do and see it is another carnival worth attending. The Carnival of Ascoli Piceno, starting on January 17th each year, consists of people in masks, doing skits and impersonating celebrities, local government and other well-known people. The city is lit up with beautiful lights, as the streets become theaters and the spectators become participants.

Lastly, the Amandola Carnival is celebrated with two large events. First there is a parade with people in masks everywhere. Then there is what is called the beacon of King Carnival, during which people in old costumes throw wheat and poppy in honor of Blessed Antonio. There are also actors and theater afterwards during this one as well.

Marina dei Cesari il nuovo porto turistico di Fano, è in grado di ospitare 420 posti barca da 7 a 40 metri, con una profondità costante di 3 metri. Un sistema di sicurezza con telecamere garantisce un controllo attivo 24 ore su 24, 7 giorni su 7.
Completano la struttura a terra: una banchina carburante, 4 blocchi di servizi igienici, servizio
di portierato attivo 24 ore su 24, 450 parcheggi, 140 box coperti, negozi, un servizio bancomat, un bar, un ristorante e una lunga passeggiata panoramica sulla diga foranea.
In tutta l’area è possibile l’accesso internet via wireless. Sono inoltre disponibili una serie di servizi nautici, volti ad assolvere le diverse esigenze dei diportisti.

Stretching for around 100 miles along the Adriatic coast, with hilltowns to rival those of Tuscany and Umbria, Le Marche is a gorgeous and affordable region to explore, writes Donald Strachan