4carolina

We will be in Slovenia and Croatia in May followed by 4 days in le Marche and three in Bologna,arriving in Ancona by ferry...we hope..After the last days of our stay in Dubrovnik we would like to have an over-night in Korcula.The challenge is getting to Ancona in May,before the Croatian ferry season is in full.I emailed Jadrolinija and was told there is a ferry from Split to Ancona 17 May which would work if we can get from Korcula to Split in time for Ancona ferry.I would so appreciate any further information or ideas for getting to Ancona.I am trying to avoid flying.
Arriving in Ancona......we plan to spend 4 nights in le Marche,north of Ancona and then 3 nights in Bologna.This will be our third holiday in le Marche,but we have not explored north of Ancona.Previous stays have centered around Ascoli and the Sibillini.SO... I need suggestions for finding a hotel or nice agriturismo that will be convenient for our stay.Is Senigallia a "not lovely" resort town...as in s.Benedetto with its endless beachfront concrete??We like pleasing towns,beautiful vistas and.... very good food...to be explored later!!We will rent a car in Ancona and shed it when we arrive Bologna. I have read Jamikins reports and wonder about the convenience of Francavila,and would so appreciate other options for a pleasing and convenient base ....and hope bvlenci will offer suggestions,as well.This is my first "dip" into the Forum for this trip and hope to follow with further questions in regard to our stay.So many thanks for wise words!!

neckervd

In April and May, the ferry leaves Split Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday at 8pm.
Ferries and catamarans from Korcula Island to Split:
http://www.jadrolinija.hr/en/sailing...cal-lines-2018
Car ferrries on Thursday:
Vela Luka (Korcula Island) dp 15.00 - Split ar 18.30 (too risky IMO) or Vela Luka dp 6.15am - Split ar 9.00am

Alternative (https://www.krilo.hr/en/sailing-schedule/):
Korcula town dp by catamaran Wednesday at 18.30 - Split ar 20.45

Adriatic coast:
along the coast all more or less the same, more or less ugly hotels behind the sand strip.

The old city of Pesaro is the nicest place in this area. About every town in the mountains would be nicer, for example, Urbino, Gubbio, Fabriano... and of course the gems o Umbria!

4carolina

Thank you neckervd !! Still not sure if we can make it happen....from Korcula to Ancona by boat.... OR if we have to fly.I will continue to check schedules.........

jamikins

Hi there

Have you read my other reports focusing on the Pesaro Urbino region? We have spent I think 4 weeks there and also love it.

Some nice places to consider are Urbino and Urbania - the latter being smaller. Urbino is a beautiful town with lots of history. There are lots of nice villages to explore that are not touristy at all.

We stayed at La Tavola Marche each time and loved it...but that may be a bit isolated if you want to be within a few minutes drive to a town but the hosts are amazing.

Hope this helps!

jamikins

Another town to look into is Jesi. We have never stayed there but the area is really beautiful.

Happy planning!

neckervd

"Thank you neckervd !! Still not sure if we can make it happen....from Korcula to Ancona by boat.... OR if we have to fly.I will continue to check schedules...."

The schedules for May are published, see my post above.
Nothing will change until then.

4carolina

Had a difficult time signing on with new organization....and would appreciate knowing how to do it efficiently.I clock on my profile and this comes up.is there a better way??ALSO...I am unable to read others responses as I write this.Jamikins.....I researched Jesu area for accommodations,but could not find much.Senigallia seems to have many interesting places to stay,but I am not sure IF the town it self is charming,and hope others will comment.

jamikins

I certainly don’t find Senigallia charming in any way. Lots of cement, terrible old holiday resort hotels and the beach is blocked by pay for use beach resorts. Yuck. We have only stayed at La Tavola Marche and Casal dei Fichi and loved both for the charming inland towns around them. But this is of course only my opinion.

bvlenci

I have to differ with Jamikins and Necker on this. I think Senigallia is one of the best places to stay on the Adriatic coast. I don't really care for Pesaro at all, and much prefer Fano, just to the south of Pesaro. However, Senigallia is nicer than either one. It has a genuine old center, with good shopping and great restaurants. I have a feeling Jamikins never saw the center, with its porticos along the river, the seaside fortress, the beautiful Piazza del Duca, and the Foro Annonario. There are definitely some tacky hotels along the seaside, but the same is true of any seaside town in Italy. It has a better beach (wide, white sand) than most of the other seaside towns on the Adriatic. And, actually, it has quite a large public beach area, with more services and a nicer beach than most beach towns in Le Marche (or elsewhere). In fact, when we go to the beach, we always use the public beach area north of the port. There is, by the way, a nice little port, where they sell the fresh catch in the morning. The center is very lively at night, with families and young people out for a stroll and an ice cream. It has two Michelin three-star restaurants, and half a dozen other excellent, and more affordable, restaurants.

There are also some charming hill towns in the hinterland of Senigallia, such as Corinaldo, Mondavio, and Serra de'Conti.

I wouldn't consider Jesi as a base. It has a tiny historic center, which you could see most of standing in one spot, and the rest is a busy commercial and industrial zone.

I live very near all of these towns.

Here is a photo album of Senigallia:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/XDgzp9ZRDrwdthoz2

jamikins

True - I just don’t find the seaside towns charming. But I really love mondavio and Corinaldo. To each their own

jamikins

Ps - I would never stay in Pesaro or Fano either

jamikins

You can see our pics of over 5+ weeks in Le Marche here

https://www.flickr.com/photos/pug_gi...57634528008046

bvelenci lives in Le Marche so her advice is probably better than my vacation opinions.

bvlenci

I just don't want anyone to think think that Senigallia is a town of cement, or that it's beach is blocked by bathing establishments. Those are statements of fact, and it's not so.


One of the public beaches. Not a bathing establishment in sight

Here are some views of the historic center. I'm only allowed to post four photos, but I think I can rest my case.


Rocca Roveresca, mostly 14th century, on an older foundation, at the seaside to protect from pirates and invaders. On a summer evening, the grounds of this fortress, and the piazza behind it, are full of children playing.


Riverside portico



Under a portico

bvlenci

Actually, I live near Senigallia. When I first came here, I didn't love the town, partly because people in the hinterland consider the Senigalliesi to be snobs. However, I've come to love the place. It's not a beach town at all, it's a historic town, over 2500 years old, that happens to have a beach on its eastern edge. Of course, there are industrial parks and shopping centers on the periphery, but the 40,000 people who live there have to work and shop somewhere.

jamikins

Ok bvlenci...you win. I still prefer other places a lot more and I wouldn’t stay there, but to each their own.

4carolina

A bit tardy in my response....Work distracted me from this forum....but I am back now,and I thank all of you for your replies.I am particularly appreciative of bvlenci's endorsement of Senigallia,Having driven the coast aroundS.Benedetto,I know we need less concrete !!!So for a base for 4 days of leisurely touring and eating lots of wonderful seafood,Senigallia could work well.I also appreciate the mention of Corinaldo, and Mondavio ,which look lovelyWe prefer to stay in beautiful small towns like these,but want to enjoy great restaurants and evening walk-abouts,so a larger town might be more convenient .Any outer suggestions for towns to stay in or beauty spots to visit ??
After 4 days in that part of leMarche we will drive to Bologna,and wonder if anyone has taken cooking classes they would recommend???We have only 3 days in Bologna,and will begin to read trip reports.ALL your recommendations are so appreciated.