Amazing place! Full of shells, fossils and many interesting things. A great shop as well Very recommended

Very nice museum with 60 thousand shells and 1 milion shells in deposit

One of the best shell museum I ever seen. A definetely must if you are around.

Amazing number of shells and other water based fossils. The curators that look after the museum and the shop are really helpful. The price for us with 2 adults and 2 children under 16 was 30 euros (10 euros per adult and 5 per child). The shop had really good items for gifts. Recommend a visit.

It is unbelievable place so many things to see. You need at least 1 hour to spend there. We had not so much time. Strongly recommend place.

It was great to see those

Ordinary looking building hides inside maybe thousands of seashells from around the world. Also you can buy rare seashells in souvenir shop.

a classic tourist trap. The food is like the art: mediocre. To avoid

It’s hard to have a bad meal in Italy and fairly easy to have a great one. However our two plates were exceptional: cappellacci del papà (veal ravioli in butter tartufo sauce) and paccheri Baldoni (tomato bacala sugo). The outdoor terrazza, it’s view, the service and on a Monday evening in a delightful old center of town, Grottammare, all made for a wonderful occasion.

Impressive comfortable location. Refined cuisine though the menu should need reorganizing for better clarity. Service is speedy and friendly, but not too professional: in particular, welcoming guests needs better organization. Prices are moderate.

amazing view. super slow and a bit unpleasant service. food was ok overall. pasta dishes the best. fritti and meat average. desert mixed. overall for a view try a stroll instead.

Nice place to lunch at nice weather - relaxed atmosphere, food is delicious, service is not fast (they were busy at Sunday), but friendly, wine and food is at reasonable price for that location.

A beautiful place that I have known for many years. Two things are impressive: the service and the location of the terrace. The wine list is comprehensive enough and the food is good. Of note, tortellini with veal and truffles. Reasonable prices. In conclusion, a place worth visiting by any tourist in the area.

Cozy place for a typical " Italian aperitivo". Better during spring and summer periods.

Ever wonder what happened to the house of the Virgin Mary Mother of Jesus? The house without the foundation was believed to have been brought by the angels in Loreto Italy in the middle of the road. The foundation of the house is in Israel though. The house is now housed inside a beautiful church in Loreto, Italy. We drove there from. Rome and took us about 3 and a half hours. See the church at night or might as well attend a mass at night and during the day. The place is beautiful and quiet. Parking during our visit was challenging. Make sure you have Euros in cash/coins to pay for parking. When we were there, it won't take credit and one miraculous moment, someone gave us coins to pay for parking! An angel sent by Jesus or Mama Mary! Praise God! You cannot take pictures i side Mother Mary's house. But once inside, you can see even some of Jesus scribbles on the wall 😀

Visiting the Madonna’s House in Loreto was a deeply moving and spiritual experience. This sacred place, known as the Holy House, is believed to be where the Virgin Mary lived and received the Angel Gabriel’s announcement. The story of how this humble home was miraculously transported from Nazareth to Loreto in the 13th century adds a sense of wonder and faith to the site. Inside the beautiful basilica that protects it, I felt a profound peace and connection to centuries of devotion.

Deeply religious experience. The crusaders moved Mary's house (the part that was built outside of the grotto) to Loreto, Italy. It's amazing.

Beautiful square with the 1614 fountain and the basilica which houses what is believed to be the house of Saint Mary, mother of Jesus, in Nazareth. Masses are held several times a day; a good time for a tourist visit might be between 12:30 and 5:00 PM. Parking lots outside the walls are charged from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm € 1.40/hour € 10 all day, a short distance away there are also large parking lots both free and charged. Toilets € 0.50 at the small gardens behind the square. If you limit yourself to this and to walking along the main street with the businesses, the visit can take an hour and a half. There is also more to see and the visit can take up the whole day. The Museo Pontificio Della Santa Casa € 8 and the patrol walkways € 5 these only with guided tour ( 5 per day the first at 10) their cumulative ticket € 10. "Porta della Marina" from 1534, near has the panoramic terrace, the small park of remembrance, the“holy staircase” of 400 steps and the Polish war cemetery. Free admission for the permanent mechanical nativity scene 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2:30-7:30 p.m. and the small air force museum from July to September daily 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., an airplane of the “Frecce Tricolori,” is exhibited outside the “round tower” . The Roman Gate of 1590, near the civic tower of the 17th, and of course you can also walk all the way around the defensive walls. According to tradition, in 1291, angels transported three walls of Our Lady's house from the cave in Nazareth, to which it was connected by the fourth wall, to the town of Rijeka in Croatia. They then moved it to the vicinity of Ancona. After 9 months, another transfer took place, this time to Porto Recanati on the property of a noblewoman named “Loreta”. After her name, the statue on display in the house was called “Madonna di Loreta” or “Vergine Lauretana”, but it burned down in a fire in 1921 and the statue on display today is a copy from 1922. Again the angels, after 8 months, moved the house to another private property, but in 1294 they lifted it into the air again, finally depositing it on the top of a hill, and the shrine and city of Loreto was founded around it. According to another, more historical version, it was the Crusaders, nearing defeat in the Last Crusade, who dismantled the house. The transport to Italy from Palestine was carried out by the "Angeli" family, a real Italian surname, and over the years this gave rise to a misunderstanding that confused them with heavenly angels. Having become a pilgrimage destination in 1468, work began on the construction of the basilica. In the 16th century Donato Bramante created the fine marble facing that covers the outer walls of the “Holy House". The city's mighty city walls were built between 1518 and 1522 to resist possible attacks by the Turks who landed on the coasts plundering the villages, an earlier wall from 1315 defended pilgrims and their donations from bandits. The basilica''s exterior was completed in 1587 while work on the interior decorations ended a few years later.

A very special place, peaceful, where can you find yourself

A holy place. Some say it's second holyplace for Christianity after Vatican . There you can see the house where the mother Mary was born. ( that house bring by angels from jerusalem to italy . ) 27-05-2025

Wonderful basilica. Nice little town, small city center. Worth a visit.

One of the whole year nativity to visit. Free of charge, but tips appreciated

(Translated by Google) Very nice. Also open in summer. If you come on days of high public attendance and very hot weather and you don't have the chance to see it with peace of mind, pay attention to its details. The space is limited by a path. Many mechanisms and creations on 3 floors to increase the scenes. Statues not always proportionate to the diorama. Some, beautiful ones specially created with clothes. It's a shame because the lighting is certainly not very efficient and the scenes are very dark. No day and night effect is active. It is accessed with a free offer that allows maintenance. (Original) Molto bello. Aperto anche in estate. Se si capita nei giorni di alta affluenza pubblico e molto caldo e non si ha possibilità di vederlo con tranquillità attenzione nei suoi particolari. Lo spazio e limitato da un percorso.Moltissimi meccanismi e creazioni su 3 piani per aumentare le scene. Statue non sempre proporzionate al diorama. Alcune, belle create appositamente con abiti. Peccato perché l'illuminazione è sicuramente poco efficiente e risultano scene molto buie. Non è attivo nessun effetto giorno e notte. Si accede con una libera offerta che permette la manutenzione .

(Translated by Google) Wonderful...you can enter with free donation from Piazza Giovanni XXIII. It's well done, suggestive (Original) Meraviglioso..si entra con offerta libera da Piazza Giovanni XXIII. È fatto bene,suggestivo

(Translated by Google) The most beautiful nativity scene I have ever seen. Exceptionally made, with perfect sets. You can enter with a simple offer. I loved the animations, some were truly new for me and left me speechless. Plus there is day/night alternation and there are also sounds. Five well-deserved stars (Original) Il presepe più bello che abbia mai visto. Eccezionalmente realizzato, con scenografie perfette. Si può entrare con una semplice offerta. Ho adorato le animazioni, alcune per me sono state delle vere novità e mi hanno lasciata a bocca aperta. In più c’è l’alternanza giorno/notte e ci sono anche i suoni. Cinque stelle meritatissime

(Translated by Google) Open all year with free offer. I liked it a lot. (Original) Aperto tutto l'anno con offerta libera. A me è piaciuto molto.

(Translated by Google) Artistically very valuable. To admire it, just make a simple free offer. (Original) Artisticamente molto pregiato. Per ammirarlo basta fare una semplice offerta libera.

(Translated by Google) Beautiful and surprising. Made by volunteers who use the proceeds of donated offerings to benefit charity. At the entrance there is a person who acts as caretaker and there is a box for donations. The exhibition is on a lower floor and the stairs are used: the left side is for going down and the right side is for going up and out. The room is low and the lights are dim, obviously to create atmosphere and focus on the works. You walk along short blind corridors to arrive, at the end, at the nativity scene. Personally I liked the woodcutter found in the first scene, but many of the other characters are notable. I noticed that the place is under video surveillance with various cameras (Original) Bello e sorprendente. Realizzato da volontari che utilizzano il ricavato delle offerte donate per fare beneficenza. All' ingresso c'è una persona che fa da custode e vi è la cassetta per le offerte. L'esposizione è ad un piano inferiore e si utilizzano le scale: il lato SX è per scendere e il lato DX e per salire ed uscire. Il locale è basso e le luci sono soffuse, ovviamente per creare atmosfera e concentrarsi sulle opere. Si percorrono dei brevi corridoi ciechi per arrivare, alla fine, alla scena della natività. Personalmente mi è piaciuto lo spaccalegna che si trova nella prima scena, ma molti altri personaggi sono di notevole fattura. Ho notato che il locale è video sorvegliato con varie telecamere

Fascinating roman cisterns, simple but clear multi lingual guide informatio, open Sat and Sunday mornings and late afternoons, or Fridays by reservation only. Well worth the 4E admission.

We visited the "cisterne romane", the palazzo Priori, the library and last but not least an art exhibition. (All this in Fermo) The Marche region has a lot to offer even if unknown to the most. Most of all it helped us continue believing that for every bad day many good ones are yet to come.

This a relatively little known Roman underground archeological site. But it is a MUST visit. Built by the ancient romans, the cisterns were built to collect rainwater. The ticket costs €4, worth every penny. You can visit other sites/museums in Fermo with a single ticket that includes the cisterns. The other museums are also worth visiting.

Absolutely amazing. You need to book and pay the tour online. The tour is in italian, foreigners get printed info. The guide almost skipped one part, so read well. There is 15°C and the tour is 30 minutes long.

Superb. If you ever wondered what the Romans achieved just look at these magnificent underground fresh water cisterns. A stunning feat of Roman engineering

Any serious tourist must see. World class tourist attraction.

Great tour!

Nice square with lovely architecture all around the piazza. At 11am all the shops were closed except for one cafe then by noon some shops started opening up. The council house is worth a tour, but do NOT miss the magnificent Roman underground cistern. Tickets from the tourist office at the bottom corner of the piazza.

A lovely place to visit and it gets busy at the weekends. Only thing I would say has something against it is. Be careful where you stop for a drink as soon as the waiting staff hear you speak English the prices go up. Other than that a great place to visit and the sight seeing is 5* too.

Very interesting city! You need at least 5 hours to view the most interesting places. Take an ice cream or a coffee (Italian). Very impressive city just from the highway A14 (13 km). Also enjoy a break in one of the many AirBnb places to enjoy the great views. I had one 6 km from Fermo. It is if you are in a concert of crickets.

Nice City to Visit. Also you can enjoy nice gelato, Coffee and aperitivo here with friends. Archeological museum and Roman water cisterns are very near this place. Roman Cistern tickets will be available at the end of this square so first buy the tickets them visit the cisterns. Must Visit this place.

Google asked again about buying tickets...guys there are no tickets!!! Its a town square please dont be dumb, dont buy tickets.

Beautiful medieval square, where you can relax an take an "aperitivo" with your friends. Very cozy atmosphere especially in late summer evenings.

Nice little plaza on top of the hill in the historical center of Fermo surrounded by historical buildings. There are quite many restaurants and cafes. Parking possibilities abound but can be scarce to find if you happen to visit the place during some festivities as the local police tend to close the main access streets to the plaza. The public toilets cannot be recommended (uninviting, not clean). No wonder they were empty during yesterday's local evening market despite the center being crowded.

Nice place with a tour that takes you through the rooms where Giacomo Leopardi lived and studied. My experience was a bit ruined by a young boy, a visitor, who told me off while trying to take photos. Photos are permitted everywhere on the site.

It's lovely to explore the house and learn about the family and societal structure of the time. And, of course, its the perfect place if you want to learn about Leopardi's genius intellect and different perspectives.

Casa Leopardi is a deeply moving and beautifully preserved glimpse into the life of the great poet… its historic library, intimate rooms, and family atmosphere bring Leopardi’s world vibrantly to life.

Of all the things suggested in the ticket the house itself with the library is the only one worth visiting. However you cannot take pictures there which is a bit of a shame nowadays

There is not much to add: if you are in Recanati (or just visiting the Marche countryside), you can't forget to pay a visit to Giacomo's house. The biblioteca is an amazing travel back in time and the place where his poetry is born. Highly recommended.

I highly recommend to visit this “museum house” if you know a little of Italian literature and if in the area

A historical house of the big poet Giacomo Leopardi where lived and start write the firsts poems....

Attending a performance at the Sferisterio during the Macerata Opera Festival is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The unique open-air arena, with its impressive architecture and incredible acoustics, provides the perfect setting for world-class opera. The atmosphere is electric, and the blend of history, culture, and artistic excellence is unparalleled. The festival is beautifully organized, with a great variety of performances that cater to both opera enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The staff is welcoming, and the entire city of Macerata comes alive with the spirit of the festival. From the moment you arrive, you feel like you're part of something very special. I can't recommend this enough—whether you're an opera aficionado or just looking for a memorable cultural experience, the Sferisterio and the Macerata Opera Festival should be at the top of your list. Bravo to everyone involved!

We didn't experience an opera or concert. We visited it outside the opera season, so you can only see the interior. We expected to see more: backstage, balcony, loges, .... Still nice to visit because it's a great building. But experiencing an opera or concert must be breath taking. If you believe this review is useful, then please 'like' it.

Fantastic old historic opera house in Macerata. We saw Carmen here last night and it was a serious treat. We were in box 35 and had a lovely view of the stage, sets and production. The opera house is magnificent. It has its quirks but still offers a wonderful time. The production was high quality and immensely entertaining. The air was warm and balmy. The town is lovely. Hard to fault a thing!

Amazing place for shows. Great acoustics, comfortable seats and beautiful lighting and decor.

Visited the building (no concert). For six euros you just get to see the inside of the arena, and a flashy edited movie which doesn't provide any in-depth info and history. In my opinion a big rip-off, this should be free like visiting a park. It's probably much nicer when there's a concert. Would've been nice to get on the roof for panoramic view.

An experience that will take your breath away! Superb location in the centro storico of Macerata with its century old, rich history. The performance of Carmen with the modern take of the old opera did not disappoint.

Since the changes in the management the sferisterio is on the way up. Last sezon was excellent. This season promise the same. Undoubtedly one of the world best open air opera festival. Only problem is the shape of the auditorium. You just have to bay central tickets, otherwise you spoil the pleasure.

A beautiful cathedral in the square. The marble columns were enormous holding up the roof. There was netting over the ceiling to protect people from stones falling down after the 2016 earthquake

Beautiful cathedral but especially interesting is the amazing polyptych by Carlo Crivelli on the right of the transept. Interesting crypt as well with possibly reused columns

Very atmospheric place,

Great crypt 10/10 would get buried here

Beautiful Cathedral, under the first floor are fresce that are so nice and so unique. I also had opportunity to visit baptisery that is placed next to the church but its still different building. So nice and special. The lady that was volunteering inside (Maria) I think it's her name - was amazing. I recommend to visit cathedral & baptisery 🙏🏻

The cathedral itself is extremely beautiful and well worth a quick visit. Unfortunately the catacombs/crypts are not officially open and I would say that there is no guarantee that you are allowed to enter them which is a bit unfortunate as they are one of the unique things about this cathedral.

it's very beautiful cathedral and it has a big square front of it, it should be your first destination when you arrive to the city

One of the beautiful squares in Europe!

Most amazing square in Italy

Amazing

(Translated by Google) Beautiful and large square in front of the town hall and the cathedral. A meeting place for all of Ascoli. The Quintana parade passes through here. Enjoy your visit! (Original) Bellissima e grande piazza davanti al palazzo del comune e al duomo. Luogo di ritrovo di tutta Ascoli. Qui sfila il corteo della Quintana. Buona visita

(Translated by Google) A beautiful square in the historic center of Ascoli Piceno. This square is home to several historic buildings, the Cathedral of Sant'Emidio, the Diocesan Museum, and two monumental fountains, built in different eras but mirroring each other, with drinkable water gushing from the mouths of fish. Various bars and restaurants located directly on the square offer a historic aperitif. (Original) Piazza bellissima del centro storico di Ascoli Piceno. Su tale piazza ci sono vari palazzi storici, il duomo di Sant'Emidio, il museo diocesano, due fontane monumentali realizzate in epoche diverse ma speculari, con acqua potabile zampillante dalla bocca di pesci. Vari locali ubicati direttamente sulla piazza per un aperitivo immerso nella storia

(Translated by Google) One of the most beautiful squares in Ascoli Piceno, where the cathedral overlooks along with other historic buildings. One corner is occupied by the Baptistery of San Giovanni which is absolutely worth a visit. (Original) Una delle piazze più belle di Ascoli Piceno, dove si affaccia il duomo insieme ad altri palazzi storici. Un angolo è occupato dal Battistero di San Giovanni che merita assolutamente di essere visitato.

(Translated by Google) Sara Giorgi was a wonderful guide today, August 31st, with the CAI group from Mandello del Lario in the province of Lecco. We discovered the beauty of this city, rich in history and culture, thanks to her story. (Original) Bravissima guida sara giorgi oggi 31 agosto con il gruppo del CAI di Mandello del lario prov di lecco. Abbiamo scoperto le bellezze di questa città ricca di storia e cultura.grazie al suo racconto.

The room is in a busy street with constant noise and poor insulation. I was frequently awaken by loud people passing by and there was a garbage truck that seemed to be collecting trash from late hours until early morning, right in front of the building. The included breakfast is actually a voucher for one drink and one pastry piece in a nearby bistro.

Top

(Translated by Google) The B&B Piazza Del Popolo in Ascoli Piceno stands out for its strategic position, a few steps from the beautiful Piazza del Popolo. Despite being quite noisy at night, this is the price you pay for staying in the beating heart of the historic centre. The facility is very clean and the staff are exceptionally friendly and helpful. Recommended for those who want to immerse themselves in the lively atmosphere of Ascoli. (Original) Il B&B Piazza Del Popolo di Ascoli Piceno si distingue per la sua posizione strategica, a pochi passi dalla bellissima Piazza del Popolo. Pur essendo piuttosto rumoroso di notte, questo è il prezzo da pagare per soggiornare nel cuore pulsante del centro storico. La struttura è molto pulita e il personale si rivela eccezionalmente gentile e disponibile. Consigliato per chi desidera immergersi nell'atmosfera vivace di Ascoli.

(Translated by Google) You practically sleep in Piazza del Popolo... excellent welcome from the very kind owners. (Original) Praticamente dormi in Piazza del Popolo... ottima accoglienza dei proprietari gentilissimi.

(Translated by Google) The B&B is located in the center a few steps from the square and services in general. The lady who welcomed us was very kind and helpful and provided us with valuable information. The room is nice but I would recommend some more attention to the accuracy of the finishing and a little more to the cleanliness of the room. I would also like to point out that my room was adjacent to another and communicating with a door (locked of course) but with simple noises or chatter, there was no privacy (especially at night or in the silence of the early morning). Breakfast included which is consumed at a partner bar. I can't give information on this because I didn't use the breakfast voucher. (Original) Il beb si trova al centro a pochi passi dalla piazza e servizi in generale. La signora che ci ha accolto molto gentile e disponibile che ci ha fornito informazioni preziose . La camera carina ma consiglierei qualche attenzione in più nell’accuratezza delle rifiniture e qualcosina in più nella pulizia della stanza . Vorrei anche segnalare che la mia stanza era adiacente con un’altra e comunicante con una porta ( naturalmente chiusa a chiave ) ma con semplici rumori o chiacchiere, non si aveva la privacy ( sopratutto nelle ore notturne o nel silenzio della mattina presto) . La colazione inclusa che si consuma presso un bar convenzionato . Non posso dare informazioni in merito perché non ho utilizzato il buono colazione .

(Translated by Google) The owner was really kind, the b&b is located in a very central historic building. Breakfast is at the Boccascena pastry shop, a wide choice of excellent quality products. The rooms are large corresponding to the photos on the site. Ascoli Piceno, beautiful city. (Original) Il titolare è stato veramente gentile, il b&b si trova in un palazzo storico centralissimo. La colazione è presso la pasticceria Boccascena, vasta scelta di prodotti di ottima qualità. Le camere sono ampie corrispondenti alle foto del sito. Ascoli Piceno, città bellissima.

(Translated by Google) Strategic location in the center. Valerio kindly accompanied us to the room and gave interesting advice about the city. Historic building from the 16th century. Comfortable bed The agreement with the Saba Torricella car park is excellent. Very good priest's hat and coffee for breakfast at the nearby Boccascena bar (Original) Posizione strategica in pieno centro. Valerio ci ha gentilmente accompagnato alla stanza e dato consigli interessanti sulla città. Palazzo storico del 500. Letto comodo Ottima la convenzione con il parcheggio Saba Torricella . Cappello del prete e caffè molto buoni come colazione al bar Boccascena convenzionato

A great castle in which you can freely roam around.

Eight of us from the US arrived to tour the castle on a rainy day only to find out it was closed for the day. The attendant felt so sorry for us that he open the castle just for us. What a wonderful experience this was to tour the medieval tower and dungeon and museum without the normal crowds. the climb up the spiral stairs to the top of the tower was scary but lots of fun. The castle is well preserved and restored. the museum was well laid out and informative. A very positive experience. -keith Marengo from Novato California

Amazing place ! Advise !

Nice castle, not very much to see inside

Beautiful location for a wedding

(Translated by Google) A beautifully restored castle. Many rooms are open to visitors, from the towers to the caves and the torture chamber. There was also a very interesting humorous exhibition. The castle also houses a museum on the Paleolithic and Bronze Ages, with artifacts found on site. Several interactive rooms complete the experience. The ticket price, €6 for adults (our kids had free admission), was also very reasonable considering the offer. I recommend a visit. (Original) Un castello ottimamente ristrutturato. Tante sale visitabili, dalle torri alle grotte ed alla sala delle torture. C'era anche una mostra Umoristicamolto interessante. Il castello poi ospita anche un museo sul paleolitico e l'età del bronzo con reperti trovati in loco. Alcune sale interattive, completano l'opera. A questo punto, l'importo del biglietto, 6€ per gli adulti (per i nostri ragazzi, l'ingresso era gratuito) è risultato anche molto economico vista l'offerta. Consiglio una visita.

(Translated by Google) So close and yet so unknown... I'd never visited it before, but it's worth it. It's well-maintained and contains very interesting exhibitions and museums. It even has an elevator, which allowed my mother, who has mobility issues, to access the upper floors. (Original) Così vicino e così sconosciuto...nn lo avevo mai visitato ma vale la pena farlo..ben curato e contiene mostre e musei molto interessanti ....ha anche un ascensore che ha permesso a mia madre che ha difficoltà motorie di accedere ai piani superiori...

(Translated by Google) A crystal clear lake in the Sibylline Mountains - Lago di Cingoli - beautifully blended into the landscape, with an amazing color. Entirely man-made on the Musone River Dam to shelter the rich surrounding fauna and flora. The lake has an amazing color, totally turquoise. It's unbelievable. Combined with the green vegetation and mountains in the background, a beautiful image is created. If you are in the area, be sure to come see this beautiful lake. (Original) Krystalicznie czyste jezioro w górach Sybilińskich - Lago di Cingoli - przepięknie wtopione w krajobraz, o niesamowitym kolorze. Całkowicie stworzone przez człowieka na tamie rzeki Musone, by dać schronienie bogatej okolicznej faunie i florze. Jezioro ma niesamowity kolor, totalnie turkusowa. Aż niewiarygodny. W połączeniu z zielenią roślinności i górami w tle tworzy się przepiękny obraz. Jeśli tylko będziecie w okolicy, koniecznie podjedźcie zobaczyć to piękne jezioro.

Ok

(Translated by Google) Very beautiful. It's reminiscent of a North American lake. It's very picturesque even after sunset. From the bridge that crosses it, you can admire magnificent landscapes. The climate is pleasant even on hot summer days. You can rent boats or sunbathe on the beach. The Popeye's Bay bar overlooks the shore. It's very charming and the staff are welcoming. Parking is nearby. (Original) Molto bello. Ricorda un lago del Nord America. Anche dopo il tramonto è molto suggestivo. Dal ponte che lo attraversa è possibile ammirare magnifici paesaggi. Clima gradevole anche nelle afose giornate estive. È possibile noleggiare le barche o prendere il sole sulla spiaggia. Il bar La Baia di Popeye si affaccia proprio sulla riva. È molto grazioso ed il personale accogliente. Il parcheggio è nelle immediate vicinanze .

(Translated by Google) Beautiful reservoir, lovely spot with affordable lounge chairs and umbrellas. Baya de Popeye is also a nice spot for a bite to eat and/or a drink. (Original) Mooi (stuw)meer, prachtige plek met betaalbare ligzetels en parasols. Aan de Baya de Popeye ook een leuke plek om iets te eten en/of te drinken.

(Translated by Google) It is worth it both for the view and for the tranquility that you can feel in the air, the possibility of doing sports activities or pure relaxation (Original) Vale la pena sia per il panorama che per la tranquillità che si avverte nell' aria, possibilità di fare attività sportive o puro relax

(Translated by Google) It's not a lake, but a dam. And seeing that bridge spanning it with swimmers seeking refreshment underneath isn't exactly a pretty sight. There are definitely more beautiful places in the Marche. (Original) Non è un lago ma una diga. Poi vedere quel ponte che lo attraversa con i bagnanti sotto a cercare refrigerio, non è proprio una bella visione. Ci sono posti nelle Marche decisamente più belli.

(Translated by Google) Even if unfortunately it is artificial and the water is not very clean it is beautiful one of my favorite lakes if you want to try fishing know that there is a small forest below full of carp though (Original) Anche se pultroppo è artificiale e l'acqua non è tanto pulita è bellissimo uno dei miei laghi preferiti se volete provare a pescare sappiate che c'è una piccola foresta sotto pieno di carpe però

EDITED - Terrible place, feels deserted by customers and seems like a joke. I will not come here anymore because it is old and dangerous to use some of slides, for example connections between tubes are somehow not aligned or have dimples, so when you slide you feel them. They - Service staff - have a break in middle of day, for one hour it is not possible to use ANY swimming pool nor slides. All of them are out for one hour, including a normal swimming pool. Not possible to book on website, Google maps website does not allow to book on iOS. I used iPhone and iPad and i could not book any of tickets. WEAK SERVICES ON SITE. Waste of money!

This Aqua park is located in the most beautiful setting. The views are absolutely breathtaking. Very good value for money. Never too overcrowded. Kids loved it. I would definitely recommend this place.

Nice park. Nice facilities

Place is very cool, but there are very few water slides and some workers are too strict with the rules.

A very nice swimming pool complex. Perhaps not the most modern but probably without alternative for the region. The huge slide is the highlight. It impressed me very much. A star deduction due to the gastronomy. Almost non-existent gastronomy.

Our kids loved this water park. It has a variety of pools and slides for all heights and ages. The lifeguards are excellent.

Very nice Aquapark on top of a hill with fantastic view on the Big Twins slide. Unfortunately pizzeria was not open so had to eat hamburger/piadine

Great Lake to relax and not too crowded. Possibility to rent an umbrella with two sun beds for 21€/day. Nice options for snacks and lunch nearby.

Great place for a walk, taking a swim, go for a fishing session, sunbathing, camping.... Can't wait to go back!

nice place to have a swim and look around

Beautiful fresh blue water, with many points around the lake where you can access the water. Good for hot weather.

Great and tranquil place to visit. The drive to it is scenic and does take a while but it is well worth the wait. The water is clear and swimming is a must. The area is picturesque and clean. Parking can be an issue during peak times as the place is popular with both locals and tourists. There is also several places to get light refreshments at a reasonable price.

Very clear, clean and pure lake for swiming and relaxing!!👍🏼☀️

Beautiful lake, absolutely clear water, great place for hiking

Loved this hike! Amazing views on the way from Forca di Presta Unfortunately there was no water in the lake anymore

Beautiful trek, it's no possible use the tend on the top, near the lake...and is not sure that the lake are formed

SHRINMP! IN THE LAKE! ABSURD!

Era bellisimo

(Translated by Google) We have wanted to do this hike for a long time, finally we leave. The path is long and for expert hikers the place is extraordinary of breathtaking beauty. Unfortunately the path is absolutely not well maintained and well marked there are very challenging points where it would be necessary to add fences or ropes to hold on to avoid the risk of falling or slipping in the canyon. Gravel everywhere slippery ground and a path not for everyone. Starting from Foce there is only one sign but no indication of the difficulty the travel time the kilometers it is taken for granted that you update digitally but not everyone does it. Few checks despite being the Sibillini Mountains Park. However beautiful difficult hike but the effort is rewarded. (Original) Da tempo volevamo fare questa escursione finalmente partiamo. Il cammino è lungo e per escursionisti esperti il luogo è straordinario di una bellezza mozzafiato. Purtroppo il percorsonon è assolutamente ben curato e ben segnalato ci sono punti molto impegnativi dove sarebbe necessario aggiungere degli steccati o delle corde dove tenersi per non rischiare di cadere o wcivolare nei canalone. Ghiaiaone dappertutto terreno sdrucciolevole e un percorso non per tutti. Partiti da Foce c'è un solo cartello ma nessuna indicazione su la difficoltà il tempo di percorrenza i km si da per scontato che ci si aggiorni digitalmente ma non tutti lo fanno. Pochi controlli nonostante sia Parco dei Monti Sibillini. Comunque bellissima escursione difficile ma ripagata la fatica.

(Translated by Google) Challenging walk but worth it... lake lower than usual (Original) Camminata impegnativa ma vale la pena … lago più basso del solito

(Translated by Google) A one-of-a-kind lake, we're at almost 2,000 meters, so it's mountainous. You have to hike, so you have to earn your way to the view of the lake and the Devil's Peak... (Original) Un lago unico nel suo genere, siamo a quasi 2000 metri, quindi montagna. Devi camminare, quindi devi guadagnartela la visione del lago e del pizzo del diavolo...

Recommended visiting this moving museum which takes back to the life of our grandparents: it has been so surprising that instead of going to the shops, services and trades were carried on bicycles to the customers. Particular thanks to the enthusiastic and competent guides.

(Translated by Google) This museum was our first stop once we arrived in Fabriano, and it was a wonderful experience... the best way to start the day! After a small hitch with the POS, we set off for the visit with the guide who immerses us in the early 1900s thanks to an accurate description of all the bicycles. It's strange to think that previously on this vehicle (now used for sports or as a hobby) in our recent past it was among the cornerstones of society and the community. A very fascinating discovery and visit. Definitely worth returning in view of the expansion of the site itself. (Original) Questo museo è stata la nostra prima tappa una volta arrivati a Fabriano, ed è stata una bellissima esperienza... il top per incominciare la giornata! Dopo un piccolo intoppo con il pos, si parte per la visita con la guida che ci fa immergere nei primi anni del 900 grazie ad una accurata descrizione di tutte le biciclette. Fa strano pensare che prima su questo mezzo (ormai ad uso sportivo o per hobby) nel nostro recente passato era tra i perni della società e della collettività. Una scoperta ed una visita molto affascinante. Da tornare sicuramente in vista dell'allargamento del sito stesso.

(Translated by Google) A wonderful journey through the history of cycling and 20th-century Italy. The experience is made even more interesting by the owners' evident passion for history and cycling. Highly recommended! (Original) Meraviglioso viaggio nella storia delle bici e dell'Italia del 20esimo secolo. L'esperienza è resa ancora più interessante dall'evidente passione per la storia e le bici dei gestori. Consigliato assolutamente!

(Translated by Google) A perfect program for those interested in the evolution of the bicycle and the history of society. The very knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide took us on a journey through time and also reflected on the times we live in. It's clear that this is a museum created with a lot of love. Well done, a wonderful idea and a wonderful way of managing it. I hope to return someday. (Original) Programma perfetto per chi interessa l’evoluzione della bicicletta e anche la storia della società. La guida molto preparata e entusiasta ci ha fatto fare un viaggio nel tempo e pure riflettere sui tempi in cui viviamo. Si vede che è un museo fatto con tanto cuore. Bravi, bellissima idea e bel modo di gestirlo. Spero un giorno di ritornarci.

(Translated by Google) Truly beautiful museum! He has many bicycles and they are very well kept, with attention to every detail, a real spectacle. It was a real pleasure to be able to see them, immerse yourself in the past and identify with it... being able to understand how they lived their daily lives and perform certain gestures, using bicycles. The gentleman was really kind and exquisite, also acting as a guide and making us identify even more with what was the "engine of the time". I highly recommend visiting this museum, you won't regret it! (Original) Museo davvero bellissimo! Ha molte biciclette e sono tenute benissimo, curate in ogni minimo dettaglio, un vero spettacolo. È stato un vero piacere poterle vedere, immergersi nel passato ed immedesimarsi in esso…riuscire a capire come vivevano la loro quotidianità e compiere determinati gesti, usando delle biciclette. Il signore è stata davvero gentile e squisito, facendoci anche da guida e farci immedesimare ancora di più in quello che era il “motore dell’epoca”. Consiglio vivamente la visita a questo museo, non ve ne pentirete!

(Translated by Google) At first, I thought it was just a curiosity, but visiting it was amazing! Ideal for adults and children alike. The guide is a true enthusiast, recounting the history of each bicycle as if he'd experienced it firsthand, each one... one by one! A must-see, a destination to include as the main stop on any trip. (Original) Inizialmente pensavo fosse solo una curiosità, ma visitarlo è stato sorprendente! Ideale per grandi e piccoli. La guida è un vero appassionato, raccontando la storia di ogni bicicletta come se l'avesse vissuta in prima persona, tutte… una ad una! Un posto da non perdere, è una meta da mettere in programma come tappa principale di un viaggio.

(Translated by Google) Very interesting museum. Very original. The very knowledgeable guide told us the history of each individual bicycle. (Original) Interessantissimo museo . Molto originale. La guida molto esperta ci ha raccontato la storia di ogni singola bicicletta

Visited the museum with my wife and our dog during our stay at the Villa Gioia in Fabriano. We had to follow a group of school kids of about 13-14 years old. The tour was guided by a young man who was excellent in his presentation. The language was Italian but I think it's possible to obtain a translator for other languages. I was amazed by what I saw and heard, the explanations were clear and also entertaining at the same time. We were able to see the process of ancient paper production and also modern paper production. There was also a very interesting part on the introduction of the watermark, used on many types of quality paper and in particular paper currency. This museum is great for kids and adults and is also visitabile by less able thanks to the staff who provided a ramp for my wife to enter the museum and then transported her to the first floor in a lift. There is also a very nice shop to buy gifts.

Amazing morning at the museum. We didn't book ahead and we probably should have. School groups were touring on the same day so when the guide finished with them, he offered to take us around. His English was limited but we managed and he was so kind to take us around. He showed my 6-year-old how to make paper and let him try it out. Highly recommended activity for families. I suggest to plan better than we did and go when there is an English tour so it's even better. There's a great playground and park across the street where you can do a picnic after.

A must-see in Fabriano, being the first town in Europe to produce paper, it has a great history. The museum itself is easy to reach, set in abeautiful ancient and well kept building, with any kind of facility for disable and has a video in English to explain what you are going to see before you start.

Very interesting place, good for families. English excursions not every day. Still worthy to visit. We have got a pleasant workshop for kids and produced a souvenir with own hands.

I went here for a class field trip! It was really cool to see because they take you through their history, you can also actually make paper if you take a tour. It is old fashioned but they show you how they keep up their modern touch. The town surrounding the factory is also very nice. It is totally worth seeing and making a stop at their factory with their excellent guides!

This was a very educational and creative experience, guides are amazing is a small museum but is a ton of information that you receive in a very natural way

I loved every bit about this museum. Lots of amazing history, the staff were helpful and friendly, and I learned so much about the history of writing medium as we know it. Thank you very much!!

We had a wonderful stay (4 nights). Staff was kind, warm and incredible from start to finish. We enjoyed the authenticity and respect to the historic character of the village. Pool was great as well. Its a bit off the beaten track but we would certainly go back

It was amazing. The hospitality was warm and welcoming, from the reception to the room service. The room was spacious and comfortable. There’s no air conditioning, but we were lucky with the weather, so I can’t say how it would be in very hot or cold conditions. The location in an ancient village is truly unique, with lovely exhibitions in the hotel, and we even enjoyed a beautiful piano concert they hosted in the church at the estate. Note that there are quite a lot of stairs, so it may not be ideal for guests with mobility issues.

We stayed at Castello di Postignano for one night but wished it was longer. The reception was great, and the very kind security guided us upstairs via the lift. Our dog was very welcome. Manfred, who took care of the bar and breakfast area, was very attentive and provided excellent service. The room was spacious, had everything we needed, and offered a beautiful view. We also had a great dinner. We enjoyed our stay and will definitely be back.

A magical hotel in the heart of Umbria. The entire staff is charming, helpful and caring. The accommodation we received was more than a suite, simply a small apartment equipped with attention to the smallest details. Breakfast is precise, delicious and sufficiently rich. There is a restaurant on site that serves high-quality dinner, fine dining.

We stayed here for a mini honey moon and wow. The photos do not do it justice. Such a cool and chic location. The whole village is the hotel, with an amazing restaurant, and with a great pool and spa and lots of little art galleries, makes it such a great place to unwind in the Umbrian hills. All the staff were super friendly and helpful, although Puma the little black cat was our favourite staff member. Dont hesitate, just book here. And all at a fantastic price.

I give 4 stars for the restaurant. The food was subpar and conceptually too ‘fancy’. You need a rustic cuisine. An honest and authentic expression of the territory, with more vegetables, simply prepared. Even the bread was just ok. You need to change menu and philosophy altogether, the setting and nature of the location call for it.

Wonderful place only about a half an hour from Spoleto.

Cozy

Worth a visit

Place of faith...

(Translated by Google) The Santa Maria Maggiore Cathedral of CIVITA CASTELLANA (VT) is an example of Romanesque architecture dating back to the 12th century by a famous Roman family of the time, the Cosmati, commissioned by Pope Innocent III, who wanted the work to represent a important symbolic value of the heritage of the Holy See in the north of Lazio. Outside you are struck by the beauty of the portico. However, entering through the central door you notice four Corinthian columns, two of which rest on two lions in a state of rest, symbol of the devil and evil. Then walking inside you immediately notice the central band of the floor composed of a mosaic of seventeen circles concentric ones that lead the faithful directly to the central altar. Behind and under the central altar you can go down to the crypt hypothetically used in the past as a pagan temple dating back to around the 7th century. Inside this crypt you can see various tabernacles. This basement was later chosen for the burial of the Diocesan Bishops. Recommended visit 👍👍👍 (Original) La Cattedrale Santa Maria Maggiore di CIVITA CASTELLANA (VT) è un esempio di architettura romanica risalente al XII secolo ad opera di una celebre famiglia romana dell’epoca, i Cosmati su commissione del Papa Innocenzo III, il quale voleva che l’opera rappresentasse un importante valore simbolico del patrimonio della Santa Sede a nord del Lazio. All’esterno si è colpiti dalla bellezza del portico. Entrando invece attraverso il portone centrale si notano quattro colonne corinzie, due delle quali poggiano su due leoni in stato di riposo simbolo del demonio e del male, camminando poi verso l’interno si nota subito la fascia centrale del pavimento composta a mosaico da diciassette cerchi concentrici che portano il fedele direttamente all’altare centrale. Dietro e sotto l’altare centrale si può scendere alla cripta ipoteticamente adibita in passato a tempio pagano risalente al VII secolo circa, all’interno di questa cripta si possono notare vari tabernacoli. Questo sotterraneo fu scelto in seguito per la sepoltura dei Vescovi Diocesani. Visita consigliata 👍👍👍

(Translated by Google) Recently restored, it contains one of the most beautiful cosmatesque paintings that can be admired. The facade is enriched by a wonderful thirteenth-century portico. Inside, in addition to the wonderful Cosmatesque decoration, take a look at the altar built with an ancient sarcophagus from the 4th century and under the altar you can also visit the crypt. (Original) Da poco restaurata contiene uno dei più bei cosmateschi che si possano ammirare. La facciata è arricchita da un portico duecentesco meraviglioso. All'interno oltre al meraviglioso cosmatesco date un occhiata all'altare costruito con un antico sarcofago del 4 secolo e sotto l'altare potete visitare anche la cripta.

(Translated by Google) The Cathedral Church is located in the city centre, a stone's throw from Forte Sangallo. Built on a pre-existing place of worship towards the end of the 12th century and completed in the early 13th century, it was renovated in the 18th century, taking on an overall baroque appearance. Curious note, in 1770 Amadeus Mozart, passing through Civita Castellana, played the beautiful church organ. The small Oratory and the Crypt are also worth visiting. (Original) La Chiesa Cattedrale si trova in pieno centro Città, a due passi dal Forte Sangallo. Eretta su un preesistente luogo di culto verso la fine del XII secolo e terminata nei primi anni del XIII secolo, è stata ristrutturata nel '700 assumendo nell'intero un aspetto barocco. Nota curiosa, nel 1770 Amadeus Mozart, di passaggio a Civita Castellana, suono il bellissimo organo della chiesa. Da visitare anche il piccolo Oratorio e la Cripta.

(Translated by Google) The cathedral was built starting from around 1185, built on top of a previous sacred building, and was completed with the construction of the portico in 1210: the talented family of Roman architects and marble workers of the Cosmati had worked there, in particular Jacopo di Lorenzo and the son Cosma, from whose name came the tradition of defining the artistic contribution of Roman marble workers with the adjective "cosmati". Having become dilapidated over the centuries, in the eighteenth century the church was completely renovated inside in baroque forms by the architect Gaetano Fabrizi: the transformation from a three-nave church to a single-nave church with side chapels dates back to this period communicating with each other. A marble plaque placed outside the building recalls that on 11 July 1770 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart stayed in Civita Castellana and had the opportunity to play the organ on Sunday morning during the liturgical service. (Original) Il duomo fu costruito a partire dal 1185 circa, edificato sopra un precedente edificio sacro, e fu completato con la costruzione del portico nel 1210: in esso aveva lavorato la valente famiglia di architetti e marmorari romani dei Cosmati, in particolare Jacopo di Lorenzo e il figlio Cosma, dal cui nome è derivata la tradizione di definire il contributo artistico dei marmorari romani con l'aggettivo "cosmati". Diventata fatiscente nel corso dei secoli, nel Settecento la chiesa fu completamente ristrutturata al suo interno in forme barocche ad opera dall'architetto Gaetano Fabrizi: è di quest'epoca la trasformazione da chiesa a tre navate a chiesa ad un'unica navata con cappelle laterali comunicanti tra loro. Una targa in marmo posta all'esterno dell'edificio ricorda che l'11 luglio 1770 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart soggiornò a Civita Castellana ed ebbe occasione di suonare l'organo di domenica mattina durante la funzione liturgica.

Husband and I were not happy for majority of our CDV Porto tour beginning 12th October 2024. I have emailed the 5 owners of culture Discovery Vacations and given them our opinions but decided to post here as well. Been on many larger bus group tours over many years and time now to travel with smaller groups which include food based tours. Liked the fact we stayed in one hotel, group of people were lovely. Just too many home based meals, not that the families weren’t nice but for our Australian dollar this trip did even compare to Sicilian Food Tours we did 24 September 2024 also for one week. Had home based meals with family but variety of food was so different and price was $4,900 Australian per person as compared to $7,700 for CDV tour. Just didn’t see the value and yes, perhaps I shouldn’t compare the 2 but I have an exact tour to compare CVD to. Others in group said they had done CDV before but were not happy with this one of Porto. One couple asked for King bed and they were tall and didn’t get it, so you can imagine how it is not to sleep and have full days out. Yes you go out in the morning and don’t return to hotel till late. There was no going back to hotel. No offence to Marta and her family but we were taken there 3 times. 3 times on a 7 day tour was just too much. Food was repetitive the whole 7 days. What I did love was the salami which I had my fill of as I didn’t eat the other foods. Food preparation I thought was not hygienic. One member of our group was not able bodied and Ines was very good to her. Others who had travelled with CDV said Soriano is the best tour to do. We booked before Covid and were going to Soriano but when Portugal came up, we thought let’s do this tour- how wrong were we. You probably won’t find a bad review as it will probably get taken down. I would not recommend this tour of Porto, definitely not worth the money.

Just positively perfect in every way! My sister and I went on the cooking in paradise tour on the Amalfi Coast from Sep 3rd-10th, 2022. I cannot express how simply amazing this trip was for the both of us. From our wonderful experience with the great people at CDV, to the villa, the beautiful host family, the staff, our fabulous guide, the excursions, and our amazing group. We truly felt like family during every moment of this vacation. We are all still keeping in touch. Above and beyond our expectations. Not to forget the food! Delicioso! More fun than I could have possibly imagined! Cannot wait to do another CDV vacation. Book it and go... It's incredible!

I have been traveling with CDV for 10 years now and have done many of their trips in Italy, Portugal and Croatia. I can honestly say that from the very first trip in 2014 to Soriano, Italy I knew I had found exactly what I was looking for and can’t imagine traveling any other way! No matter the location, you quickly become part of the CDV family there, forming lasting friendships with pretty much everyone you meet and having experiences you will never forget. That couldn’t be more true than in one of my favorite CDV locations, Porto. I saw some comments in another review that did not seem to reflect this, so I wanted to share my experience here of this particular trip. I have done the CDV Porto trip twice and can honestly say it is one of my favorites. Marta and Ricardo, who host the groups several times during the week at their home for the cooking lessons, followed by lunch, and for the party on the final night, are the most amazing, warm, and generous people. Ines, who was our host that was with us throughout the week, is just a pure joy to be around. She has a tough job wrangling the group and keeping everything on schedule, but she always makes everything so much FUN and takes such good care of people! There are many excursions throughout the week where you get to experience and learn about the culture of this northern area of Portugal. The visit to the Douro valley is amazing! First of all, it is gorgeous and the boat ride on the Douro River is so relaxing and beautiful. Then the visit to Alvaro’s winery just tops it all off! He is probably the most passionate winery owner I have ever met and I learn something new every time I listen to him talk about the region, the history and his wines specifically. The wine tasting over lunch at his home was all so good! The visit to the Vinho Verde region was equally great, going to Arthur’s winery for a tour, tasting and an amazing dinner he & his family made for us! Three of the most fun things were the Cabecudos, the black pottery and the filigree. We went to a local artisan’s house, Antonio, who continues the local tradition of making Cabecudos (the big paper mâché heads used in festivals), learned about this tradition and the step-by-step process, and actually got to make a mini one for ourselves!! I proudly display them in my home! The black pottery making was a blast even though it wasn’t possible to take them home since there is a whole wood-fired “kiln” process they must go through that time just doesn’t allow for. Disappointing, yes, but learning about the black pottery making process was amazing and the dinner Alberto made for us afterward, with his family, was great! Finally, visiting another local artisan and learning how filigree jewelry is made, and even getting to make a filigree heart for ourselves to take home, was fantastic! All of these places are not places any tourist could just wander into and it is what I love about CDV! They are either friends, family or local artisans that CDV has come to know. There is so much more packed into the week, including meals with different families in their homes or in some really fantastic restaurants! And the food is incredible! Between all of this, and the guided walking/foodie tour of Porto on one of the days, I left leaving like I had learned a lot, but more importantly, I had the experience of a lifetime, not to mention the great friends I now have there! The hotel where CDV stays in Porto is beautiful and in a great location in the city on the river. Makes it very convenient if you want to take some time away from the group to do shopping or wander on your own a bit. CDV provides a detailed itinerary at the start of the trip so you can plan it around all the other activities (i.e. take a morning off and join the group for the afternoon or vice versa). My recommendation would be to go early or stay late a day or two if you want free/shopping time because you will not want to miss anything during the CDV week! Every CDV location I've been to is equally as fantastic as Porto! Highly recommend them!

The Amalfi coast was amazing. The food was great and the hosts were wonderful. We enjoyed every site visited. Everyone commented that the pictures taken from the trip looked like they belonged on a postcard. Suggestions: 1) There is a lot of walking and a lot of steps. Try to prepare yourself beforehand. 2) Bring breathable summer clothes. It's hot in June-July but still enjoyable. 3) Don't fly through Newark Airport. We lost a day because of all the delays.

FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH CDV- This year upon the recommendation of my fellow travelers from NOLA (who have been on multiple CDV vacations) I took the plunge and booked my solo trip to Portugal with the CDV team. I cannot tell you how grateful I am to the CDV Portugal team for creating forever amazing memories and facilitating friendships for a lifetime. Marta and Daniele could not have been more gracious hosts for our group and what fun they created! The itinerary, the expectations, and the “know before you go” information on the website and subsequent emails following my booking could not have been more helpful and explanatory of what CDV is offering/creating as a “true” cultural experience/immersion. Every detail was perfection from our exploration of multiple areas in and around Porto to our accommodations at the centrally located Hotel Porto Nobre (with beautiful views of the Douro River, amazing breakfasts/food, and very well appointed and clean rooms) to the incredible local artisans that the CDV team has gotten to know, to our cooking experiences at Marta and Ricardo's family home to the vineyards in the Douro Valley (amazing wine at these tiny vineyards with the most passionate Vignerons who educated us not only on their winemaking processes but also on their country, their land, their families and their beautiful climate...they sure give Italy some serious competition), to our Land Rover four-wheeling excursion up into the foothills for an incredible sunset with sundowner cocktails (Port-Tonics) and grilled chorizo among Marta and Ricardo's family and friends, to cooking and paper mâché making at Renata's mom's home to our day with Renata and Marta in Aveiro, to the culinary “foodie” restaurants of northern Portugal and everything in between. Note these experiences are not typical of a Portugal tour which is also what I believe makes CDV trips so special! There are too many experiences to mention but I will try a few, as these are the moments that differentiate CDV! - While enjoying our cooking, creating and musical entertainment at Marta and Ricardo's home, Ricardo got out the mixer and began showing me how to make his focaccia! Such a treat and so unexpected. - Disco in the van with Daniele as our DJ. - The Wine, Port and Charcuterie were endless! - Going to the fish market to choose our own fish for preparing Massada de Peixe (fish pasta stew). We even got the full recipe guide to all our creations! - Enjoying the countryside estate and private home in Baltar where we picked fruits and vegetable for our dinner and made jams from the fresh fruits we had just gathered from Antonio’s well-stocked gardens (he even shared his home-made wines with us!) and the food prepared for our dinner was AMAZING. - Learning how to make Bifana (lean pork cooked with garlic, wine and many spices and served in Bijou bread), Pastel de Nata (custard tarts), Pitos de Santa Luzia, Toucinho do Ceu, Empadade Frango, Portuguese style Crème Brule, and the most famous sandwich from Porto, the Francesinha which we began preparing days before in Marta and Ricardo’s outdoor kitchen and enjoyed the final preparation and eating while listening to the music of the local university “TUNA” musicians dressed in their “costumes” straight out of Hogwarts! - Marta’s generosity in reviewing my continued solo travels following the CDV week, where she not only helped me with my itinerary but even called the hotel and booked my stay in the lovely Vila Foz in Porto …truly unexpected and far beyond my expectations…just another example of the CDV family experience. - My day off for exercising, reading, relaxing by the pool, and doing a little shopping in Porto (you don’t have to do every excursion if you need a little time for yourself). I caught up with the group that evening. I would do CDV Portugal again in a heartbeat and have already planned my next CDV vacation…Croatia in June!

Porto was our destination for this year's CDV trip and I was just as impressed with Marta, Daniele, Renate and the entire CDV team as I was with our Soriano trip last year. Our goal is immersion when traveling, and that is exactly what we experienced. The relationships that CDV has with suppliers run deep. Many are personal friends and i feel lucky to be included in these adventures. The memory of our in-home experience with Renate's mother making paper mache and cooking like family warms my heart. I'm in love with Marta and Ricardo and felt honored to be welcomed into their home with their family. They brought in the local university students ("tuna") to to sing and play fado - priceless. I was fun cheering on Team Porto and delighting in Ricardo's cooking and toasting abilities. There is NOTHING like CDV. We are looking into Amalfi or Croatia next year and would not consider going with any other company. Cheers to CDV!

We just completed the Amalfi Coast Cooking week. Omgsh… there are no words, everything was perfect. The food, the hosts and the excursions. We can’t thank them enough and look forward to another vacation with them.

Beautiful ancient forest. An outdoor hiking paradise with a nice little restaurant/bar/coffee shop. Worth a visit and highly recommended when you are in the area.

Awesome place, must visit if you love forest and walking, easy parking. There is a bar/restaurant

Wonderful service, excellent local menu, set in an enchanting forest and perched up on the mountain. A real gem!

Wonderful place, looks like Vermont during leaf peeping

Amazing place!

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(Translated by Google) Fascinating historic forest with nice paths and good markings. Beautiful, tall trees in a very well preserved protected forest. The temperature is pleasant and makes for a nice lunch or activity during the hottest part of the day. For a longer walk, it is recommended to start from the town of Soriano nel Cimino. (Original) Fascinerende historisk skog med fine stier og god merking. Flotte, høye trær i en meget godt bevart verneverdig skog. Temperaturen er behagelig og legger tilrette for en fin lunsj eller aktivitet i løpet av den varmeste tiden av dagen. For en lengre tur, anbefales det å starte fra byen Soriano nel Cimino.

An impressive villa both inside and out - the architecture is stunning, and the interiors are rich with detail. The gardens are beautifully designed, with fountains and lovely views overlooking the town of Caprarola. A hidden gem well worth visiting!

Villa Farnese (Palazzo Farnese), Caprarola If the Sistine Chapel leaves you awestruck and exhausted by the crowds, come to Villa Farnese. This place delivers the same jaw-dropping “how did humans paint all this?” feeling—without the shoulder-to-shoulder shuffle. Room after room is wrapped in frescoes, stucco, and symbolism; you feel the years of craft in every ceiling and cornice. The highlight for me is the Map Room: a wraparound atlas of the known world that reads like a Renaissance data wall. Stand in the center and you can imagine cardinals and captains reading coastlines, trade winds, and borders—more than decoration, it feels like a political and strategic dashboard of its day. I loved spotting details like “Scandia,” “Nova Spagna,” and a portrait labeled Marcus Polus watching over the cartography—tiny windows into how they saw the world. Other moments that stay with you: the elegant helical staircase (perfectly proportioned, endlessly photogenic), the grand salons with mythological ceilings that pull your eyes upward, and the serene courtyards that reset your senses between fresco marathons. Even the approach is cinematic—the palace rising above the town like a stage set. Practical bits: it’s far less crowded than Rome’s headline sights, so you can linger and actually look. Give yourself time; every wall rewards patience. Comfortable shoes help, and a weekday morning is ideal. Bottom line: wildly underrated and absolutely bucket-list worthy. Villa Farnese is history, art, and power—painted across stone—and one of the most satisfying cultural visits I’ve had in Italy.

Amazing place of great art, culture and architecture. A symbol of the Farnese political and religious dominance in the region. Definitely worth a day trip.

Beautiful palace. The last room with the maps is a gem! Crazy to see such a good representation of the world from 500 years ago so well preserved.

Fantastic, everyone should visit Caprarola just to explore this place. No crowds when we visited. Takes around 2 -2.5 hours to explore both inside and the extensive grounds outside. Make sure to wander right to the end to see the water features and statues there. There are many rooms to wander through but the map room is certainly one to spend time in. Would highly recommend to everyone.

Incredible place full of art. Absolutely recommended.

Wonderful villa well kept and full of history , the staicase is a masterwork of architecture the maps of the world known then are fascinating