Traditional vs Fast Food: Villa Belsito, Ascoli Piceno, in New York

There's an interesting article on Metro magazine which deals about Slow Food movement and the application of its concept to a restaurant in New York.

What makes me proud is that Villa Belsito, in Valtesino di Ripatransone, near Ascoli Piceno, is involved in the project.

Moreover, Villa Belsito seems to be a great place to spend your holidays (Ripatransone and Ascoli Piceno province definitely is!), even rates are certainly competitive.

Therefore, if you happen to go there, please advice me, and I'll post your opinion. Or simply advice me before going, to spend some days around Ascoli Piceno and Le Marche in general.

Anyway, it will be an unforgetable experience.

Flying into Bologna: Myair.com from France, Spain and Eastern Europe

Today, the low-cost airline Myair will fly from Bologna to Madrid, four times a week.

These flights follow other routes to Barcelona (Spain), Paris and Bordeaux (France), Sofia (Bulgaria), and Catania in Sicily.

Therefore, it's easier and easier to come to Bologna. From Bologna, Le Marche are only 2 hours by train.

Why don't you hop a plane and visit Bologna and Le Marche with me? I'll pick you up at the airport, and take you back to Bologna.

Next tour will be: "From Bologna to Bologna: Tortellini, Salami, Fish and back again".

Is it interesting?

A brand-new stamp about Le Marche

Last Thursday a new stamp showing Le Marche has been released.

Some monuments of Ascoli Piceno plus the bronze statues of Pergola, together with the shape of the region and its symbol (the woodpecker) compose the image on the stamp.

Marcamp: a Le Marche version of Bar Camp

Last Saturday, in the wonderful scenario of Villarey (the former barracks of the army, built in 1860, when Italy unified and Ancona was the strategical port in the Adriatic, being Venezia still under the Austrian control), the Marcamp took place.

It is a Barcamp organized in Le Marche, by some people from Ancona. It's been a success, like every Barcamp, it seems!

Link: pics of the Marcamp (special thanks to Giovy and Mia)

Blog tour, reloaded!

Like the last year, we now try to sell a "blog tour", i.e. a tour for those who read the blog. Here is the programme (the same of last year, good things shouldn't be changed).
Every programme can be customized, according to your needs.

Prices and dates can be checked on my website, by clicking here.

Here it is:

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PROGRAMME OF THE WEEKEND:

Saturday: I'll pick you up somewhere between Ancona train station, Falconara airport, Jesi train station or wherever you want.

(Accomodation, if you need one.)

On Saturday, a stroll in Corinaldo is a must. This "Town of the Crazy Ones" is definitely worth a visit, and you will confirm that while admiring the great view from the towers or the beautiful stairs which are the symbol of the town. Stories about the Crazy Ones will add a nice frame on the visit.

Afterwards, well... we are in the land of Verdicchio, so, why don't we have a sip of this amazing wine at the Enoteca Regionale di Jesi. Moreover, why don't we have a light lunch at the Enoteca? A mix of delicious affettati and wines, in the elegant scenery of the Enoteca...

In the afternoon, the best place to stay and relax is Offagna. This is a medieval town built around a fortress, which is still intact from the XV century. Having a drink while sitting and amdiring the hills in front of you is one of the best pleasures life is worthwhile of.

In front of you there is Osimo, the "Town of Headless People". Why it is called so? I can't tell you everything... come and see!

For a great conclusion, we must have a gala dinner. Fish, of course: didn't I tell you this is the land of fish? And where to have fish better than a
fishermen's house? And what is better than knowing that this house is my parents' one? What is better than coming to Italy and have a dinner at
somebody's house, moreover... have a fish dinner at a fishermen's house?

The best thing to do on Sunday is to have a walk in Ancona, trying to discover why this town is so undervaluate by every Lonely Planet guidebook, and finding that Lonely Planet had better to send somebody here.

Lunch is a surprise: I can't tell you everything, so think that lunch is a pleasant uncertainty...

A relaxing afternoon can't schedule anything but visiting the Monte Conero area, with the astonishing bay of Portonovo and the beautiful village of Sirolo, which was entirely built with the white stone of the Conero taken up from the sea to the top of the hill.

To conclude our wonderful tour, we must have a final "candy", like the cherry on the top of a cake. The cherry is Loreto, with its great Basilica and wonderful terrace. Nothing better than enjoying the Conero area's view from one of the symbols of this region, that is the religious capital. It is a way to understand much better the story of Le Marche, a story too long to be told on a website or a blog.

Better to come and hear in person!

Another blog. In Italian, this time

From last October, I started a new blog in San-Lorenzo.com platform. It's written in Italian.

This new blog deals with tours, but it's more focused on personal tours all around Italy, Europe and world.

Of course, this blog keep on with its randomly posts. Le Marche are always first in my heart :-)

Here is the link to the new blog:
http://blogs.san-lorenzo.com/tourblog

Enjoy!

What's in the pot

The pot is boiling. Inside, some nice new things.

First, I'm working on planning the first walking tours in Bologna. At first, it will be a sort of beta-version, trying to organize a market tour in late morning, special lunch, visit in the afternoon and dinner (or not). I want the first to begin in March. I'm now living between Bologna and Le Marche, some of you enjoyed travelling with me in Le Marche, it might be nice to discover another "chapter" of Italy.

Second, in consequence of this, I'm working at a newer version of the website, which won't be a ugc because - honestly - there's a lot of spamming on it and I don't have a good filter. However, I will authorize any sort of no-spam comment, even negative ones (at the moment, there aren't!).

Third, due to the augmented expenses of the car, some prices will be increased. But don't worry about that, it will be always worthwhile to travel with me, a full day dedicated to you. Enjoy and relax!

Always on!

One of the first requirements of a blogger-tour-guide is to be always connected. Well, I'm not always (like: 24/7) connected, but with this new mobile (good design, good duration, hopefully good resistance) I am online even when in train. That's why my blog is now more updated than before!

Now in Technorati

I've already signed up in Technorati, a (famous) blogosphere centre. Anybody of you who knows all the secrets of this website? Tell me, please!
Technorati Profile

The best icecream in the world

This time I shift my attention outside le Marche. in particular, I'd like to tell you about the best icecream I've ever tried. It's in Bologna, it's the Sorbetteria Castiglione.
I just came back from Bologna with a 1,5 Kilo case of icecream. The flavours? Chocolate (extra-cocoa, wonderful, an addiction), custard (with lemon inside, the real Italian custard), a more-than excellent pistachio (maybe the most particular flavour where they really distinguish from the other icecream producers), lemon and hazelnut. Already had a glass full of icecream. Still dreaming...

Never thought to have a food tour in Bologna with me? I know it, I lived there for years... :-)

First try: selling a tour from this blog!

I know it's hard, but those of you who experienced touring with me still remember them with a lot of pleasure. Therefore, now I try to sell a tour directly from this blog. I'll call it "Angelorecchi.com tour". Please, spread the voice!

Here is the same text of the newsletter: to the subscribers, I gave a reservation option. Now, here you are.

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Spring is dramatically coming, and the sun is winning on the dark. Therefore, it's time to travel, it's time to relax and to enjoy the flavour of buds,
flowers and birds. Love is flourishing again, and you - I'm sure - you really want to spend a weekend off the beaten tracks.

You really want to come to Le Marche - I'm sure - and you really want to enjoy a weekend (1 - 2 - 3 or even 4 days) with AngeloRecchi.com.

Since I know this for sure, I decided to prepare and offer at a special price, only for this newsletter's subscribers, a special weekend.

----------------------------------

RULES OF THE GAME:

the offer is valid only for the following DATES:

MAY: 6-7, 13-14, 20-21, 27-28.

JUNE: 17-18, 24-25. For June, a last minute

reservation may not be possible.

PRICES are at the bottom.

THE PROGRAMME can be changed according to your taste.

ACCOMODATION is not included, but if you ask me, I can find the best for you.

COMMENTS: those of you who experienced touring Le Marche with me are kindly requested to post a comment on my blog.

---------------------

PROGRAMME OF THE WEEKEND:

Saturday: I'll pick you up somewhere between Ancona train station, Falconara airport, Jesi train station or wherever you want.

(Accomodation, if you need one.)

On Saturday, a stroll in Corinaldo is a must. This "Town of the Crazy Ones" is definitely worth a visit, and you will confirm that while admiring the great view from the towers or the beautiful stairs which are the symbol of the town. Stories about the Crazy Ones will add a nice frame on the visit.

Afterwards, well... we are in the land of Verdicchio, so, why don't we have a sip of this amazing wine at the Enoteca Regionale di Jesi. Moreover, why don't we have a light lunch at the Enoteca? A mix of delicious affettati and wines, in the elegant scenery of the Enoteca...

In the afternoon, the best place to stay and relax is Offagna. This is a medieval town built around a fortress, which is still intact from the XV century. Having a drink while sitting and amdiring the hills in front of you is one of the best pleasures life is worthwhile of.

In front of you there is Osimo, the "Town of Headless People". Why it is called so? I can't tell you everything... come and see!

For a great conclusion, we must have a gala dinner. Fish, of course: didn't I tell you this is the land of fish? And where to have fish better than a
fishermen's house? And what is better than knowing that this house is my parents' one? What is better than coming to Italy and have a dinner at
somebody's house, moreover... have a fish dinner at a fishermen's house?

The best thing to do on Sunday is to have a walk in Ancona, trying to discover why this town is so undervaluate by every Lonely Planet guidebook, and finding that Lonely Planet had better to send somebody here.

Lunch is a surprise: I can't tell you everything, so think that lunch is a pleasant uncertainty...

A relaxing afternoon can't schedule anything but visiting the Monte Conero area, with the astonishing bay of Portonovo and the beautiful village of Sirolo, which was entirely built with the white stone of the Conero taken up from the sea to the top of the hill.

To conclude our wonderful tour, we must have a final "candy", like the cherry on the top of a cake. The cherry is Loreto, with its great Basilica and wonderful terrace. Nothing better than enjoying the Conero area's view from one of the symbols of this region, that is the religious capital. It is a way to understand much better the story of Le Marche, a story too long to be told on a website or a blog.

Better to come and hear in person!

---------------------

PRICES include 1st day lunch, gala dinner, 2nd day lunch, with me (professional and certified tour leader) driving you around with a great Fiat Multipla.

Here they are:

PAIR, 2 PERSONS: 200 Euros each.

THREE ACES, 3 PERSONS: 170 Euros each.

POKER, 4 PERSONS: 150 Euros each.

FULL, 5 PERSONS: 150 Euros each.

STRAIGHT FLUSH, MORE THAN 5 PERSONS! Contact me for customizing.

For arrangements, reservations, discounts, insults, e-mail me at info@angelorecchi.com

6 steps to know Bill Gates...

It's the base-theory of the Net: you certainly know a person, who knows another person, who knows another person, who knows another person, who knows another person who knows Bill Gates. And you would need tops no more than 6 steps.

Now, you can find me here too: http://www.frappr.com/angelorecchi. It would be great if you add me as a friend, or something like that. It's the deep sense of the Net. Think about it, it's amazing!

What to say?

Next Saturday, the 11th February, I'll speak at the Festa del Nino, a Meeting dedicated to the Nino (Nino is the nickname to mean pork, which is to mean the agricultural tradition of Italy), in Fano, bautiful town in the coastal area, between Pesaro and Senigallia, not far from Urbino.

I'll talk about tourism and traditions, what's available online: for le Marche, the situation is still very very poor. We have blog written from passionate people, who mainly don't work in the field of tourism, or anonymous websites of small and big tour operators, talking about le Marche with the same language and passion of a surgery book.

My intention is to say that there is a way in between, which is difficult to practice, but it's the most profitable: writing blogs for people who want to come and see le Marche. But to do this, one has to know le Marche and has to be a professionist.

Hard work, isn't it? That's what I'm trying to do every day, from 3 years on.

Anyway, those of you passing by, are more than welcome to share a glass of wine with me, in the beautiful frame of Teatro della Fortuna, in Fano.

See you!