The province of Fermo is situated just where calf of the boot of Italy starts to curve. While it is idling its feet lazily in the Adriatic sea, this province is still reaching for the sky. The valleys of Valtenna, Valdete and Valdaso connect the rugged landscape of the mountains with the turquoise waves, via sunlit hills crested by villages and small towns.
Fermo is also the name of the province capital. It is keeping watch over the province from its elevated location. It is an old and proud city, its city walls dating back to the days when cyclops where believed to roam the world. They were rumored to be the only creatures capable to move boulders as heavy as those constituting the wall. Whether there is any truth to this or not, these provide a humbling perspective of Fermo's heritage.
All over Fermo, one can find Roman remains, such as the cisterns in Fermo town, as well as an amfi theatre. The hills are also home to many medieval churches and monasteries, such as the Santa Maria Mater Domini in Ponzano di Fermo. It dates back to the 9th century and was built by the Farfensi monks.
The coast is a succession of long sandy beaches enriched with pine woods. The modern beach of Porto Sant'Elpidio, Lido di Fermo , the liberty-style waterfront of Porto San Giorgio, Marina Palmense and Marina di Altidona, the bays of Pedaso offer the tourists a perfect combination of natural landscape and services, from the 'marina' (the tourist port) to the long cycle lanes, animated by the chalets and picturesque taverns.
In the coast town Porto San Giorgio anyone looking for the world famous Italian beach culture will have more than their fill. A stroll down the beach can be a lengthy affair, as this pearly white beach stretches out for nearly 8 km. A more modest endeavour, but just as enjoyable, is walking along the promenade, and maybe stopping for a well earnt glass of wine or two at one of many restaurants lined up alongside it.
Porto San Giorgio is not the only option for beach dwellers. Pedaso and Porto Sant'Elpidio are two other towns just on the coast. Porto Sant'Elpidio with its 25000 inhabitants is perfect if your looking for the buzz of city life after a day at the beach. Pedaso on the other hand, with its 2000 inhabitants suits those craving peace and quiet.
Don't forget that Fermo is about more than just water sports and sun bathing. High on the hills, away from the noise , it stands the village of Torre di Palme. Originally a fortification, then a urban settlement close to churches and convents, today a beautiful balcony overlooking the sea, surrounded by the lush Mediterranean vegetation.
The valley offers a perfect geometry of gardens and orchards; the hills are dotted with farmhouses in olive groves and vineyards; towns and little villages on the cliffs are guarded by mighty medieval walls once erected to protect abbeys and towers.
Moresco and Monterubbiano are ranked as some of the most beautiful villages in Italy, the solemn Campofilone looks out over the valley with its abbey and its gates, Monte Vidon Combatte let you have amazing views to the Gran Sasso.
The little towns of Petritoli, Ortezzano, Monte Rinaldo, Santa Vittoria in Matenano, Montefalcone drew the ancient route of Farfa monks , whose memory lives in the ruins of castles and monasteries and farm practices in the area.
The Tenna Valley is a natural link between the sea and the mountains; that is why it was chosen by the Romans, who transformed Falerio, the ancient Falerone, in a prosperous colony.
The valley slips on a plain between sunflower fields and cities that have now started fresh, new activities: Servigliano, Montegiorgio in front of Belmonte, Magliano with its mighty towers on the walls, Grottazzolina, Rapagnano and Monte Urano with a pulsating craft industry.
In addition to the Tenna and Aso, the territory of Fermo is crossed by two small rivers almost the same name. In the South, the Ete Vivo descending from the territory of Monteleone. In the North Ete Morto. Here while traveling between Monte Vidon Corrado, Massa Fermana , Montappone and Francavilla d'Ete tourists are fascinated in front of the golden hills of wheat, open horizons and the full moons that have inspired the paintings of great painters. But by the time you keep going through Monte S. Pietrangeli, Torre San Patrizio, Montegranaro, Sant'Elpidio a Mare you can completely see the dynamic industrial landscapes and buildings of the shoes' factories Made in Italy.
The mountains are great for hiking, and there are lots of beautiful sceneries there, waiting to be explored. Take for instance Parco Nazionale dei Monti Sibillini, a 45 km (28 miles) route, that takes you through some absolutely breathtaking valleys where you are greeted by blooming orchids, and up slopes that give you a view to remember. Tread lightly, though, this area is said to be the home of a fairy, who has given rise to legends of both good and evil.
Mountains like the Vettore, Sibilla and Priora appear light and peaceful and the valleys and slopes strewn with hermitages and sanctuaries (S. Giorgio all'Isola, S. Leonardo, la Madonna dell'Ambro) and flowering of orchids, invite to tremendous excursions.
Once in Fermo you got to try his delicious culinary recipes which are based on the harmony of the ingredients typical of the area and its popular culture. Gastronomy is one of the channels through which people passed on their culture. This is so important that has now brought in Fermo, from different editions, the Festival of the typical products of Marche, a festival designed to present, taste and buy typical products of the region. In the province of Fermo , there are as many as 47 typical products that are the basis of the typical cuisine of the province among which you can find: extra virgin olive oil, wines, meats, cheeses , vegetables, cereals , fruits, vegetables, fish, pasta, honey and artisanal spirits.
The event also includes a tasting of Marche specialties such as stuffed olives, aged cheese 'Formaggio di Fossa' , ciauscolo , macaroni di Campofilone, loin fig, mulled wine, Fabriano truffles and salami.
This province will not leave anyone wanting, there are just too many options to ever be bored. Its the perfect place to settle down in.
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