Ancona & Riviera Del Conero
Duration: 4 hours
Tour Code: aoi-001
Situated along the lovely shores of the Adriatic Sea, Ancona is the principle city in the Marche Region of Italy. Founded in the 4th century B.C., the city still retains several ancient monuments and buildings from its colorful past. Today, the city not only serves as a busy seaport, offering regular ferry service to Croatia and Greece, but is also widely known for its production of accordions, electric organs and guitars.
Your tour begins with a short drive to the center of town, passing some of Ancona's most notable monuments such as the Merchants Lodge, a beautiful 15th century hall used for merchants' meetings and the Trajan Arch. Erected in 115 A.D., the Arch was built in honor of the Roman Emperor Trajan, the emperor who was responsible for the building of the port of Ancona. Situated on a rise overlooking the city is your first stop, the Cathedral of Saint Ciriaco, an impressive and elegant Romanesque building constructed in a mixture of design styles, including Byzantine and Gothic. Once inside the cathedral, you'll find a palaeo-Christian crypt, columns attributed to the Temple of Venus and artwork from the 12th century.
Leaving the cathedral, you'll travel back downhill on foot, continuing your city tour by passing other monuments such as the Palace of the Government, built in the 15th century; the elegant Pope Square and the main street, Corso Mazzini, which originally was a river.
After seeing the city's historical center, you'll next travel to the Passetto, the memorial to the victims of World War I that offers lovely views over the city. From here, it's onward to the Riviera del Conero, a gorgeous resort area that is home to attractive beaches, reefs, coves and coastal cliffs. Before returning to the pier, a final stop is made in Portonovo, a wonderful seaside area that is a perfect location for a photo stop.
Please note: This tour consists of approximately 2 1/2 hours of moderate walking which includes some uneven surfaces and steps to negotiate. This tour is not recommended for wheelchair guests and those guests with mobility concerns are cautioned to evaluate their personal level of ability and stamina. Lightweight clothing, caps and flat, comfortable walking shoes are suggested. The order of sights visited may vary.