Piazza del Popolo is paved entirely in travertine, polished by centuries of footsteps: at sunset it looks like a mirror, and it ranks among Italy's most beautiful squares. Ascoli is a city of travertine and towers — it once counted dozens — with the Art Nouveau Caffè Meletti serving its anisetta liqueur since 1907.
Every summer the Quintana brings the fourteenth century back to the streets: city districts, flag-throwers, and a joust against the "Moor". At the table, the stuffed and fried Ascoli olive is the town's worldwide ambassador. Badlands gullies and the Sibillini mountains stand backdrop.
Near Ascoli Piceno
The closest destinations covered by our editors, with straight-line distance.
