Hotel MarYsierra

We went for dinner with friends from Ancona who visit now and then, so the service felt personal. The food was good, the wine was OK, and the evening atmosphere made for a nice outing. Lots of local people knew each other and chatted while families celebrated and others enjoyed dinner. It had a friendly, lively, positive feel, and we liked it. The tiramisu was different from the usual kind we’d had elsewhere in Europe and Italy. I wonder which version it was? The place is a long way out of town, so you need a car or a very long walk along a dusty, lonely trail. We heard the neighbouring campsite gets quite full in season and is popular, and it has a pool too.

We arrived well after dark because the Patras-Ancona ferry was delayed, but reception was friendly despite the late hour. The campsite is quiet and peaceful, with generous pitches, and the toilets and showers, like the rest of the grounds, were clean and tidy. Our lower terrace pitch had less shade than the higher ones, and it’s a steep climb to the restaurant and pool. There were higher pitches available, but we missed them in the dark. It was only a slight inconvenience, mostly because a mini heatwave had started. The pools are beautiful and well kept, and there’s even a Jacuzzi. The restaurant has lots of pizza choices and some fast food that looked delicious. Peroni is on tap, and the chilled red wine is worth trying. There are fabulous views over the Italian countryside, with the coast just a short drive away. Fantastic location. Highly recommend.

The staff were so welcoming, efficient and friendly. We stayed in a bungalow, which was excellent, clean and quiet. My wife and I loved every minute here. It’s a very special place to us.

The restaurant is lovely, with views across the valley, and nearby Mondolfo is a pleasant little town reached by an interesting walk along pretty lanes. Stacciola is a pretty village too. We cycled to gorgeous Corinaldo, the hilltop walled town. Some of the ride was on the main road, but much of it used quieter roads. This is a peaceful, well-run campsite set out on terraces, and the higher terraces are preferable.