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Greetings from Ancona! Didn’t expect to find myself here, but it’s been a pleasure. We took a surprise trip to Italy to get away, eat good food and focus on some work – and it’s been exactly that. Ancona is a nice little city: clean, friendly and without many tourists which makes it even more interesting to explore. It’s nothing like being a tourist in Rome or Venice – this is life in real Italy. I am quite impressed with how well dressed everyone is. Also, everyone rides a Vespa and it has made us jealous that we don’t have one. Finally, it’s “fig season” and I trust me, I have taken this expression literally.

The most interesting part of Ancona is Il Passetto – a local beach, and recreational area. There are caves that were dug out in the early 1900s to provide comfort, storage and shade for the local fishermen because the coast is quite rocky and difficult to reach. The caves’ owners – called “grottaroli” – have inherited them from father to son over the years. These caves, although rustic, have now become quite luxurious – most of them have electricity, drinkable water, kitchennettes, flat screens and hammocks! The owners, their families and friends come out in the afternoon & on the weekends, make food, drink wine & enjoy the sunshine and the salty sea. They also paint them in various colours which makes it a very unique, almost magical place.

I have taken A LOT of photos – even for my standards.. but everywhere I look, I see a beautiful photo. So much interesting detail here.. More next time – until then, tutto va bene!