We were undecided about whether or not to include Ancona in our plan but since we needed to return the rental car at the Ancona Airport, it made sense to spend a few days in the city. Doing so however, was no easy task. We needed to drop off the rental car at the airport and then take a bus back to the city. It all worked out but it took some planning to work out the logistics!
We took advantage of low-season rates for a stay at a nice hotel (Grand Palace Hotel) near the city center and the harbor.
At first glance, Ancona looks a bit gritty but we think that it’s an interesting city to explore for a couple of days.
We found a fun place for a pasta dinner called Spaghetteria No 9. The passionate chef Simone, did it all…greeted customers, took orders, cooked the pasta, and served wine.
Simone drank a shot of limoncello with us and served complimentary, delicious tiramisu – creamy, fluffy and dusted with lots of chocolate. It was a fun dining experience!
The port in Ancona is extensive. Cruise ships dock here and ferries take passengers and cars to Croatia, Greece, Turkey and beyond.
Ancona has its own Arch of Trajan:
Monuments in the Piazzas:
And an O.K. Archeological Museum. The detail on this crown was beautiful!
I can now order a sandwich or a glass of wine in Italian but, I’m going to need many more hours of practice and instruction before I can speak more than simple sentences. Learning a bit of the language has certainly enhanced the travel experience!
