Monte
San Martino,
population about 850, is approximately 600 meters above sea level. A lovely Medieval village, standing over the valley of the Tenna River, it has a beautiful piazza on two levels, lovely buildings, views of the surrounding countryside, a shop for daily needs and a very good restaurant and bar (there is an additional good restaurant on the edge of the village). Wonderful artistic works by Carlo and Vittore Crivelli and Giovanni da Camerino dating back to the 15th century are preserved in its two churches.

The area around Monte San Martino is rolling hills and quiet roads well suited for walking and/or bicycle touring. Back roads can be used to visit most of the adjacent hill towns within a range of 20+k. These mostly paved back roads have wonderful views of the beautiful country side, farms and hill towns.

Local festivals include the Chestnut Festival in Monte San Martino, the Truffle and Fungi Festival in nearby Amandola and the Flower Festival in Servigliano. In summer Fano has a festival known as "Fano dei Cesari", where for a week people dress in Roman tunics, drive chariots and do battle with barbarians from Norway. The annual Opera Festival "Stagione Lirica" in Macerata is held at the Sferisterio in July and August. This open air venue for opera is second only to Verona.

One of the best known white wines of the region is Verdicchio dei Castelli dI Jesi. October in Cupramontana a festival celebrates the grape harvest. Other events of note are Verdicchio Festo at Montecarotto in July and in autumn, the Verdicchio d'Oro Festival at Staffolo and the Wine Fare at Offida that celebrates the red wine, "Rosso Piceno Superiore".

Whites

• Blonde Verdicchio from Castelli DI Jesi
• Bianchello from Metauro
• Falerio from the Ascoli hills
• Verdicchio dei Castelli

Reds

• Rosso Conero
• Sangiovese dei Colli Pesarest
• Venaccia DI Serrapetrona
• Lacrima DI Morro d'Alba