14 Comments
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Italophilia | Italy & India's avatar

Been to Marche twice. It’s quiet and beautiful. Fermo was one of my favourites 💫

Antonio Cangiano's avatar

I’m biased but it’s a nice area with great real estate deals.

David Paris's avatar

My grandmother was from Torre di Palme, so if you run into any Stanghetta’s, say “Hi” for me 🙂

Renovating Italy's avatar

so funny, my mother inlaw (born in sicily and left when she was seven for Australia) when travelling with us would always say ''oh don't go down that way, there's nothing there'' only for us to go down said way and find the most spectacular view of the entire coastline of Liguria or something equally amazing. We started taking photos after that.... the ''Connie Nothing There'' folder has grown over the years.

Antonio Cangiano's avatar

Too funny. Perspective is everything.

Tara Houle's avatar

Ha, great read. These were my first sentiments backpacking over 35 years ago. First stop was Greek Island of Naxos and I remember thinking, "man, I’ve travelled all this way, just arrive back in Osoyoos.“ Then went on to find most places I saw were like Osoyoos, but the perspective of travelling and meeting all the people along the way was mind blowing. And that’s why we do it.

Antonio Cangiano's avatar

Thank you, Tara. In fairness, your local Home Hardware is amazing. 😅

Tara Houle's avatar

Osoyoos was my grandparent‘s home and spent most of my summers there as a kid; so my second home :-). But I absolutely agree with you. I have been known to buy entire Christmas gifts for the entire family from that store. 👍

Clark Stevens's avatar

I think of Marche as east Tuscany, the quiet part. I promised myself 25 years ago I would return, but instead now find that I will likely never be north of campania again. Still waiting for your projections on the future of Calabria, both the costiera and the Pollino.

Jonathan Rodwell's avatar

Nice piece !

I think as you outline, it depends on what you are looking for and like. Less can be more . Local people invariable find it difficult to gauge their environment against elsewhere - because they havent been elsewhere.

Antonio Cangiano's avatar

Absolutely. And thank you very much, Jonathan.

JW's avatar

Antonio -- once great contextual honestly ! I've scouted Marche only once and going back. As an American the quiet natural interface hits you in the face - out of contrast. but an explorer mindset is rewarded

JW's avatar

Once again ( correction )

Antonio Cangiano's avatar

Thank you so much, JW. I always recommend that people explore the country once they move there, even if they live in a small town. You don't have to rush, but over time it's great to have so many options. Canada is genuinely beautiful, and there are stunning places rich in culture, such as Victoria, Montreal, and Quebec City. But the real challenge is the sheer distance. Penticton to Quebec City is farther than Rome to Copenhagen and back! And there are no cheap flights or viable trains. Casual exploring is not a thing here.