Italy Undiscovered - Summer Days in Pesaro

Get to Pesaro via train, car or fly into a nearby airport — Bologna, Ancona or Rimini. This seaside town — also the "Culture Capital of Italy for 2024" — delivers the perfect nature and beach holiday.

Stay at Excelsior or Charlie Hotel, both beach-facing. The best way to get around town is by bicycle — cyclists can find a network of over 60 miles of safe bike paths across the city and coastline. Easily rent a bike your size — for kids too — from one of a few rental shops dotted about the town.

The whole coast line is filled with umbrellas and sun beds for rent and each beach — with its own name and number — has its own restaurant where, if you can drag yourself away from the sand and Adriatic waters, you’ll enjoy menus with pasta, pizza, seafood, piadina and chilled beer or Aperol spritz.

Take an evening walk along the coastal boardwalk, ride on the ferris wheel with ocean views and take in the enormous bronze statue La Grande Sfera — the Great Sphere — by Arnaldo Pomodoro in the Piazzale della Libertà, near the sea front; it's intended to represent the union between humanity and nature.

Eat dinner at DaPeppe Mare, Botanic or Polo Pasta & Pizza, and be sure not to miss gelato at Alice II Gelato delle Meraviglie or a Crema Café — a delicious gelato-esque coffee flavored frozen desert drink. After dinner, stroll north along Via Trieste for some cute fashion boutiques and souvenir stores.

Discover the stunning Adriatic waters on a luxurious yacht, sailboat, speedboat or catamaran, available for rent by the day. Take a break from the busy coastlines and indulge in a day of cruising, complete with onboard lunch and a sunset viewing. Extend your voyage with the option of a two-day excursion or overnight stay in Ancona or Conero.

For a memorable evening, enjoy dinner at the port or a sunset cocktail or meal at Moloco di Levante. And, to top it off, hop on board the charming Trenino Turistico — a little tourist train — for a scenic 30-minute ride around the port and town.

Take a stroll through the center of town on your own or join a guided tour. This city dates back to 184 BCE when it was established by the Romans. During the Middle Ages, it thrived as a major hub for trade and manufacturing, with a notable reputation for its pottery workshops. Today, numerous historic structures still stand, along with charming churches and enlightening museums for you to discover.

There are also charming boutiques, eateries and cultural landmarks to explore, including the Ducal Palace, Sant’Agostino Church and the Santa Maria Delle Grazie. It's also the birthplace of the opera singer Gioacchino Rossini; you can visit the Casa Rossini, where the composer was born and the theater that was named after him. Make sure to include these must-see sites on your itinerary.

Dinner tonight can be enjoyed at Mer’aviglia for a laid back osteria serving fresh seafood on the water's edge. Finish off the evening with gelato from Juri Gelateria.

Rent a car in central Pesaro and explore the beautiful inland areas nearby. With your own wheels, you can easily visit natural parks and charming medieval villages close to Pesaro.

Art enthusiasts will definitely want to make a 40-minute trip to Urbino; this vibrant city is known for its Renaissance art and culture, and it's even recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

If you're up for a bit more of an adventure, consider checking out the city-state of San Marino or taking a short trip, just over an hour, to Ravenna to admire their stunning mosaics. You could also travel two hours to Bologna, which boasts the oldest university in the world. And if you'd like to stay closer to Pesaro, don't miss the opportunity to explore Villa Caprile, a beautiful villa and Italian garden with a rich history. It's currently home to the Agricultural Technical Institute Cecchi, a high school that specializes in teaching agriculture-related subjects. Happy exploring.

Make today another perfect beach day. Join in a friendly game of water football or volleyball with the locals, relax on an inflatable in the tranquil waters, rent a Pedalo or simply soak up the sun because sunbathing is practically a sport in Italy.

For a more secluded option, head to the gorgeous shoreline of Fiorenzuola di Focara. This hidden gem is known for its unspoiled beauty and can be reached by trekking along scenic paths from the town center or by cycling along the road for a more comfortable journey.

If you can stay for a few additional days, take an excursion to the nearby country of Croatia.

During the summer season, you can hop on a ferry from Pesaro and arrive in Croatia quickly. Thanks to speedy ferries, you can easily reach two of the country's popular destinations: Lošinj Island and the town of Novalja on Pag Island. These routes from Pesaro to Croatia operate from July to September and have one to three trips per week. How convenient.