One Of The Greatest Unknown Jewels in Italy

One of the Greatest Jewels in Italy:  It's Not a Gemstone Crown, It's Not a One of a Kind Statue, It's Not a Custom Made Ferrari...The Unknown Jewel is a City:  Ripatransone.

I want to share with you one of the greatest treasures you were never told about...until Now!  Let's begin our journey!

Where Exactly Is Ripatransone, Italy  (Le Marche)?

Ripatransone, Le March Region, Italy

Everybody knows Rome.  Everybody knows something about Venice.  Most people have at least heard about Sicily or have seen a Mafia Movie.  However, people just scratch their heads and say, "where's that" when you mention Ripatransone.

Ripatransone is a little "hill top" city which is in the Le Marche Region of Italy (Wikipedia link).  This region is on the Adriatic Sea on the right side of the country, and sits just about in the middle of the country.  This region is crazy cool because it has the Adriatic Sea (looks like the ocean) YET this region is basically the beginning of the Alps--called the Apennines' Mountain Chain.  So you have BOTH the water AND snow capped mountains in the same view!!!  It can actually mess with your mind.

"Ripa" as it is commonly called, couldn't be situated in a better location.  Every area of Italy has a major metropolitan city--Ripa's is Ancona.  Ancona is the big guy on the block with an International Airport, major universities, and just all along big hub city.  SOOO...Ripa is the little, relaxed, tucked away area to let your hair down, but if you need the big city...it's about 20-30 minutes away.

Living BIG Yet Little in Italy.

Ripatransone, Italy

I fell in love with Ripa immediately--which is a little odd for most people who visit Italy.  Most people really like Rome, Venice, etc.  Ripa gives the true feel of Italy and Italian people because it is not a tourist city at all.  In fact, very little of the people in Ripa speak English--which is cool....on another blog post, I will tell you how I had a 2 hour conversation with a 6th generation potter who couldn't speak any English!!



Ripa allows you to experience real Italy while you are staying in the country.  The entire town has a laid back attitude mixed with people who just want to get the very most out of their life.  It almost seems like everybody is on the same page in life in this town--even if you have a million dollars...you can't really do too much more than your neighbor, so it seems like there is no real advantage to the city champion.  The mayor is just a normal guy who you see in the store along with the street workers who are busy about their day...it seems like Ripa is a place where everybody knows each other and everybody is friends.  I'm sure they have their fights--but for the most part...it's a very relaxing town.



Being a small jewel has it's facets!  When you are ready for a festival you came to the right town.  Ripa is small enough to have other cities of the small size in close proximity, and when a feast or soccer event comes along...the entire other town comes with it!



Ripa joins together with 1 and sometimes 2 nearby towns to form a giant celebration.  The quiet little "nothing goes on around here" is NOW busting at the seams!  ALL the food, ALL the people and ALL the fun just arrived!  There is something for everybody.



This best part about the giant gathering...they go back home after it's all done.  After the event and after everybody has had their fun, then everyone returns to their respective corners and you have your precious little town back to normal again.



Whether the like a very small town or a giant metro...you can actually have your cannoli and eat it too with Ripa!

The All Important View.

Like I said above, Ripa has a crazy cool attribute when it comes to landscape.  The Le Marche Region sits right on the Sea so for all you beach lovers...this is a wonderful beach area.  You have the great beaches of the Adriatic Sea, and you really don't have any pollution washing up on the shore.

What about "mountain people"?  We got you covered too.  Remember how I said the Alps really start in this region?  That's right.  You have those massive, shear faced titans which stay snow capped nearly all year long!

Instead of the beach, if skiing is your thing...look no further!  Ripatransone (and almost the entire Le Marche Region) is wonderful ski locations--Among the Best!  Many of the areas in this region have helicopter landing spots just for skiers--there is a helicopter school not very far from Ripa.  Just in case you want to learn to fly.

To Finish Our Journey.

Ripa is the type of place you want to/need to go and experience perhaps the second time you visit Italy.  After you have seen Rome, etc etc...then you can go and relax in Ripa.  Ancona and the San Benedetto area are connected to the major interstate (it's called a different name then "interstate") which runs directly to Rome.  You have the connections to where ever you wish to go and see while you can relax in the hill tops of Italy.

If you have ever been to Ripatransone or the Le Marche Region of Italy, please let us know where you have been!  Thanks and catch us on the next blog post!