Tuesday 29th March - Loreto, Italy

We would happily stay again at Punta Navaccia although not in the summer season when it must be heaving.

A much easier and shorter journey today, so we had a relaxed start and set off on major roads past Perugia and Assisi before joining the SS77 outside Foligno. Our new Europe map showed that this road had been upgraded since our ancient detailed Italy map was printed. Remarkably quiet, the motorway standard road took us through the mountains in many long tunnels with beautiful scenery in the gaps between.

We left the SS77 to take a smaller road to Macerata, which turned out to be a lovely hill-top town with interesting architecture. We were on a road around the edge of the hill and managed to find a place to park just a short walk from a view point from where we could see the town and the surrounding countryside. It looks like a really interesting town and we have noted it as a place for a longer visit in the future.

Continuing to Loretto, we found the aire Area Attrezzata Camper Loreto (€14 for 24 hrs + €4 for electric if wanted) and being the only motorhome, we chose a place with a view off the hill to the coast. Loreto is another hill-top town but it is also famous as a pilgrimage site. The Basilica della Santa Casa, is a very imposing fortress-like church (just above the aire) and contains the 'shrine of the holy house' that was, allegedly the house that Mary was conceived and brought up in. It was, allegedly, flown over from Nazareth by angels to Loreto via Croatia (I think that they were tired and there was a hotel with a very good restaurant there). The church was very impressive and well worth a visit. The shrine was also very interesting and contained a black Madonna and Child much venerated by the Roman Catholic visitors. The views from the site over to the Adriatic were lovely.

We were determined to have a nice Italian meal tonight but, although there were many eating places in the area, almost all were closed. We chose Trattoria Norma and it was an excellent choice. The food was very good and the white house wine was the best that I have had in Italy. Highly recommended.

Photos: Macerata; Loreto aire; The Basilica della Santa Casa from the bastion next to the church.