Mercatello sul Metauro is a walled medieval village of approximately 1500 inhabitants set in the midst of the lush Metauro river valley. Situated at 1600’ (490 meters) and surrounded by mountains, Mercatello is in the Italian Marche region 30 km from Urbino. The valleys and hills are dotted with buildings and farmhouses reflecting the neighboring Tuscan and Umbrian regions. Urbino’s notable cultural and artistic influences can be seen in the wealth of monuments and works of art in Mercatello’s museums, palazzi and churches dating back to the 12th c. with an invaluable collection of objects, furniture and frescoes.
The picturesque countryside offers innumerable trekking and biking possibilities in a refreshing mountain climate. Tuscan style farmhouses and agriturismi offer typical hearty Italian cuisine and the local people will welcome and encourage you to practice your Italian in a friendly, non-intimidating environment! Mercatello provides authentic small town friendly atmosphere with a piazza for impromptu get-togethers!
For more information and photos of Mercatello and its tourist attractions:
www.proloco-mercatello.it
www.comune.mercatellosulmetauro.pu.it
http://musicaemusica.proloco-mercatello.it/luoghi/palazzogasparini/palazzogasparini.html
www.altometauro.com
How to get to Mercatello sul Metauro
The most direct connection is to arrive at the Bologna airport, which is accessible from all major European hub airports, and only a 5 euro bus ride from the railway station (7km). From there take the train to Pesaro (appx. 2 hours), where there are numerous motor coach connections to Mercatello. Another option is to fly into one of the smaller airports of Rimini, Forli or Ancona served by low-cost European airlines and then take the train to Pesaro. Of course there are many flights into Rome (Fiumicino) or Milan (Malpensa) but neither airport is particularly convenient to railway connections.
The Professional Advantage Program will arrange bus service from Pesaro to Mercatello for participants on Saturday, July 3rd and return service on Sunday, August 1st. You should plan to arrive in Pesaro no later than 4:00 PM on July 3 if you wish to take advantage of this service. For participants arriving from other Italian airports, contact Trenitalia and Bucci bus for their timetables.
http://orari.trasporti.marche.it/staging2/
http://www.ferroviedellostato.it/homepage_en.html
http://www.adriabus.eu/
