Le Marche
Notice Board and Guest book
Replies to Messages.
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August 26, 2011
Hi Diane, Amandola has a population of 3,823. Here are some distances with driving times:
Amandola to Spoleto (pop. 37.763) 148 km (02h:20m).
Amandola to Florence, (pop. 371.282) 306 km (4 hours).
Amandola to Rome, (pop. 2.761.477) 219 km (03h:30m).
Distances to more local towns:
Amandola to Ascoli Piceno, (pop. 51.168) 44 km (less than 1 hour).
Amandola to Porto San Giorgio, (pop. 16.384) 64 km (01h:10m).
Macerata (pop. 43.019) 56km (1hr:10m).
Comunanza (pop. 3.226) 10km (15 min).
Nearest railway station to Amandola is Porto San Giorgio with connections to the national network. (Website in English)
There is a bus service between Amandola and Porto San Giorgio but the timetable does not necessariy tie up with the train times.
Central Italy is divided east and west by the Appennine range of mountains. Rail distances can sometimes be quite long.
Le Marche is not a region of large cities or renowned for it's public transport.
It is more renowned for it's scenery, small towns and villages, mostly medieval and for it's art, history and culture.
Tony (Le Belle Marche)
My grandfather Nazareno Petrucci came to U.S in early 19's also. He eventually ended up in West Virginia. He was born in Piedilama. I have been doing research for years, and also plan on visiting Italy in future. If you have any other info, please contact me. This is the best site, they are so helpful.
Pat Horseman (Horsemanpatty-at-yahoo.com)
June 15, 2011
Thanks for your nice comments Pat.
Tony (Le Belle Marche).
August 13, 2011
Petrucci is a common name from Italy.....RE: Big Spings, Martinsburg, WV. Did he work at Standard Lime Company, in Martinsburg?
My grandfather.....Giovanni Rossi, and my
uncle.....Louis Joseph Rossi worked at Standard. My grandfather Rossi was from
Aquata Del Tronto, Italy in Marche Region of Italy. Also, my grandfather,
Alfredo Spinelli, was from Arquata as well. Grandmother was Carminella Maria
(Turini) Rossi, born in Piedilama. Paternal grandmother, Paulina (Piccolomini)
Spinelli, was born in Arquata. Perhaps we have grandparents who were friends.
Both grandfathers entered America through Ellis Island, NY in early 1900's. Get
back, if you can.....
CIAO!!!!!
A Domenic Spinelli
(notebene659-at-comcast.net)
August 13, 2011
Your grandmother Marcellina and my grandmother
Paulina were first cousins.
Marcellina's father and my grandmother Paulina's
father were brothers......His name was Ceasare Piccolomini.
You have
relatives in Leominster, Mass.....Get back if you can.....I do remember your
grandmother.....when my
father visited me in early 70's, we visited with
Marcellina. Also, my aunt, Angela Rossi Ronzio, would often bring me with her,
when she visited with your grandmother. So, as the story goes, my paternal
great-grandfather, Cesare Piccolomini,
was your grandmother's Uncle. Get
back, if you can.....
A Domenic Spinelli (notebene659-at-comcast.net)
REF. 11/063 May 28, 2011.
Hi Harry,Are you worried about the house or the road? Le Marche, like many areas of Italy is subject to landslides. They usually occur on steepish land where a clay soil overlays a substrata of sedimentary rock. It is very unlikely that the house has been built in a position where it would be affected by a landslide (how long has it been there?).
The roads however are different. Many roads are affected after long periods of very heavy rain. On all main roads you will see retaining walls where land is likely to spill across the road. You need to know who is responsible for the road to the house. If it is private, you will be responsible for its maintainance. If it is communal, the local council is responsible and they usually work very quickly to open up any roads which become blocked - usually within 24 hrs.
You have probably seen the damage caused by a freak cloudburst lasting 12 hours which happened on the 1st March this year. It was not normal, it caused a great deal of damage to roads, electricity supplies and telephone lines. It was declaired a disaster area by the region as the repairs and cleaning up was very costly. Such a storm has never happened before in living memory and hopefully is not likely to happen again.
Initially, the most important roads had to be seen to firrst and then the lesser imprtant ones. If the road you are referring to is very seldom used, maybe it hasn't been repaired yet. My house is approached by a 400m. white road (gravel). This is subject to small landslides now and then after very wet weather and is normally cleaned up by the council the same day. On this last occasion. because of the workload and the continuing rain, it took them 4 days before they opened it. I have placed a photo here.
As there is no-one living in the house in question, the road to it will have no priority but when someone is living there you would never be left blocked in, they would react very quickly.
Tony (Le Belle Marche)
08 June 2011
I'm afraid I won't be of much help...BUT...my grandfather was Rinaldo Orsini who was born in Pretare. He also came to the states in the early 1900s. Landed in Ellis Island, through Boston and to WV where he worked in a rock quarry. He married Marcellina Piccolomini (or Marcella - we've seen it both ways). Marcellina had a sister, Eva, who married Paul Angelo and they owned coal mines in Uniontown, PA (western PA). I'm about to travel to Italy this summer and may or may not go to Pretare (it is far away from where I will be and there are not trains that go there. My mother is named Maria Theresa Orsini-Streett and is believed to be named for either my grandfather's mother or one of his sisters. My mom has only a recollection of one of her uncles named Rudolph Orsini. Maybe we can help each other. Thanks.
Bill Streett
29 Sept. 2010
Hi Renee,
I can't really help you on the question about the wedding ceremony. Is it a church ceremony or just a civil function? In either case I should think you would require an interpreter. Try putting 'weddings in Italy' in your search engine, there are people on the web who arrange weddings here and I should think they could tell you what you want to know.
Regarding transport. If you wished to rent a private bus, with or without driver, this would have to be done from the Rome end. There are lots of companies in Rome who hire buses. Cut and paste the following in your browser: -
http://www.ambus.it/
http://www.bustravelservice.com/English.htm
or type the following into your search engine: pullman a noleggio roma
This would prove to be very expensive with a week between trips - you would have to pay for two return trips.
Why not look at the normal public bus service which runs from Fiumicino Airport to Fermo with stops in Rome centre and at Porto San Giorgio.
You will find a timetable here: -
www.startspa.it/download2010/Orari%20Start-Cardinali%20dal%2014-6-2010.pdf
The bus carries over 50 passengers but In August there would not normally be 40 seats spare if you just turned up. You would have to do it with prior booking which I have found is not very easy to do yourself.
There is a website called: www.prenotazionistartcardinali.it
which is for booking with this bus company. You can only do it if you are registered with them. Probably the best way is through an agent.
The following very friendly agent can make bookings with this bus company:
Agenzia Piergallini
Via
Mazzini, 19
Pedaso (AP)
Italy
Tel.(00 39) 0734 931823
The owner speaks a little English but there is a girl working there who is pretty good.
You could try writing to the above address, phoning or using their contact form here:
http://www.piergalliniviaggi.it/2010contatti.php
Here is another agent but I know very little about them:
Lilian Travel
Via
Fausto Simonetti 59
Porto san Giorgio (FM)
Italy
Tel.(00 39)0734 671527
They don't seem to have an official website but they are on facebook.
Sorry there are no click on links, you will have to cut and paste into your browser.
Tony (Le Belle Marche)
REF. 10/058
06 Sept. 2010
Le Belle Marche suggestion - Grottammare. Lovely sandy beach, reasonably quiet, interesting hilltop town.
We don't have any properties there but a web search should give results.
09 Sept. 2010
Hello,
Porto San
Georgio is a beautiful quaint coastal town with loads of 'chique' bars and
restuarants, a wonderful port, and some gorgious small friendly hotels. We live
quite close to the town in the mountains and tend to stay for our first few
nights when we come from the UK in Hotel Rosa which has beautiful seaviews. The
staff are lovely and the rooms are basic in a retro style and immaculately
clean. In the off peak season you can get a room for about 65euro a night.
To eat there is an abundance of great restuarants along the
seafront with amazing fresh seafood. If you travel further into the town there
are really cool cafe's near the train station.
There is a small place on Via XX SETTEMBRE called
'Aperitivi Vini' run by a lovely guy by the name of Simone. He has reasonable
English and knows anything you need to know about the local wine and cheese and
is well worth a visit.
Porto San Georgio can be a
'wee bit pricey' because it is renowned as a resort for well to do Italian's
during the summer time but with it's mixture of old architecture, friendly
locals and a beautiful beach it is worth every cent. There is also the port
where you can rent a boat and enjoy some time in the open seas.
Have a great holiday.
Paul
(plawlor69-at-hotmail.com)
13 August 2010
Hi Patricia!
If you know the town that Virginia was born in you may have luck if you write a letter to the church(es) asking for family records. When trying to find information on my grandfather's family I wrote to the churches in the city he was born with the help of Google translator (letter must be in Italian) and they did reply giving me quite a bit of family history. With this history and a lot of patience I was able to track down family in Rome and I will be visiting them in 26 days! Good luck! It can be done...just takes a lot of patience! The italian white pages paginebianche.it are very helpful too if you have a name and city to work with.
Cecelia
15 August 2010
thank you
very much, Cecelia. Have a great time with your relatives!
Patricia (pattiem-at-optonline.net)
30 December 2009.
Hi Adam. GPL stands for Gas di Petrolio Liquefatto and is a mixture of hydrocarbon fuels. mainly propane and butane. As a petroleum product, the price fluctuates quite a lot as petrol prices go up and down.
You are quite right though, I know that different customers of the same provider pay different prices, there doesn't seem to be a "going rate". At any given time there is a list price but some customers get a "sconto" (reduction)
You didn't say how much you paid and when.
My supplier is Pegas srl of Porto San Giorgio. Their list price yesterday 29 Dec. was 0.765 euro per liter. This is subject to purchase tax (iva) at 20%.
You should never be paying more than the list price which is always shown on your invoice as "prezzo listino". The "sconto" or reduction (anything up to 0.10 euro per liter) is something that is often bartered for. It will not do any harm to ask your supplier for a sconto, you have nothing to loose and - who knows.
We have a friend who is on the management of a gas supplier and I asked him to explain things. The amount of sconto will depend mainly on two things - the amount of gas you normally consume per annum and the way you pay for it.
Paying on delivery either cash, bankers cheque or credit card (if accepted) gives you the best bargaining power.
If you are living within the confines of the 'Comunità Montana dei Sibillini' (mountain area) , you also qualify for a government rebate on your bill. If you are not sure whether you qualify, ask your provider. My last bill was 345.80 euros and I got a rebate of 42.95 euros. The deduction is made before iva is added.
By the way, the tv is warning us that gas prices are going up by 2.9% on the 1st of January.
Tony.
Le Belle Marche.
27 August 2010
Cecelia... I
saw your notice on the notice board. I speak a little Italian, as I visited
there 5 yrs ago and learned a bit of it prior to my trip. If you can, Rosetta
Stone is the best route for you, although if you are going in Sept. it may be
too late. I am looking into Le Belle Marche for my next trip. Please let me know
all about it when you return. I am excited for you. I
look forward to hearing from you. I left my heart in Italy
5 yrs ago!
Sincerely,
Anne
Brown
02 August 2009
I found your posting as I was doing a search of Pretare because a cousin who has family there told me that my fraternal grandmothers family lived there, their surname was Angelini as was yours. I don't know much but have been learning some from my cousin, of the area and the people. If you have questions I could ask him. Feel free to email me.
L Kenney (knee2-at-atlanticbb.net)
29 March 2010
I have been
researching my husband's Angelini line for several years and have found an
Orsini connection in Pretare. I would love to compare notes and see if we have
any matches. Please feel free to email me.
Ronda
(mamaronda-at-comcast.net)
29 March 2010
There is a website showing the geneological tree of all family names from Pretare.
The website is in Italian. Just type the surname in the box marked "Trova una persona". You may have to play with it a while - look for notes on the left when you click on a name. Because of privacy laws, people who are still living are marked <Privato>. To view information on these names you will have to register.
To register, click on Registrati a MyHeritage.com. It will ask you if you are male (Maschio) or Female (Femmina), your name and surname (Nome, Cognome). e-mail address (Indirizzo e-mail), year of bith (Anno di nascita), country (Paese), father's name and surname (Mio Padre) and mother's name and maiden name (Mia Madre)
Tony, Le Belle Marche.
13 August, 2011
Have info you need. Please contact me at the email addy. We have a connection, I do believe with the Angelini name. My paternal grandmother's mother's maiden name was Angelini. Get back to me.
Also, you
will be happy to know that I have a Lincoln Terrace connection as well:
Names.....Spinelli, Piccolomini,
Valeri, Champa, and
Angelini.
A Domenic Spinelli
(notebene659-at-comcast.net)
12 July 2009
I have a
large fully funrnished 2 bedroom 2 bathroom apartment in ripe san ginesio whcih
you may be interested in renting. It has 3 large balconies, a garage, parking
space and an ouside area for the children to play. It is near an excellent bar
and restaurant and there is a supermarket within walking distance. There are
local schools and nurseries nearby for the children. Rent at approx 850 euros
per month.
Lucia Johnson.
13 July 2009
I have a 2 bedroom cottage near to Montefalcone.It is only 5 minutes to shops & Post Office.My grandchildren love the area. I would be prepared to rent out from October. Please contact me by email to discuss rental.
Barbara Fearon (barbara-at-fearon53.plus.com)
26 July 2009
Hi we have a
property on the outskirts of Cessapalombo nr. Caldarola Le Marche, 3 bedrooms,
we would be prepared to let is during sept/oct for 8-10 months 2009/10, there is
land to play, it is 5 mins drive to small town with all amenities, shops etc. If
you are interested we can nigotiate a price per month, gas would be extra for
heating as it is expensive here to run cental heating. If you wish to look at
the property and rooms go to my web site www.casasantancini-italy.com
Regards Dawn Colclough (colclough_italy-at-yahoo.co.uk)
28 July 2009
We have just
finished restoring a 4 bedroom farmhouse near Cupramontana and would consider a
long term rental. Does the location work for you? I would be happy to provide
further details upon request. Kind regards
Andrew
(andrew.james.thomson-at-gmail.com)
29 July 2009
Thanks for
all who replied. We are still searching for a long term rental, however in the
near-term we need to rent our house in Montreal before finalizing our plans for
Italy. Thanks for your understanding.
Patrick Roy
(roypatricio - at - gmail.com)
25 January 2010
Hi, we are
Canadian as well and live in the village of Loro Piceno. So good to hear there
are other Canadians living in Le Marche. To my knowledge we are the only ones.
Did you find what you were looking for and if so where. If not good luck in your
search.
Margaret Rose
Hi,
I was just surfing and saw your post, I am in the process
of purchasing an old property not far from yours, a little village fifteen
minutes from Comunanza, could you tell me if you've completed the renovations to
your property or are you in the process of doing so, as I would be really
interested in finding decent trustworthy builders, plumbers, electricians etc. I
also have to replace all the windows to the house, do you know of any good
manufacturers locally. I hope you don't mind my asking but sometimes if someone
has been there already it can take a load off.
Cheers
EL (ashandel-at-blueyonder.co.uk)
03 May 2009.
Hi Patty,
Piedilama is a small comunity with a population of 109. It is a frazione of Arquata del Tronto only 2 km. away and lies at 818 m. above sea level.
Using the telephone directory, I couldn't find any Petrucci in Piedilama but there are many in the surrounding area (See printable list with map). There are probably more, women in Italy maintain their maiden name and don't take the surname of the husband, children take the father's surname. Telephones may be registered in either the husband or the wife's name.
Other
fraziones of Arquata del Tronto are Borgo (0,54 km),
Camartina (0,87 km), Capodacqua (7,44 km), Colle (5,04 km),
Faete (1,15 km),
Forca Canapine (10,42 km),
Pescara del Tronto (3,78 km), Pretare (2,97 km),
Spelonga (1,46 km), Trisungo (1,83 km), Tufo (6,24 km),
Vezzano (2,01 km).
Tony, Le Belle Marche.
26 November 2009
My mother
was from Piedilama. She left there in l928. She was a Petrucci. Her name was
Giuditta. Her fathers name was Giovanni Petrucci and her mothers name was
Adelina (Paoli). I will be going to Italy in 2010 and I would like to see the
home my mother was born in. If you have any information I would appreciate
it.
Adela Pettinaro Donovan (adela514-at-aol.com)
23 January 2010
Thanks for info on Piedilama and the Petrucci family. I did a little research and it seems the mayor of Arquata del Tronto has the name of Petrucci. I have tried to contact him, to no avail. Any help would be appreciated. I also used to be in contact with Elvira Marini from Arquata, she was the niece of my grandfather Nazareno Petrucci.
Patty Horseman (horsemanpatty-at-yahoo.com)
13 February 2010
Hi Adela. I believe my grandfather Nazareno had a brother names Giovanni. I was able to find ship manifest on Ancestry and it had other Petrucci's on it. I want also to go to Piedilama in the future, so when you go any pictures or info would be greatly appreciated. I have included my e-mail. I know some of my grandfathers family settled in Mass. and my others in WV. (where I am orginially from) I now live in Maryland. I constantly scan the net and I have some hookups with others researching the Petrucci family, but not much info.
Pat H. (horsemanpatty-at-yahoo.com)
28 June 2010.
Hi Patty,
My great grandfather was also named Nazareno Petrucci. My
grandfather Marino Petrucci grew up in Comunanza to age 14, then moved to
Chicago, IL in about 1910. Do you think we are related?
Thanks,
Ken
(kkhamby-at-rockwellcollins.com)
19 July 2010
I have now published photos of Piedilama.
The photo album will open in a new window. Just close the window to return to this page.
Tony, Le Belle Marche.
09 September 2010
Hi Tony, I check all my sites regularly and I noticed a large ship on a street in Spelonga. Do you know what it is and why it is there.
Thanks,
Patty
(horsemanpatty-at-yahoo.com)
09 September 2010
Hi
Patty, What you saw is a sailing ship constructed in the piazza as part of the
Festa Bella 2010. The festa takes place every 3 years and the ship celebrates
the beating of the Turkish navy in the 13th crusade (the Battle of Lepanto 1571
AD).
The ship will remain in the piazza until the first Sunday in October.
This is a brief reply. As the story is very interesting I will replace it with a fuller version shortly.
Tony.
31 January 2009.
Hi Cecelia,
There are a
number of families living in Venarotta with the surname Sciamanna. There is only
one Bruni in the phone book. However Bruni is quite a common name in nearby
Ascoli Piceno. See LIST of Sciamanna with address and phone
numbers
Tony, Le Belle Marche.
07 January 2009.
I
bought a 4 wheels trailer on ebay for £700 and after 2 trips selling it for not
much less in Italy. Ferry for trailer is not much more than for a car alone. I
recon I saved much money.
regards.
JLB
RETURN to Notice
board.
WRITE
06 August 2009
Lynn: I live in Fitchburg (next city to
Leominster) and am researching the Orsini/Spaciapolli names. Is there anything I
can look up for you? My grandfather, Domenico Orsini, lived on the Terrace and
is from Pretare. His mother's name was Maria Spaciapolli.
Edie Scott (scottygirl2-at-gmail.com)
01 September
2008.
Lynn,
I
visited Pretare this June. My grandparents also came to Leominster, MA from
Pretare. My mother and her sisters grew up on Lincoln Terrace. Unfortunately, I
was not able to spend more that a couple of hours there. Big mistake. I
could have studied the the names in the cemetery all day. I too was hoping
to find someone named DiPaoli or Spacciapoli, Trenta. The names of Perla,
Marchetti, Picolmini were seen at the cemetary. When you go, go with
as much info as you can ,such as your family's full names, grandmother's maiden
name and birth/death dates. Go to the cemetery and look. There is one cemetary
right in town and another down the road.
Good luck to
you.
Diane ( dsd032-at-aol.com )
21 August 2008.
Hi Lynn,
There are a number of families with the surname
Perla living in Pretare and nearby Arquata del Tronto (See List).
There are no Piccolomini or Marchetti listed. Apart from
contacting these people, the best source of information is in the parish church
records.
If you return to our notice board, you will
find others who have made enquiries about relations in Pretare ( References REF.
07/020, 07/020a, 07/004). Must have been a mass exodus from such a small
place.
Tony, Le Belle Marche.
07 August 2008.
Hi Pino,
Please visit our
weather page. It will tell you everything you want to know about Le Marche
weather. http://www.bellemarche.co.uk/weather.htm
Tony, Le Belle Marche.
26 July 2008.
Hello IM
From Fiumicino
you take the Met. to Roma Termini. There is a bus from Rome to Fermo which you
can take as far as San Benedetto del Tronto then catch the train to Civitanova
Marche. See Bus Timetable. Unfortunately the bus
doesn't seem to leave from the met. station but from Via Castro Pretorio which
involves a 12 minute walk (See Map). Above links are images - you
can right click them and save with name. You can find train timetables
here:
http://www.ferroviedellostato.it/ferrovie/util/inglese.jsp
Cut and paste the link into your browser. Write the full names of the departure and arrival stations as above.
We cannot be held responsible for any errors in
the above information. It has been obtained in good faith by searches on
internet.
Tony, Le Belle Marche.
05 August 2008.
The bus service you are looking for is:
www.romamarchelinee.it
You'll find
a big red bus, cheap, comfortable and direct (though a change of bus in the
vicinity of Ascoli might be required), at Roma Termini or Castro Pretorio. You
will enjoy the lovely ride throughout the beautiful rolling hills enclosed
between Lazio and Marche, cutting through green Umbria.
Giada ( giada.knowit-at-libero.it )
05 September 2008.
Thanks for the responses! I'm not back from my
trip (it was wonderful). When I arrived at Fiumicino, I didn't have a lot of
time so I took a taxi to the Tiburtina station, which is a main bus terminal in
Rome.
From Tiburtina, I took a bus with the ROma MArche
Linee (http://www.romamarchelinee.it/index.php) which got me to Civitanova in
about 3.5 hours.
Ivonne
17 October 2008.
It sounds to me that you are doing your
research after having bought your property. Your other posting 08/33 also seems
to confirm this. Was that wise? (We took 5 years visiting before we bought our
house).
The reason that Agriturismo are not well
attended is that there is insufficient demand. Remember that Le Marche is not
near the popular Italian attractions. If you are going to set one up it will be
essential to have a swimming pool. Offida suffered an earthquake a bit back so
remember to take that into account in the pool design. Good luck.
Paul Norman.
17 October 2008. (Le Belle Marche comment)
It is true that Le Marche is not yet well known as a tourist resort but its popularity is increasing annually. Visitors to this website have increases by a staggering factor of 15 over the last four years.
With agriturismo there is lots of competition, probably more than what the current market allows for. You would need to carefully study this competition. What matters most is the price compared with what you are offering (quality, activities, placement etc). It certainly doesn't pay to be too greedy.
We have agriturismos who are always fully booked during the summer months and others who do rather badly.
Regarding the pool. Over 80% of our enquirers require a pool (a shame as Le Marche has so much to offer for those who wish to explore it). On the other hand we do have premises for rent without pool who are fully booked throughout the summer - again the price seems to be the most important factor.
Earthquakes. The whole of Italy is classed as a seismic zone. Slight tremors are felt from time to time. Anti-seismic measures are taken with all building projects and are required by law. Offida is classed as low risk, there has only been one earthquake there that caused serious damage and that was on 3 October 1943.
There is a website (in Italian) "Earthquakes in Offida from the year 1000 onwards" written by Viviana Castelli, historical researcher for Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia - http://www.inoffida.it/offida_155.html
06 August 2008.
Hello Mrs. O'Connor,
I
tried to contact you via email, but I didn't quote your reference number, and I
am not sure you received my message.
As I said, I have a
university degree in foreign languages and literatures, and I have already
worked with British people as an interpreter and intermediate between them and
various local professionals.
I am available for the next
2-3 months. My fee is negotiable.
If
interested, please contact me at the e-mail address herewith attached.
Best regards.
Giada
giada.knowit-at-libero.it
09 July 2008.
Hi Rosemary,
We take it that you are talking about Nuova Vitali Cucine, furniture (mostly kitchens) in the Pesaro Province. They do not have a web site (at least we can't find one). They are based at 108, Via Cairo, Mombaroccio (PU) which is 17.5 km from the center of Pesaro (map).
They advertise on a furniture guide website:
www.guidamobili.it/mobili-nuova-vitali-cucine-vmobili-2811.html
You can cut and paste the above into your
browser address bar.
The site is only in Italian but
there is a good map, driving instructions and a contact form.
Le Belle Marche.
*
10 July 2008
http://www.vitalicucine.it/en/forma.htm
Mark Paradise.
*
11 July 2008
Thanks but from th answers I received I don't know if Vitali is a kitchen outlet as well as beds??
Rosemary.
*
11 July 2008
Looks like we got the wrong Vitali, it's a very
common name in the area. I now think we are talking about Vitali Arredamenti
S.r.l. Via degli Abete, 100/106.
61100 PESARO (PU) Phone
0721 22523.
It is very close to the exit from the A14 autostrada, less than 2 km. They have a website in Italian: http://www.vitaliarredamenti.net
Good map and photos
Le
Belle Marche.
31 October 2007.
Hello,
I have a friend
who comes from and still lives in Pesaro, who may be able to help you. If you
would like me to I can ask him if it is ok for you to email him?
Sharon Gordon
29 July 2008
I'm wondering if you purchased a place? I am considering making a purchase, too. If you don't mind, I would like hear about your experience making the purchase. Thank you.
Bev Reusser, bevreusser-at-netzero.com
19 March 2008
I don't know why people say that you should
always offer considerably less than the asking price. As with everything there
is a balance. If the house you choose is reasonably priced compared to others
then a very low offer would be seen as an insult by the sellers and could cause
lots of tension. I actually offered the full asking price on my house
(Petritoli, Ascoli Piceno) as it was perfect! Though of course I do not
recommend doing that necessarily!
Have you had any joy
in your house hunting yet?
Jo
******
21 August 2007.
Don't be scared to under offer on your property
purchase, we offered 22.5% less than the asking price and it was accepted- maybe
we should've gone lower. As for fees- the agents fee is normally borne by the
vendor - he will state the sum that he's willing to sell for and the property
will often be marked up by the agent to a sum he feels he can obtain. I'd be
wary of paying a fee personally to an agent. You should pay 3% (first Italian
home) on the stated value of the house and between 10-18% on the stated value of
the land depending if you wish to register as a farm or not. Beware- if you buy
a property in excess of ?300,000 then you may be liable to a hefty Luxury tax (i
think that this maybe 10% or more) and you only have 18 months to register as a
resident or else the 3% tax goes up to 10%.
We paid
€3000 for solicitors. Then once you have had your plans agreed- if you are
converting non habitable spaces (barns or cantinas) then you pay another tax-
ours was ?66.7 per m2. You may also be liable for a fee if the house needs to be
registered on the urban register and has not yet been (again I think that we
paid €2000).
It sounds like a nightmare- but don't worry
it's all pretty easy and including all of these fees our rebuild came in at only
€500/m2.
Try to find reputable estate agents- we know a
few in and around Sarnano- or ask around locally for houses- or look for vendesi
signs and phone yourself. Also be careful to pick the right Geometra/architect-
most projects exceed original timescales and budgets as the geo/archs profess to
be project managers and many are either simply juggling too many balls, or, are
focussing on Chiavemano projects that pay them many times more than a bog
standard project. As a rule of thumb, you shouldnt pay more than 10% and maybe
lucky enough to get a deal for 7%- stipulate exactly what the %age covers and
source elex & plumbing, windows/doors yourself & exclude them from the
%age.
Good luck
Damien Conrad
(info-at-villasanraffaello.com)
21 August 2007.
We got our beds which are wrought iron from a
factory in Pesaro called Vitali and we were very happy with them. I may be able
to get you some oldish rustic furniture such as tables or chests of drawers.
They are not cheap but they will last and look good in a country house or
similar.
Robert.
(Note from Le Belle Marche. Hi Michael, Robert
didn't leave us with permission to publish his email address but we are willing
to forward any reply to him.)
25 August 2007.
Hi, I think it's gonna be a little complicate. You should take the bus from Ascoli to Arquata and then take another bus for Pretare. Here are the time tables. Good luck.
http://www.startspa.it/ascoliamatrice.htm
http://www.provincia.ap.it/provincia/Mobilita/ORARI_2007.pdf
(in this page look for: DIRAMAZIONE:ARQUATA DEL
TRONTO - PRETARE).
Roberto Bruni
(brunis-at-infinito.it)
*
27 August 2007
Thanks for your reply. I have another question. What's the best airport to fly into for Ascoli Piceno?
Mary D.
:
28 August. Hi Mary, I have grouped the letter below from Giovanna (07/20a) because they are so similar. Why don't you get together on this one instead of having two threads running. Giovanna has published her address on the notice board. As regards airports, it will depend where you are flying from. Nearest airports are Ancona and Pescara but have few international flights. Rome Fiumicino is the nearest international airport. There's a metro connection to Rome centre (Termini). There's a bus service from Rome to Ascoli Piceno. Trains are not a feasible alternative because of the Apennines. You would have to go via Pescara or Ancona and the journey would be between 6 and 12 hours depending on the timetable. Why not a hired car from the airport? You will be very restricted using public transport. I can send you a nice simple route Fiumicino to Ascoli, all good road.
Tony, Le Belle Marche.
*
28 August 2007.
Hi Giovanna, I have grouped your letter with 07/020 as they are very similar. I hope you can get together on this. Please read the reply above about transport.
Here are two very nice websites on Pretare with lots of info and photos.
http://www.pretare.it/ and http://pretare.altervista.org/index.htm
I have found very little on accommodation in Pretare although one of the sites above mentions a B&B. If you prefer staying in the larger centre of Ascoli, a web search would find you a hotel but why not consider "Il Carpino e L'Orniello"
You'll find it on our Accommodation page. It is run by Roberto Bruni who answered one of the letters above. It's a very nice place and there is also a bus from his place down to Ascoli centre. I know Roberto pretty well and I know he'd always do his best for you.
Tony, Le Belle Marche.
:
29 August 2007.
Grazie Tony. Your information was very
helpful. I can now formulate my itinerary and travel plans to visit le
belle marche, specifically Pretare my fathers birthplace.
Giovanna
31 August 2007.
Hi,
I have read your
message in "le belle marche" notice board and I think that maybe this could
help.
It's in italian but is easy to understand. I give
you also this site: http://www.eventiesagre.it/cerca/Eventi/
good luck, Roberto Bruni (brunis-at-infinito.it)
MERCATINI
31 August 2007.
The above site is very good, you can change the category of events and months at the top of the page.
There's a publication on Le Marche events called Corriere Proposte published monthly and available in newsagents on the 1st of every month. You've got to be quick or order it as it seems to go very quickly.
The equivalent of Calgon in Italy is Calfort available in all supermarkets in powder or tablet form. Sorry, I don't know much about soap powder but there are plenty of non bios about and softeners if you like them.
Le Belle Marche.
10 July 2007.
Hi, I have a place not far from Ascoli, we have
always hired a car when visiting so not sure about Bus service in that area but
I have to admit that you don't see many on the roads. There are many hill top
villages to see and explore and having a car would make it so much easier,
having to rely on public transport would restrict what you could see in a short
break. I have found the driving in this area not as bad as some people might
make out. Hope you receive this before you depart.
Christopher Brownett.
29 May 2007.
Hello Nicole - Not a pinch of salt - an 80kg sackful wouldn't be enough. There is no such thing as a "friendly" developer - they are thoroughly rapacious and in cahoots with the estate agencies. If you find a property you want ok take their written estimate but also get independent detailed estimates. Compare prices at Chamber of Commerce (in Ascoli). Check check check and don't sign/pay anything until u r thoroughly satisfied. As to time to completion get a notaio to insert in the contract severe penalty clauses for failure to complete on time. Finally - whatever the asking price of the property make an offer substantially below and then walk away and see what happens. Be absolutely clear what you want before you arrive and stick to that.
John Gordon
25 July 2007
Hy Nicole
you
have no doubt by now come to Italy, if not a few words of advice ,
when viewing a property that needs to be restored (
casolare old farm house etc) you can calculate from a very very small amount of
1000 euros per square meters to 1500 per square meters so ex 300m2 of house has
to be multiplied by ?1500,00 this is not a precise figure but near enough so
there are no nasty surprises
again for a property
that needs to be restored ( old farmhouse etc) you must also bear in mind
electricity , telephone , roads and water if these connections are near they
costs will be limited if not make sure you have an estimate .
Hope this has been of some help !
Best Wishes for you search
Laura (email vivereitaly-at-gmail.it)
16 March 2008.
Whatever you do, do not pay. Firstly, if you
have a written quote remind him of its legally binding nature. Secondly, unless
he has made you aware of any extra costs, then you have not agreed to them. The
law in Italy can be confusing but it is governed by the eu. Tell him that you
are willing to pay the agreed costs, but if he tries to extort more then he will
be hearing from your lawyer. Remind him that if you go to court you will be
sueing him for costs.
This should make him think. Anyway
get yourself a property law lawyer. And explain the situation. He will probably
cost you a fraction of the 60% increase. I have heard only good results from
people who have been brave enough to go to court.
The
other worry is, that if you pay- he will come back with even more additional
costs!
My advise for what its worth is get a lawyer and
accept the fact that this is not going to be easy. But don't let it be easy for
your builder. Do what you would do in England.
Good
luck.
John Skelcher
15 April 2007.
Hello Elaine, I really hope you get some help
and advice on this one. Going by the number of partially restored houses on the
market I'm sure you are not alone. It's time this sort of thing was stamped out.
Le Marche builders are now just about the dearest in Italy and certainly dearer
than in the capital Rome. They are now charging in the region of 150 euros per
man day. Please consider publishing your email address as I think many people
wouldn't like to openly reply to this question on this page.
Tony Weaver, Le Belle Marche.
.
02 June 2007
Elaine, you are not alone - your situation is
all too common. Ask for a written explanation of the differences. Price
increases alone wouldn't account for such a hike. Maybe they didn't inform you
of additional works. If they wont give you written details tell them you are not
paying and that you will see them in front of the giudice. Go to a lawyer and
get him to handle the matter. Ask for damages and legal costs. I think you will
find that your geometra will want to settle out of court and you can then
bargain.
D.Henderson
.
24 July 2007.
Not all stories are tales of woe, many people are very happy with their purchase in Le Marche and thrilled by the work carried out by their geometra and builder.
Take a look at this small website under construction (Casa Edera) for inspiration.
Le Belle Marche
12 April 2007.
Thanks Tom. Nice to hear from you.
Regards,
Tony Weaver, Le Belle
Marche.
26 April 2007.
Robert
I have a house
near Comunanza which might be suitable. Contact me at
anne-at-bewicke.freeserve.co.uk if you are interested
Anne Copley
8 April 2007.
Hello Darius,
You will
find lots of information and photographs of Le Marche by clicking on the links
on the left hand side of our pages.
Regarding education in Italy, you may find the reply to Ref 06/008 interesting.
The following link will give you a list of music schools in Le Marche:-
SCUOLE_E_CORSI/SCUOLE_DI_MUSICA_CANTO/MARCHE
Regards,
Tony Weaver, Le Belle Marche.
6 April 2007.
Hello Gill,
The article
that I inserted was a direct translation which appeared in the
Corriere Adriatico (Adriatic newspaper) on the 9th
February.
I can't tell you very much about it. I have
just done a search on internet
and found a few websites
with reference to it but there is nothing on the
Comune
di Fermo official site. The original article said it was being held
in Piazza Dante but one site suggested that it was being
held in the vecchio
consorzio (restructured covered
market).
I have forwarded the original story in Italian
from the Corriere Adriatico
archives.
No dates were given, it just said 'over the Easter period'
but that
certainly wouldn't include Good Friday.
I hope you are not disappointed and if you do discover
something I'd love to
hear from you.
Regards,
Tony Weaver, Le Belle
Marche.
14 February 2007.
Pretare is a small frazione in the comune of Arquata del Tronto in the Province of Ascoli Piceno. It is situated on the road between Arquata del Tronto (13 km) and Montegallo (10 km). 34 km and nearly 40 minutes drive from Ascoli Piceno. At 938 metres above sea level it is quite high in the foothills of Monte Vettore. Close to the ski slopes of Forca di Presta and Forca Canapine.
Best known for the ancient furnace situated in the hills outside of the village and the fiesta held in mid August "discesa delle fate" where the children are all dressed as fairies. It is associated with the legends which abound in the Monti Sibillini area.
See the Viamichelin map. You can see a photo here.
Tony, Le Belle Marche.
*
13 March 2007.
TONY,
THANK YOU SO MUCH
FOR THE INFO REGARDING PRETARE. MY GRANDPARENTS WERE FROM THERE. ITS A THRILL TO
FINALLY SEE THE LOCATION ON A MAP. NOW IF I CAN JUST FIGURE OUT HOW TO CONTACT
MY REMAINING RELATIVES !!
THANK YOU,
DIANE (Email DSD032-at-AOL.COM)
25 January 2007.
Hello Dawn
You may find our reply to message 06/008 interesting. See below.
Le Belle Marche team.
10 December 2006.
Hello Barbara - regarding your enquiry.
Christmas in this part of
Italy is very much a
religious/family holiday. Most churches have Midnight Mass on Christmas eve
and there is a big family feast. The next day is family
visiting and more eating. In the days leading up to 25 Dec
there are
Christmas markets in the larger
provincial towns such as Porto S. Giorgio,
Fermo
and Macerata. From the 26th onward there are many village events such
as the living presepio. i.e. a costumed enactment of the nativity. There
are
also competitions for presepio displays (i.e.
manger scenes). Apart from
some of the coastal
towns there is very little evidence of the gross
commercialization as seen in the UK, USA and northern
European centers.
Early into the New Year there
are concerts in the larger churches and of
course
the major opera houses. When you arrive you can obtain from your
local newsagents a booklet called Corriere and Proposte
which is a local
"What’s On" which covers all of
Le Marche region. Hope this helps.
Gordon, Le Belle
Marche.
18 August 2006.
Sant'Elpidio a Mare is about 8 km inland from
the coast.
If you are looking for a property to buy, you
may wish to consider ours, which is for sale.
It is
about 40 minutes from the coast near Gualdo, with stunning views of the Monti
Sibillini.
We live here permanently, if you wish to
contact us, please e-mail to :-
owner-at-sunnycountryhome.com (*See note at top of page re-
email address)
John Powell
11 June 2006.
Sant'Elpidio a Mare is a town in the Ascoli Piceno Province of Le Marche. Situated 7.5 km. inland from Porto S'Elpidio. The results of the national census made in 1991 showed a population of 15,239. The town is famous for it's shoe manufacturing which is made up of many small family firms and supplying some of the most famous names in shoes worldwide.
If you download the detailed map of Ascoli Piceno on our Maps and Routes page you will find Sant'Elpidio a Mare in section G2 (Links on left of this page).
You may also find the following article informative :-
http://www.time.com/time/europe/secret/lemarche.html
Le Belle Marche.
4 June 2006.
The prices you quote sound like generalities. Another generality bandied about is that the cost would be 2 to 3 times what you paid for the house. Rather than a price p.s.m. seek 3 independent quotes for the completed job. I say independent to exclude the selling agency their friends and family. Find other expats who have had the works done satisfactorily and get their recommends. You can also visit your local Chamber of Commerce (Camera di Commercio) who keep tables of building costs. There are prices for country and prices for town, the former being more steep since they can name their price. Restructuring is not for the faint hearted it is for the naive, adventuresome, brash or rich. Whatever, you must do your homework thoroughly and take legal advice. There are Brits squealing after getting tax demands and fines for not complying with the norms some 4 to 6 years after the purchase. There are peripheral costs such as road maintenance if you are off road, prices to connect services and local taxes (visit your Town Hall - Municipio). Have you had a look for properties that are part completed, completed and abandoned by disillusioned Brits. If you are on a fixed budget go for something completed or with minimum rebuild costs. Whatever DON'T pay the asking price and walk away from anyone who wont trade (for the house and the rebuild). Spend some holiday times living in rented accommodation for a year or two and sound out the local situation. With more than 40 years association and living in Italy I have yet to meet anyone who has had a restructure come in at the quoted price. There are many happy and contented expats living in Italy most of whom have survived the depredations of the sellers and builders - bureaucracy however requires another page or two.
John Gordon.
9 April 2006.
The current education 4 tier system in Italy is as follows:-
3 - 6 yrs. Scuola dell'infanzia (Equivalent British nursery school).
6 - 10 yrs. Scuola primaria (Infants school).
10 - 14 yrs. Scuola secondaria or Scuola Media (Second school).
14 - 18 yrs. Scuola superiore (Upper school).
An exam is taken in the final year of Second school (14 yrs.) A pass results in a certificate - Licenza Media.
It is obligatory to stay at school until 16, but leaving at this age would be without qualifications other that the above.
There is an exam at 18 yrs. A pass in this exam results in a Diploma. Failing the exam, a student may return to school the following year for another attempt.
The diploma is a necessary qualification for the better jobs and is also the necessary qualification for university.
During the nursery school and infants school period, all school books are free but from 10 yrs onwards parents must provide both text books and exercise books, writing material, calculators and geometry equipment when the time arises.
The cost is quite considerable, between 300 and 400 euros p.a.
There may be some travelling involved for the Scuola superiore but there is always transport via school bus.
(The Italian government and local communities do make provision for families in need).
What is written below is our opinion and is gained purely from looking at text books available for students:
In the earlier years the level appears to be behind that in the U.K. but in later years they seem to have caught up. This may be to your advantage especially if you daughter doesn't speak Italian. Children of this age quickly pick up the language and although they miss most of what is being taught during this first year do not experience much difficulty in catching up. The early stages may be quite traumatic for the child when first left at school not understanding the language, it will pay to talk to the teachers about it and you will usually find them very understanding and make allowances. Encourage her to make friends, allow her to bring a friend home and visit her friends homes. She will pick up Italian and fit in with the young community much more quickly. Within 2 years you will have an excellent interpreter.
Hope the above notes are useful, maybe someone who has come to live in Le Marche with young children can add to this.
Le Belle Marche.
28 March 2006.
Below is a list of Antique and Hand-craft
Markets for Spring 2006.
Market Ascoli Piceno
(Normally 3rd Sunday of month and the preceding Saturday)
Special Event for Easter 2006. 15, 16, 17 April. Historical
Centre of Ascoli.
Porto S. Giorgio – Antiques Market.
22, 23, 24 April.
Viale Buozzi. (23
April is also Feast of the Patron Saint, St. George).
Porto
S. Giorgio – Crafts Market.
20 – 24 April.
Viale Don Minzoni
Ancona Antiques – Special Event.
29 April to 1 May concomitant with the Feast of the Patron
Saint – St. Ciriaco.
Piazza Cavour.
Le Belle Marche.
23 March 2006.
Hi Paul,
The local furniture stores only put the best furniture in their showrooms. If you go in and explain what you are looking for, they will usually take you into the office where they have a huge range of catalogues with large photos and covering furniture at all price levels. Delivery is about a week to 10 days. If your Italian is not too good and/or you would rather see what you are buying, take a trip up the A14 and exit at Civitanova Marche. Go around the roundabout to take the r.h. road. A short distance and you will see the commercial centre on your left. Call at the MERCATONE. Lots of cheap furniture. Another interesting store - take a trip down to S. Benedetto. stay on the Adriatica road and pass through the town. Just before the roundabout for the autostrada you will see on your left some iron gates leading into a few large buildings. The building just inside has MERCATONE written on it in large letters. It is no longer the Mercatone but the owner has lots of interesting things including the flat packed stuff, soft furnishings, imitation antiques, kitchens etc.. It is easier to enter if you carry on around the roundabout and come back to it.
Le Belle Marche.
*
27 March 2006
Thank you for your information re furniture stores.
Paul Norman
*
19 April 2006.
We have just returned from a week in Le Marche
furniture hunting. Not easy. The MERCATONE at Civitanova motorway interchange
now has another branch at San Benedetto interchange. The other place you
recommended on the via Adriatica going south out of San Benedetto is now closed
and we were advised it is only for furniture storage. (I don't speak good
Italian and I may be wrong, but they would not let us in!) We were directed
further south to the GLOBO shopping centre in Villa Rosa where there is a shop
called MOBIL DICK. This has furniture on a par with MERCATONE (but the settees
are crap).
We found branches of STOCKHOUSE were useful
and going north out of Corridonia there is a store called MOBILI Bella which has
'end of range' stock from other furniture outlets at large discounts. They have
no catalogues and what you see is all they can offer. It's pot luck but it is
worth a visit.
Paul Norman.
*
10 May 2006
Ikea will be available later this summer in
Ancona... I don't know if this is what you look for and if it's too late for you
but...
Giulia
18 November 2006.
my book " Arthur and Rose "
will be live on or about 12-12-06.
you can buy my book at the best possible price as
follows:
http://www.authorhouse.com
click on bookstore
type in ernest
caponi.
thank you for your interst in my book.
respectfully,
" ernie
"
ernest s. caponi, p.e.
03 October 2009
Hi Ernest- I am probably the newest addition to the Caponi family- I married Michael Salvatore Caponi II on Sept 6, 2009. We travelled to Pretare for our honeymoon and were fortunate to meet Mario and Claudia, and Mark Antonio and Christina Caponi. Claudia made us a fabulous Italin lunch in Michael's great-grandfathers house, Salvatore Caponi- whom is your grandfathers brother(?). Just wanted to share that with you- I am going to pick up your book so we can learn more about the Caponis.
Janet Caponi
(janetcaponi-at-ls3p.com)
22 March 2006.
Your question is too vague. You need to decide where you want to be. North or South? Near the sea or near the mountains? In a hill town or remote? With refurbishment to be done or ready to occupy ? We took some 15 visits over 4 years to find ours.
Paul Norman.
*
24 March 2006
I have corresponded with the writer of the original message. The house should be ready to occupy. As regards the other points he would be willing to consider any situation put forward but garden or land is a requirement.
Le Belle Marche.
*
7 January 2007
My uncle uncle is selling his house privately it is in Colmurano approx an hours drive from Ancona.If you contact me I can help you and also give you details of other properties, as I have recently bought there myself.
Lucia Johnson
14 Feb. 2006
Hi Paul Norman.
As far
as we know there's no Italian equivalent of the Ordinance Survey in Italy. The
only walking map that we know of is the Kompass Monti Sibillini map. You can
purchase it on-line for £6.99 here:
http://www.mapsworldwide.com/
In the various Sibillini National Park Information offices
in the area there are free maps showing footpaths in the National Park but they
are not purchasable.
Not for footpaths but if you would
like a huge map of the area you are interested in, go to the following link. Its
a map of Le Marche from the southern boundary (Ascoli Piceno) up to Macerata and
you can download it as a zipped file (2.17 MB).
Sorry we can't do better for you.
Le Belle Marche.
24 Feb. 2006.
I doubt that the snow will be sufficient. I've
been working at Maddalena renting skis and boots and we've had a bit more snow
but not as much as last year, we tried skiing at Easter last year and it was too
wet. I think that mid to late March is the latest this year. This link is for
the resort. Good luck.
Damien.
http://www.alpitalia.net/localita.php?id=129
2 March 2006.
Thanks for the information Damien, especially the link. I will be coming down to Le Marche just the same. I'll have a good look around and maybe plan a much earlier trip next year
John Shelton.
6 March
2006.
Considerable snow falls over last few
days so maybe you'll be in luck.
Damien Conrad
8 January 2006
Hi Bret,
We have found 2 small places called Cerreto in the Ascoli Piceno Province. They are both small suburbs (frazione) of larger towns. One at Montegiorgio, west of Fermo and the other at Venarotta just north of Ascoli Piceno.
There are currently 2 listings of Antonelli in the Montegiorgio phone directory and none in the Venarotta directory.
Le Belle Marche.
6 March 2006
We have a house in a town called Curetta could this be accurate? it is near a town called Servigliano, do you think this could be the town? if so email me back and I will try and help you some more. ( lukehore8-at-hotmail.com )
luke x
19 March 2006
Sorry, Just caught up with this last note. Thanks for the offer of help. The name of the place is definitely pronounce with a ch for cherry which i should think rules out Curetta. I do have some enquires going on based on the above notes but at this point I don't intend going into a deep genealogical study. I've often looked at Italian maps wondering where my roots are and I have never been able to find a Cerreto in the Ascoli province before. I have noticed that there is a place by this name up in the Pesaro province but I can rule this out also. Thanks again.
Bret Antonelli.
19 March 2006
Hi Bret, You say you are not interested in a deep study but maybe you will find yesterdays posting 06/005 interesting.
Le Belle Marche.
22
March 2006
The Cerreto near Montegiorgio is just next to Rapagnano
where we have just bought a house.
There is another in
the Ancona province just to the west of Fabriano. Its full name is Cerreto
d'Esi.
Regards,
Paul Norman
