Airport (Falconara) for the region. Trajan’s Arch overlooks the harbour, which is sheltered in an angle of the coast (Ancona means ‘elbow’). Handsome churches gaze out to sea. The Cavalli Fountain and the Ferretti Palace (National Museum inside it) are worth seeking out. From the port you can sail to Corfu, Greece, other Balkan states, Turkey, Cyprus and Israel.

For railway enthusiasts: There are fascinating rail journeys on branch lines into the mountains from stations on the Adriatic coastal line that runs from Milan and Bologna via Ancona to Pescara and Bari.