La Bella Italia…La Bella Loro Piceno…L’amore Birillo. You may think I’ve fallen head over heals in love with Italy and the beauty of this amazing country, its people, architecture, food, wine, gelato and our gorgeous pure bred Italian teddy bear, Birillo. And undeniably you’d be right. 🥰 It’s bounissimo. If you have ever wanted to find your Anahata Chakra ♥️ then this is the place, Loro Piceno. With a skyline on a day like this, extending from Ancona to Piceno it’s hard not to feel emotional. As the breath taking views have us perfectly positioned between the sea and mountains. There is a stillness here that can’t be described and is what makes this place so magical.
And like every fairy tale there’s always some juicy story line that makes the visit to this medieval town a little more enticing. Quite literally, Loro Piceno is known as the land of Vino Cotto. A strong wine, amber in colour with a tendency to develop into brown shades (which the Italians tend to associate this particular colour with that of a Rooster’s eye). To make this delicacy they use the “must” and cook the wine in copper pots; fermentation relies on old methods that remain substantially unchanged. The final product has a fruity aroma with a flavour in perfect balance of acidity and sweetness. We’ve managed to secure ourselves a bottle and hope it will last until we get home. 😋
Other finds include the austere castle which was built on a large rock face back in the 6th Century, a home owned by nobility that was passed onto Dominican nuns in the 17th Century. The monastery closed in 2013 with the last nun departing in October of that year. Brunforte Castle is now looked after by the residents of Loro Piceno with visits to the castle restricted to the church and old kitchen.
In honour of the food, well our taste buds are dancing for joy. The best egg pasta in Italy made fresh daily by Miconi. Thank goodness, to get to the shop we have to walk up a very steep incline. But wait there’s more, morning cappuccinos, pastries to die for, decadent gelato and a fabulous seranading butcher, Giuseppe Peppecotto. He’s been every where man, including our very own Uluru. I’m truly inspired with such fresh produce at my finger tips, the gastro journey has reached new levels. Watch out kids, you’re in for a real treat when Mamma Mia returns home.
However, the real highlight of Loro Piceno, are the memorable sunrises framed by the Apennine mountains. Simply stunning!
And of course our new best friend forever, Birillo. I just want to pack him in my suitcase. 😍 He’s so cute, with the charisma and personality to match that teddy bear face. 
MicNSarah Travels 