The International Ceramics Museum in Faenza is the largest of its kind, offering a look at ceramic vessels and art from prehistoric to modern in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy.

Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site Castel del Monte in Puglia, Frederick II’s 13th century octagonal castle and symbol of Puglia.

What is Olive Dolci? A traditional Pugliese dish with a special “sweet” olive you serve in the early fall.

Predappio, Duce’s town, is found in the province of Forlì-Cesena in Romagna, the western part of the region of Emilia Romagna. It’s an interesting day trip.

Fabriano is famous for its paper production, which has been going on since the middle ages which the Paper and Watermark Museum commemorates nicely, but you’ll also want to stop in this incredibly interesting old pharmacy. It’s quite odd, actually.

A little outside the historic center of Ascoli Piceno stands the Forte Malatesta, which defended the Castellano river. Beside it is the Cecco Bridge, a Roman work completed during the last period of the Republic. The fort is now an interesting museum and the architecture makes it one of the most compelling examples of Renaissance fortified architecture in Italy.

Eat with a great view inside one of Rome’s most diverse museums, the Castel Sant’Angelo.

If Ascoli Piceno is one of Italy’s top hidden treasures (and it is), then little Offida, population just over 5000, has to be one of Italy’s top villages.