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Practical things to know

A few things worth knowing before your first day out.

  • Doctor. For non-emergencies out of hours, the Guardia Medica provides a local on-call doctor. Call +39 (0)71 7583800. They’re based in Recanati, on the premises of the Ospedale Santa Lucia (map). The nearest hospitals are in Recanati (Ospedale Santa Lucia, about 15 min) and Civitanova Marche (Ospedale Civile, about 20 min). For a medical emergency, call 112.
  • Supermarkets. Conad in Potenza Picena for a quick top-up. For a bigger shop: Si con Te or Eurospin in Porto Potenza Picena, or Lidl in Porto Recanati, all within 15 minutes away.
  • Shops close in the afternoon. Most Italian shops shut between roughly 12:30 and 16:00 (or 16:30), then reopen until 19:30–20:00. Supermarkets and larger chains stay open through, but independent shops, bakeries, butchers and most of the businesses in smaller towns don’t. Plan your errands for the morning or early evening.
  • Cash is always handy. Markets, sagre, some smaller restaurants, and many vintage and antiques stalls only take cash. Bancomat machines are easy to find in every town.
  • Dinner starts late. Italian restaurants typically open for dinner around 19:30–20:00, and most locals arrive between 20:30 and 21:30. If you turn up at 19:00 expecting to eat, you’ll probably find the kitchen still setting up. Lunch service usually runs 12:30–14:30.
  • Reservations. Many of the restaurants in this guide benefit from a reservation, especially in July and August and on weekends. Most places don’t have online booking, so just ask us and we are happy to call for you.