Ascoli Piceno is probably one of the most attractive small cities you have never heard of. It sits right in the south of the Le Marche region at the confluence of two rivers, the Tronto and the Castellano. The centre of the retains its medieval layout and buildings, and it is crammed with beautiful streets, piazzas, churches and towers. Indeed it was once called the citta turrita, the city of towers, because at its peak there were some 200 of them.

Ascoli Piceno has some lovely things to see, but it is not defined by particular buildings or works of art. It is simply a lovely city in which to wander, and linger over lunch in one of the piazzas.