Ancona is the capital of the Italian region called Marche. It is an important port city on the coast of the Adriatic Sea. Most of its medieval center was bombed during World War II. Its 'cathedral', however, is set on the mountain overlooking Ancona and still worth a look. There is also a monument built by Mussolini on the waterfront. Nearby Monte Conero is of particular interest. It offers glorious vistas, on a coastline that extends from Venice to Pescara with mainly flat sandy beaches. The popular resorts of Portonovo, Sirolo, and Santa Maria di Badia are at the Mounts base.
Many ferries link Ancona, and therefore Italy, to Croatia, Greece and Turkey.