This is one of the main holiday resorts of the southern Marche and, with over 7,000 palm trees on its wide promenade, it has a touch of tropical charm. But it's also a thriving town that doubles as one of the most important fishing ports on Italy's Adriatic coast. In summer this is a popular resort, but with 8km of wide sandy beach with palms trees actually growing in the sand there is plenty of space for everyone. And although it has a great deal of old-world elegance, it's also a lively place with a fun nightlife that's great if you're younger. The most pleasant stretch of beach - and the highest concentration of good hotels - runs from the centre of town southwards.     The beach to the north of the large port area is less inviting although it offers many more stretches of free, public beach. The older part of the town sits above the main resort, on the far side of Corso Mazzini, with its castle and narrow streets of brick houses. As well as catching them, its inhabitants also taking the eating of fish seriously and there are plenty of moderately priced restaurants to satisfy their demanding tastes. This is one of the best places to try the Marche version of fish stew - brodetto - which must be made with 13 species of fish, no more, no less.

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