Urbino sits in a corner of the Marche packed with small Renaissance towns and a coastline an hour east. Worth a half-day or full-day excursion:
- Pesaro — the regional capital on the Adriatic, birthplace of Rossini, and a good beach if the weather is warm. About 50 minutes by bus.
- Gradara — a clean little hilltop castle north of Pesaro, where Dante set the love affair of Paolo and Francesca.
- Acqualagna — the truffle town, 25 km south of Urbino, where the Marche white truffle is traded between October and December.
- Furlo Gorge — a dramatic Roman-era tunnel and gorge along the ancient Via Flaminia, 20 km south. Good walking.
- San Marino — the tiny independent republic, about an hour north by car. Touristy but unique.
A car helps; bus connections south of Urbino are infrequent.