Renting a house in Le Marche

[Junebug]

I am looking into renting a villa in Piobbico in the Marche next year. Wondering if anyone has traveled there and what the roads and driving are like between the small towns in that region. Also, are there things to do that don't require hours of driving?

Appreciate any insight or personal experiences.

Thanks

[Giulia da Urbino]

Piobbico is just 16 km (10-15 minutes drive) from Acqualagna and the motorway going to Fano. The road is good, quite flat and a bit winding but good.
From Piobbico you can easily go to Urbania a tiny Renaissance town well known for its pottery (the "direct" road is very winding but very panoramic and there's a nice place to take a swim in the river between the two villages) but my personal favourite road from Piobbico to Urbania is the one called "i Fangacci", you have to go back towards Acqualagna as far as Bellaria and then take Urbania direction. The little valley there is just fab!
Urbino is also at easy driving distance (30-35 minutes), the better road is back towards Acqualagna and (before Acqualagna) in Pole, turn left towards Castellaro. (You can come and see me there if you wish because that's where I live!;) ). Keep on the asphalted road and turn right at the T crossing. Follow Urbino signposts.
The Furlo Gorge (Gola del Furlo) is also very near (just few km after Acqualagna) and there's a small romanic church to be seen in San Vincenzo al Furlo and the Gorge itself.
Piobbico is also a nice little village (Castello Brancaleoni is very nice!) and you can visit Apecchio too.
If you wish to drive a bit more (never more than 1 hour) you can visit Fonte Avellana Monastery (really beautiful!!!), Mondavio, Barchi, Cagli, Pergola, Gubbio (Umbria is very near!), Frontone.... and also Città di Castello and Sansepolcro in Tuscany.
About 1.10-1,20 hours drive you can find San Leo, Arezzo... well, I think that there's plenty of fab places to be seen!

Roads are generally quite winding, in good conditions and most of all there's not much traffic, so driving is not stressfull unless you really hate winding roads. My suggestion is take your time and enjoy the views!