Experience in Urbino, Carlotta's Italy

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How's life in Urbino? Would you recommend this city?

Life in Urbino is the university life, but on a human scale i. e here you can find people of all nationalities, you can hear a lot of languages but the dimensions of the historic centre are little more than a village. Urbino is rich in history, culture and both in winter and summer you can sit through a lot of events, in October the pumpkin festival in Lunano, the witches' roasted chestnuts in San giorgio of Pesaro and for the Halloween night there's a party in Corinaldo. In November there's the National Fair of white truffle in Acqualagna and in Sassocorvaro the San Martino's old Fair.

Between the end of November and the beginning of December Christmas markets starts to open in every village mentioned before and also in Frontone's castle and in Urbino as well. During the summer there are events like appointments of Ville and Castella in a lot of beautiful villages such as Barchi, Mondavio and others. In August in Urbino there's the celebration of the Duke while in September the end-of-summer Fairs in Fano and Pesaro.

In Urbino university students are affiliated with the cafeteria, whereby they can eat with 5 euros and they also have discounts with hairdressers (shampoo+hair done+ cut 25euros), with restaurants and clothes shops as well.

How is Urbino's university environment?

The university environment is really active. Most of universitites are located in the city centre so in this case the student can rent an apartment in the city centre and get around the city by foot.

Since it is a small city, professors tend to build a close relationship with the students. There are parties in the clubs on tuesday and thursday but they're open also on friday and saturday. All bars are organized for aperitifs. There's a big shopping mall called "Santa Lucia" and another one smaller, both of them are within walking distance from the city centre.

How much it costs to live in Urbino?

The price of the rent depend on the are and on the time of the type of house. Generally a single room outside the city centre can costs from 200 euros excluding charges to 500/600 euros for a one-room apartment in good conditions in the city centre.

There are large supermarkets where you can buy food at relatively low prices. Besides, there is the saturday morning market in the Raffaello area where you can find fresh local products.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Urbino? Can you give some advice?

A beautiful and peaceful area is Tortorina in front of the restaurant "Il giardino della galla" where there are apartments at 400 euros for two person with a garden in front of and behind the house, an area very populated by students. Still outside the centre, a solution for students is the "duke's residence" and further the residence "Comei" in which you can find apartments that cost 400 euros. In the center you can also ask for rooms such as Bonconte.

What is the local cuisine like? What are your favorite dishes?

The food is spectacular, we are in the region of the Acqualagna truffle, the Fano fish brodetto, the fossa cheese, the crescia and the Urbino caciotta, the Easter pizza. Pizza, piada, pasta, bread, meat, fish, vegetables and cheese, desserts and ice cream, all excellent!

In your opinion, what are the places to visit in Urbino?

The garden of the Galla, the Inn of the Blazon for first dishes and fish, Puro e Bio (for the ice cream), Pizza at Mistic, Al buco and Ghiottone always for pizza. Acqualagna for truffles and Fano for fish (La rustita and La Paglia) and for sushi in Fano al Mikaku, in Urbino for piada al Falco.

Where you recommend going out in Urbino?

Bosom, off-topic

What would you recommend to future students heading to Urbino?

Take part in fairs and festivals in other villages so you can know better the place and traditions. A wonderful party is the one of Candelara between November and December.

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