Loreto
Just over a hour from Loreto lies just inland from the Adriatic Sea and is one of the world's most important shrines to the cult of the Virgin Mary.

The town mainly exists to service the thousands of pilgrims who travel here from around the world. The great dome of the Sanctuario della Santa Casa dominates the countryside for miles around; below the dome inside the cathedral stands the focus of piety - the cottage from Nazareth lived in by Mary.

The cottage is reputed to have been delivered to Loreto by angels.

The cathedral is in a beautiful setting, with long colonnades leading to the entrance.