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 Cagli is an ancient town of just under 10,000 people, nestled on the eastern slopes of Italy’s Appennines Mountains in the little-known Le Marche region of Italy . The Adriatic coast and its beaches are a 40-minute bus ride away, but Cagli has plenty of attractions amid its small cobblestone streets: upscale shopping, a gem of an opera house, a weekly street market, numerous cafes and amazing restaurants, mountain hiking, a modern fitness center, bike rentals, excellent medical care, two hotels, a waterfall, river swimming, and a fantastic, lively piazza. Hidden from tourists among the Apennines mountains in the Marche Region of central Italy, Cagli offers a unique opportunity to explore authentic Italian life.
Cagli has a rich history dating back well over 2000 years. Cagli became part of the Roman empire in 295 BC and quickly grew in prominence as a vital stop on the ancient Via Flaminia, one of Rome’s earliest and most important roads. After the fall of the Roman Empire, Cagli’s strategic location made it a popular staging ground for battles. In 1287, the city was destroyed by fire in a battle among noble Italian families but was rebuilt two years later under orders from Pope Nicholas IV. It then would be held by various noble families until it was incorporated into the Papal States in the 17th Century and eventually part of the united Italy in 1860.
Though its history is apparent throughout the town, Cagli boasts a rich modern social scene, summer concerts and festivals, and one of the region’s most beautiful theaters. The town also has a hospital, dentists, a gymnasium, grocery stores and several outdoor cafés and restaurants.
LIFE IN CAGLI:
You will fall in love with Cagli as soon as you get there, but you’ll find that it’s not quite like home. Here are some important factoids about Cagli and Italian life that you should know.
Dining: Breakfast
In Italy, it is customary to have a coffee (such as a cappuccino or latte) or juice and a pastry for breakfast. Italians rarely have what we would call a 'full breakfast'. Often times, a Panini with meat and cheese is also available early in the morning. Traditional American breakfasts of eggs and bacon is something that can be made at home.
Dining: Lunch
Lunch is the main meal for Italians, and the town shuts down at about 1 p.m. except for the restaurants. If you’re looking for a quick meal, you will find panini on the menu or in the display case at most of the cafes and restaurants. If you eat at the bar, you will usually pay less than if you are seated at a table. Although some of the Italian store owners in Cagli have become accustomed to the American students’ ways, most cafe patrons pay after the meal is over. If you have time, though, you could also enjoy a more traditional Italian lunch that might be several courses long. Or you can prepare your meal in your apartment.
Dining: Dinner
Most Italians eat a light meal later in the evening, but after a full day of work you’ll probably be hungry for more. Don’t worry, the restaurants are all open and happy to serve our students. Start by sharing an appetizer (antipasto) with a friend, or have one for yourself. You could order a salad, mozzarella or even french fries (patate fritte) at a few restaurants. Then you could order a pasta or pizza, or try some of the great meat and fish dishes. Of course, you’ll want to make sure you save room for some gelato on the piazza later in the evening.
Dining: General
The food is great, but if you asked past students for a complaint, they might tell you that variety is slim. Of course, this is not the United States, and you won’t find fast food or ethnic food in Cagli. In the larger cities such as Pesaro and Fano, it’s a bit easier to find some different fare. But have an open mind, and don’t be afraid to try some unusual items. You won’t regret it.
There are several restaurants in Cagli where you can get a great meal. In fact, new restaurants have opened each year since we started coming to the town. The most popular spots for dinner last year were Squaqua, La Lanterna and Ristorante del Commercio. For lunch, you can get some great Panini at “the Wine Bar” (Caffe del Corso), Caffe D’Italia or Caffe del Teatro. For the vegetarians, there is a great macrobiotic restaurant in town where you can get a very healthy, three-course meal for only a few Euro. If you’re really craving Chinese food, there is a great restaurant in nearby Fano, but for McDonald’s and Burger King, you’ll have to travel to the bigger cities like Venice and Florence. Senigallia and Rimini also have lots of American style fast food, and you can find “hamburger joints” in Fano and Pesaro, but expect to pay more than in the states. An example is Hops at the Auchan shopping center in Fano. Here you can get burgers, shakes, sundaes and New York cheesecake, but it is very pricey. For Italians, meals are a time to sit, relax and, most of all, talk. Don’t expect food to be dished out quick, and don’t be surprised if you get some looks when you eat on the go.
Groceries:
You can find most of the essentials you’ll need from food to shampoo at the Sidis supermarket on Via Flamminia. It is open all day except during lunch and is easy to navigate. There are also several smaller specialty shops for fruit, vegetable, meat and fish throughout the town, as well as some small mom-and-pop stores that sell a variety of domestic items.
La Pausa:
From 1 and 4 p.m. you’ll find most of the stores in Cagli are closed. Since lunch is the main meal for Italians, most have gone home to eat and rest before returning to work. Restaurants and cafés usually stay open. After 4, stores remain open until 7 or 8 p.m.
Piazza Matteoti:
The piazza is the gathering spot at the center of town. The city hall, main cathedral and several cafes and shops are located here. You’ll find many of Cagli’s older men seated on the walls of the City Hall, keeping watch on the town and catching up on gossip. There is an old fountain at the center for decoration, so don’t dive in. Many of the town’s bigger festivals are located here, including the June 2 “Festa della Repubblica” (Italy’s version of the Fourth of July) and the Feast of Corpus Christi in late June.
Wednesday Market:
Since there are no department stores, most of the Cagliese do their shopping on Wednesday at the open air market, which stretches from the Torrione to the Piazza. It runs from 8 a.m. to noon, and you can find vendors of all kinds. Though the items may have price tags, you can usually bargain your way down.
Telephones:
All students this year will be provided with Italian cell phones that you must activate with your credit card through Piccell Wireless.
In addition, you can purchase an international phone card at the tabaccheria for €5, which usually lasts for 45 minutes. There are several pay phones scattered throughout the town.
You can also check with your American cell phone provider to see if your cell phone will work in Italy. This is the most expensive option.
Mail:
An address where family can send packages will be distributed prior to departure. International air mail takes 7 to 10 days for delivery. Postcards take longer. So, tell your parents not to send anything after the second week. If family or friends send you packages by mail or courier please tell them to mark them as gifts when completing the documentation prior to mailing or shipping to avoid paying customs taxes on the goods. Also, if the packages are insured for more than $75, expect the goods to be assessed for customs taxes even if the package is marked "gift".
Internet Communication:
Internet service will be available to students as part of the Cagli Project. Students can also access the Internet at a computer store located in New Cagli at an hourly rate. The owner offers a discount to ieiMedia students and is willing to help students with any technology needs. The program’s Internet access is primarily for administrative use.
Leisure Activities:
Hiking: There are lots of hiking trails around Cagli and into the surrounding mountains. Just outside the city you will find a waterfall, a popular destination for students each year. Students would swim in the very clean river, and a few brave souls also did some cliff diving. A handful of students also did an overnight camping trip on the peak of Monte Petrano.
What to pack:
Heightened security measures at America’s airports mean that it is critical that you do your best to be prudent when packing. Generally, one large suitcase, a smaller travel bag and a carry on bag is more than enough. Toiletries should be placed in all checked luggage, especially metallic objects like razors and nail clippers.
The weather will most likely be warm but still a bit cooler than we experience during summer in the Mid-Atlantic but with less humidity. It also tends to get very cool at night, so pack a sweatshirt or two. While in Cagli you should do your best to blend in, so avoid bringing too many designer labels. Though Italians are fashionable, they typically wear plain clothing, especially jeans (no matter how hot it is). Last year there were occasional afternoon thunderstorms, so an umbrella may be nice to have, though the climate is otherwise dry. Also be sure to pack a bathing suit and towel for your river swimming and beach days. You will pay handsomely for them if you forget!
Most streets in Cagli and even in larger cities are made of cobblestone, and you will probably be doing a lot of walking. You should bring a very comfortable pair of shoes or sneakers, especially when touring cities. Sandals are fine for everyday activity in Cagli, but flip-flops are useless except for the beach.
If you bring a film camera, you are advised to purchase film in America to save money. There is a photography store in Cagli should you run out. When coming to Italy, film can be packed in your luggage, but when returning place all film in your carry on to avoid losing all your pictures to the X-ray machines!
Every apartment will need an alarm clock to get to class on time, preferably a battery operated one to avoid problems with outlets. Students should purchase European voltage adapters (which are different from British adapters) if they plan on bringing any appliances. In addition, you will also need a power converter so that European current won’t fry your electronics. Most laptops have built-in converters. Women will want to bring hair dryers since you are not guaranteed to have one in your apartments.
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