This is our town where you will be able to find most things that you need. It is a 10 minute walk from our gates, admittedly it is uphill in part but the homeward journey is of course downwards. We have very good Restaurants, Bars and Pizzerias here in San Martino. There are grocery shops, a gelateria, 2 chemists, Jewellery /gift shops as well as a daily undercover market where you can buy fresh produce to, which if you wish you can prepare here at Casa Phoenix on the BarBQ. Hairdressers and Beauty salons and a Barbers.
You can visit the "San Martino in Pensilis Olive Oil Co operative" and purchase a box of Olive Oil to take home. We take our own organic olives to the co-operative each harvest.
The old historical part of town is well worth a visit with a stroll along the wall walk...Sunsets from here are stunning.
If you don't drive you'll be happy to know there is a regular bus service to Termoli with in August a free shuttle to the beaches. In Termoli you can also take a coach or a train to Naples, Rome etc.
San Martino is famous for The Carrese , the Ox Cart Race which runs at the end of April every year. This event has been part of the weft and warp of life here for over a 1,000 years. The celebrations last over a period of 3 or 4 days. If you go to my blog Moving to Molise (www.movingtomolise.com ) in the Links page you'll find my description of our first Carrese experience.
San Martino in Pensilis is where a very special and spicy meat dish called "Pampanella" came into being. It is pork very slowly cooked in a special blend of spices and wine. Look out for the Pampanella shops here in town where you can buy it ready cooked, hot and mouthwatering or buy it to cook at home. At the end of August San Martino celebrates Pampanella with it's own Festa....street food and music.The name derives from how it was originally cooked wrapped in vine leaves 'pampini'. You will also find bright packs of sweet or piquant paprika to buy, great to take home and try Pampanella in your own kitchens back home.
During the summer months there are many concerts and activities in town and during the hottest month of summer, August part of the Main Street is closed to traffic during the evening so that La Passeggiata can occur in safety in the cooler temperatures. At around 10 pm people will start appearing and by 11pm it can be crowded. The walk is leisurely and the atmosphere lovely as people meet and greet each other. The bars are open and the side walk tables full....every night is party night in August.