Located in northern Italy, Marche is the sixth smallest region in the country, with about 1.5 million people living there. Its most famous destinations, Arbino, Ascoli Piqueno, Pesaro, Ancona and the very wild Monticibilini National Park, are not the common names to Italy for most travelers.
However, this underrated area has the type of sights and experience that people come to Italy. Mountain views and bustling beach resorts, heartfelt local cuisine and smart wines, an important artistic and historic center, charming small town tourists.
In short, if Marche isn't on the travel radar yet, it's time to expand your options. The top locations and experiences of Marche are shared with us by people who know and love the area.
1. Step into the Urbino Renaissance
Under the auspices of the famous Federico da Montefertoro, Urbino was one of the most important centres of art, literature, architecture and humanism during the Italian Renaissance. Today it feels a bit sleepy and far away, but its incredibly well preserved historic core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the Grand Ducal Palace (Duke Studioro, inlaid marvel) Don't miss out on the Gallerianagioner del L'Arque, a childhood home of Rafael, housed within the streets and squares with imposing brick buildings. there was. You can find it easily here to fill your schedule for a few days.
2. Run wild at Monticibilini National Park
Visitors planning a trip to Monticibilini National Park should consider going in the fall to go in the fall. Photo by Valeriomei, Shutterstock
Covering nearly 2 million acres and spanning mulch and Umbria, Monticibilini National Park features the tallest mountains in Apennin, offering walks, hiking, mountain biking and horse riding. “This is one of the most enjoyable yet undiscovered regions in the whole of Italy,” says Mark, who runs Hideaway, a group of self-sufficient farm rentals in nearby Amandora (along with his wife, Sarah Toppus). says Faiers. Fayer continues on the natural beauty of the park. “In spring, wild orchids, narcissies and peonies offer stunning carpets at Madarena, and in summer, you can chill with Crystal ClearStream to hike the Goradel. “Infernaccio” (or Hell's Gorge, This is much cleaner than you can hear).
3. Explore the lesser known Ascoli Piqueno
According to travel author Valerie Fortney, it is often amortized as a lesser-known rural city, but Ascoli Piqueno offers everything. “The city of 100 towers” and sprouts more than San Gimignano, this beauty of Le Marche to the south is sparkling travertine, an art-infused church, the rest of Rome, the Renaissance Parazzi, Italy's most It is thought to be one of the beautiful things. She says. Ascoli's History Centre has a fun life with Cafe Meretti at Grand Piazza del Popolo, as a must-see for first-time visitors. “With wine and statscini (Aperitibo Snack) containing the city's signature olive olives (fried olives) and enjoy the elegant atmosphere and history of the place when watching Mao Zedong people .”
4. Enjoy the heartfelt local cuisine of Le March
The Oak and Birch Forest of Marche is a famous breeding ground for black and white truffles, and depending on the time of year, they are hunted enthusiastically by truffle hunters and their sharp-nosed hounds. “We are lucky to have many excellent local 'agrichurismi' (farm stay) that includes locally discovered truffles in the pleasures of homemade food,” and various other items including homemade pasta. Pheyers, provided by the way, says. Fayers also lists the aforementioned olive All'ascolana as one of the most well-known regional specialties. “They were born in Ascoli Piqueno, but have been found in Marche.” He is also a fan of Maiarino or pork, slowly roasted until they become tender and succulents.
(Related: Travel through the southwest of Le March to visit Lazio and its must-see attractions.)
5. Find Michelin Star Diets in an unlikely location
Rib-wrapped pasta, meat and fried olives may be a specialist in Marche, but that doesn't mean you need to venture into Rome or Milan for more refined dishes. “A luxury dining enthusiast in herds in Uriliasi, Le Marche's only three-star Michelin restaurant,” and her husband Giovanni Dagostino, a food and wine-focused tour company based in Ascoli. says Chantelle Khan, who runs an Italian on one of the tours. Piqueno. “It's also consistently located every year at 50 best restaurant circuits around the world, making it a real destination dining experience.”
Michelin starred Il Tiglio is hidden in a small village in the Cibilini Mountains. “When you arrive, you'll be amazed and pleased by the beautiful restaurant, delicious tasting menu experience and professional staff. They serve homemade vegetables and herbs, locally produced meats, games and truffles. Masu.”
6. Italian shoes and leather goods bargains
If your travel plan includes shopping for authentic “made in Italy” products, you have come to the right area. More than half of all shoes made in Italy are made in Marche, with workshops and outlet stores gathering inland from Civita Nova Mart in San Terpidio A Mare and Montegranaro. Another recommended place to shop is Tod's & Hogan outlet, located just off the SS77 or IL Castagno Brand Village. Here you can find a variety of Italian outlet stores.
7. Discover eccentric temples and vast caves
“One of the most surreal and peaceful places to visit not only in Italy but also in Europe is the Valedier Temple,” says Rome-based travel author Laura Itzkowitz. “It is a small octagonal chapel built into the mouth of the cave near the larger Frasassi Cave complex. Nearby, one of Europe's largest cave systems, completely discovered in 1971. You can tour the cave. “The cave is lit up with routes and guardrails, but can only be accessed on a guided tour that lasts approximately 75 minutes.
8. Only drink wine at the only march
Cultivated only on the slopes of the Monteconero, made from the grapes of Montepulciano (and sometimes Sangiovese), Rosso Conero is fruity, aromatic, tannically rich red, and produced only in small corners of Lumece. Moroder is one of the region's most historic wineries. Their Dorico Conero Riserva helped put this 200-year-old winery on a modern-day Oenophilic map. The scenic Strada Del Vino Rosso Conero (Rosso Conero Wine Road) connects the wineries of Conero Riviera.
9. “Blue Flag” beach lounge
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In Sirolo, Spiagia del del Durrel Beach (two sister beaches) is just one of Ruaci's 16 beaches designated as Blue Flag Beach, recognized for its high environmental standards and cleanliness. Photo courtesy of Stefano Zaccaria, Shutterstock
The coast of Marche is home to 16 beaches with Blue Flag designations awarded for cleanliness and water quality. Most are concentrated from the south of Ancona on the border with Abruzzo. Conero Regional Park has numerous pristine beaches, some of which are only accessible by hiking or boating. Outdoor enthusiasts should consider hiking Pasdel Rupo, which brings visitors throughout the park. Further south, San Benedetto del Toronto offers a typical Italian beach town experience.
(Related: These are must-see sights in Italy's Abruzzo region.)
Go around
The train, born from Bologna, where the medium-sized Guglielmo Marconi Airport is located, stops all major towns on the Adriatic coastline of Marc. Urbino can be contacted by car or via the Adriabus Bus Service in Pesaro. The Ascoli Piceno can be reached by a combination of trains and buses from Ancona, but it is convenient for exploring the small towns within and around Monticibilini Park.
Where to stay
In the city centre of Urbino, there are several modest hotels, including the 5-star Palazzo Giusti Suites and Spa, with restored rooms in the Renaissance Palazzo and underground level spa and pool suites. Signs of Roman ruins. On a cold, rainy day in Urbino, we had a memorable meal at Marche Comfort Food at La Trattoria del Leone.
Near Amandora and Monticibilini National Park, hideaway guests take in starry sky that doesn't match light pollution, and food, wine and customers all head to a simple local restaurant.
Ascoli Piceno is a good base to explore Le Marche, and Albergo Sant'Emidio is a comfortable mid-range hotel in the historic centre of town, and has been in the palace since the 1600s. A few blocks away, Dei Mercanti Palazzo is a more luxurious spa hotel than a former monastery.
(Related: Head west and plan your ultimate trip to Tuscany.)
