Le Marche, Italy Area Information
Medieval villages atop forest covered hills, narrow cobbled streets, a splendid piazza, soaring mountains and undulating countryside, turquoise waters and sandy beaches...
Le Marche offers all this in abundance yet remains relatively undiscovered, an enchanting, timeless corner of Italy.
Situated at opposite ends of the region are Urbino and Ascoli Piceno, the jewels of Le Marche. Urbino, in the North, is a lively, cultured hilltop town. As one of Europe's leading cultural centres during the Renaissance, painters, poets and scholars flocked here and the town remains a perfect homage to this time.
Among green hills to the south sits the baroque beauty Ascoli Piceno. Built of creamy white travertine marble, it is a delicious mix of houses, palaces, fountains and piazzas. The streets lead to a number of impressive squares, including the Piazza del Popolo, one of the most beautiful in Italy.
A beguiling mix of places, rich in history and art, lies between Urbino and Ascoli Piceno, interspersed with impressive scenery and national parks. Urbania sits amidst patchwork fields with the River Metauro flowing by. Since Renaissance times, it is known for its ceramics.
Piobbico is a lovely stone town with a magnificent castle at its highest point, whilst Acqualagna is the truffle capital of Italy. Nearby 'Gola del Furlo' is a nature reserve of outstanding wild beauty, where golden eagles and peregrine falcons can be spotted overhead. the deep gorge at the heart of the park is stunning. Pergola is home to the Pergola Bronzes. Found in 1946, they are a unique group of life size bronze statues now on display in the town museum.
Another spectacular find can be seen in the 'Gola di Rossi e di Frasassi' reserve. Underneath the forests, streams and hills of the park lies an amazing 26km network of underground caverns, lakes and crystal formations, discovered in 1971. It includes one of the largest caves in the world, the Grotta del Vento, which is truly colossal.
Macerata is a town already known to enthusiasts for its annual world famous opera Festival, which takes place in the 'Sferisterio', an ancient, semi elliptical arena with perfect acoustics. Macerata also boasts one of Italy's oldest universities and, with its web of narrow streets surrounded by 16th Century walls, is a fascinating place to visit.
Due west is Tolentino, sitting on the banks of the River Chienti. A typical Marchigiano town, it is the gateway to the Monti Sibillini. This glorious mountain range, often snow capped, is a stunning backdrop to the undulating landscape. Country roads guide you past hilltop villages and the clear waters of Lake Fiastra, to this natural paradise where outdoor activities, such as rambling, hiking, mountain biking and bird watching abound.
In its foothills, San Ginesio, known as the Balcony of the Sibillini, offers far reaching views towards the mountains and to Sarnano, the epitome of a fortified medieval centre. Amandola takes its name from the ancient almond tree at its centre, whilst Bolognola is the smallest and highest town in Le Marche.
The Coast
The region also boasts 180km of coastline with some of the best beaches on mainland Italy. Elegant towns and busy seaside resorts line its shores. During the summer, a colourful, lively atmosphere reigns on the seafront where rows of sun loungers are lined up under brightly striped parasols. A number of beaches have been honoured with the Blue Flag, including Senigállia, given the title of 'spiaggia di velluto', the velvet beach, for its 13km of fine white sand.
Further south, Porto Recanti has a long promenade lined with seafood restaurants and pizzerias, whilst Grottammare and San Benedetto del Tronto form the 'Riviera delle Palme', fashionable, bustling places with sandy beaches fringed with palm trees. The Conero peninsula offers an alternative picture.
Monte Conero at its centre is the highest point on the coast and surrounded by countryside. Nature trails criss-cross olive groves, vineyards, and mulberry trees, whilst the forest covered slopes plunge down to the sea, forming small coves and tiny beaches. Picturesque highlights in the area are the fishing villages of Sirolo and Numana.
Cuisine
In the countryside, platters of meat grilled on embers are served, whilst by the coast, freshly caught seafood is the order of the day. Pasta features on every menu - try 'vincigrassi', a rich lasagne without the tomatoes, or 'passatelli' from Urbino.
Everywhere you go, you will find reference to 'tartufi' or truffles. Highly prized throughout Italy, both the white and black truffle can be found throughout Le Marche, with the town of Acqualagna being one of the most important centres. Buy some 'liquid gold' - olive oil flavoured with truffle. Le Marche produces its own dry white wine known as 'Verdicchio'. For those who prefer red, the ones to note are the Rosso Conero wines from around the Conero area on the coast.
Festivities
Le Marche plays host to a number of summer festivals, many of which focus on music. Two notable events are the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro, held every August, and the internationally renowned open air Opera festival which takes place in Macerata in July and August.
Jazz lovers will enjoy Jazz by the Sea in Fano in early July. A must see event in Ascoli Piceno is 'La Quintana', one of the most authentic Medieval pageants that exist today. Held the first Sunday of August, it is a 
colourful spectacle with parades, sideshows and a jousting tournament.
Climate
Le Marche is lovely in the Spring and Autumn. The days are mainly sunny and dry, and the temperatures pleasant. The summer months are hot but tempered by sea and mountain breezes.
Getting there
Le Marche has one airport, at Ancona. At present, Ryanair offers a daily flight from Stansted, with a thrice weekly flight from Liverpool. Alternative airports to consider are Forli (2 hour drive) and Pescara to the south (2 hour drive). The Rome airports are further away, approx 3-4 hour drive, but offer a variety of flights by scheduled and 'no frills' airlines.