Le Marche – “tastier cuisine than Tuscany”

Renaissance architecture, beguiling old towns, unspoilt by mass tourism and sensational cuisine – No wonder Gary Rhodes is heading to Le Marche!

“Le Marche: It’s prettier than Umbria, with tastier cuisine than Tuscany,” were the words of a travel writer in The Sunday Times, and is quite a statement when you consider the immense beauty Umbria is blessed with and the exquisite cuisine the Tuscan’s  pride themselves with.

Although it’s not just the travel writers who are flocking to Le Marche it seems, keen for a slice of Italian inspiration at its most inspiring, as many chefs are also eager to be part of the “tastier cuisine than Tuscany” scene.

World renowned cook Gary Rhodes travelled to Italy recently looking for the finer things in life and it was Le Marche that really excited him.

“Tuscany is famous for its beautiful rolling hills and vineyards, and this has made it a huge tourist attraction, but adjacent to it we discovered a less commercialised region called Le Marche. On the eastern side of central Italy, between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennine mountains, Le Marche is where you really can meet true Italians,” said the famous chef during his epic tour of Italy.

Le Marche certainly has it all – Wild, uncharted mountains, masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture, quirky and interesting Mediterranean fishing ports, some simply sensational cuisine, and true to Gary Rhodes words, the region remains largely unspoilt from the ravages of mass tourism.

Because of its relative anonymity, visitors rarely have to elbow with masses of other tourists, even in the region’s largest towns in the high season. The town of Urbino is one of Le Marche’s principle towns, and this “jewel of a renaissance city” remains almost unaltered since the 1400s when Duke Federico of Montefeltro built his legendary court there.

Whilst to the south of the region, the marvel-paved city of Ascoli Piceno can be found, which with its captivating squares and streets lined with some fascinating architecture, has been cited as one of the “most beautiful towns in Italy”.

But it is the cooking delights of Le Marche, deeply rooted in peasant tradition, that the likes of Gary Rhodes are particularly excited about. If you want to know what exactly is getting the English restaurateur, cookery writer and celebrity chef’s taste buds go crazy in Le Marche, why not visit this beguiling and undiscovered Italian region yourself?

Alternatively check out the video of Gary Rhodes cooking in Le Marche here.

It’s also worth knowing, Vintage Travel have some stunning Le Marche luxury accomodation!