General information about le Marche
General information about le Marche
General information about le Marche
Le Marche is a still quiet and unspoilt area located between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea in central Italy. Le Marche, also called the hinterland of Tuscany, is a very special region of Italy due to its diversity and authenticity. It is not visited by hordes of tourists, so it remains calm and friendly.
The rugged Apennines form the natural barrier to reach Le Marche. Through colorful, rolling hills with charming, medieval, picturesque villages and towns on the tops, one descends to the azure blue, calm Adriatic sea, called the 'Riviera delle Palme' by its many palm trees.
The landscape has a varied flora and fauna. The hills are covered with a patchwork of vineyards and olive groves, cornfields, sunflowers and grassland. The area is ideal for hiking and cycling. By car or motorbike you will come across the most beautiful places through the countless winding roads, often on the tops of the hills, beautifully restored medieval fortified towns that invite you to be explored.
In every village there is something to experience or to see: narrow alleys where time seems to have stood still, palazzi, monasteries, abbeys, churches and museums, or simply enjoy a local wine or an "espresso" in the local bar ".
Many cities have retained their authentic character. Ascoli Piceno in particular is a cultural highlight. With beautiful places such as Fermo, Loreto and Macerata. A visit to the stalactite caves of Frasassi is unforgettable and refreshing in the middle of summer.
In the spring and summer you can enjoy concerts and opera performances, which are not only organized in the cities but also often in the smaller places. August is the month of very pleasant village festivals.
The kitchen of Le Marche offers a variety of local dishes with delicious fish, wild boar, pastas, olives, truffles, fresh fruit and vegetables. Famous dishes include: stuffed olives with fish or meat 'Olive Ascolane', the typical fish soup from San Benedetto del Tronto 'Brodetto' or roasted suckling pig 'Porchetta alla Marchigiana'.
Beautiful DOC wines (Verdicchio, Vernaccia, Rosso Conero, Rosso Piceno and Falerio) can be tasted at many enoteca's, cantinas and the many local winegrowers.
The Marche coastline is over 170 km long and is a succession of romantic villages and beautiful beaches. The historic seaside towns with their white beaches and blue sea have everything for the most spoiled beach goers.
In the Sibillini Mountains, with the Maga Alcina, on the mountains Nerone and Carpegna, in the forests near Cingoli (the "balcony of Le Marche"), you will find an unforgettable landscape. Between beech and streams, the rugged beauty of nature encourages walks and hikes. From light hikes accessible to everyone to real mountain climbs for experienced alpinists.
In the winter there is plenty of skiing in the Sibillini. The ski resorts in Le Marche are: Sarnano, Camerino, Ussita, Acquasanta Terme, Comunità Montana di San Ginesio Monti Azzurri, Natural Park Gola della Rossa and Frasassi.
