LE MARCHE
At a time when the rush of daily life and the growth of the global village are changing our roots, there is a jewel in the heart of Italy that is a mystery to foreign visitors. Le Marche really does have it all and boasts one of the most diverse and lovely landscapes in all of Italy as well as a delicious regional cuisine. Le Marche (pronounced as : lay Markay) is bordered by the Adriatic Sea to the East, Emilia Romagna to the north, Tuscany to north-west, Umbria to the west, Abruzzo and Lazio to the South.
In the distance the light blue line of the Sibillini Mountain range acts as a backdrop. In the other direction, towards the rising sun, the plains spread out to meet the blue strip of the sea. In the middle there are commanding hills with undulating lines and cultivated fields that form a perfectly shaped mosaic. Silhouetted against the sky, on the hilltops are farmhouses, villages and towns. Majestically dotting the ridge are fortresses, castles, sanctuaries, monasteries. Monte Conero – the only massive promontory on the Adriatic sea provides spectacular views of Le Marche coastline and the interior which is where Le Marche really glistens.
Undiscovered Ascoli Piceno is a charming old little town filled with a history that rivals any Italian city. Amongst its historical riches, a gorgeous square, beautiful churches, ancient towers, and an excellent pinacoteca. Gourmands will love its famous and delicious veal-stuffed fried olive treats (olive all’ascolana). Not to miss is the town's spectacular medieval re-enactment - La Quintana in August.
Quaint, guelf legacy Macerata, enjoys magnificent buildings, churches, squares, one of Italy's oldest Universities, and great accommodation. Its celebrated open air opera theatre and festival - the Arena Sferisterio stages a popular opera festival in July . In the distance, the Sibillini Mountains hold great appeal for those interested in outdoor activities and wildlife. Walking trails crisscross the area, rifugi (mountain huts) welcome hikers every few kilometres with a restaurant and beds. A ski area in winter, from the Sibillini the road drops down to the small but lovely Lago di Fiastra, perfect for a refreshing swim in the summer.
ANCONA has Italy’s largest Adriatic ferry port and a pedestrian friendly downtown with its lovely old squares. The city has a strong programme of jazz, opera and classical music at the restored Teatro delle Muse. Its massive Lazzaretto or Mole Vanvitelliana is in the harbour of Ancona, it was built in the early 1700s and it used to be a quarantine building to protect the city from contagious diseases by sailors and seamen. Nowadays it is the venue for symposiums, conventions, exhibitions. Last but not least, also worth visiting is nearby Monte Conero, an absolutely marvelous must-see.
Urbino was made by its art patron Duke Federico da Montefeltro into a Renaissance think-tank teeming with artists, architects and scholars. Its fairy-tale Doge's palace, as well as its century-old university in the middle of vertical streets still dominate the social scene. The town’s magnificence was made official by Unesco, which deemed the entire city centre a World Heritage Site.
One more stunning draw in Le Marche is the magical Frasassi Caves and national park. The recent discovery of these caves has helped preserve their beauty. A million years worth of limestone deposits from every drip and trickle of water has created a treasured wonderland of formations, reflections and decorations on an unimagined scale.
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