About Marche

The Marche region is located in central Italy, just across from Rome on the Adriatic coast. It is divided in 4 different Provinces here proposed from north to south: Pesaro, Urbino, Ancona, Macerata and Ascoli Piceno. Each Province has mountains towards the inland, in the middle hills and among the Adriatic coast beautiful beaches, some of stones and others of fine sand. The hill view is similar to Tuscany, very gentle and like a patchwork, with in each square a different cultivation, in particular areas vine and olive growing. Every province has different specialties, not only culinary but also of handcraft and industrial production.

Pesaro-Urbino

Recently has a double denomination, famous for the industrial production of furniture, while Urbino is an important historical town, with its beautiful Palazzo Ducale and the typical Medieval built town, also known to have one of the most important Universities. Towards the mountains the town of Acqualagna is famous for the white ground truffles, where every year finds place a famous exhibition to which many very important people participate.

Ancona

This city is the capital of the region, has an important Port and an international Airport, from which it is possible to arrive from London Stanstead and other European destinations or to depart by ferry for Croatia and Greece. Ancona is a big modern city, while towards the inland are located many small ancient towns; this area is famous for the Riviera del Conero, a promontory just above the sea with very nice beaches, crystal clear water and fancy restaurants, to taste the best fish of the Adriatic sea.

Macerata

Famous for the Sferisterio, ancient arena, for those who love the lyric during the summer season. This province, together with Ascoli Piceno, is famous for the shoe industry, with many known firms, such as Prada, Ugo Boss, Cesare Paciotti, etc. In a small town close to Macerata, called Recanati, was born Giacomo Leopardi, a famous Italian poet, who described in a very elegant way the countryside of this area, it is possible to visit his native house and live the imagine he wrote through poetry.

Ascoli Piceno

This province is very diversified, starting by the coast the beautiful San Benedetto del Tronto, a tourist location, with more then 8,000 palm trees and 4 km of fine sand beaches, ideal for families with small children, as the water is shallow; Grottammare is also a tourist location, with liberty style buildings all along the seaside and the old town located just above with a wonderful scenery from the town of Cupramarittima to San Benedetto del Tronto.

Towards the inland are located other little, but beautiful, towns, Acquaviva Picena, with its magnificent fortress and the handcraft production called Pajarole, special baskets made with straw. Offida, a lovely Medieval town, well preserved, with the beautiful historical theatre called Teatro Serpente Aureo, recently renovated, and the amazing church Santa Maria della Rocca built on top of a rock, the local handcraft is bobbin lace, almost disappeared, and funghetti, sweets made with anise. Ripatransone, with its panoramic balcony, historical theatre Luigi Mercantini and the most narrow street in Italy, only 41 centimetres. The capital of this province, Ascoli Piceno, is an ancient city, located just below the mountains, known as the town of the 100 towers, as the rich inhabitants used to build on their Palazzo a tower to show their richness; most of the buildings are made of travertine, together with the Piazza del Popolo, the principal square. The local handcraft is artistic ceramic.

There are many legends on the mountains called Monti Sibillini and Monti della Laga, not too distant from the seaside, while it is possible to taste black ground truffles and porcini mushrooms. This territory is becoming famous for its wine production of high-quality, such as: Pecorino, Passerina, Montepulciano, Offida Rosso and Offida Bianco, Rosso Piceno and Rosso Piceno Superiore, etc.