Le Marche

Travellers who want the best of central Italy are now heading for Le Marche, It is pronounced "lay markay", is plural (Le Marche) and is sometimes translated into English as "The Marches".

The region lies on the eastern side of central Italy, between the Adriatic Sea and the high Apennine mountains and much of it remains unspoilt by the ravages of mass tourism.

The Adriatic coast has been a favorite for "seaside" holiday makers for decades; but few venture far from the beaches. However inland, perhaps more so than anywhere else in central Italy, you will find places where time really has stood still.

 

Seasons of Le Marche

Even during the peak holiday season, between mid-July to mid-August, it is rarely overcrowded and up in Castelfiorito, although it can be very hot, the mountain breezes are usually cooling.

May, June and September are the ideal months to tour Le Marche if you can't take the heat; the landscape is clothed in spring green or the first tints of autumn, any rain tends towards brief showers rather than endless drizzle. The mountain meadows are unforgettable in the spring with ever changing carpets of alpine flowers including orchids and the brilliant blue gentian.

The wettest seasons are mid-February to mid-April and mid-October to mid-December when grey mist and rain can set in up in the mountains. It can also be cold in mid-winter, when the sun sets, but the charmed position of Castelfiorito means that it rarely has gloomy days.

What to do in Le Marche

Many people who come to Le Marche are looking for a taste of the "real" Italy, and a region that is welcoming to visitors.

Whether you want to trek across wild uncharted mountains, admire masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture, or hunt out the best of the catch in a Mediterranean fishing port, Le Marche has enough to keep you busy.

You won't be disappointed................
 

The Towns of Le Marche

The provincial capital of Ascoli Piceno lies at the southern end of Le Marche. and the fascinating old Quarter is well worth visiting. Its marble-paved main square The Piazza del Popolo is one of the most beautiful in Italy.

Macerata another of the region's main centres, is a dignified town, famous for its annual outdoor opera festival, held in the Sferisterio arena.

The hill town of Fermo is the capital of the newly-created province of Fermo and boasts a fine historic centre.

The administrative capital of Le Marche is Ancona, a city with obvious attractions for the tourist, who will enjoy the charm of this bustling sea port. It's also one of Italy's principal ferry ports with ferries to Croatia, Greece and Turkey.

Many of the smaller inland towns are well worth visiting and all are within an easy drive from Castelfiorito. These include Amandola, Sarnano, San Ginesio, Montefalcone, Offida, Loreto, Recanati, Jesi, Camerino and Cingoli.  Of the many seaside resorts, the prettiest are Portonovo & Sirolo on the Conero peninsula.

The Natural Beauty of Le Marche.

Many tourists visit Le Marche for its natural beauty and most of the spectacular inland mountain country remains unscathed by the worst excesses of the 20thC.

You'll see from Castelfiorito the most impressive mountain scenery to the south of the region amidst the Monte Sibillini and the Gran Sasso National Parks whose peaks are often covered with snow until the late spring.

The Frasassi caves are some of the most spectacular limestone caves you are every likely to visit.

Most of Italy's Adriatic coastline is stubbornly flat, but very popular. However  Monte Conero, just south of Ancona, is a rare exception - a high limestone mountain that plunges into the sea with a handful of delightful little bathing resorts.

The best mountain views to be had in the region, are found between Ascoli Piceno in the south travelling north west past Amandola , Sarnano to Macerata, passing the Gran Sasso, Monte Vittore, and Monte Sibillini. All of these mountains are clearly visible from Castelfiorito