Marche
Renaissance hill towns, Adriatic beaches, and the unspoiled heart of central Italy.
About Marche
Marche is what Tuscany was 30 years ago—before the world discovered it. Rolling hills dotted with medieval towns cascade down to a long, sandy Adriatic coastline. Urbino, the birthplace of Raphael, is a perfectly preserved Renaissance jewel. The food is a celebration of land and sea: olive all'ascolana (stuffed fried olives), brodetto fish stew, and truffles from the Apennine foothills. With its mix of mountain, hill, and coast, Marche offers extraordinary variety for a region most travellers have never heard of.
Best Time to Visit
May to September for beach weather and hiking. June and September are ideal for combining coast and hills. Autumn brings truffle season and harvest festivals.
Local Tips
- Urbino is the real Renaissance city.
While Florence heaves with tourists, Urbino's Palazzo Ducale offers a more intimate Renaissance experience. A local knows the hidden courtyards and the best view of the town from the Albornoz Fortress.
- Master the olive all'ascolana.
Ascoli Piceno's famous stuffed olives are an art form. A local can arrange a cooking class where you learn to pit, stuff, bread, and fry these addictive morsels with a family who's been making them for generations.
- Find the hidden caves.
The Frasassi Caves are one of Europe's largest cave systems, an underground cathedral of stalactites. A local knows the adventure routes that go beyond the standard tourist path.