Marche
lies on the eastern side of central
Italy, between the Adriatic Sea
and the high Apennine mountains.
Much of the region remains unspoiled
by mass tourism. The coastline
presents a succession of gently
rolling hills and flat plains crossed
by rivers. In the Marche one can
find some of the most impressive
mountain scenery in Italy, including
Monti Sibillini whose peaks can
often be seen covered with snow
until the late spring. The coastline
presents a succession of gently
rolling hills and flat plains crossed
by rivers.
The 180 kilometres of the Marche’s
Adriatic coastline is an annual
attraction for Italian and Northern
European tourists. Pesaro, the
provincial capital of the Pesaro
and Urbino province, is in an attractive
seaside resort, a thriving fishing
port and an important manufacturing
centre. The principal town of Urbino
remains charmingly little changed
from the 15th century. Macerata,
a university town is now famous
for its annual opera. Ancona, the
administrative capital and with
its newly restored Teatro delle
Muse, has a strong opera, classical
music and jazz season. Finally,
be sure not to miss the the region’s “truffle
capital” Acqualagna (near
Cagli) which has its truffle fair
during the last weekend in October
and the first few weekends in November.
In the southwest corner of the
region, the Marche’s Parco
Naturale dei Monti Sibillini is
a constant attraction for nature
lovers who can enjoy the region's
largest park encompassing over
40 kilometres and reaching westward
into Umbria. The town of Montemonaco,
located at 1080m above sea level
at the heart of the Monte Sibillini
range, is a small town of 800 people
and an authentic medieval village
complete with towers and defensive
walls.
Other key towns in Marche include
Ascoli Piceno and Macareta. |
