Sea and countryside, mountains and
hills, lowering down to the shore. You can experience the varied
landscape of Marche, where many writers and poets, like Dante, Leopardi
and Carducci, were inspired. 180 kilometres of sandy shore beaches, with
the only rocky cliff among the whole shore of the Adriatic Sea – from
Trieste to the Gargano – that is Monte Conero, 572 m, near Ancona,
falling sheer to the sea.
Appennini summits are reachable at just 100 kilometres coming within the
coast
Just 100 kilometres within the coast, you can reach the Appennini
summits, which will surely satisfy mountain lovers’ needs: Monte Vettore
with its 2478 metres is the highest peak of the Sibilillini mount chain,
the only national park in the Marche. Also important are, in Pesaro
district, Sasso Simone and Simoncello and, keeping going south, Monte
Catria and San Vicino mount chain.
Make sure you don’t miss… Historical parade and games, popular
events taking place in the centre of ancient cities (the most important,
“la Quintana” in Ascoli Piceno) and the number of spectacular festivals
in occasion of religious events or Carnival; summer internationally
known events such as theatrical season at Sferisterio Theatre in
Macerata and Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro.
Places to visit: Two national parks (Monti Sibillini e Gran Sasso
and Monti della Laga), four provincial parks (Monte Conero, Sasso Simone
e Simoncello, Monte San Bartolo, Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi), four
natural preserves (Abbadia di Fiastra, Montagna di Torricchio, Ripa
Bianca and Gola del Furlo).
Places to admire: millenarian Grotte di Frasassi (Frasassi caves), one
of the most interesting and famous Karst-formation in Italy with its
small lakes, inlaid stalactites and gigantic stalagmites.
Dishes to taste: coupled with 12 excellent DOC wines (denomination
of controlled origin) typical dishes suggested are “stoccafisso
all’anconitana” (fish dish), “vincisgrassi” (hoven pasta), “olive
ascolane” (fried stuffed olives), “brodetto” (soup), “maccheroncini di
Campofilone” (pasta), “ciauscolo” (salami), “formaggio di fossa di
Talamello” (cheese), the vintage truffles of Acqualagna, Sant’Angelo in
Vado and Sant’Agata Feltria, mushrooms, pecorino cheese and “casciotta
di Urbino” (cheese), “prosciutto di Carpegna” (ham), Fabriano salami,
honey, “Extra Vergine” olive oil, cauliflower, lamb, biological food and
much more.
Things to buy: pottery articles, copper, terracotta articles,
majolica, pillow laces, hand-sewn carpets in farmhouse style, wooden
pipes, hats, wrought iron, leather, musical instruments, toys, footwear,
furniture, jeweller’s art, paper, travertine marble, marbles, stones,
wicker, reed, straw and bamboo articles…
Inside the Macerata district "La terra delle armonie” (the Land
of Harmonies):
Apiro, Cingoli, Treia, Pollenza, San Severino Marche, Serrapetrona,
Belforte del Chienti, Caldarola, Sarnano, Monte San Martino, San Ginesio,
Urbisaglia. A great matching between art and nature.
Don’t miss: Pallotta Castle in Caldarola, the ancient city centre
of Sarnano, Monte San Martino polyptychs, the Urbisaglia fortress
Following Leopardi
Porto Recanati, Recanati, Montefano, Montecassiano, Macerata, Mogliano,
Corridonia, Monte San Giusto, Civitanova Marche, Potenza Picena.
Don’t miss: “San Claudio al Chienti” in Corridonia, “Santa Maria
a piè di Chienti” in Montecosaro, “la Crocifissione del Lotto” in Monte
San Giusto, “Villa Buonaccorsi” in Potenza Picena…
Discovering “Monti azzurri” (the Blue Mountains):
Visso, Pievetorina, Pievebovigliana, Fiastra, Acquacanina, Bolognola,
Camerino, Castelraimondo, Pioraco, Matelica.
Where nature embraces the legend.
Don’t miss: the ancient city centre of Visso, Fiastra lake,
“Palazzo Ducale” in Camerino (Dukes’ Palace).
Italy has more art treasures than any country in the world. Blend
these with the architecture of the Renaissance, the history of ancient
Rome, the Nature & you have the most interest region in Europe. |
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