General  Unspoilt and empty of tourists, Le Marche is one of the greenest, prettiest and most civilized places in Italy. It is a charming hill region, full of old country towns that are reminiscent of a medieval tapestry. Although small, Le Marche boasts a wonderful landscape of rounded hills, crossed by eleven valleys, and sandwiched between 180 kilometers of ’Blue Mountains’ of the Sibillini, with their striking rock formations, glacial moraines and Alpine flora, provide a stunning view. As well as this rustic beauty, the region has a rich cultural history, including the ’ideal Renaissance city’ of Urbino, Raphael’s birthplace, with its fairytale Ducal Palace. And in Ascoli Piceno’s palatial square on the first Sunday in August, you can enjoy all the color and spectacle of the famous Quintana jousting competition and parade. At all times of the year, the square is buzzing with life and energy, classically mixing modern life with the medieval buildings and arcades. Also in August Pesaro is home to the fabulous Rossini Festival, whilst in Loreto, Renaissance art seems to flow from every palazzo and church. And at Macerata, the Arena Sferisterio is one of the grandest settings for opera you can imagine, an amphitheatre seating no less than 7,000 people! For a temperate climate, a refreshing lack of tourists and an abundance of romance and culture, Le Marche is the place to be - a place just waiting to be discovered.
Shopping  In Le Marche, nearly every town plays host to an outdoor market, selling high quality food at reasonable prices. Many towns specialise in specific products. For example, Ascoli Piceno is a center for pottery production, whilst handcrafted leather goods can bought at Tolentino. Offida is excellent for olive oil, Fabiano for its celebrated salami and you can buy Verdicchio Wine direct from Matelico.
Local Food  Le Marche cuisine has undoubtedly been influenced by its nearest neighbors, taking the best from Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria and Abruzzo. Local pasta dishes include Vincisgrassi, a kind of lasagne made with chicken, tomatoes, mozzarella and parmesan; Farfalle al Salmone and Tagliattelle alla Sogliola o al Tartufo (in a sole or truffle sauce). Meat dishes are traditional and rustic, specialising in rabbit, suckling pig and superb local hams and salamis. There are also many fish dishes to savor; such as Brodetto - a stew made with a dozen different fish. Vegetables are always fresh and delicious in this region. Dishes which are especially worth a try include: Olive Ascolane and Polenta con Funghi.
Local Wine  The best known white wine is the dry, delicate and very pale Verdichhio from the Jesi and Matelica districts. Trebbiano Toscano grapes are mainly used to make Falerio dei Colli Ascolani, and the pinkish gold Biancame grapes form the base for the dry Bianchello del Metauro, from around Pesaro and the Metauro river. Red wines are mostly drunk young, like the lively, fruity Lacrima di Morro D’Alba, or the pomegranate-colored Sangiovese dei Colli Pesaresi. The hills around Ascoli Piceno produce Rosso Piceno Superiore, and the best sparkling red wine is Vernaccia di Serrapetrona, which is produced near the town of Serrapetrona.
If you are considering renting a villa in Le Marche, Cottages to Castles are pleased to offer a selection of privately owned and superbly presented properties. Choose your dream holiday home in Le Marche here.
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