Shown above: Ducal Palace, Frasassi caves, Abbadia di Fiastra, Conero, Loreto
Italy's finest Renaissance architects worked on the Duke's Palace in Urbino, also the birthplace of famous artist Raphael. Movie clip. Don't miss this treasure to be seen in the northern region of Marche.
Frasassi Caves
Italy's finest cave network, with dream underground landscapes and caverns, one the size of St. Pauls Cathedral dome. Fascinating and wonderous stalagmites and stalagtites lit up for the guided tours. See the movie clip and link to
Website
Loreto
One of Italy's most important religious places, and the sanctuary of the "Holy House". Works by Lorenzo Lotto in the museum.
Fiastra Abbey Nature Reserve
Off the SS78 at Urbisaglia, Macerata
This nature reserve covers the territory around the Cistercian Abbey of Santa Maria di Chiaravalle di Fiastra. The complex, has vast farmland with the typical features of the Marche countryside, and a woodland area 100 hectares wide, the only remnant of the ancient forests which used to cover most of the region's hills. Walkways, routes through the nature reserve, lawns to lie on, a shop and restaurant also a tourist information office. Website
Shopping Le Marche is home to many designer outlets and family factories. As well as Prada and Tod's outlets. Come shopping for Italian shoes, bags and fashion. Email us for tour details.
Shown above: Prada outlet, handbag shopping, Visso, Caffe Meletti in Ascoli Piceno
In summer see the classical drama festival at the Roman Amphitheatre Urbisaglia t: 0733 512626
Also shown: Roman ruins at Falerone, flowers of Castelluccio
Museionline Marche, this site provides updated information concerning the museums of Le Marche as well as artistic events, exhibitions, news and cultural programmes in the Region. Website
Beaches
Sandy beaches, pebbly beaches, palm trees and rocky cliffs.....this stretch of the adriatic has it all. Le Marche offers a continuous stretch of clean, unpolluted sea, and was awarded Blue flags for quality. During July and August beaches are busy with organised sunbeds and bars.
The Riviera of Conero near Ancona is the only high ground where limestone cliffs form rocky coves with green pine forests above. Visit the picturesque town of Sirolo and take a walk with an ice cream and look at the fabulous views of the sea and beach below you. Website
Roman Ruins of Urbs Salvia can be found on the main road from Macerata to Sarnano SS78 at Urbisaglia. A museum with Roman artifacts at nearby Abbadia di Fiastra, and an amphitheatre and museum at Falerone. At Fermo you can visit underground cisterns built by the Romans between 40 - 60 AD.
Castle - Castello Pallotta at Caldarola houses collections of weapons and carriages and the castle still has it's original furniture, the summer residence of the Pallotta family t: 0733 905242
Shown above: Caldarola Castle 'Castello Pallotta', village of Sarnano, Ascoli Piceno, San Benedetto beach, Tolentino with it's clock tower
Towns & Villages to See
Ascoli Piceno - has one of the most beautiful piazzas in Italy, with it's marble stone, and beautiful architecture. Visit the Duomo and the Pinacoteca Civica to see some of Carlo Crivelli's finest works. Be sure to have coffee at Caffe Meletti in the piazza
Macerata - Provincial capitol, nice shopping in the old town, the home of one of Italy's oldest universities, Macerata boasts an unusual open air theatre, the sferisterio, perfect for summer concerts and the opera festival (link). Still surrounded by 16th century walls it has Palazzos, museums and lovely caffe's.
Fermo - Lovely main square, Thursday market, cathedral built on the summit with splendid views surrounded by gardens. Roman cisterns, museums and tourist information.
Recanati - Elegant piazza, home of Giacomo Leopardi, museums, cathedrale, views, and beautiful theatre/opera house
San Ginesio - Spectacular views, one of the Italian beautiful villages assoc. www.borghitalia.it Every August 15th the Palio takes place, medieval costumes, and a horse race. website
Sarnano - A lively little town at the base of the mountains, be sure to walk up the cobbled streets to the top of the fortified medieval
town, with the museum on the way up. Thursday market.
Tolentino - Known for Saint Nicholas and the Basilica di San Nicola with its 14th century frescos. Piazza has an unusual 16th century clock tower. Tuesday market. Huge battle re-enactment in summer at the nearby Castle 'Tolentino 815' t: 0733 960778
Urbisaglia - the walls of this town were built using the stones from the Roman ruins, in the centrale piazza is a castle 'La Rocca' t: 0733 506566
Mountains:
Visso - Centuries of travellers have passed through Visso, on route from Marche to Umbria. Pastel-coloured houses and lovely churches, a few tiny shops and the National Park information centre.
Castelluccio - Way up in the mountains, the highest settlement in the Apennine mountains, surrounded by the piano grande, the Great Plain, cultivated with lentils and other lavish colours of wild flowers mid june