Wow! I've never been to Le Marche but your posts are making me curious. I'm thinking that this would make a great addition to all the wonderful experiences we've had in Italia. Thanks.

Peggyann: what other regions in Italy have you visited? If you have been to Umbria or Tuscany, Le Marche is a good continuation of this sort of landscape--central italy is pretty similar in terms of geography. Le Marche is nice because it has some nice coastline: especially the Monte Conero area.

If I were going to Le Marche for the first time, I would probably go to Urbino, which is considered the "jewel of Le Marche" and one of the most complete (if not THE most) renaissance towns in Italy. The palazzo there is incredible, and you can visit Le Marche's Regional Art Museum, which has some great Piero della Francesca works as well as the most amazing inlaid wood room you will ever see :). Another good starter city is Ascoli Piceno, a bit further south. It's got an amazing piazza made of travertine marble that just simply shines. Finally, I would take in a coastal town: maybe San Benedetto (near Ascoli) or Sirolo (sort of between Ascoli and Urbino). Also, if you are up for it, go hiking out of Sarnano, a very sweet little mountain town that is especially charming in the winter months.

Just some ideas! Sorry, I get a little carried away with this region!

Hi Jackie,

thanks for the informative posts. Unfortunately my visit is only going to be a really short one- inly a day and a half. But I have been reading a lot of good oil about Urbino, so if my friend is favourable, we might go there. Otherwise, just walking through the streets of a new town, absorbing the atmosphere- that's what I love about traveling. Last year I had a wonderful time at Como, so I am really looking forward to dipping my toes in the Adriatic.

Widya

Hello Jackie, We've been to Tuscany, many of its hilltop towns and two years ago we spent time in Cortona and took a day trip to Gubbio which was great. Have also visited Orvieto three times just to visit the Duomo and have lunch on the way to Monte San Savino and the Cortona area. Also stayed in a B&B outside Todi. Beautiful area. Also Amalfi coast and one week in Sicily. We have been bitten and smitten by Italy. Thanks for the suggestions. Sounds like we would love Urbino and the towns you describe. I'm thinking seriously of going there instead of Bellagio in the fall of 2004. Have you been there?

Peggyann:

Sounds like you guys are definitely smitten with Italy, as you say! I know how you feel--am pretty much the same way. I have yet to go to the south however: did you enjoy that a lot?

Urbino is neat, and it has some neat cities somewhat nearby, like Gradara (home of Paolo and Francesca), and I hear San Leo is really nice, although I have yet to go. San Marino, the republic that's engulfed by Italy, is also nearby, and it has some amazing views from its hilltop perch: worth a visit, definitely.

I have not been to Bellagio, so I can't make the comparison, although I have heard that the lake region near Milan is pretty much wonderful. I guess it sort of depends what kind of trip you want. Le Marche is similar to Umbria, except it has some really beautiful coast, which is nice. It's a lot of hill towns, a lot of old medieval centers, a lot of friendly people. If you do decide on Le Marche, you might want to consider renting a car, driving through the Monte Conero area, driving down to Ascoli Piceno or even through the Valnerina to Umbria. Le Marche has beautiful mountains and some beautiful beaches as well. It's a great region to visit (although I am not sure what it compares to the Lake region, which I've heard is just spectacular). I guess it sort of depends what you want in the trip, and what kind of travelers you are!

By the way, fall would be a great time to visit.

Hi! (I'm trying to post a reply to "Jackie in July" but it is my first time posting on this forum so please forgive me if it somehow gets addressed to the wrong person.)
Jackie, I was delighted to read all your posts re. Le Marche. We are planning to spend three or four days in southern Le Marche in early May 2005. Is the Hotel Monte Canero a reasonable base for visiting Ascoli Piceno, Macerata, etc? (We'll have a car.)

Thanks in advance!
Bev.

We recently stayed a night in Urbino and while it is spectacular to look at, when approaching, and the museum is very good, I wouldn't recommend staying overnight - it was completely dead and we didn't find any nice restaurants or bars.

Bev:

Monte Conero is a good region to explore (specifically towns like Sirolo and Portonovo, as well as the Regional Park where you can hike on beautiful trails), but I have not been to the specific hotel you mentioned. I think that it would probably work as a base--it is about an hour and a half from Macerata, which makes it maybe 2 and a half hours from Ascoli Piceno. But Monte Conero IS central, so if you want to explore the northern areas of Le Marche, you are close enough to them as well. Also, it's on the coast, and that helps in terms of getting to the Super Strada, which will be your quickest means of transport.

I also think Macerata is a good base, but it's not on the sea, and if you want to be near beaches, Monte Conero is better.

So happy to see this thread about one of our favourite stomping grounds! We also lived in Italy, in the Abbruzzo, for some time, but now back in Canada and missing our beautiful Adriatica. We can heartily endorese the Albergo Monte Conero (ask for a room with a view of the valley). Stop at Sara's for fresh sea food if you go to Sirolo.A great place for exploring the western end of this area is San Lorenzo in Campo, (still Le Marche but near Umbria) and a great, simple but stylish hotel, with a superb restaurant is Hotel e Ristorante Giardino. Especially look out for the pappardelle con coniglio, the best rabbit dish I have ever tasted!

LJ:
So glad you posted some specific ideas for Le Marche. The attraction to me is that it is less visited, but that also means that it is harder to find first-hand accounts.
Thanks.
Vera

Vera-thanks for you kind words-my husband, my daughter and I spent nearly 3 years in this part of Italy and we just love to encourage folks to discover the region!

saving

Just be aware that this thread is over ten years old, and a lot of the specific information, such as restaurant recommendations, will be outdated.