Umbria yes. Marche, too?
 

I am in the early stages of planning a 15-16 day itinerary to central and northern Italy, with 5 stops max. I would like several days in Umbria and thinking of adding a few in Marche. However, I am concerned these regions may be more similar than dissimilar, without the desired degree of variety in attractions, geography, etc., for such a short trip. Incidentally, Tuscany is not planned on this trip.

Thanks for any thoughts, suggestions, etc.

Are you driving?
What time of year?

Thanks, Bob. Yes, we will be driving and likely in May or early June.

We were in Urbino 3 years ago and want to go back to the Marche region someday to explore. One advantage is the lack of tourists - or at least far fewer than other areas. The coast area of Marche is also very beautiful. Check out this website for information: http://www.le-marche.com/. If you request information they are good about sending it promptly.

Sorry but not having been to Umbria, I can't really compare the two.

This past August my husband and I did a two week road trip in Italy - much of it spent in Le Marche and Umbria; we loved it. And, yes, they are somewhat different from each other. For one thing, Le Marche has mountains more than hills which is what I would describe in Umbria. Some of the roads felt almost as scary as the Amalfi coast. The views from the little villages, like Peglio where we stopped for due birre one afternoon, were breathtaking. From Gradara, you could see the Adriatic. And, although I hate to lump groups of people into a category, it seemed the people were willing to take more time with the tourist - maybe because they don't have to deal with as many of us as the more visited areas of Italy have to. There was a delightful bar owner just outside the walls of the castle in Gradara. When we stopped for a beer, he joined us. His chief question was "Why don't Americans come to Le Marche?"

We spent our nights in Urbino and once you get past the first climb to the centro storico (these are literally the steepest streets I've seen in Italy), you'll fall in love with the city. We may have a theme going here, but there was another bar outside the castle walls that looked out over the valley and adjacent mountains - charming owner (very tolerant of my limited Italian), grappa and smooth jazz. Doesn't get much better!

Of course you should and the timing is perfect. Five stops in that time is good. Do you plan to include Piemonte? If so, see my recent trip report.

Let me recommend two places that are very different.

Le Case Gialle is a four or five unit apartment complex near Bevagna, Umbria. I've stayed there several times and you will find lots of discussion in this forum.

The hotel, a converted monastery atop Monte Conero on the Marche coast is very pleasant with views of the sea and a competent kitchen. (I think its called Monte Conero Hotel.)

Bob I would like to read your report on Piemonte..can you top it for us?? Thanks!!

Toni - did you know there was an elevator from the parking lot below up to the centro storico? LOL - I found out toward the end of our stay, after climbing the hill every day!

I think stopping over in Le Marche is a great idea, but I understand your worry about it not being different enough from Umbria. The main difference, as mentioned before, is the seaside, and depending on when you go, there are definitely some cute towns to visit on the sea, especially around Monte Conero. I personally love my area of Le Marche--I am an American living in Macerata--but would also recommend southern Le Marche, with towns like Ascoli Piceno and Offida.

Something different from both Le Marche and Umbria, though, is Abruzzo--a beautiful region with its own variety of hill towns and mountains.

Nomad,

Umbria is a great region of Italy, very similiar to Tuscany, with great little towns, vineyards, friendly people and of course, incredible food...we stayed in a tiny little village called Panicale (apartment) and did day trips to Castiglione d. Lago, a nice little town with a great castle on the lake (hence the name), Perugia (must see), Assisi (must see),Orvieto, Torgiano (great wine town)and Citta della Pieve...great country side, and beautiful views all around.

Good luck
Mikek