Marche gets its name from the medieval marches Camerino, Fermo and the March of Ancona. It is located in the central region of Italy with the famous Tuscany region as one of its neighbours. The gorgeous Adriatic Sea provides a beautiful scenic landscape and the mountainous region gives the area its isolated feel.
Climate
Marche has a relatively warm climate, with the temperature barely dipping below 8 C (47 F) during the winter months and reaching as high as 33 C (91 F) in the summer. This means for visitors who love traveling in the spring, you are sure to find comfortable temperatures and perhaps blooming flowers along the way.
History of Marche
Marche dates back to ancient times and was once known as the Picenum Territory. It was occupied in the fourth century BC by the Senones (a tribe of Gauls). The Battle of Sentinum was fought here in 295 BC leaving the Romans the victors who established colonies in the area. The region has been occupied by numerous empires over the centuries and this has very much affected the architecture here.
Dining in Marche
Marche’s traditional food fare is a not to be missed experience. Typically the region is less travelled then its counterparts nearby but the region produces a variety of seasonal cuisine and very distinctive wines. A popular favorite of the area is Ascoli Piceno – stuffed olives that are handmade by local women and usually served at special events.
Another not to be missed favorite is Ciauscolo – a smoky pork sausage that is flavored with fennel, garlic and a local non-alcoholic ‘cooked wine’ called vino cotto that offers a unique sweet and sour taste.
Access
There are several ways to get to Marche. It is home to the Ancona Airport, as well as several smaller airports that service the region. The Ancona harbor has ferries from Greece and Croatia that leave every day and there is public transportation, including railways within the cities themselves. If you prefer to drive, a car is one of the best ways to see the area and get from place to place.
Accommodation
Marche has a wide range of accommodations to choose from. There are vacation rentals that are mostly privately owned homes for rent to tourists, cottages, villas and even apartment rentals available for nightly to monthly stays. Marche has gorgeous bed and breakfasts and hotels that are perfect for any kind of traveler.
Tourist Attractions in Marche
Marche has an abundance of tourist attractions and things for its visitors to see and do. For example, the Grotte di Frasassi is a large cave that will take any visitor’s breath away with its beauty, while the Piazza del Popolo is a relaxing place to stroll and see some of the region’s ancient buildings and gorgeous architecture.
For those who enjoy a good stroll in the sunshine, then the Lungomare San Benedetto del Tronto is a must see and for music lovers, the Museo del Pianoforte Storico e del Suono has a unique collection of pianos and a history of the pianoforte.