With a varied landscape encompassing mountains, blue flag beaches and endless hills, the central Italian region of Marche is a well-guarded secret that should be definitely discovered.
The region is located between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea and it is divided into five provinces: Ascoli Piceno, Ancona, Fermo, Macerata and Pesaro e Urbino. In Marche it’s possible to discover the real Italian culture and food: they have a traditional farming of olive groves, vineyards, cereals and sunflowers.

This region is especially famous for his wines and the oil production, indeed they can boast extraordinary native olive varieties such as the Raggia, the Piantone di Mogliano, the Coroncina and the Tender Ascolana. Here’s a list of 5 unforgettable activities, one for each province, that will make you feel the need to book a holiday there.

Eat Tender Ascolana PDO Olives while walking around in Ascoli Piceno

Ascoli Piceno is the most elegant town in the Marche. It features one of the most beautiful Italian squares, Piazza del Popolo, a distinguished pinacoteca and the authentic olive all’ascolana: meat stuffed olives, breaded and deep-fried in extra virgin olive oil.
While exploring the stunning city centre for just a few euros you can buy a paper cone filled with delightful olive all’ascolana. They are made with the local PDO Ascolana Tender, one of the best and easier to digest green olives variety.

Enjoy a glass of local Italian wine watching the Conero at the sunset (Ancona)

The Conero Riviera is one of the most beautiful maritime environments in this Region and thanks to its elbow shape facing the sea, is the only Italian place where it is possible to see both sunrise and sunset over the sea. To enjoy a unique and colourful sight we suggest to book a boat tour with food and wine tasting during the sunset time.

Hike in the natural wonders of Lame Rosse (Red Blades, Macerata)

Located in the National Park of the Sibillini Mountains the Red Blades offer the possibility to experience sights that are very similar, if not identical to the ones that can be experienced in the Colorado Desert. With a small walk from Fiastra, you can enjoy a unique masterpiece of Mother Nature consisting of tall red sandstone columns. Carved by the elements over millennials these natural wonders will throw you into an ever changing magical place.

Get lost in Urbino, Unesco World Heritage Site

Urbino has UNESCO World Heritage status for representing “a pinnacle of Renaissance art and architecture, harmoniously adapted to its physical site and to its medieval precursor in an exceptional manner”.
In the Italian Renaissance Urbino was one of the most famed Italian courts while now it’s a lively university city surrounded by medieval walls. The towers and the large cupola of the town’s Duomo create a breath-taking panorama. This city host the Palazzo Ducale and Raffaello’s childhood home.

Buy the authentic Made in Italy shoes in Fermo

Fermo is the biggest footwear district in Italy: almost every major brand of Italian shoes is made in the area: Tod’s, Fabi, Loriblu, Cesare Paciotti, Alberto Guardiani, Nero Giardini and so on. If you want a fashionable and high quality “Made in Italy” pair of shoes this is the place to go. Some Italian artisan may even customise them for you, what a catch!

The district is also divided into specific areas of production:
• Children’s footwear in Monte Urano
• Men’s shoes in Montegranaro, Monte San Giusto and Sant’Elpidio a Mare
• Women’s shoes in Fermo, Porto Sant’Elpidio, Civitanova Marche and lower Macerata.

And you? Have you been lucky enough to make one of these experience? If not, what is the one you are the most interested in?