
As I was telling you some day ago, Regione Marche, my homeland, has been chosen from Lonely Planet as the SECOND TOP REGION TO TRAVEL IN 2020.
So…without further ado I decided to join a new adventure and go in all those interesting places I know, so to give you an idea of WHERE EXACTLY you could go if you decide to spend your vacations or free time here.
I want to give you a list of some of the most interesting activities you could enjoy here.
I should have done this before…but I was so impatient to begin..eheheh.
Here they are highlighted by area of interest.
NATURE:
Regione Marche has more than 150Km. of seaside coast of which 28Km are part of Natural reserves in the “Parco del Conero” (I showed you already recently) and the “Parco del San Bartolo.
Beaches: all the way you want, from the rocky beach of Ancona, where do you don’t want to miss “le grotte del Passetto” which are caves in front of the beach:

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to the thin sand beach of Senigallia where every August take place the Summer Jamboree Festival: the best festival of 40’s and 50’s culture on planet Earth (no joke.).
Seaside isn’t the only option. Even if you like trekking and great views you are in the place to be. In a couple of hours from the sea, in fact, you can find yourself on the “Appennino umbro-marchigiano” which is a consistent part of the “Appennino Centrale”. It is called like this because it separate the two Regions of Central Italy Umbria and Marche. Appennini are the longest Italian mountain chain of Italy and in the Central part of it, it’s highest peak is “Monte Vettore” (2476 meters above the sea level). Breathtaking views 360°.

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If you like rivers and lakes, you are welcome!! There are 4 main rivers and 4 lakes for you to go and enjoy the day. Personally, the one I like the most is “Lago di Fiastra” even though I went many more times at “Lago di Cingoli”. Lago means Lake in Italian by the way..

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If you are in search of rivers, “Gola del Furlo” and “Gola dell’Infernaccio” is what I suggest you to visit. The first is in the northern part of Marche while the second in the southern.

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We have not only beautiful things to see over the earth and under the water. We also have underground wonders in a small village called GENGA. Expect a very wide series of underground caves called “Grotte di Frasassi”. To give you an idea I just tell you that only in the first underground cave, could fit the entire Duomo di Milano (Cathedral of Milan).
***ART & CULTURE:
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If you don’t care about naturalistic wonders and you are in love with Architecture, history and art, needles to say, you are in the right place.
Regione Marche is load of Medieval Castles, small villages which maintain their historical resources intact as they were in ancient times.
If you are lucky, every year in summertime they organize medieval events in all these places where you can literally immerse yourself into a medieval atmosphere and enjoy the dances, the fights, the costumes and colors of the past times. I went to Offagna medieval festival and Mondolfo’s festival and I enjoyed them a lot, but there are really many others!

Rocca di Offagna.
Every place you go, from the small village to the main city, has his pot of history to share and usually a Church or a Cathedral full of relevant pieces of art Some name:
San Ciriaco in Ancona;
Basilica of Loreto which is one of the most important Italian Sanctuaries MUST SEE!!

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There are really plenty of these and each and every one is beautiful and unique if you are passionate about the subject.
One of the most famous poets of the romanticism all over the world: Giacomo Leopardi was born in Recanati where you can visit his home and the famous “Colle dell'Infinito” (Infinite's Hill….just the name…) where he wrote one of his most famous works: “L'infinito” (The Infinite).

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Don’t forget to visit Urbino: Raffaello Sanzio’s hometown. The place is beautiful and in 2020 in its Ducal Palace take place the “Raffaello’s and friends works” exhibition, in honor of the 500 years anniversary from the famous artist’s death.
**FOOD:**
Do I have to tell you that in each place you can find delicious dishes of our tradition?
Ok I tell you. No matter where you go, you can always find a restaurant which will be able to offer you dishes you will never forget. Would you like to eat meat? Go eat it in mountain villages close to the lakes.
Do you like fish? Find the closest restaurant to the sea. I can assure you there are restaurants which are literally at 50 mt. from the sea. Choose one of them. If I can give you an advice in this regard go to Portonovo to eat the famous “Moscioli di Portonovo” (Portonovo's mussels).
If you are the kind of sophisticate palate, I can suggest you to go and visit Acqualagna where you can find spectacular truffle based dishes.
Traditionally Marche has a lot of vineyards and in many places you can find excellent wines such as Pecorino, Falerio e Passerina if you like white wine. Rosso Conero all my life if you like red wine.
Don't forget cheeses are another strong point of our land. Most of all Pecorino cheese. We have a lot of dairies all over the country.
You can even enjoy a meal on a sailing boat off the coast of Ancona, which is organized from one of my best friends and Captain of the “Black Swan Crew”. GREAT EXPERIENCE!!
APERITIF: Ciauscolo salami, pecorino cheese, olive ascolane and wine. You will thank me forever for this.
Don’t you like wine? Are you a beer typo? You can go in Apecchio to taste best Italian craft beer: Amarcord which takes its name from Fellini’s movie, its great taste from the waters and the barley of that specific zone.
**SPORTS:**
I can only say that in such a small piece of land, you can actually do anything you like. From sailing to paragliding. In water, under water, above the earth, under the earth….imagine something: you find it.
If I have you to highlight something really special in this regard, if you like motorbike, you can’t miss Valentino Rossi “The Doctor” 46’s hometown. Valentino collected 9 Motorbike World Cups.
I guess I told you almost all the things you needed to know about Regione Marche.
Now it is up to you to come and enjoy whatever you like at its best.😁☀️
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