The Marche
All of Italy in one region
La Regione Marche is one of the most varied and at the same time typical landscape of Italy. The area between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea, between Emilia- Romagna and Abruzzo, gathers all the characteristics of Italy: the locals affectionately refer to it as “all of Italy in one region”.
The Marche
All of Italy in one region
La Regione Marche is one of the most varied and at the same time typical landscape of Italy. The area between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea, between Emilia- Romagna and Abruzzo, gathers all the characteristics of Italy: the locals affectionately refer to it as “all of Italy in one region”.
THE CONERO-PARK
Right in front of the front door
Hikers can dive directly into the Mediterranean macchia via various hiking trails and hike in the Parco del Conero. The protected regional park extends over 6,000 hectares of woods, gorges and the peak of Monte Conero, which rises spectacularly from the sea at 572 metres. The views of the sea are breath-taking.
LA RIVIERA DEL CONERO
One of the most beautiful beaches in the Adriatic
La Riviera del Conero offers the most beautiful beaches of the Adriatic. They can be reached in a few minutes by car. White beaches are embedded in the steep coastal landscape of white limestone rocks and have been spared from architectural violations. Le Due Sorelle, the 2 sisters, bizarre rock figures in the turquoise blue sea, are the popular symbol of the area. Year after year the water quality gets the international eco-label “La Bandiera Blu”.
SIROLO
The pearl of the Adriatic coast
The idyllic village lies 20 kilometres south of Ancona on the southern promontory of Monte Conero, directly on a picturesque hillside steeply overlooking the sea. With its narrow white alleys and a tree-lined piazza floating above the sea, Sirolo is the jewel of the Adriatic coast. During the day you can enjoy the ravishing view of the sea and Monte Conero from here, and in the evening the warm sea air over an aperitif.
ANCONA
love at second glance
The capital of the Marche region and a busy port city with a large seaport, it is a city whose hidden charm is soon revealed as soon as you discover the Romanesque- Gothic “Duomo di San Ciriaco”, which sits quite contradictorily above the port, or the Arch of Trajan, in the middle of the port complex built by the Romans in 278 BC. A walk to the cathedral through the former Jewish quarter, past old trading houses and palaces, small winding streets, stairs and portals is worthwhile.
Gourmet region
No day without pasta
Marchigian cuisine is firmly rooted in peasant tradition. Be it the “Vincisgrassi”, a sumptuous lasagne with chicken liver and without the usual tomatoes, be it the soft smoked and finely seasoned pork salami “Ciauscolo” or the “Formaggio di fossa”, a spicy cheese that is walled in and matures in limestone caves. Besides mushrooms, venison, nuts and wild herbs, the greatest culinary treasure of the area is truffles. Especially the “Tartufi bianchi” from Acqualagna are in no way inferior to the albatross truffles.
FISH CUISINE
Mocioli
Unique and protected since 1994 under the Slow Food Presidium, the wild mussels of Portonovo, “I moscioli”, as they are called here, are best eaten with spaghetti or soutéd. A must is also the “stoccafisso”, Anconer-style stockfish, and “burnt fingers”, grilled anchovies in breadcrumbs.
WINE
From gentle hills above the sea
Probably best known is the excellent white “Verdicchio” from the grape of the same name. It smells of peaches, apples, lemons and roses. Typical is the long, spicy and bitter finish. Around the Conero the “Rosso Conero” is cultivated. Strong and ruby red from the Montepulciano grape, it smells of blackberries and plums and has a full-bodied, spicy, warm and long-lasting taste. The wine alone is reason enough to visit the Marche. Numerous renowned wineries are located just a few kilometres from Casa Ancarano.
Activities
- WATER-RATS AND SUN-WORSHIPERS Will find their nearest beach in SIROLO (3 km), the Spiaggia Urbani; more comfortable for families and easy to reach by car are the wide and finer sandy beaches between NUMANA and MARCELLI (5 km), kiter and surfers will find their beach paradise south of Marcelli at the Musone river (8 km) or in Portonovo. Famous are the picturesque bays, beaches and first-class fish restaurants of PORTONOVO (10 km).
- HORSE RIDERS can walk to the farm Il Corbezzolo (1 km) and go on horseback for an excursion or take the necessary riding lessons. CYCLING ENTHUSIASTS will not only enjoy the paths of the Conero Park, but will also find challenging trails for all levels of ability in the surrounding area.
- If you want to learn ITALIAN, you have found a competent language school with a very personal atmosphere in the Centro Culturale Conero in the neighboring village of Camerano (3 km).
- GOLFPLAYERS have their Conero Golf Club with 18 holes Championship Course, PAR 72 plus Executive Course right outside the door (1 km).
- For SAILORS, the small marinas of Numana, Porto Novo and Ancona offer the next port of call. The non- sailors can rent motor boats or take wonderful sightseeing trips along the rugged coastline to the Due Sorelle.
SURROUNDINGS
- SIROLO – (3 km) is an idyllic village 20 km south of Ancona on the promontory of Monte Conero (572m) steeply above the sea.
- RECANATI (25 km) – is a picturesque village and home of the poet Giacomo Leopardi.
- MACERATA (35 km) – an elegant little town, hosts the July/August Opera Festival at the Sferisterio, the second largest performing arena after Verona.
- LORETO (15 km) – is one of the most visited Marian pilgrimage sites in the world and houses the birthplace of Mary of Nazareth with the famous black Madonna.
- LE GROTTE DI FRASASSI – contain the largest single cave in Europe with a height of 240m (as high as the Milan Cathedral). A fantastic world of stalactite caves in the middle of the Gol della Rossa/Frasassi Nature Park (80 km). The drive inland is worth seeing with its wild romantic limestone gorges. The Monte Sibellini Gran Sasso National Park (160 km) with over 40 km of mountain peaks is an exciting, legendary high mountain landscape for enchanting hikes.
- FASHION – The Marche is the shoe region par excellence, Tods is just one of the big names that have their origins here, to be found in the seaside towns of Porto Sant'Elpidio e Sant'Elpidio a Mare. The brands Hogan, Fay and Roger Vivier also belong to the empire of Diego della Valle. You can do your shopping at Tod's Outlet, via Filippo della Valle 1, Casette D'Ete, Sant'Elpidio a Mare, and right next door you can find Prada, Pollini, Debut, Samsonite, Fratelli Rossetti.
