Marche
Le Marche region of Italy is still as untouristy as Umbria was 50 years ago. A holiday here offers seaside pleasures together with a wealth of natural and cultural beauty so characteristic of Italy.
Divided from Tuscany and Umbria by the Apennines, it runs to the Adriatic coast with 150km of beaches. From north to south, the most important are; Gabicce Mare, Fano, Marotta, Senigallia - the famous 'Velvet Beach', Sirolo, Numana, Porto Recanati, Civitanova Marche, Porto S. Elpidio, Porto S. Giorgio, Cupra Marittima, Grottammare and S. Benedetto del Tronto.
The presence of so many seaside resorts, often rich in artistic attractions, leads one to forget the countless other interesting places in the region. However, towards the hilly inland, lie various little towns as yet undiscovered by mass tourism, in spite of their historical, artistic and cultural importance. They are well worth including in delightful tours through gentle relaxing scenery.
Picturesque ancient villages are often found on hilltops, frequently dominated by an old castle or tower, or surrounded by thick walls. Beautiful natural scenery is another attraction of the region and the Conero headland and Caves of Frasassi, are outstanding. But Le Marche is also a mountainous region with good skiing resorts, such as Forca Canapine, Ussita, Sarnano and Piobbico.
There are also several health spas; Acquasanta Terme with sodium bromide waters used in the treatment of arthritis and respiratory disorders, Sarnano with bicarbonate alkaline waters for illnesses of the urinary tract, Aspio Terme where four springs with different properties enable a wide range of treatments to be made available, and Carignano Terme with sodium bromide waters for metabolic and gastric disorders. Loreto has a special role in tourism in Le Marche, the Sanctuary Church of the Holy House, rich in works of art, has been the destination of millions of pilgrims for centuries.
