Le Marche, all the beauty of Italy in one region.
Andiamo nelle Marche!
Le Marche is located in the so-called spawn of the boot in central Italy, bordering the Adriatic coast with more than 200 km of beaches. Adjacent regions include Tuscany, Umbria, Abruzzo and Emilia Romagna.
Le Marche is still unspoilt and pure Italian. It is sometimes said of the region that you will find all the beauty of Italy in this region. The region is becoming increasingly well-known among tourists looking for authentic Italy. It has beautiful medieval towns, romantic villages, endless beaches and overwhelming nature with mountains, hills and lakes. The region still has the most beautiful unspoilt villages, which is why many of them are mentioned in “I borghi piu belli d'Italia”. Besides the beautiful beaches, you will also find the beautiful mountains of the National Park I Monti Sibillini about 50 km away, with Monte Vettore as the highest point at 2476m. You can take lovely walks here and take a dip in Lago di Fiastra.
Besides the overwhelming nature and beautiful beaches, the appetizing dishes and exquisite wines complete the picture. Wherever you go for lunch or dinner, it is always a treat. Be sure to dine at one of the beautiful wineries in the region.
Loro Piceno
Villa Verde is about 1 kilometre from the village of Loro Piceno. A friendly village where you can find everything such as supermarkets, bars, restaurants, an ATM and a hardware shop. Authentic buildings, squares and streets exude the nostalgic atmosphere of yesteryear. If you are lucky, you can hear opera music in the ‘centro storico’, lovely anyway.
During the summer months, the village comes alive and there are various festivities in the village, such as the Vino Cotto festival. Vino cotto is a typical Marchigian drink and is made from boiled grape juice. Delicious as a digestive with sweet biscuits after a meal. However, it is not a dessert wine. Loro Piceno is famous for this special wine which you can taste and buy during the festivities. During the multi-day festival, there are various performances in several places in the evening; music, art, crafts and a wide choice of snacks and drinks at stalls and shops. Totally cosy, romantic and child-friendly too!
Surrounding villages are Urbisaglia, Colmurano, Montappone, Petriolo, Mogliano and Massa Fermana. Each of these are villages full of character with their own identity. If you want to experience a touch of Italian life, go to the market in Loro Piceno on Monday mornings. Have a cappuccino at bar Renata on the square and enjoy the spectacle. If you want an impression of Loro Piceno, click on this link for a youtube film.
See, do and experience!
Do you love stunning vistas? Impressive landscapes? Deafening silence? Then a visit to the Nature Park of I Monti Sibillini highly recommended! You can enjoy all that beauty in this area of about 70,000 hectares. You drive to this area in about 15 minutes, the journey there is already visual entertainment as you will see a diversity of landscapes along the way. Go prepared as the weather in mountains can be erratic. Check the weather forecast, make sure you have appropriate clothes and shoes and, of course, something to eat and especially drink.
In the immediate vicinity there are plenty of opportunities to explore the area, for example the park with monastery Abbadia di Fiastra. The address is Abbadia di Fiastra, 2 - 62010 Urbisaglia. Lunch or dinner is at ristorante da Rosa. One of our favourite restaurants.
Want to explore the area in a different way? Then a e-bike or a scooter rent a nice option. Can you see yourself riding a red vespa through the Italian countryside? Be aware that it can be hilly and there are no cycle paths like in the Netherlands.
Shop till you drop? Shop-a-holics can also indulge in le Marche! The region is famous among fashion afficionados for producing shoes, including Tods, Santoni and Hogan. In the area, there are several shopping centres and outlets. Want to visit cities? Then a visit to one of these cities should not be missed; Macerata, Ancona, Loreto, Ascoli Piceno or Fermo.
This is just a sampling of options. If you book with Villa Verde, you will receive our favourites in terms of food, drink, seeing and doing.
Discover the most beautiful beaches!
Le Marche offers more than 200 kilometres of diverse beaches, making it the ideal destination for beach lovers. Whether you are looking for cosy beaches with restaurants and boulevards or idyllic, quiet coves, Le Marche has something for everyone.
Porto San Giorgio: Cosy beaches with restaurants and a lively promenade.
Civitanova Marche: Popular destination with a wide range of beach facilities.
Sirolo: Picturesque beaches at the foot of Monte Conero, perfect for peace and nature.
Portonovo: A hidden gem with crystal-clear waters and breathtaking views.
Most beaches in Le Marche are managed by local restaurant-bars, where you can rent a sun bed and umbrella for maximum comfort. For the adventurous holidaymaker, there are also free stretches of beach where you can lay down your own beach towel. A coastguard (salvataggio) is often present to ensure your safety.
Complete your beach day with a delicious Italian lunch (pranzo) at a beachfront restaurant. Enjoy fresh seafood, local specialities and a relaxed atmosphere, while admiring the beautiful view of the Adriatic Sea.
With the versatility of Le Marche, you are sure to find the perfect beach for your ideal beach holiday!
Mangiare e bere - food and drink
When you think of Italy, you think of delicious food and drink. In Italy, eating is a ritual, where people take their time for a sumptuous lunch or dinner. Dining with family and friends, while enjoying the most flavourful dishes and fine wines from the region, is an experience in itself.
In fact, Italian lunch (pranzo) is often more important than dinner (cena) and usually lasts from 12.30pm to 4pm. During this time, most shops are closed, except those in shopping centres. Keep this in mind when exploring the region. Dinner often does not start until around 8pm, so there is plenty of time to enjoy a relaxing evening.
A typical Italian meal follows a set pattern:
Antipasti (appetisers)
Primo piatto (pasta or risotto)
Secondo piatto (meat or fish)
Dolce (dessert)
Caffè (espresso) as the perfect finale.
In the immediate vicinity of Villa Verde, you will find several excellent restaurants, where you can enjoy authentic Italian cuisine at a fair price. Whether you are looking for a cosy eatery or a sophisticated restaurant, there is always something to suit your needs.
Le Marche is famous not only for its delicious food, but also for its excellent wines. The region is known for Verdicchio, a fresh white wine made from the grape of the same name. Other recommended white wines include Pecorino, Passerina and Ribona. For red wine lovers, Rosso Piceno is a top choice, a blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes. Do you like a fruity wine with a velvety finish? Then try Lacrima di Morro d'Alba.
Near Villa Verde, you will find several wineries worth visiting. Highly recommended for those who want to learn more about the local wine culture!
There are several wineries nearby, fun and educational to visit.
