I’ve visited over 90 countries, and if I had to stop today and choose only one to return to for the rest of my life, it would be Italy. Maybe it’s cliche, but Italy is a country that has it all: sea, mountains, world-class food and wine, warm locals, sunshine, snow — I mean, what more do you want?
And yet, even within Italy, there are some places that don’t do it as well as others. Having now been to all 20 regions in the country, there’s one region that is the epitome of an underrated gem: Marche.
Where to go in Marche
A stunning beach town, Numana, at dusk in Marche, Italy
(Kaitlyn Rosati)
Marche was a region I knew very little about when first visiting. I was invited to join my friend, Kiara Di Paola, an Italian living in New York, while she brought a group around her home region. Our journey began in Moresco, a medieval village part of I Borghi più Belli d’Italia (“the most beautiful villages in Italy”), moved onto Treia where I learned about the unique sport Bracciale, took a stroll through Torre di Palme (a palm tree-lined stunning village), and finally, ended in the pristine beaches of Numana.
Why Marche
Bracciale is a game historically played in the town, Treia, located in the Marche region
(Kaitlyn Rosati)
What i learned during my short but sweet time is that Marche is small, nearly untouched by non-Italian tourists, and has managed to preserve its integrity and authenticity in a way that is rarely seen in a click-bait social media-worthy world. I ate dishes I had never heard of, like olive all’ascolana, “cremini” (fried squares of sweet cream), and cured meats like ciauscolo, a salami with a creamier bite. I particularly loved my day out on the water in Numana, and realized a stay at Muré Hotel could give any seaside resort in Positano a run for its money.
How to get to Marche
Torre di Palme, Marche, Italy
(Kaitlyn Rosati)
Getting to Marche takes some planning. Though the capital is Ancona, there are no major airports in the region, and instead, you’ll have to fly into either Bologna, Milano, or Roma, and then drive or depend on Italy’s efficient train system. While you can certainly take the train into the region, the convenience ends there, and it’s nearly impossible to navigate without a set of wheels.
Bottom Line
Moresco, Italy
(Kaitlyn Rosati)
If you’re looking for an authentic Italian vacation in a sea of overhyped touristic hotspots, Marche will provide you a taste of Italy that feels like a warm hug from nonna.