Marco making pizza from a wood burning oven
Le Marche, Italy is a new favorite for me. It’s high on my roster—up there with my homeland Thailand and honeymoon in Costa Rica. Sandwiched between Tuscany and the Adriatic Sea, Le Marche is rustic and traditional. Lacrima grapes grow off ancient Roman vines. Breads are baked without salt. Locals work alongside family members as cattle herders, cowboys, beekeepers, and specialty meat & cheese sellers. Somewhat overshadowed by its famed neighbors—Tuscany and Umbria—Le Marche holds its own, offering renaissance history, Roman ruins, and organic cuisine for the soul.
A car is a necessity in Le Marche. But don’t worry: roads are well tended and clearly marked, as is the toll system. The Super Strada Highway and local roads
In the Luigi Giusti Wine Cellars, Ostra Italy
are color-coded and easily spotted. But if you’re squeamish about driving through the countryside, consider a tour with Marco’s Way. It’s well worth the money. With Marco, you get a full day of wine tasting, gourmet foods, and friendly banter in English with an Aussie accent.
In Ostra, our lunch of fresh seafood, served 2 feet from the Adriatic Sea
No matter where you go in Le Marche, Marco is connected with the right people. He knows the servers at surfside restaurants that dish up hearty pasta with prawns and mussels. He is winemaking peers with local vintners who’ve won international awards. In the morning, he’ll pick up your group in his large, aircon van and weave through the nooks of the Italian countryside. In the van, our group stretched out, each taking a row to herself.
With Marco, it’s all about the senses. And taste is probably the most important. We saw the sights, visited with locals, and ate throughout the day. Wine, cheese, wine, honey, wine, bread. The day is packed with lovely drives through the Apennine foothills, visits to artisan shops, theaters, and museums. Check out his site for more information on touring Le Marche, Italy.
So, what’s your favorite town in Italy?
Outside the Theatre at Ostra Italy
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My favourite town remains Vernazza, in the Cinque Terre. Tiny village with incredibly friendlly people and wonderful walking trails between the five towns of the CT. Been there twice, hoping to get back away to visit Michelle and Guiliano.
Hi John! I think little villages and towns offer the best of what a country has to offer! Vernazza sounds wonderful! What is the closest major city from Vernazza? I’ll have to check it out!
Thanks for stopping by!
Melissa