M as Marvellous, M as Marche

Never been to Le Marche? You do not know what you are missing!
It is the right place where you can breath a wave of the 'real' Italy in one region and enjoy its off-the-beaten tracks. Indeed it could definetely be argued that it is slowly becoming the new Italian frontier.

It is sandwiched between the Adriatic Sea and the Appennines, so that it offers a landscape which ranges over a wide variety of panoramas. Hence year round attractions are guaranteed! At this point, what is there to see and experience? 

First of all, white sandy beaches stretch along the coastline with its palm trees and beach bars. Just think at San Benedetto del Tronto or Senigallia, sea resorts perfect both for family holidays and youngsters, who can  get a tan and then have fun until the break of dawn. In the very middle of the smooth littoral stands the Conero promontory, protected natural habitat for rare flowers and birds, which is famous for its pebbly seabed and crystal clear waters.

In addition the entire territory is studded by countless medieval suburbs where the time has stood still, namely Offida well known for its carnival and lace-making too. What is more there are also notable larger historical towns including Urbino, Italy's finest Renaissance city and birthplace of the famous artist Raphael. Explore Ascoli Piceno, renowned for its travertine-paved main square: the 'open air living room of Italy'. You should also stop in the sanctuary of Loreto where you can admire the very home in which the Virgin Mary lived, or the nearby Recanati native land of the extraordinary poet Leopardi. The list goes on.

For the more energetic, moving inland there is the Sibillini National Park engraved by many footpaths and hiking trails for cycling and biking, but you are able to satisfy your whims with many other mountain activities. And I certainly cannot omit the Frasassi Caves with its fairy-tale underground landscapes and caverns inhabited by striking stalactites and stalagmites.

As for the culinary tradition, pride of the locals, Le Marche serve us plenty to savour. You will not leave the region until you have tasted some of its main food attractions such as olive all'ascolana (fried olives filled with meat) or vincisgrassi (baked with parma ham, mushrooms and sauce), and you will forget which way is home! Lastly remember to go shopping in one of its numerous outlets since about 90% of Italy's shoe factories (Tod's, Prada, etc.) are here, along with other designer centres.

In a nutshell, how much does it cost to invest in this area? 

Well, it depends on what one is looking for. For the restoration lovers Marche offers a great number of old farmhouses and country houses to be restored, especially in the Southern part of the region, where generally prices are lower also thanks to this availabilty. For instance listed on our site we have nice farmhouses to be restored with prices starting from €50,000 with some land too (to view some samples click here), prices rise sensibily for properties with seaviews. 

With its variety of landscapes, property buyers can find their dream home chosing from some nice apartments by the beach one of the many sea resorts along the region's special coastline, to even some chalet-like homes on one of the mountains close to some ski resort, or you can chose to buy your home in between the two options and be at half an hour from the slopes and half an hour from the beach, to enjoy your new Italian life 365 days a year.

So, your next Italian escape? Le Marche could definitaly be a great choice and you will not be disappointed!