In the middle ages the Sibillini Mountains were known as a realm of demons and fairies. The National Park is excellent for hiking in the summer, skiing in the winter. More information at www.sibillini.net



95% of all Italian shoes are made in Le Marche and it is possible to visit the factory shops for both shoes and Italian designer label clothing at great discounts!



Le Marche produces 11 DOC wines, the best white being the Verdicchio made from local grapes and the best reds are Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno



Macerata has an open air
opera festival, mid July to mid August,

Modena has an open air opera festival in May/June.

Pesaro holds the Rossini Opera festival in August.



A noble old abbey, a nature park and some of the Marche's best Roman remains lie just south of Macerata. The serene
Abbazia di Fiastra, only 15 -20 minutes away from Gualdo

A few km further south stand the remains of Urbs Salvia, a city founded in the 1stC BC - the amphitheatre, built in the 2ndC AD, is one of the region's most conspicuous Roman ruins..



Take a "journey to the centre of the Earth" through the
Grotte di Frasassi, one of Italy's largest and most famous complex of caves. An ideal jaunt for a rainy day.
Link to Map of Marche here

Flights available from Ryanair.com

Fly from London Stansted to Ancona or Pescara. Car hire is available from the airport, or directly from the Ryan Air website.

Both Alitalia and British Airways offer daily flights to Bologna airport (2-3 hours by car to Ancona). Easyjet flies to Rimini and Ryanair also flies to Forli which it dubs "Bologna Forli" though it's half-way between Bologna and Rimini. Prices vary dramatically according to season and type of ticket - shop around for the best deal.



Off the motorway, petrol stations close for up to three hours at lunchtime and all day Sunday. Carry a few uncrumpled banknotes to use in the 24-hour, self-service petrol dispensers now common in garage forecourts.



Speed limits are 50 kph in built-up areas, 90 kph on country roads, 110 kph on dual-carriageways and 130 kph on motorways. It is now also compulsory to switch on your dipped headlights during the day on all main roads.



The Marche region has 180 kilometres of Adriatic coastline and a host of inviting seaside resorts if you want to spend a day or two al mare.
Il Querceto is situated in an area of natural beauty, close to the majestic Sibillini mountain range and the Sibillini National Park which provides the most breath-taking scenery in central Italy. The mountains are calcareous in origin, producing the magnificent Frassassi limestone caves. There are 20 peaks over 2000m. and several ski resorts. The whole area is a walkers paradise with many mountain paths, guided walks and a stunning array of wild flowers. Le Marche (pronounced markay) is rich in historial artistic and cultural heritage which has been preserved. Le Marche, unlike its neighbours Umbria and Tuscany, is relatively undiscovered and still unspoilt by tourism. The area is rural and very little English is spoken, but the local Italians are very friendly and helpful, especially if you try to speak a few words of Italian.


TOWNS


GUALDO is 2kms away. It is, like many of its neighbours, perched on a hill top, at 652m. A small picturesque village, it has a cafe, restaurant, bank and basic shopping. The parish Church has some early paintings. There is a tennis club and the local restaurants are very good value. Market day is Tuesday.


SARNANO is the nearest town, (rather than village) 10kms. 539m. The medieval town centre is completely preserved and has steep narrow alleys. It is a spa resort, a winter skiing resort and a good base for hiking in summer. There are many good restaurants in the area, and a public art gallery.


AMANDOLA 15kms south of Sarnano, A medieval town with a daily bus service to Rome from the main square (3 hr trip). It is also a good base for some wonderful mountain excursions.


The medieval village of Montefortino is worth a visit 5km away, also visit from here the Gola d'infernaccio, a fabulous walk into the mountains.


FERMO - one of the most alluring of the hilltowns of the southern Marche, Fermo has an ensemble of architectural sights which make it well worth a visit. From here its not far to the beach!


ASCOLI PICENO is an ancient Cathedral city and has the most beautiful marble central square in Italy. It is famous for the pageantry of Quintana in August and Cafe Meletti.

Further Afield

URBINO is the ancient capital of the region and is a Renaissance city with the very best examples of Italian culture. The library in the Ducal Palace has illuminated manuscripts and the picture gallery has works by Ucello. Urbino is the birth place of Raphael. It is a stunning city set in the rolling hills of Le Marche


LORETO On the coast road 45 minutes away. The Shrine of Loreto is of international renown and preserves Our Lady's Home of Nazareth, inside the15th century church. According to tradition the home was transported by angels but research confirms that it was transported by ship by the noble family Angeli. (respect religious sensibilities and cover up bare flesh when visiting sacred places). There are views of the coast, a piazza with fountain, beautiful architecture, shops with tourist souvenirs.


ASSISI Two hours drive, over the mountains and into Umbria. It is the city where St. Francis worked more than 800 years ago. The Basilica of San Francesco was built in 1228, and has original frescoes by Giotto. There are beautiful piazzas and many noteworthy buildings.


GETTING HERE
The nearest airport is Ancona which is about 1 1/2 hrs drive. Ryan Air have daily flights to Ancona, also to Pescara which is further down the coast. Rome, Bologna and Pisa are all within 3 hrs drive. Driving to Gualdo from the UK, having crossed the Channel is about 1100 miles.......but magnificent scenery en route.