Le Marche, a region in central Italy, is often overlooked by travelers, but it boasts an incredible variety of traditional products, delicious recipes, and exceptional wines. From the charming cities to the rolling hills and picturesque villages, this article will guide you through the best food and wine itineraries and routes in Le Marche.
Macerata Wine Route: A Journey Through Flavors
Located in the province of Macerata, this region is known for its exceptional gastronomic specialties, such as vincisgrossi, a variant of baked lasagna. The area also produces excellent wines, including white wines from the Macerata hills and sparkling Vernaccia di Serapetrona.
Day 1: Exploring Macerata
Start your journey in Macerata, visiting the Sferisterio, one of the city’s symbols. Take a stroll through the marvelous cathedral and Palazzo Compagnoni. For lunch or dinner, head to the ancient trattoria Osteria dei Fiore, which serves classic Marche cuisine such as vincisgrassi, game, and rabbit in porchetta.
Day 2: Discovering Macerata Wines
Leave Macerata behind and visit the Muròla Estates, where they produce wines from ancient local varieties. After a visit to the cellar, stop by the nearby Abbadia di Fiastra nature reserve and enjoy lunch at the hut with excellent grilled meat dishes. In the afternoon, reach the Terre di San Ginesio winery, which produces cooked wine and sapa, among the most typical products of the Marche region with San Ginesio DOC.
Main Stops/Towns: Macerata, Urbisaglia (Tenure Muròla Winery), Rip San Ginesio (Terre di San Ginesio Winery)
Local Products and Typical Dishes: vincisgrassi, game, rabbit in porchetta, white wines from the Macerata hills, cooked wine, sapa, San Ginesio DOC
Distance/Itinerary Duration: 51 km total / 2 days
Where to Sleep: The best solution is to stay in Macerata, with a wide choice of different types of accommodation. For a stay surrounded by nature, consider farmhouses like Agriturismo I Valeriani – compare the best accommodations on booking.
Ascoli Specialties: A City Rich in History and Charm
Located in the province of Ascoli Piceno, this city is rich in history and charm, with a long culinary tradition. Be sure to try the delicious Ascoli olives and huntingnanze, which are truly delicious typical focaccias. Among the wines, you’ll find the excellent Rosso Piceno, a DOC wine.
Day 1: Exploring Ascoli
Dedicate at least one day to listening in Ascoli, visiting attractions such as Piazza del Popolo, Caffè Meletti, the church of San Francesco, and the cathedral of Sant’Egidio. Enjoy lunch with excellent olives from the best Ascoli producers.
Day 2: Visiting a Winery
Visit the Seghetti Panhi estate, not far from the center of Ascoli (less than 20 km), which is a historic winery that organizes visits and tastings (excellent production of Piceno red), accompanied by typical local products.
Main Stages/Towns: Ascoli Piceno
Local Products and Typical Dishes: Ascolana olives, Cacciannanze, Rosso Piceno DOC
Distance/Duration of Itinerary: 1 day
Where to Sleep: In the center of Ascoli Piceno you’ll find numerous accommodations of different types. In the immediate surroundings, there are farmhouses and even 4-star hotels surrounded by greenery, such as Villa Cicchi – compare the best accommodations on booking.
Ancient Flavors in the Province of Pesaro and Urbino
This province is a land rich in flavors and traditions, influenced by its proximity to Emilia Romagna over the centuries. Among the typical specialties are lumachelle all’urbinate, fisherman’s biscuits, delicious crescia filo pastry, and casciotta di Urbino!
Day 1: Exploring Urbino
Dedicate the day to the city of Urbino, visiting attractions such as the wonderful Ducal Palace, the cathedral, and Raphael’s House. Enjoy excellent traditional dishes at the Cortegiano restaurant.
Day 2: Between Urbino and Pesaro
Reach Montefabbri, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, where you can take a photo on the giant bench immersed in the hills and visit the farm in the village of Libanore Enrico. For lunch, reach the village of Mombaroccio, where we recommend having lunch at Fattoria Mondrigo restaurant, overlooking the hills.
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Day 3: In Pesaro
Visit the city of Pesaro, visiting attractions such as the house of Gioacchino Rossini and among his favorite dishes, passatelli, a mixture of grated bread, egg yolks, and parmesan cheese. Also worth trying are the cappelletti alla Pesarese or the cannelloni alla Rossini.
Main Stops/Towns: Urbino, Montefabbri, Mombaroccio, Pesaro
Local Products and Typical Dishes: lumachelle all’urbinate, fisherman’s biscuits, crescia filo pastry, casciotta di urbino, passatelli, cappelletti alla Pesarese, cannelloni alla Rossini
Distance/Itinerary Duration: 63 km total / 3 days
Where to Sleep: The best solution is to stay near Urbino and Pesaro. In the city you can find several hotels, apartments, and B&Bs. For a stay surrounded by nature, consider farmhouses like Agriturismo dei Duchi (Urbino) or Badia Agriturismo (Pesaro) – compare the best accommodations on booking.
Ancona: The Land of Verdicchio
Ancona is a city rich in history and culture, overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Its proximity to the sea has influenced its cuisine, with many fish-based dishes such as Ancona-style stockfish, fish broths, typical of coastal areas, or mussels from the Conero.
Day 1: Starting from Ancona
Visit the city, starting from Piazza del Plebiscito, and then discover the cathedral, Vanvitellian mole, or municipal art gallery. Enjoy excellent fish-based dishes at Trattoria La Moretta since 1897. If you prefer red meat, one of the best places is Trattoria Da Nordio.
Day 2: Dedicated to Castles of Jesi
Reach Jesi (30 km from Ancona) and visit its “castles,” i.e., small towns that develop around the city. Dedicate the morning to jesi, having breakfast at Zoppi pastry shop now an institution in the city, and stopping for lunch at Trattoria Antonietta (excellent dishes based on stockfish).
Main Stops/Towns: Ancona, Jesi
Local Products and Typical Dishes: Ancona-style stockfish, fish broths, mussels from the Conero, polonaise, carnival cicerchiata, Verdicchio wine
Distance/Duration of Itinerary: 30 km in total / 2 days
Where to Sleep: The best solution is to stay in Ancona, with accommodation in the historic center or with a sea view. In the Jesi area are farmhouses such as Futuro Country House or San Marcello Estate – compare the best accommodations on booking.
Typical Marche Products from the Province of Fermo
Fermo, the capital of the province of the same name, is located on the summit and along the slopes of the Sàbulo hill. In addition to the typical products of the Marche region, a small village in the Fermo area produces handmade pasta, especially abroad: maccheroncini di Campofilone, not to be missed!
Day 1: Dedicated to Fermo and its Surroundings
Dedicate the day to Fermo and its surroundings. In the morning visit the historic center, with Piazza del Popolo, the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, and the Roman cisterns. For lunch, stop at Locanda del Palio, which offers typical Marche cuisine (meat-based dishes are exceptional).
Day 2: Reaching Campofilone
Reach Campofilone (23 km from Fermo), a place where maccheroncini di Campofilone are still produced by hand. Enjoy a walk in the village, admiring the view, and stop for dinner at Cinque Ragazze restaurant, a true institution in the village, where you can taste this excellent dish of fresh pasta.
Main Stages/Towns: Stop, Campofilone
Local Products and Typical Maccheroncini Dishes from Fermo: maccheroncini di campofilone
Distance/Itinerary Duration: 23 km total / 2 days
Where to Sleep: In the immediate surroundings of Fermo there are several options for accommodation, ranging from small hotels to agriturismos.
FAQs
Q: What is the main food product of Le Marche?
A: The region is famous for its olive oil, particularly Cartoceto extra virgin olive oil.
Q: Which wine produces Ancona?
A: Ancona is primarily known for producing Verdicchio wines.
Q: What traditional pasta dish does Fermo produce?
A: Campofilone maccheroncini di campofilone are produced by hand in the Fermo area.