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Scenery One of the most compelling features of the Marche is undoubtedly its natural beauty. It boasts 180 km of coastline with unspoilt, clean seaside resorts. San Benedetto del Tronto, on the Palm Riviera is an elegant yet inexpensive resort which has a vast, sandy beach, framed by more than 8,000 palm trees. In the heat of the summer, you can’t escape the heady scent of the oleanders, pines and bougainvillea which grow in abundance in the area.
Further on up the coast is the jewel in the Adriatic crown – the Monte Conero National Park with spectacular coastal scenery to rival that of the Amalfi Coast. The Two Sisters beach with its turquoise waters and two majestic rocks rising from the sea is an outstanding spot. From here, the scenic cliff road then unwinds through thick woods of pine and oak trees down to the hidden Bay of Portonovo, previously a fishing village that could only be reached by a footpath. Here there are stunning views of the surrounding hills covered in the yellow Mediterranean broom flower in the spring and strawberry trees in autumn.
The landscape is more bewitching than its well-known counterpart, Tuscany – it has a wilder, more varied quality which allows you to discover the heart of Italy. The Sibylline Mountains National Park which lies to the south west of the region, is full of legends and traditions and home to wild orchids, animals and rare birds. At the foot of the mountains is Sarnano, a splendid town and popular ski resort with its beautiful medieval quarter a labyrinth of alleyways and overhanging baskets. High up on Monte Vettore, the tallest peak, is the naturally formed Lago di Pilato. The lake, which is named after the Roman, Pontius Pilate who drowned himself there after the trial of Christ, turns red every year. While this is attributed to the legend, in reality, the very rare, tiny prawns that live in the lake (the only other place they appear is in China) turn the water red during their reproductive season.
Towards the mountains further north, near the town of Fabriano (home to the world-famous papermaking industry) are the Grotte di Frasassi, a fascinating formation of limestone caves. With its exquisite stalactites, stalagmites, grottoes, passages, small lakes and spectacular use of lighting, it has to be one of the most awe-inspiring natural wonders in Europe. One lofty cavern known as the Ancona abyss, 600 feet long and 800 feet high is actually large enough to hold Milan Cathedral. (Photos by Gabriele Rossi) Marche Art Breaks______________Little Tibet of Italy holiday_______________Italy's heart of religion _____Opera Breaks ___________________Summer holidays____________________Easter Spa Break ___ |
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Secret Marche
[AUT.REG.17181 REA 159488 CEA 147085] |
