I could give you the tourist guides’ introduction to Le Marche on the following pages and it would be never ending but I will try below to give you a brief insight into the vast, incomparable region of Le Marche punctuated with ancient hill-top towns hiding a bustling lively community encompassing their markets, churches and fiestas.

Le Marche boasts 70% farmland scattered with many Hamlets and is situated between the Apennines and the Adriatic Sea. It further benefits from 180km of coast line where you will find not only tourist beaches where the Italians spend their 2 weeks lying next to each other chatting, speaking on their mobile phones, playing, always smiling, always friendly and always looking annoyingly immaculate but in addition gorgeous stretches of white sand in particular at nearby Porto S. Giorgio beach or S. Benedetto del Tronto with its very picturesque Palm Tree lined beach or Porto Sant’Elpidio beach with a beautiful promenade if you feel like roller blading, also there is Sirolo beach that is set in a natural cove and is a beautiful spot. Perhaps just take a stroll, stop for a fish lunch and a bottle of the local wine (it has been said to us that only the English describe spending time with “bottles” of wine rather than a simple glass but when the wine is so cheap but fabulously drinkable why stop at just a glass or two! The beaches always have a private section roped off where you must pay for your sunbed & umbrella but along side that there is always a public area where you are free to do as you please and showers are provided.

If you fancy a day of relaxation on the beach but the man in you life fancies a little more activity go to Numana or Sirolo beach where you will find a Championship Golf Course nearby.

Up in the breathtaking mountains of Sibillini you will find the National Park and tranquil Lake Fiastra where you can bathe, picnic, swim or just sit back in wonder. The drive up there is always longer than anticipated as you will want to constantly interrupt it with “Stop – I must get out and take a picture”. The National Park area is vast and as you can imagine every type of activity is available - climbing, walking, mountain biking, hunting, fishing, quad bikes and so the list goes on – further details are available in the villa.

There are several spas - try nearby Sarnarno with bicarbonate alkaline waters for illnesses of the urinary tract; Aspio Terme where four springs with different properties enable a wide range of treatments to be available or as previously mentioned visit your local spa in Tolentino.

For a spot of retail therapy look no further - Le Marche is the shoe making centre of Italy, supplying such names as Versace, Gucci and Prada to name but a few and finding that perfect pair of shoes has never been easier – it just makes it more difficult to choose only one pair and of course they all need bags to match !

Le Marche is an undeveloped region as far as tourists go making it perfect for those of you who like to draw and paint with many inspirational locations to choose from – the fields have not been ripped up for commercial development instead the summer fields are alive with sunflowers bobbing their heads in greeting, the beaches are not over-developed areas with those lovely panoramic views of high storey hotels you can find in other certain holiday destinations. To the Italians beauty is secondary only to food or religion. Speaking of food you will surely find something to suit everyone’s palate – of course there is pasta, every type of pasta with every type of sauce. But try the local wild boar – especially on a winter’s night in front of a big open fire with the local wine - you really wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. Be warned you will put on weight. The Italians will always welcome children and actually look at them as a priority but do not expect special children’s menus with chicken nuggets & chips - you will always be able to find a suitable pasta dish and they will do children’s portions or of course there’s always the pizza!

I will not attempt to summarise the cultural attractions of Le Marche. A must visit is to Macerata (20 minutes drive). Believed to be founded in the 5th century AD this is a beautiful university town which also holds a summer opera season. Explore the ruins of Helvia Ricina which lie six kilometres from the town.

Visit the ancient Leper Colony in Ancona which is now a museum or if you time it right visit Ascoli Piceno, for the Quintana is mounted here every year – a jousting tournament dating back to 1378 but also in itself a beautiful place to visit.

Frasassi Grotto and Gorge are a must with its stunning Lake and ‘The Endless Room’.

On your doorstep you have Tolentino with San. Nicola’s Basilica (13-15th century) and outstanding frescoes.

A destination for millions of pilgrims for centuries is the Sanctuary Church of the Holy House abundant in works of art located at Loreto.

As you can imagine you stumble across remarkable Italian architecture and culture everywhere you look - don't try to cram it all in just take 2 weeks to slow the pace of life down, watch the Italians chatting or just stand in silence breathing life!