It’s no secret that I’m a fan of Italy; one might even go as far as to say I am obsessed with the boot-legged nation. And while major cities like Milan and Rome are what most travelers stick to, what officially made me fall in love with Italy was once I got off of the beaten path and started exploring some small towns instead. Sure, spending a day in Florence is cool, but have you ever explored fantastic beach hubs like Bordighera or the most Scottish town in Italy?
So, when the opportunity arose to travel to the Marche region, a central Italian region that I had yet to visit, with Uncover Untouched Italy with local, Kiara Di Paola of @kiariladyboss, I simply couldn’t say no. If you want to head to hidden Italy to explore a nearly untouched region, here are my favorite spots visited in Marche.
1. Moresco
The way my trip with Uncover Untouched Italy began let me know we were in for quite the treat. As we entered the town of Moresco, a group of locals was waiting for us to put on a show of the Saltarello Dance, a typical dance of the town. After that, we were invited into a private home to eat a home cooked meal of vincisgrassi, a layered pasta similar to lasagna but totally unique to the Marche region. Afterward, we climbed to the top of the Castle of Moresco, which is open to the public to do. Viewing the town of Moresco from on top of a castle after seeing a local dance and eating in a local home sounds like it’s straight out of a movie, and that’s exactly how my visit to Moresco felt.
- For a similar experience of dining at a family’s house, book a stay at B&B Il Nido di Alice.
2. Torre di Palme
Located in the Province of Fermo is palm tree-lined Torre di Palme. Torre di Palme feels straight out of a medieval fairytale; every street is more somehow more picturesque than the one preceding it. It’s a history and art lover’s dream. The flower-lined streets are simply enhanced by the bright blue Adriatic Sea, as the town is conveniently located directly on the coast. One of my favorite things we did while here was visit the permanent exhibition of local artist Maria Teresa Berdini’s “Atelier il Crivelli.” The art exhibition was a small room filled with painted and decked out ostrich eggs (see above). Ostrich eggs were designed as anything from a flamingo to a peacock to pure gold. I was completely blown away by Berdini’s artistic gift, and it was one of the most unique additions to the trip.
3. Treia
Historically speaking, Treia was the most interesting destination we visited. So much so, that I launched a series called Piccola Cittá on my Instagram with Treia being the first destination featured. The city was founded in 380 BC, and similar to other towns and borghi visited in Marche, it feels like stepping back in time. It was in Treia that I got to try some regional specialties at Ristorante Pizzeria Antica Fornace. Despite my deep despise of olives, I tried Marche’s famous olive all’ascolana, a deep fried olive stuffed with pork, and finally met an olive I like. Additionally, I tried cremini (no, not the mushroom), which is “fried cream,” a slightly sweet deep fried snack.
What was especially exciting about traveling to Treia with Uncover Untouched Italy is that our host, Kiara, somehow arranged for us to meet the mayor. Traveling with a local will sometimes grant you perks like this; and since the mayor solely spoke Italian, Kiara was also able to translate for us. He taught us about bracciale, a famous sport originating out of Treia, dating all the way back to the Renaissance times. I tried my hand at it and let’s just say, I’ll stick to writing, not bracciale.
- For a true local experience, stay at Agriturismo Forestale Luti.
4. Numana
Nothing screams “Italian summer!” louder than a day spent out on a boat, sipping bubbly, eating good meat and cheese, and of course, with a good group of friends. My day out on the vibrant blue waters of Numana with Conero Funboat was probably my favorite moment of my entire trip with Uncover Untouched Italy.
We set off on the boat around 10 a.m. and cruised along the Riviera del Conero through several beaches and towns. The massive limestones reminded me of being in the Philippines or even Capri, and the waters were so blue that a photo would convince someone you’re on a tropical island in the Caribbean. But we were in Italy, so the Prosecco and snacks were whipped out and the music was blaring. The town of Numana itself is just as fabulous, with colorful houses, cobblestone streets, and a beachy feel without the massive crowds of Tropea, The Amalfi Coast, or other popular Italian beaches.
- For a true Italian experience, take this vespa tour of Numana.
- I stayed at Murè Numana and it was my favorite hotel from the trip.
5. San Marcello
What trip to any Italian region is complete without visiting a winery? My day spent at San Marcello included a visit to Filodivino Wine Resort & Spa was educational, quintessential Italian, and of course, delicious. We got to sample wines made right on premise, and take in the views that prove the Marche region could easily give Tuscany a run for its money. Between the rolling hills, the bountiful vineyards, and the incredible regional cuisine, my visit to San Marcello, specifically Filodivino Wine Resort & Spa (which is available for overnight stays) was the icing on the cake to completely falling in love with le Marche region.
DISCLAIMER: I might make a small commission from some of the links throughout this article, but the price is the same for you. This helps keep my business running so I can continue to provide free travel tips!
DISCLAIMER II: Uncover Untouched Italy sponsored my trip.