BLOG of B&B Fonte Fresca, located in Vallemontagna, near the third largest city of Le Marche; Fabriano.
The city is known for the beautiful “Paper and Watermark Museum” (Museo della Carte e della Filigrana) and the annual watercolor exhibitions (Fabriano in Aquarello). A stone’s throw away is the “Parco naturale della Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi” with the largest cave complex in Europe, the “Frasassi Caves”!
Let us first introduce ourselves briefly. We are Riemke and René and emigrated to Italy in 2023. On June 1, 2023, our B&B Fonte Fresca in Vallemontagnana has reopened to guests! In our blogs we will take you to our beautiful region of Le Marche. It will become clear to you why we came to live here and fell in love with this region so much!
Small scale of Le Marche with Great Beauty; picturesque villages, historic towns, rolling hills, Adriatic beaches, Apennines and the beautiful Sibillini Mountains.
The Le Marche region is still a hidden treasure in Italy. The relatively small province, the size of Cambridge, is located in the center of Italy. You may think nothing special, but nothing could be further from the truth.
We have lived in Le Marche since 2023 and are constantly surprised in this part of Italy. What makes this region so special is the diversity you find here. You will find the enchanting hills with picturesque villages, but also beautiful historic cities. There are picturesque coastal towns with beautiful boulevards and sandy beaches to pristine pebble beaches with the majestic chalk cliffs behind you.
If you go more inland, you will see the mountains rising from the Apennines. At the bottom of Le Marche you will find the southernmost high mountains in Europe, the Sibillini Mountains.
Le Marche is often affectionately called “little Tuscany”, but with less tourism and more authenticity. The varied, often rolling landscape actually encompasses everything special and beautiful about Italy, but on a smaller scale. Due to its favorable location, the region is very green. This is different from other parts of Italy, where it can be dry and sometimes arid, especially in the summer.
Because we live in a central location in Le Marche, in the nature reserve “Parco naturale della Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi”, the sights in Le Marche can be visited within a day! You can also make excellent trips to the neighboring province of Umbria with cities such as Perugia, Gubbio and Assisi. Even a day trip to Rome (by car or relaxed by train) is possible! The idyllic city-state of San Marino borders the northern border of Le Marche and is also ideal for a day trip.
Escape the hectic; no mass tourism, but rest or activity in authentic Italy.
What also particularly attracts us to Le Marche is the opportunity to escape the hustle and bustle of Italy’s more famous regions and cities. Here you can enjoy the peace and nature, surrounded by beautiful landscapes of mountains, beaches, hills and forests. Whether you prefer a relaxing day on the beach or a walk in the hills or mountains, a cultural trip to one of the historic sights or a sporty mountain bike or Vespa tour, this region has something for everyone.
One of the most striking aspects of Le Marche is its authenticity. Unlike some tourist hotspots, this area has not yet been fully adapted to the tourism industry. When you visit Le Marche, you are actually visiting the locals. Here you will not find crowds of tourists, but a community that welcomes you with open arms. The real Italian hospitality!
Taste the Region; the Verdicchio wine, Pecorino cheese, truffles, olive oil and local cold cuts.
Another reason why Le Marche is so special is the local products. The region is known for its delicious regional products that you can taste at colorful regional markets. Whether it is fresh fruit, olive oil, wine or artisanal cheeses, or the typical salami of this region, every taste bud is spoiled with the rich culinary traditions of Le Marche. Marchigian cuisine is known for its tasteful simplicity. In the area and in Fabriano you will also find fantastic restaurants that let you enjoy other culinary delights!
And do you enjoy visiting one of the many wineries, where, for example, Verdicchio or Lacrima comes from? Or if you would like to participate in a tasting at an olive press, we will be happy to organize this for you!
Underground Wonders; caves of Frasassi, tempio del Valadier, canyon del Sentino!
An absolute highlight of a visit to Le Marche is discovering the largest cave complex in Europe: the Frasassi Caves. This impressive underground world is located in the natural park “Parco naturale della Gola della Rossa e di Frasassi” and was discovered in 1971. The caves contain no less than 21 kilometers of corridors! A visit to this extraordinary cave complex, which is literally located under “our mountain”, is an unforgettable experience. The caves are an attraction for visitors from all over Italy and Europe. More than 10 million people have visited the caves since they opened! This year, the spectacular caves and the beautiful rock-built chapel “Tempio del Valadier” will be used as a filming location for TV recordings for the well-known series Gormiti -The new era.
In short, Le Marche is not just a holiday destination; it is an enchanting journey through the diversity of Italy, far away from the tourist crowds. A place where you not only discover the beauty of the landscape, but also taste the warmth of the local people and the richness of Italian culture. A hidden gem waiting to be discovered!
Have you become curious after reading this blog and would you like more information about this region? Then look at Surroundings – B&B Fonte Fresca. You can also use the response form without obligation or call us! We are happy to think along with you!
Kind regards!
Riemke and René
