San Ginesio – the gem of Le Marche

Le Marche is often overlooked by tourists but this beautiful region offers its own rich diversity of arts, history and culture that sets it apart from the rest of Italy and it a perfect location for a relaxing holiday in a traditional and unexplored part of Italy. If you are looking for a peaceful holiday, welcoming atmosphere and your own slice of Italy, then this hits the spot.

San Ginesio and surrounding countryside

Situated on a hill, this walled town provides an ideal position from where to admire the Sibillini Mountains. It is hard to describe the beauty of the landscape with the green valley below and the towering peaks covered in snow. Although it’s a hill-town, it is rather flat inside the walls and as a town, it’s as pretty as any in Tuscany. Quaint shops and a lively square framed by historical buildings dating back to XI century offer the visitor a welcoming atmosphere.

During the summer a few folkloristic festivals take place and the town seems to go back in time with actors dressed in costumes, drums, medieval music, dances and “battles”. This area offers a great base for walking and is close to ski resorts.

What to do

If you love the outdoors, then this is the place to be. For walkers, the nearby Sibillini Mountains offer plenty of variety through pastures and woodland as well as dense forests against a backdrop of alpine scenery. Paths will take you along rivers, past stunning waterfalls and caves, through gorges and up the many peaks.

Nearby Macerata is a fab local City immersed in Renaissance art and architecture. Its squares come alive in the evening and there are plenty of cafés and restaurants. For those who love shopping, the City is famous for its Wednesday market and there are some great little shops.

For the sun worshipper, Le Marche offers beautiful beaches. It is set along the Adriatic Sea, with 80km of spectacular coastline. In a mere 45 mins, you will find yourself at the wonderful seafronts of Porto s. Georgio and Civitanova Marche, where there are endless sandy or pebbly shores and natural bays along the rocky coast to explore.

Food and wine

Le Marche offers a wide range of centuries-old traditional food products and dishes featuring olives, ham and fish and there is an array of good wines including Verdicchio. Local specialities such as pecorino cheese, truffles and roast pork are a real treat! If you head up to the mountains, make sure you include a visit to one of the many great Rifugii that serve superb food using local produce.

How to get there

Le Marche is served by Ancona airport but it is also possible to access the region by Perugia and Bologna airports.

Where to stay

Holiday Homes in Italy offers a wide range of self-catering accommodation in Le Marche. Try these near San Ginesio and the Sibillini Mountains: