The Mesmerizing Marche (Part 2)

Many months have passed since I first visited Marche, an off-the-beaten-path region in central Italy. Until now, I still cannot stop thinking about the beauty of the region, and more importantly, the hospitality of the local people.

*This is the second part of my series about Marche. In the first part, I talked about how I discovered Marche, the sacred Loreto, and the Little Capri of Marche.*

The Countryside Feel

My stay at the family-owned accommodation La Locanda del Musone was fabulous. I particularly enjoyed the homemade cakes included in my breakfast. Waking up in the morning, I felt like I was in the countryside as the air was fresh, and it was very quiet. The view of the vineyards and the green surroundings was tranquil. I even spent some time to watch the beautiful horses, which I liked very much. Last but not least, I will never forget the friendliness of the Italian owners, who did not speak much English but made me feel very welcome.

The Poetry Town

A visit to the poetry town **Recanati **was a touching experience. Recanati was the birthplace of the Italian celebrated poet **Giacomo Leopardi **(1798 - 1837). Some of his most emotional poems were The Infinite and Saturday in the Village. It was moving walking around the town and read Leopardi's poems printed and hung on the walls. The poet's sorrowful life seemed to be revived through his words in his own hometown.

The Riviera del Conero

One of the most unforgettable views during my trip was of** the Riviera del Conero from Numana**. Numana itself was worth visiting because it used to be a charming fishing village. The best thing about the town was that it was not crowded with tourists at all despite the breathtaking sea views. Enjoying the untouched nature of Marche was my favorite travel experience.

The Famous Gelateria

After our stroll in Numana, Monia recommended me to try gelato from a locals' favorite called Gelateria Morelli, which had been opened for more than 90 years. It was a hot summer day so some refreshing gelato was much needed. As an adventurous eater, I decided to try a flower-flavored gelato: c*amomilla, melissa e passiflora (*chamomile, lemon balm, and passion flower). The flavor was delightfully light, almost like the taste of honey. Seeing that I was a first-time visitor, the lovely young lady working there gave me a huge scoop and a big smile.

My short stay at Marche was memorable, thanks to the hospitality of Monia, her family, and the locals in Marche. I hope to come back one day to discover more about the region and continue writing this series about little-known places in Italy.