Every January I receive emails from travel industry publications with their predictions for travel trends in the coming year. Reading through them this year, I thought that the Marche should have been on everyone’s list as the trendiest destination of 2025. Of course it was not. Which is great. Because one huge reason the Marche is so special is because it is not teeming with tourists. Here is why the Marche is a travel trendsetter.
“Detour Destinations” are off the beaten path, are lesser known, are less crowded, and less expensive. They offer an authentic local experience, and are not overtouristed. The Marche region is on the east side of the Italian peninsula bordered by the Apennine mountains on the west and the Adriatic sea on the east, with gorgeous rolling hills and hilltop towns in between.
Ancona, our regional capital, with an international airport and sea port, is the largest city in the Marche with 100,000 inhabitants. Marche is made up of many medieval villages and cities steeped in history with walls and castles. We are a large region with mostly B&Bs and vacation rentals. There are not many large hotels, and not one Marriott.
In many places you might be the only tourist. If you visit a winery, it is probably the owner giving you a tour. In a restaurant, chances are, you’ll meet a family member who owns it. Guided tours are small. The Marche has a long history of craftsmanship and local artisans are happy to share their knowledge. You may be invited to dance with a folkloric group in the piazza.
“Slow Travel” is more of a habit than a trend but it’s also the only way one can travel in the Marche. There is not much that is fast about the Marche. This is, after all, where the shops still close from 1-4 PM every day.
It’s impossible to perform hit-and-run tourism here. Our major sites are spread out and there are so many to see that I suggest travelers stay at least one week, if not two, to begin to discover the Marche’s secrets.
“Wine and Food Tourism” is expected to increase. We have some amazing grape varieties that grow only here. We have talented wine makers who practice largely organic methods to produce unforgettable and special wines. And we have a delicious and varied culinary tradition that relies on the sea, the hills, and the mountains. Some Italian regions are known for one or two special dishes. We have dozens here!
Our vacation rental, Casa Pace e Gioia, is located in the Rosso Piceno region, which produces a lovely red wine made since the 10th century BCE using a blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes. And we are also in Ribona territory. Ribona, which in the local dialect means “twice good,” is made from a native grape, Maceratino, that grows only here.
Twenty minutes away, in Serrapatrona, another rare native grape, Vernaccia nera, is used to make a red wine in three different styles. Cultivated on only 163 acres by a handful of producers, Vernaccia can be a dry sparking, a sweet sparkling, or a still wine. Each November over two weekends, the wineries open their doors for tours and tastings and the lovely village of Serrapetrona has a festival.
Verdicchio is the white wine the Marche is most famous for and it is cultivated in two regions, Jesi and Matelica. We recommend a tasting at each to compare for yourselves the difference!
For food, the Marche has something for everyone. With mountains and the sea, we are known for our fish stew Brodotto; our better than lasagna, Vincisgrassi; our stuffed and fried Olive Ascolane; our spreadable sausage Ciauscolo; our “cooked wine” Vino Cotto; and myriad other delicious traditions that honor the heritage of this largely agricultural area.
“Calmcations or Quietcations” are for people looking to relax in silence, tranquility, and peace. To escape from the fast pace of everyday life and enjoy simple pleasures, fresh air, and nature. In the Marche one can hike or bicycle in the quiet of the Sibillini mountains, stroll a path at an old abbey church, watch fireflies, look for shooting stars, swim behind a hidden waterfall, bird watch, and admire a carpet of wildflowers, just to name a few.
“Joy of Missing Out (JOMO)” is a holiday to reconnect with family and friends in a vacation rental home and reduce stress and anxiety from complicated travel itineraries. Check in to one location, unwind and unplug (if you want), and spend time with your loved ones. The Marche has a variety of vacation rental homes and I would like to promote ours, Casa Pace e Gioia. We can stock the refrigerator for your arrival and have a meal ready to reheat, or arrange for a private chef. We can make plans, arrangements, and reservations so you don’t have to.
“Shoulder Season Travel” is predicted to rise, as a way to save money and have a more intimate experience. My favorite months here in the Marche are September, October and May. In the fall, we have the grape and olive harvests. Our guests can watch the olive harvest and visit the olive press and see our oil being made. Fall food festivals abound! May brings the poppies and wildflowers and the promise of spring when the food festivals start.
Lastly, the 2025 Jubilee will largely impact Rome, where they expect 30 million visitors this year. We are a three hour drive from Rome but our local Basilica di San Nicola in Tolentino is one of 7 churches in our province where the faithful who visit can receive the Jubilee indulgence.
Who knows what this year’s travel future holds, but we hope to see you in the Marche!
