Natural Wonders of Italy and The Marche

Many tourists visit Italy and the Marche for the great self catering options, but what can you do away from your holiday home? The Marche boasts some of the most spectacular inland mountain country, unscathed by the worst excesses of the industrial age. Here are some of the major sights that should not to be missed, so think about these as you lay by the pool gazing at the mountains!

The Frasassi Caves feature spectacular limestone caves in Europe's largest single cavern.

Limestone again is the leading player at the Furlo Gorge, a dramatic natural pass through the mountains that has been in use since prehistoric times.

Most of Italy's Adriatic coastline is stubbornly flat. Monte Conero, just south of Ancona, is a rare exception - a high limestone mountain that plunges into the sea and guards a handful of delightful bathing resorts.

You'll find some of the Marche's most impressive mountain scenery to the south of the region amidst the Monti Sibillini, whose peaks are often covered with snow until the late spring. Plenty of dramatic hill towns, serious walking, and skiing in winter.

The best mountain views to be had in the north of the region, on the doorstep of Urbino, are around the giant Monte Catria and Monte Nerone. In spring the meadows are carpeted in flowers.

The countryside of the Montefeltro area in the far north, dominated by flat-topped Monte Carpegna, boasts fine old castles and great walks.

Reproduced with the kind permission of Marche Voyager © www.le-marche.com