Tucked away in a remote corner between the Adriatic Sea and the Appennine mountains, Le Marche (the Marches) is an enchanting rural patchwork of old towns, hill country and long, sandy beaches.
In pre - Christian times the area was settled by the Piceni, a tribe eventually assimilated by the Romans.
The region's historical peak was reached in the 15th century under Federico da Montefeltro, whose court at Urbino became one of Europe's leading, cultural centres.
Much of Urbino's former grandeur survives, particularly in Federico's magnificent Renaissance Palazzo Ducale, now home to a regional art collection.
Today probably as many people come to Le Marche for its beaches and towns as for its hilly, unspoilt interior.
Especially beautiful are the snowcapped peaks of the Monti Sibillini, situated in magnificent walking and skiing country.