Brands - Marken

This name is used by several places. See also Brands (Netherlands)

The region Brands (Italian: Marche) located in Central Italy. For many, the region is only there because of the famous ferry port Ancona known. But there is a lot more to discover in this region.

Regions

The brands include the provinces of Ancona, Ascoli Piceno, Fermo, Macerata and Pesaro-Urbino. Travel regions from east to west:

• The Adriatic coast with the Monte Conero, a promontory with a regional park south of Ancona.
• The fertile one Hill countrywhich stretches between the Adriatic coast and the Appennines.
• Sibillini Mountains in the border area to Umbria.

places

• 43.61666666666713.5166666666671 Ancona is the capital and an important Adriatic port. The industrial city has comparatively few historical monuments.

Seaside resorts

• 43.9101512.91332 Pesaro is a pleasant seaside resort in the north of the Marche and the second largest city in the Marche after Ancona.
• 43.71305555555613.2183333333333 Senigallia is a seaside resort with a 10 kilometer long beach halfway between Ancona and Pesaro.
• 43.3067513.72864 Civitanova Marche
• 42.94378055555613.8833305555565 San Benedetto del Tronto - beautiful seaside resort with a mile-long palm-fringed beach promenade

Historic cities in the hinterland

• 43.72523888888912.63726 Urbino attractive medieval university town in the hill country. The impressive Prince's Palace houses an important art collection.
• 42.85472222222213.5752777777787 Ascoli Piceno has an attractive old town, with the supposedly most beautiful square in central Italy The city is located on a plateau about 30 kilometers from the coast.
• 43.16041944444413.71818 Fermo - Picturesque town on a hill not far from the coast
• 43.30027777777813.4533333333339 Macerata is 20 kilometers inland on a hill and is still completely surrounded by a city wall. In July and August the big opera festival takes place here in the Arena Sferisto.
• 43.52278888888913.2439510 Jesi - Friedrich II von Staufen was born on the market square in 1194. The picturesque old town is still completely surrounded by a city wall.
• 43.440313.60743055555611 Loreto - An important place of pilgrimage with the alleged birthplace of Mary, Our Lady
• 43.13333333333313.06666666666712 Camerino - small town on a hill about 50 kilometers inland from Civitanova Marche.
• 42.9353513.69213 Offida - Historic mountain town with a lot of viticulture, 20km inland from San Benedetto dell Tronto.
• 43.20861111111113.284114 Tolentino - Historic town on the Chienti River west of Macerata.
• 43.3741513.21635555555615 Cingoli -- The Marche balcony West of Macerata.
• 43.48608055555613.482116 Osimo - Old episcopal city southwest of Ancona.

Other goals

• The 43.43055612.9358331 Grotta Frasassi - (Grotto of Frasassi) is one of the most impressive cave systems in Italy. The main hall of the stalactite cave is 200 meters high.
• Monte Conero - The nature reserve around the 560 meter high mountain is one of the last unspoilt coastlines on the Adriatic. Steep limestone cliffs and white stone beaches characterize the coast. Ideal for hiking.
• Monti Sibillini - the mountain range is part of the Apennines and lies on the border between Umbria and the brands. The highest point is the Monte Vettore (2476 m s.l.m.).

background

The brands are still something of an insider tip as a holiday region. In contrast to Tuscany there are significantly fewer German tourists to be found here.

language

Italian is spoken. Basically, it doesn't hurt if you can speak a little Italian. Language schools can be found e.g. in Camerino

getting there

By plane

Ancona has an international airport that is served by Lufthansa from Munich and from Düsseldorf / Weeze by Ryanair. Alternatively, the airports of Bologna and Pescara be flown to.

In the street

The coastal area is covered by that of Bologna coming Autostrada developed, to which the State Road 16 runs parallel. Numerous roads lead into the hinterland, especially the well-developed State Road 76, State Road 361, which follows the river Potenza, the Raccordo autostradale to Tolentino and the Raccordo autostradale to Ascoli Piceno.

mobility

To be mobile, a car is recommended, especially in rural areas. Rental cars can be booked from providers such as Holiday Autos (Tel. 089-17921317). The Italian Railways have hourly intercity trains between the main cities.

Tourist Attractions

In addition to the impressive landscape and the opportunity to go on excursions to the beach and hikes in the mountains, there is a lot of culture to discover in the individual cities.

images

Here are some pictures of the brands:

• 

  Piazza del Popolo, Ascoli Piceno

• 

  Monte Solazzi

• 

  Another view from Monte Solazzi

• 

  The sea on the south side of the Monte Conero massif

• 

  Church tower in Sirolo

• 

  Piazza in Ascoli Piceno (Caffe Meletti)

activities

kitchen

Restaurants are significantly cheaper than in that Tuscany or Umbria. A white wine grown in the Marche is the Verdicchio. In late autumn, truffles are a specialty.

• Porchetta is the "national dish" of the Marche. Suckling pig is boned, stuffed with wild fennel seeds and garlic, doused with wine and then roasted on a spit or in the oven. Porchetta is often served in thick slices on bread, and there are many others Opportunities there.

• Vincisgrassi: A Marche lasagne dish with an unusual name. Vincisgrassi is the Italian translation of the name of an Austrian general, Prince Windischgrätz, who commanded the Austrian armed forces stationed in the Marche. Allegedly the dish was prepared for the prince by a local cook.
• Ciauscolo: This unusual salami is originally from the Marche region, especially around Macerata, but is also made in Umbria. The very fine pork is kneaded with fat until the mixture is very soft. It is seasoned with garlic, salt and pepper and is often smoked. Due to its soft composition, Ciauscolo is not cut into slices, but spread on the bread. Ciauscolo is similar to the rillettes from France, although these are cooked and not raw or smoked.
• Olive all'ascolana (stuffed olives): The invention of these stuffed and well-fried olives dates back to the early 19th century. They were introduced by an unknown cook who worked for an aristocratic family in Ascoli Piceno worked. They are an indispensable part of the locals' table during festivities.

It should also be mentioned that the Marche, along with Umbria, Toscana and Piedmont, is one of the great archaeological sites for truffle are. A corresponding number of dishes are offered in the restaurants (depending on the season). Around the city Arcevia there are some very excellent restaurants that serve the remarkable regional Marchiggian cuisine like that Osteria Nido dell'Astore in Nidastore or that 44 in Serra dé Contito name just two examples.

Wines

The most important wine (it was already cultivated by the Romans) is that Verdicchio, a white wine made from the grape of the same name mainly in the province of Ancona. In no other region do wines from this grape achieve the quality that can be obtained in Marche for relatively little money. It exists as a Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi and as Verdicchio di Matelica, whereby the vines in the latter are in higher and therefore cooler growing regions, which makes them a little more aromatic, but also lighter. Both have in common a fine taste reminiscent of sweet almonds, and both are grown almost exclusively dry. It is an excellent accompaniment to fish and seafood, veal, pasta and vegetables, and these are particularly recommended for red wines Lacrima di Morro d'Alba, a bluish-purple shimmering wine with a striking violet and berry aroma, made from the autochthonous grape variety of the same name around the communities of Morro d'Alba, Ostra Vetere and Belverede Ostrense in the province of Ancona Rosso Piceno, the Rosso Conero and the Sangiovese dei Colli Pesaresi, all mainly from grapes of the varieties Sangiovese and Montepulciano As a piquant-sweet red (sparkling) wine, let the Vernaccia di Serrapetrona mentioned.

nightlife

security

climate

Ancona	Jan	Feb	March	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Average air temperature in ° C	5.5	6.8	9.2	12.6	16.9	20.8	23.6	23.4	20.3	15.8	11.4	7.3	O	14.5
Precipitation in mm	67	57	63	56	55	50	47	66	74	74	79	75	Σ	763

trips

literature

• about the Website of the brands you can request free brochures and maps that are of good quality.

Web links

• The brands
• Trademark information