Gratis gids 10 verborgen natuurplekken in Europa
Gratis gids 10 verborgen natuurplekken in Europa. Meld je aan voor onze nieuwsbrief en ontvang inspirerende reistips en routes voor je volgende groene reis.
Le Marche
Le Marche lies between Tuscany and Puglia, and many travelers treat it exactly that way: as a region to pass through. That’s a shame. Because Le Marche has everything that makes those two neighboring regions so popular, without the crowds that come with them: rolling hills full of olive groves, medieval villages perched on rocky ridges, truffles, fresh pasta, and an Adriatic coast that still smells of fish.
Above them lie the Monti Sibillini. And in May, the Piano Grande—a plateau kilometers wide—blooms like a field of lentils you’ll never forget. Deeper into the mountains lie the Frasassi Caves: one of the largest stalactite caves in Europe. And Cingoli (the “balcony of Le Marche”) overlooks a landscape that, on clear days, stretches all the way to the coast.
This is the Italy that still has room to breathe. We select small-scale accommodations in Le Marche that can be booked directly with the owner.
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The most beautiful regions for nature lovers
South Tyrol
Tuscany
Abruzzo
Piedmont
Valle d'Aosta
Sardinia
Sicily
Umbria
Molise
Le Marche
Veneto
Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
Liguria
Trentino
Puglia
Lake Como
Lake Garda
Lazio
Emilia-Romagna
Campania
Basilicata
Small-scale nature stays Italy
Choose your favorite region and discover our tips for the best small-scale Nature stays with a sustainable focus. You book directly with the owner, so you are guaranteed the lowest price.
Special accommodation in Italian nature
Find unique small-scale Nature stays in Italy. From glamping to luxury boutique hotel and from B&B to vacation home or agriturismo. They are all special and different, but they all have an eye for sustainability.
Our sustainability criteria for overnight stays
Using these sustainability icons, you can easily see in what area an overnight stay is active with its sustainability policy.
Zero footprint
Architecture
sustainable/local construction
Food
organic/local cuisine
Social
family/local runned/social projects
Wellbeing
Sauna/yoga/wellness/treatments
Surroundings
Environment/recycling
Choose your region
Sicily
Tuscany
Valle d’Aosta
Piedmont
Basilicata
Puglia
Campania
Veneto
Lombardy
Lombardy
Lake Garda
South Tyrol
Sardinia
Emilia-Romagna
Umbria
Le Marche
Trentino
Abruzzo
Liguria
Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
Lazio
Nature in Le Marche
Le Marche is the part of Italy that most travelers pass by on their way to Tuscany or Puglia. And that is exactly why it is so special. With nearly 90,000 hectares of national parks and protected nature reserves, connected by an extensive network of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails, Le Marche is a paradise for nature lovers. From the Adriatic coast to the high Apennines, everything is within easy reach.
The heart of the region is dominated by the Monti Sibillini National Park. At an elevation of 1,250 meters, the Piano Grande stretches out as a plain measuring five by eight kilometers, where lentil fields bloom in the spring, attracting photographers from all over the world. Higher up in the mountains, near Lago di Pilato, wolves and chamois roam. Closer to the coast, the Gola della Rossa Regional Park surprises visitors with its wild gorges and the famous Frasassi Caves: one of Europe’s largest stalactite caves, featuring the continent’s largest underground chamber.
Spring and early fall are the ideal seasons: pleasantly warm, with clear skies and nature at its most colorful.
Hiking in Le Marche
Le Marche offers hikers two completely different worlds just a short distance apart. To the west lie the Monti Sibillini: challenging mountain hikes through beech forests, past gorges such as the spectacular Gola dell'Infernaccio, and across high plateaus with views stretching all the way to the Adriatic coast. The mountains are home to many birds of prey and serve as a habitat for porcupines, wolves, and roe deer.
In the hilly areas around Cingoli—known as the “Balcony of Le Marche” because of its views all the way to the coast—there are more accessible trails. The Monte San Vicino Nature Reserve offers hikes to the summit of Monte San Vicino, from where, on clear days, you can even see the coast of Croatia. Around Lago di Castreccioni, numerous nature trails wind through the scrub and forests, offering varied panoramic views; ideal for a peaceful half-day stroll by the lake.
May, June, and September are the best months: peak season for alpine flora and autumn ambiance, with few visitors.
Where to Stay in Le Marche
Le Marche is at its best when you take your time exploring it, choose a base, and get to know the region from there. Nature Travel Lab selects accommodations that suit that pace. Near Cingoli, the “Balcony of Le Marche,” there’s an agriturismo right on the shores of Lago di Castreccioni: the largest man-made lake in Le Marche, a protected bird sanctuary, and a hub for hiking and mountain biking trails.
We also select the most beautiful agriturismos—often featuring a lovely swimming pool, views of the hills, and a restaurant serving authentic Marche cuisine (including their own truffles, fresh pasta, and local wines). And as a base: in no time at all, you can reach the Frasassi Caves, the Sibillini Mountains, Monte Conero, and the beaches of the Riviera del Conero. You can experience all of Le Marche in a single stay.
Book direct with the owner through NatureTravelLab.com.
“Nature is our greatest ally and inspiration.”
– Sir David Attenborough
Special spots in nature
We select the nicest accommodations with all a focus on sustainability policies. Think luxury Treehouses in the middle of nature or a boutique hotel in the countryside. Sustainability categories range from organic cuisine and mindfull focus to waste separation and zero-waist policy.
Luxury overnight stay in nature
The accommodations all have something unique and of course a location in or near nature. Spending the night in nature does not always mean sleeping in a tent. Find special and luxurious nature stays for your active vacation or just for your slow travel experience.
Comfortable overnight stay in nature
The overnight focus on sustainability policy gives attention to comfort and quality.
They often use their own vegetable garden or local cuisine. Much attention is paid to the quality of the accommodation, the environment and the guest.