The hamlet of Pilotti, in the background the Sibillini Mountains, Le Marche, Italy

Self-catering holiday apartments near the Sibillini Mountains in Le Marche, Italy

Buy fresh produce at local markets

The local markets are events for the local populace to buy fresh vegetables and other produce. Also on sale are hardware, plants, shoes, cheap clothing and occasionally items of handicraft. Days are staggered between the towns so there is always the chance to visit one. The Sarnano market (our nearest) is the oppourtunity to soak up the local atmosphere as locals converge from the surrounding villages to shop and socialize. Other markets offer a wider range of goods. Civitanova Marche holds a market on Saturdays with an excellent range of shoes and leather goods - much locally produced.

Shopping - Leather goods, antiques, handicrafts, foods....

During July and August on Thursdays Fermo has an evening market for the sale of handicrafts. On the third Sunday of every month Ascoli Piceno holds an antiques market. At the end of May Sarnano has a market of antiquities and handicrafts and in October a Flavours of Autumn food market. For those in need of further retail therapy there are a number of outlets in the area selling designer goods at reduced prices. Names include Armani in Matelica (near Tolentino) and Todd and Hogans near the coast. A listing is provided by the blog.

Most towns in Le Marche organise a summer festa

All self-respecting towns in the region organise at least one festa during the summer months. Although some of the most popular of these - the chestnut festas - are in October. Most of the festas celebrate some kind of food. The chestnut festas involve eating various kinds of food made with chestnuts including ice-cream. There is also, of course, music and dancing and plenty to drink.

Many towns in Le Marche celebrate their medieval legacy

A lot of the local towns celebrate their medieval identity by organising a Palio. A festival, in which medieval life is recreated and games such as jousting and tug-of-war are played between different areas of the same town. Our local commune town, San Ginesio also stages a reenactment of the battle it fought, and won, against Fermo in 1377. The most impressive Palio, the Quintana, is staged in Ascoli Piceno. Our own small hamlet of Cerreto organises a festa around the second weekend in September. Fun and games include a duck race in which the winner takes his duck home and a roulette game in which it is possible to win, among other lesser prizes, a lamb or goat - yes, this is a farming community!

Theatre has a rich tradition in Le Marche

Other entertainment includes, for those who understand Italian, the cinema or the theatre. There is a cinema locally in Sarnano showing the latest films. Alternatively there is a multiplex cinema in Macerata. The whole Macerata province has a large number of very historic and beautiful theatres including in Sarnano and San Ginesio. For a listing check out the Macerata Province website. These theatres are very much in use and regularly have performances. Two interesting places to watch plays are the Roman ampitheatres of Urbs Salvia and Pian di Falerone.

Santana tribute band - Summer Rockfestival in Colmurano, Die Marken, Italien

Sferisterio - not the only music festival in town

There are a large number of music events especially during the summer. The most famous is the opera season at Macerata the Sferisterio. The opera is held in an outdoor arena built in 1829 and considered to be one of the best in Italy. For something a little more local and low key there is always the Sticky Fingers pub in Sarnano, which has live performances through the summer. For a listing of all events in the area visit the Corriere proposte or the this website.