Our Perfect Summer Routine in Le Marche
The simple moments that make us fall in love with Le Marche all over again.
Unlike Le Marche's better-known neighbours, where the tourist season seems to start with a bang, our hidden gem gently eases into summer. The beaches become a little busier, tables start spilling back out into the piazzas, and the evenings stretch just a little longer.
It’s the time of year that perfectly captures the Italian concept of ‘dolce far niente’: the sweetness of doing nothing. Not laziness, but the simple pleasure of slowing down and appreciating the moment you’re in.
Over the last 20 years, we’ve fallen into a summer routine that fully embraces this way of life. It rarely involves a strict plan, but somehow always includes good food, good company and a reminder of why we chose to build our lives here.
So, if you’re wondering how to make the most of a few days in a place that truly is heaven on earth, take some inspiration from us…
Friday PM: Aperitivo in the Piazza
The best weekends often begin without much planning, and we usually find ourselves celebrating the end of the working week together in the piazza, surrounded by friends, good food and, of course, a bottle of wine.
It’s one of our favourite times of the week. The town centre comes alive as locals stop to catch up, children run around the square, and the last of the evening sun sets over the village.
One of our favourite spots is Bar Tre Archi. It’s the perfect place to gather as a group, watch the world go by and share a few plates of delicious food, knowing you’re only a short walk from home.
Before long, we often find ourselves with another Campari Spritz in hand, appreciating that there really is nowhere else we’d rather be.
Saturday AM: A Ride Through the Sibillini Mountains
One of the best ways to start a summer day in Le Marche is to get up before the heat sets in and head out to explore. For Appassionata co-founder Michael, that usually means a long bike ride through the Sibillini Mountains.
There’s something incredibly special about being out at that time of day. The roads are quiet, the villages are only just beginning to stir, and the countryside feels completely untouched.
For Michael, it’s one of the most glorious ways to wake up and a reminder of why he fell in love with Le Marche more than twenty years ago.
Saturday PM: Sun, Sea and Good Company
After a busy morning exploring the region, there’s only one place we want to be on a summer afternoon: the beach.
Le Marche’s coastline is one of Italy’s best-kept secrets, and we never tire of spending a few hours by the sea. Two of our favourite spots are Puntarena Chalet and Koko Beach, both offering the perfect setting to switch off for the afternoon.
Lunch is usually centred around whatever has been brought in by the local fishing boats that morning. This time of year, you’ll often find Spaghetti alle Vongole and Gamberi Kataifi on menus, both of which are a must-try during a summer visit to Le Marche.
Then, as the temperature begins to cool and the beach slowly empties, we head home to get ready for the evening ahead.
Dinner often takes us to local favourites such as Ristorante Re Squarchio or Cantina Antisociale, where great food, flowing wine and plenty of laughter continue long into the night.
Sunday AM: Slow Starts at Home
We’ll often take a gentle stroll into town to pick up fresh coffee and pastries from the local bakery before enjoying a leisurely breakfast on the terrace, making the most of the comfort that comes with having a home away from home.
There’s no rush this morning. No schedule. No to-do list. Just the day stretching out ahead with endless possibilities.
Do we head to the canyons for kayaking? Have lunch in one of the surrounding medieval hilltop villages? Pick up ingredients from the market to make a new recipe? Or simply relax with a good book as birdsong and distant chatter provide the soundtrack to another perfect day in Le Marche…
Sunday PM: Gathering Around the Table
There’s no such thing as the Sunday blues in Le Marche.
On Sunday afternoons, we often find ourselves gathering at a friend’s house, getting comfortable on the terrace. Someone lights the barbecue, another uncorks a bottle of wine, and before long, the table is filled with food, laughter and stories from the weekend.
It’s one of our favourite parts of Italian life. Nobody is watching the clock, and there’s no rush to leave. The conversation flows as easily as the wine, while the last of the evening light slowly disappears behind the countryside.
After a few days spent embracing La Dolce Vita, there’s no better way to round things off than by being surrounded by good company and appreciating just how lucky we are to call this place home.
Ready to Experience It for Yourself?
This routine might look different from one weekend to the next, but that’s part of the beauty of life in Le Marche. The beaches, hilltop villages, vineyards and restaurants may change, but the feeling remains the same. Good food, good company and a slower pace of life.
If you’d like to experience it for yourself, we’d love to welcome you for a Discovery Visit.
