Castelluccio di Norcia. Photo Lorenzo Sgalippa
RUGGED ITALY
AUTUMN IN LE MARCHE by Elena Sofia Doria
Few tourists know that Italy is the most biodiverse country in Europe. Breathtaking scenery, rustic charm, and local autumnal fare were the order of the day as we enjoyed an out-ofseason jaunt in the Apennines.
M
oving inland from the wild beaches of the Riviera del Conero national park on Le Marche’s Adriatic coast, you pass through alternating fields of sunflowers and olive groves. In the distance, four imposing peaks of the 40 km long limestone massif that forms the spine of the Sibillini National Park begin to dominate the horizon. Straddling the Central Italian Apennines between Umbria and Le Marche, this national park stands out among Italy’s
Segmento Issue XXXI • Jun - Aug 2023
natural wonders for its rugged beauty. One particularly beautiful approach to the park is a mountain pass between Amandola and the village of Montemonaco–where you can enjoy natural beauty with a side of fine local food and wine as you wind your way up into the mountains. Sibillini National Park can be enjoyed yearround. Around the village of Castelluccio di Norcia between late May and early June, a springtime event of unmatched
TOURISM & PLACES
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