An Italian region has been crowned the second-best destination to visit in 2020 by Lonely Planet, and it’s not Tuscany or the Italian Lakes! Described as ‘all of Italy in one region’ and with 20 blue flag beaches and eight ski resorts, here’s why Italophiles on the hunt for their own slice of ‘la dolce vita’ should consider Le Marche…

For many years Le Marche has lingered quietly in the shadow of neighbouring Tuscany but increasing numbers of visitors and house-hunters are falling in love with the region’s quiet charm, authentic Italian offering and exciting properties.

Making the top half of Lonely Planet’s 10 best destinations worldwide to visit in 2020 isn’t the only reason Le Marche will be thrust into the spotlight this year. On top of that, its most picturesque city, Urbino, will be leading celebrations to mark the 500th anniversary of the death of the great Renaissance painter – and local boy made good – Raphael.

Le Marche is nestled between the Apennine Mountains and the Adriatic Sea, boasting a coastline that extends over 100 miles and huge swathes of land dedicated to growing grapes, olives and lavender – and it’s been like this for hundreds of years. As you’d expect in such a green, unspoilt destination, the world-class cuisine is very local and seasonal. The region also produces 15 DOC wines and five DOCG wines.

Le Marche is equally rich in its cultural and architectural offering, the crowning glory being its famous Ducal Palace in Urbino. It has a vibrant capital, Ancona, too while other highlights include the pretty coastal town of Grottammare, the historic gastronomic hub of Offida, the medieval village of Offagna and rustic Gradara, a town set amongst vines and olive groves. When it comes to picturesque destinations, property-hunters really are spoilt for choice – Le Marche has 28 small villages included in the 2019 list of Most Beautiful Villages in Italy – more than Tuscany!

Dawn Cavanagh-Hobbs, founder of Le Marche-based co-ownership scheme Appassionata, explains why there’s more to Le Marche than simply being an incredible holiday destination. “It is, without doubt, one of Italy’s finest regions and is perfect for those seeking authentic experiences away from the masses,” she said. “It still has so much of that serene, unspoiled beauty that’s the perfect antidote to modern life. Owning a home here provides a sense of retreat that is incredibly refreshing. It’s a wonderful part of the world that’s also easily accessible from a range of global destinations – our owners hail from the UK, the USA, Australia, South Africa and a range of other locations.”

Appassionata sells its stunning homes in fractions, with each buyer purchasing a 1/10th share in a company that allows them to collectively own the property. Each owner uses the property exclusively for five weeks each year. One example is Villa Veneto, located in the small, medieval town of Lapedona, just a five-minute drive from the coast. A highlight includes a spacious roof terrace with its four-person spa offering spectacular 360-degree views of the sea, mountains and surrounding countryside – featured as the main image!

Looking more broadly at Italy as a destination, the country’s tourism industry is thriving. A mid-2019 report from the country’s National Tourism Agency cited 94 million tourists visiting Italy in 2018, accounting for 216 million nights and adding €41.3 billion to the economy – equivalent to a 1.5 per cent boost to GDP. Tourism was up by 2.8 per cent overall, with 2019’s figures projected to continue this trend.