Postcard From Le Marche
A deeply personal journey to the place of my Italian heritage - and one of Italy's best-kept secrets
Dear Reader,
I returned last week from a long-awaited trip to Le Marche, Italy. I’d dreamed of visiting this region for years as it's where my ancestors emigrated from. When my great-grandparents arrived in the US, they opened an Italian-American restaurant that’s still open today and because of this, I’ve always felt a deep connection to my Italian heritage.
I adore Italy and have returned many times, yet until recently, something held me back from visiting the place my family came from. Maybe it was fear of the unknown; wondering what I’d find or worrying that I wouldn’t feel welcomed there. Or maybe I was waiting until I could speak fluent Italian so I could connect better (I’m no where near fluent and I don’t see that happening any time soon).
Though part of me wishes I’d gone sooner after finally experiencing it, I also believe that we arrive right on time—exactly where and how we’re meant to. What I found there exceeded my expectations and in a lot of ways, felt like perfect timing.
Situated in central Italy along the Adriatic coast, Le Marche feels like one of Italy's best-kept secrets. Honestly, part of me hesitated to write about it at all, not wanting to contribute to overtourism. But it’s too special not to share, and I trust that anyone drawn here values the same kind of slow, thoughtful travel that I do.
While many travelers flock to its neighbors like Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna, both of which I love, Le Marche offers something increasingly rare: authentic Italian life untouched by mass tourism.
This region has it all including dramatic peaks, turquoise sea, majestic mountains, rolling hills dotted with quiet villages, sparkling coastlines, ancient olive groves, and bustling seaside towns. Its natural wonders include the awe-inspiring Frasassi Caves, the rugged Monte Conero, and the majestic Sibillini Mountains (and I’m sure many more).
Cultural richness runs just as deep. Urbino, the birthplace of Raphael, is home to the Palazzo Ducale and Cattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta while Pesaro is where the composer Rossini was born. Traditional craftsmanship is still very much alive here, with artisans making terracotta, leather goods, hats, and shoes using techniques passed down through generations. You can bet that I found a few special souvenirs to bring home!
In most of the small villages we explored, we were some of the only people wandering the quiet alleys. We experienced an absence of tourist traps and an abundance of the authentic, inviting places you yearn for when traveling. We felt a true connection to the people and places we encountered.
Every meal was fantastic, made from hyper-local ingredients in true km0 slow food tradition and often paired with a glass of local wine from Le Marche’s underrated vineyards.
What made each experience even more special was the warmth of the people we met. We weren’t treated like tourists, perhaps because we made a sincere effort to be respectful, speak the language, and approach each interaction with curiosity and care. My recent Italian lessons definitely helped, and I think they were appreciated.
Tucked away in Le Marche is the Italy we're all searching for. And for me, this trip took on even more meaning because of what I was experiencing personally.
While I was there, I was processing my grandmother’s decline, moving through grief while holding deep gratitude for the 34 wonderful years I had with her. Being in such a beautiful place during such a tender time made everything around me feel more alive. I became more aware of the small details and quiet gestures that made this trip one of connection—to my family, myself, my heritage, and the people I encountered. I also became acutely aware of how fleeting, fragile, and precious life is.
May had been an emotionally intense month, but one filled with meaning. Maybe that’s why this trip has stayed with me so vividly.
I let my guard down more than I expected, in particular, with my imperfect Italian. I stopped worrying so much about making mistakes and simply tried to speak, feeling a real sense of human connection across differing languages and backgrounds. Most of the time, I got my point across, and I grew more confident every day. While my heart and mind were often elsewhere, I also felt deeply grounded in where I was.
Two things can be true at once.
There are still so many beautiful moments from this trip I’m continuing to process. I hope to share more of them soon, but for now, I’m simply grateful: that this special corner of Italy held space for both joy and reflection during a time that I needed it most.
Thank you for being here,
Julianna x
P.S. If you're currently planning a trip and would like some recommendations, feel free to message me directly. I’d love to chat there! If you have been to Le Marche, I would love to hear more about your experience in the comments.
That was lovely my girl. ❤️