August in Italy means one thing: Andiamo in spiaggia – let’s go to the beach! Unrelenting summer heat is persuasive enough on its own, but factor in Ferragosto – the summer holiday conjoining ancient Roman festivity with Catholic observation – and toes in the sand become practically mandatory. 

Lounging under a colorful umbrella while sipping a fashionable beach cocktail sounds travel magazine delightful, but if you’ve had the Italian beach experience, you know about the dark side. Those glossy ads forget to mention the throngs of others chasing the same experience. For some, that’s part of the fun, but if a more laid-back scene is calling, Le Marche has a little secret to share.