The guide retains the Blue Guides' traditional focus on history, culture and the arts, but explores the Marche in all its many ramifications: this is an area of stunning natural beauty, with national parks, abundant wildlife, caves and river gorges - not to mention exceptional food and wine. Eating and drinking is a major part of this guide and each chapter contains suggestions of places to eat and regional delicacies to sample. The Marche is also an important manufacturing region, with shoe-makers, hat-makers, violin-makers and lace-makers still plying age-old trades. Tips on where to shop for typical local products are also included.