If there is one time of year when the Marche region reveals its truest, most colorful, and, why not, slightly crazy soul, it is February. A recent special published by ANSA defined the Marche Carnival not as a simple parade of floats, but as a powerful “community story.”

Never has a definition been more apt. Here, among the hills surrounding La Garbatina, Carnival is a serious matter. It is a common thread that unites generations, mixing the sacred and the profane, history and unbridled joy. Staying at our B&B during this period means having a front-row seat for this widespread spectacle.

Fano: Italy’s sweetest (and oldest) Carnival just a stone’s throw away

It is impossible not to start with the giant we have right on our doorstep. Just 20 minutes from our property, Fano hosts Italy’s oldest Carnival (the first records date back to 1347!). But its uniqueness lies not only in its date of birth, but also in the ‘Getto’: tons of sweets thrown from allegorical floats onto the crowd.

The ANSA article emphasizes how these events are the result of months of work by entire neighborhoods. Seeing the papier-mâché floats parade by is not just admiring an ephemeral work of art, but seeing the beating heart of the seafaring people who work all winter to bring a smile to people’s faces.

A region that tells its story through masks

But the Marche region, as the article points out, is a diverse region. Just a short distance from Garbatina, the inland area offers ancestral traditions. Think of the historic Carnival of Offida with its “Vlurd” (flaming bundles of reeds), or the elegant masks of Ascoli Piceno that transform the city into an open-air theater. Every village, even the smallest ones near Monte Porzio, has its own festival, its own square filled with confetti, music, and people who gather to celebrate the end of winter.

The taste of celebration: Castagnole, Frappe, and Cicerchiata

There is no “community story” in the Marche region that does not involve food. Carnival here has an unmistakable aroma: that of anise, fried food, and honey.

At La Garbatina, we like to spoil our guests by letting them taste these traditions from the morning onwards. Crispy frappe (which we call sfrappe here), soft castagnole, and colorful cicerchiata are not just desserts: they are pieces of local history.

Your refuge after the party

Experiencing Carnival in the Marche region is an intense experience, full of sounds, colors, and crowds. That’s why La Garbatina is the ideal place to return to in the evening. After filling your eyes (and pockets!) with sweetness in Fano or exploring the festive villages, there is nothing better than rediscovering the silence and peace of our hill.

Carnival 2026 has already begun. Are you ready to become part of this wonderful collective story?

👉 Check availability and come and experience the magic of the Marche Carnival.