The “Orange Flag” is a quality brand for the tourism and environment sectors assigned by the Italian Touring Club. It is awarded to small towns of the hinterland which stand out for excellent services and high-quality hospitality. To get this award the towns have to meet some requirements: protection of both the cultural and environmental heritage, hospitality culture, quality of accommodation, catering, wine and food as well as availability and use of information. The “Orange Flag” favours the social and economic growth through sustainable development and tourism. Some of the aims are as follows: the enhancement of local resources, the development of accommodation, the strengthening of local identity and the promotion of typical local food and handicrafts.

The Marche can lay claim to many different Orange Flags, the symbol of environmental tourism quality awarded by the Italian Touring Club to small inland towns that stand out for excellent services and high-quality hospitality. In the hills, as well as the already mentioned Corinaldo, Gradara, Mondavio, Montecassiano, Montelupone, Offagna, Sarnano, San Ginesio and Visso, these include Acquaviva Picena, with its unmistakable medieval charm, and Camerino, the home of the University that occupies the entire Ducal Palace dating back to the middle ages, full of 14th and 15th century sculptures and works of art in its museums and an exceptional painting by G. B. Tiepolo in the Church of S. Filippo depicting the Apparition of the Madonna to St. Philip; Monterubbiano, with its very ancient origins where Palaeolithic and Neolithic artefacts have been found; Ostra, with its encircling wall broken by imposing gates, and Ripatransone, famous for its panoramic position with its rows of grapevines that go on as far as the eye can see; Magnificent Staffolo and Urbisaglia, with a splendid fortress that dates back to the 14th century, as well as the headquarters of the State Archaeological Park in the Roman town of Urbisaglia. In the mountains, the ancient town of Genga is certainly worth a visit, famous for the Frasassi Caves. Mercatello sul Metauro, is of strong interest because of its well-preserved ancient constructions, including the spectacular religious buildings, and then there is Pievebovigliana, boasting numerous archaeological artefacts dating from the 4th century B.C. and the town of Ostra.