Spring Farmhouse Foraging in Le Marche

May 5 to 13, 2024

Below the riviera of Romagna and to the East of Tuscany and Umbria, lies Le Marche, one of Italy’s most diverse and beautiful regions and also one of the least explored. The birthplace of Raphael and Rossini remains a secluded enclave of rolling hills and vivacious coasts filled with cultural expressions ranging from the deeply artistic to the delightfully prosaic.

Le Marche boasts a brimming culinary basket, at its fullest in the mid-seasons. In the fall, as she readies for winter’s slumber, nature gives its most intense colors and fragrances - the crimson of pomegranate, the orange of persimmons, the heady funk of mushrooms and truffles.

Le Marche boasts a brimming culinary basket, at its fullest in the mid-seasons. In the spring, as nature awakens, the fields are redolent with wild herbs, and spontaneous asparagus. Elderberries trees are flowering, Milk is at its most delicate, and chickens lay the most eggs.

In May 2024 I will lead a small group in an immersive experience in the rich culture of this overlooked haven. While staying in a secluded, cozy 17th-century hunting lodge, in the heart of a privately owned farm, we will explore the gastronomic culture of Northern Le Marche. The home sits on top of a hill overlooking the moist, luxuriant valleys of the Apennines, while San Marino looms in the distance and the coastal city of Pesaro is half an hour away. The surrounding farm boasts a small string of horses, truffle digging grounds, and acres of organic crops. This property is the beloved childhood summer home of a family friend and is not available to the general public.

Together we will cook with local ingredients and meet the people who define the food culture of the area - farmers, foragers, hunters, cooks, cheesemakers, and vintners.

Our culinary adventures will include private foraging expeditions, a field-to-plate class with one of the area’s top female chefs, wood oven cooking with the farm’s game warden, experiences in flock tending and cheese making, and a memorable fish lunch.

We will explore the near by town of Urbino, and learn about Federico da Montefeltro, his brilliant vision, and how the ruler’s rivalry with the Medici gave birth to the peak period of Italian Renaissance. In the city of Pesaro, we will make time for a look into the life and work of opera composer Gioacchino Rossini, a visit to a breathtaking collection of area ceramics, and end the day with shopping.

May 5 to 13, 2024

There are only 4 rooms available, 3 with private and 1 with shared bathrooms.

All rooms can sleep 2 people

Single occupancy available at a premium

(see rooms + rates below)

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OUR ITINERARY

It was difficult to distill the many experiences that will make you fall in love with Le Marche.

Below is a tentative calendar including what I loved most in my visits.

Please note that the cadence of our days can be affected by the whims of mother nature and the knowledge of our guides, so that if the game keeper tells us that we should forage on the Tuesday rather than the Thursday, the butcher is curing sausage this Monday, or the shepherdess calls us to a birth, we will re-arrange around the times and lives that make this place so magical.

DAY 1
Collection from meeting point in Bologna (airport or train station)
transfer to property in the village of Casinina, settling in and orientation
Welcome dinner—the same Viola’s mother used to cook to comfort her out of jet lag.

DAY 2
Breakfast
morning walk through the property
pasta class with local sfoglina Simonetta Capotondo
we will learn how to hand-roll and cut fresh pasta, and make cresc tajat
an area specialty made with day-old polenta,
then sit down to lunch with Simonetta
rest and/or optional cooking with Viola
light dinner with local vegetables, cheeses, and cold cuts

DAY 3
Breakfast
drive to the coastal city of Pesaro
birthplace of opera composer Gioacchino Rossini
visit Museo Casa Rossini, dedicated to the life and work of the composer
visit Museo della Ceramica, showcasing the ceramic making tradition of the area,
seaside lunch at Ristorante da Nadia--a special spot well guarded by locals,
walk on the beach + shopping in Pesaro,
rest and/or optional cooking with Viola, light dinner

DAY 4
Breakfast
foraging outing with property game keeper Bruno Spadoni
lunch at Ristorante 2000—a lunch spot for locals in the neighboring town of Sassocorvaro
walk around the town—including cave of San Valentino, patron Saint of lovers
rest, dinner class with morning forage bounty
accompanied by local meats grilled on the property’s stone barbecue

DAY 5
Breakfast
visit Cau & Spada—a second generation flock to wheel dairy, with cheese tasting and picnic
light lunch snacks at home
truffle festival in the town of Sant’Angelo
will include dinner in one of the many local restaurants and/or stands

DAY 6
Breakfast
herb foraging and cooking class with local woman chef Dodi Bendelli at ristorante Casa Tintoria in the town of Urbania
the restaurant is hosted by the local municipality in the building
where “tintori”colorists would mix the color pastes for the time’s most famous artists
lunch with class work
visit 3rd generation winery Ca’ Le Suore with tasting

DAY 7
Breakfast
Urbino street market
the weekly market happens along the medieval walls of this stunning fortress city, birthplace of enlightened renaissance ruler Federico da Montefeltro and artist Raphael
street food lunch at the market
guided visit to the Palazzo Ducale—Federico’s seat of power— followed by walking tour of the town and an exploration of frescoes in out of the way churches
rest and/or optional cooking with Viola
light dinner and conversation
nightcap

Day 8
Breakfast
foraging outing with property game keeper Bruno Spadoni
light lunch and rest
cooking with Bruno and Viola
we will make pizza in the wood burning oven in the property, and dishes with what we foraged
nightcap and celebrations

DAY 9
Breakfast and goodbyes
transfer to Bologna

ROOMS AND RATES

Guido

Main king size bedroom with private bath

A charming corner haven with private access makes it the perfect romantic stay. The Guido is furnished with period pieces and a wood burning stove for warmth. The en-suite bathroom has just been remodeled.

Luciana

European queen size bedroom with private bath

A bright and airy corner suite, the Luciana offers a vaulted ceiling changing room and a spacious bathroom featuring skylight and original wood beaming.

Teresa

Two XL twin size beds with private bath

The cozy Teresa sits next to the frescoed chapel. Southern exposure and two windows make it the brightest and warmest room in the property. The small bathroom has a newly installed spacious shower stall and a stunning view of the property.

Riccardo

Two extra-wide twin beds with shared bath

Roomy and rustic, the Riccardo was the kids’ bedroom, it draws light from a large central window and its unusually sized beds (wider and longer than a twin yet not quite a full) make it a most comfortable sleeping arrangement for friends traveling together. The large shared skylighted bathroom is just across the hall.

Pricing starts at $5500 and ranges to $7500 and is determined by the type of room and the number of occupants.

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