Le Marche Food Tours & Gastronomic Holiday

See how our Italian locals live and work and discover first hand the magical astmosphere of the Sibillini Mountains. with the help of friends who were born and raised in the area, are extremely passionate about nature and the traditional Le Marche way of life we are pleased to offer you the following excursion. We hope that your days with us will allow you to experience and better understand why life here ha remained unchanged for centuries.

This five day gastronomic break will see you truffle hunting, cooking, visiting local craftsmen, eating, drinking and seeing some wonderful places in Le Marche.

Your host for this excursion, Moreno, has always appreciated 'the sweet breath of the earth'. On his father's farm, where he grew up, they specialise in the production of old varities of apples such as the Mela Rosa dei Monti Sibillini. This apple was presented to the Slow Food movement in Turin and received some of the best national gastronomic reviews. A graduate of the University of Macerata in Tourism and rural Marketing, Moreno has had the good fortune to know and work with many influential thought leaders on the Slow Food Movement and front runners in Italian gastronomy and tourism.

Moreno is a local artisan and food lover who is keen to protect and promote this special area of Le Marche protecting and promoting its products and gastronomic traditions. He has also been featured in Italy on 'Feast with Heston Blumenthal' on Channel 4. 

 

Programme Includes:

·         5 days and 4 nights accommodation, based on double occupancy

·         Daily Breakfast

·         Welcome wine tasting

·         Visit to the Medieval Village of Ortezzano

·         Visit to a Pottery in the village of Montottone

·         Truffle Hunting with local hunters and their dogs

·         Pasta making class

·         Visit to a local vineyard

·         Visit to the beautiful city of Ascoli Piceno

·         Arrival & departure transfers to and from Rome airport

When you visit Le Marche you will inevitably be struck by the wonderful rural landscape, the rich cultural heritage, the historic architecture and the quality of the local produce. But we'd like to help you get under Le Marche's skin by meeting local artisans and experiencing the true flavour of rural life.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  The region's economy has traditionally been based upon agriculture and the fantastic products made by local artisans. Most of 

these artisans work for small family businesses that have handed down skills from one generation to the next, many still work by hand and, despite the demands of the global marketplace, there is still relatively little mechanisation.

Not many people know that Le Marche is one of Italy's principal truffle regions. The truth is that it's here you will find many of the valuable tuber magnatum pico (prized white truffle) and tuber melanosporum (delicious black truffle) that grace tables all over Italy.

Truffle Hunting in Le Marche

The region of Le Marche is extraordinarily rich with truffles. You are allowed to go hunting with trained dogs and can collect all species that are permitted by law. Both white and black truffles are readily found here but not at the same time of the year.

Truffle Hunting Dates in Le Marche

·         January and March - Black Truffle Hunting

·         January and September - White Truffle Hunting

·         April and September - Melanospurum (black truffle) Hunting

Experience a fantastic day truffle hunting with experts and their dogs in local woodland, then sit down and sample local wines and a mouth watering menu based around your truffles.

 

Accommodation

Your residence during this programme will be in a local agriturismo which will instantly immerse you into the Italian way of life with good food, good company and good wine.

Your rooms will be simple, exceptionally clean and comfortable with en suite bathrooms. Breakfast is included in the price and some evenings you will be eating at the restaurant at the agriturismo.

Itinerary

Duration: 5 Days, 4 Nights 

Day One: Welcome to Le Marche

·         Transfer from Rome airport to the agriturismo

·         Arrival & Check-in

·         Welcome wine tasting

·         Dinner at the agriturismo

Day Two: La Strada dell'Artigiano

·         Breakfast in the agriturismo

·         Morning – Visit to the Medieval Village of Ortezzano

·         Lunch in a Local Restaurant

·         After lunch, visit to the Pottery laboratory in Montottone Village

·         Return to the Agriturismo

·         Dinner out

Day Three: Truffle Hunting with local hunters

·         Breakfast is served

·         10.00 – cookery class on how to make pasta - when finished we leave the fresh pasta to dry and meet with the hunters for some local wine tasting

·         Lunch at the agriturismo to sample the pasta made in the morning along with other local recipes. Wine included

·         After lunch - leave for the woodlands and our truffle hunting experience

·         Truffle hunting with expert local hunters and their trained dogs

·         16.00 - a trip to Amandola Village for some free time and then back to the agriturismo

·         Dinner at the agriturismo

Day Four: Amore di Vino

·         Breakfast is served

·         Morning - Visit to the local winery 'Filippo Panichi' where you will be invited to taste some of the wonderful wines

·         Lunch at the winery

·         An afternoon in the beautiful city of Ascoli Piceno finishing with an aperitivo in one of the historic bars

·         Return to the agriturismo

·         Dinner at the agriturismo

Day Five: Amore di Vino

·         Breakfast is served

·         Transfer to Rome airport

·         Saluti e baci

 

 Le Marche
The Le Marche region is a culturally rich area, divided into four provinces by four river valleys in a remote part of Italy. Much of Le Marche is, as yet, undiscovered by the crowds ensuring that the land and villages remain quiet and untouched. Its strategic location makes it a perfect spot for reaching all the most important destinations of central Italy including Florence, Siena, Assisi, Perugia, Urbino, Gubbio, and Ravenna. The Le Marche region lies on the eastern side of central Italy, between the Adriatic Sea and the majestic Apennine Mountains and has enough attractions to keep visitors busy for years. Admire the masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture, hike across uncharted mountains or hunt for the best catch of the day in a Mediterranean fishing port. It is still possible to experience a taste of old-world cuisine and culture in Le Marche, an area still unsullied by mass tourism which makes it a very intriguing place to visit. The Marchigiani, the people of the Le Marche region, are hard working, warm and friendly. Known for producing quality merchandise in textiles and leathers, they have also developed special niches in artisan industries such as high quality handmade paper at Fabriano and musical instruments at Castelfidardo. Olive trees, fresh vegetables and vineyards are plentiful throughout the region also. Many seaside resorts stretch along the extensive of Adriatic coast, making it a relaxing destination for summer vacations.

Ascoli Piceno
Surrounded by mountains and natural parks, the town of Ascoli Piceno has been inhabited since pre-Roman times. Legend has it that a woodpecker led prehistoric settlers to the site, thus bringing about the town's foundation. Ascoli Piceno's historic center is rich in churches, palazzi and other important monuments. In particular, the town's central Renaissance square, Piazza del Popolo, is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy. This piazza, which acted as the forum in Roman times, is dominated by the Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo, which was burned to the ground during a local feud in 1535 and completely rebuilt ten years later. You can also visit Le Marche's second largest art gallery inside the 17th-century Palazzo Comunale situated in Piazza Arringo, or Ascoli's cathedral in the same square.

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Truffles & Traditions holiday tour Le Marche

Truffles & Traditions holiday tour le marche

Moreno will take you truffle hunting with a local ezpert where you will witness first hand how his

trained dog sniffs out these precious tubers then waits for his master to unearth them. It's then straight back to the kitchen to trasform your finds into a delicious lunch, including handmade pasta served with earthy shavings of truffle and hearty meat dish. And while you work and eat, you'll be treated to a short wine tasting session that will explain a little about local wines. Our Truffles and Traditions program makes the perfect add- on trip for those already visiting Tuscany, Umbria or Lazio. it is a perfect break for foodies who love the pervasise scent and flavor of Italy's irresistible white and black truffles.



Description

Join Moreno, your host, local artisan and truffle lover on this unique truffle adventure in Le Marche. Moreno grew up in this beautiful region, helping his grandparents on their farm where he was always in close contact with nature. Today he is still involved in protecting and promoting  this area, its products and its gastronomic traditions.

Programme Includes:
- 4 days and 3 nights accommodation, based on double occupancy
- Daily Breakfast
- Welcome aperitivo and dinner, local wine included
- Truffle Hunt with local expert and his dog
- A hands-on cooking class, featuring local truffles. Lunch follows using the foods made during class.
  Wine tasting included.
- Guided excursion to village of Montottone, local wine included
- Visit to village of Servigliano
- Arrival & departure transfers from Porto San Giorgio bus station

The region of  Le Marche is the perfect holiday destination for the discerning visitor. It is one of Italy's last remaining secrets, an area whose rich cultural and artistic heritage deserves much more attention than it gets. Here, as Moreno will tell you, the pace of life still follows the tempo of the land and its seasons. The inhabitants' maintain their love and respect of a traditional way of life and their desire to preserve ancient crafts and gastronomic traditions makes Le Marche a truly unique place to visit.

And what better time to take a trip than the truffle season?

Not many people know that Le Marche is one of Italy's principal truffle regions. The truth it's here you will find many of the valutable tuber magnatum pico (prized white truffle) and tuber melanosporum (delicious black truffle) that grace tables all over Italy.

Cookery Class

Your cooking class takes place in a traditional country kitchen where you'll work alongside the chef to create a series of delicious Le Marche specialties. During class you'll find out more about how locals cook with both black and white truffles and learn how to make the best of these precious tubers. Get ready to knead and roll as you create a batch of handmade pasta, which will then be served with pungent shavings of  truffle. Cook up a fabulous meat diah that will prefectly compliment the wines you'll sample during your wine tasting and sit back and enjoy the scents and flavors of traditional Le Marche cuisine.

Accommodation

Your residence during this programme is a beautifully restructured estate not far from Ascoli Piceno. The estate is located in the heart of Le Marche's truffle area, nestled in rolling hillsides. It offers guests total privacy yet 30 minutes away from both the sea and the National Sibillini Park. The estate was renovated using all the original materials in full accordance with typical local ancient techniques. Wooden girders andshutters, stone pavements and fireplaces remind you of the warm atmosphere of the past, with decor combining elegant ancient touches and coutry traditions. All rooms and suites have traditional stone floors, exposed beams and are tastefully decorated, and have a private bathroom. There is also a swimming pool and solarium for guests' use, as well as a Jacuzzi, and a small restaurant that serves delicious local specialties.

Itinerary

Duration: 4 Days, 3 Night
Day One: Arrivals & Welcome Dinner

-Transfer from local bus station (Porto San Giorgio) to the estate
-Arrival & Check-in
-Relax and unwind in the grounds with a welcome aperitivo
-Welcome Dinner at the estate, local wine included


Day Two: Visit Montottone - La Strada dell'Artigiano

-Breakfast is served

-Morning - guided excursion to the charming village of Montottone where yoy'll visit one of the area's many gifted craftsmen, atrditional potter who makes all his goods by hand

-Enjoy lunch in local trattoria, local wine included

-After lunch, proceed to the village of Servigliano. Relax with a coffee or treat yourself to an artisan gelato

-Return to the estate in the afternoon 

-Dinner on your own. Suggestion provided or reserve dinner at the estate's restaurant

Day Three: Truffle Hunting & Cooking Class

-Breakfast is served

-Morning - set out on a unique hike through nearby wood to participate in a Truffle Hunt. Watch the hunter's clever dogs sniff out these precious tubers and wait excitedly for their masters to unearth them. Then, head to the kitchen for your hands-on Cooking Class where you'll transform your freshly found truffles into truly delicious local specialities. Learn how to make handmade pasta Marchigiana-style and enjoy with precious shavings of truffle, then prepare a hearty meat course. lunch follows on dishes made during class - all wached down with some excellent local wine. You will also be treated to a wine tasting featuring wine from Fiorano, the local winery

-Return to the estate after lunch

-Dinner on your own. Suggestions provided or reserve dinner at the estate's restaurant

Day Four: Check-out & Arrivederci!
-Breakfast is served
-Check-out and Arrivederci!
-Transfer to local bus station (Porto San Giorgio)

Le Marche

The Le Marche region is a culturally rich area, divided into four provinces by four river valleys in a remote part of Italy. Much of Le Marche is, as yet, undiscovered by the crowds ensuting that the land and villages remain quiet and untouched. Its strategic location makes it a perfect spot for reaching all the most important destinations of central Italy including Florence, Siena; Assisi, Perugia, Urbino, Gubbio and Ravenna. The Le Marche region lies on the eastern side of central Italy, between the Adriatic Sea and the majestic Apennine Mountains and has enoughattractions to keep visitors busy for years. Admire the masterpieces of Renaissance art and architecture, hike a cross uncharted mountains or hunt for the best catch of the day in a Mediterranean fishing port. It is still possible to experience a taste of old-world cuisine and culture in Le Marche, an area still unsullied  by mass tourism  which makes it a very intriguing place to visit. The Marchigiani, the people of the Le Marche region, are hard working, warm and friendly. Known for producing quality merchandise in textiles and leathers, they have also developed special niches in artisan industries such as high quality handmade paper at Fabriano and musical instruments at Castelfidardo. Olive trees fresh vegetables and vineyards are plentiful through out the region also. Many seaside resorts stretch along the extensive of Adriatic coast, making it a relaxing destination for summer vacations.

Ascoli Piceno

Surrounded by mountains and natural parks, the town of Ascoli Piceno has been inhabited since pre-Roma times. Legend has it that a woodpecker led prehistoric settlers to the site, thus bringing about the town's foundation. Ascoli Piceno's historic center is rich in churches, palazzi and other important monuments. In particular, the town's central Renaissance square, Piazza del Popolo, which was burned beautiful in Italy. This piazza, which acted as the forum in Roman times, is dominated by the Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo, which was burned to the ground during a local feud in 1535 and completely rebuilt ten years later. You can also visit Le Marche's second largest art gallery inside the 17th-century Palazzo Comunale situated in Piazza Arringo, or Ascoli's cathedral in the same square.