Organic products and meat in Mercatello sul Metauro
The stones of this small hilltop village surrounded by woods tell us of an ancient history: we are in Mercatello Metauro, in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, and here begins our journey in taste in a wonderful region, Marche. We are in an area of strong traditions and flavors, in a land that is affected by both the beneficial effects of the sea that the coolness of the mountains. The country cuisine of the inland happily meets the smells of the sea in typical dishes such as fish soup. We find these aromatic notes in the cuisine of Organic Farmhouse Il Casale del Barone, along with homemade pasta,
Restaurant at Casale del Barone
such as tagliatelle, ravioli, passatelli, Sompiano potatoes, as well as local cheese and wines such as vin santo; meat is the real highlight of the restaurant. The Benedetti family is also available for visits to the farm; among the activities we find horseback riding while lovers of well-being, can enjoy the experience of relaxing holistic massage, inspired by the ancient Eastern philosophies in an incomparable natural environment.
Fine wines and homemade specialties in Urbino
We now move to the northeast, and reach the beautiful town of Urbino, the Montefeltro pearl that gave birth to the great Raphael, with its beautiful old town nestled among the gently rolling hills. Just outside the old city walls, in Montesoffio, our destination is the Country House La Valle del Vento, an old farmhouse of the late nineteenth century which is grounded in the respect for the richness of the territory and the exclusive use of local and seasonal foods, coming in part from the small family farm.
Country House La Valle del Vento
The menu is constantly changing in a wide porch for those warm summer evenings, where your gaze on the hills and forests of broom and chestnut trees up to San Marino. Among the first courses, prepared at home with stone ground flour, we find spaghetti with pumpkin and sausage, pasta with chickpeas and organic sunflower seeds, potato gnocchi with wild boar. Other specialties include veal carpaccio with radicchio, walnuts and sapa, and a wide selection of “cresce”, stuffed with tasty local produce, such as loin of Montefeltro and cheese. Do not miss a visit to the wine cellar stocked with labels offering a wide and targeted choice of the territory: wines, spirits and liqueurs rare and unique in their kind, from small family farms.
Natural stay in Cingoli, the Balcony of Marche
Heading south, we enter the province of Macerata to reach the small town of Cingoli, on the summit of Mount Circe at 600 meters above sea level, also known as the “Balcony of Marche” for its charming panoramic position: a real observatory to watch the vast territory of Marche from the medieval castle walls, framed by the Adriatic Sea and the picturesque outline of Mount Conero, and cathc a glimpse of the Maiella and the coasts of Dalmatia.
The Lake of Cingoli
Surrounded by greenery and hidden among majestic trees, lies the Farmhouse and Country House I Mori, a certified organic farm which produces mainly legumes, grains, honey, meats, vegetables and fruits, cold-pressed olive oil and wines such as Verdicchio, Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno. The restaurant offers delicious dinners for guests with homemade dishes: do not miss the famous “Vincisgrassi”, the tagliatelle, the rabbit in porchetta, ravioli with mushrooms and truffles. Of course, these dishes come with mulled wine, sour cherry wine, raisin wine Verdicchio and Vernaccia di Serrapetrona just to name a few. Do not miss the beautiful lake in the vicinity of Cingoli with the wildlife oasis, ideal for those who enjoy fishing and boating, while there are numerous nature trails and mountain biking routes in the woods.
Romantic stay among olive trees and vineyards in Recanati
We now turn to the east, in the direction of Recanati, close to the beautiful Riviera del Conero
Farmhouse I Tre Filari
in a panoramic position, where on a gentle hill, lies the Farmhouse I Tre Filari, dedicated to the cultivation of the vine and olive trees, and then turns them into DOC wines and extra virgin olive oil. An ideal starting point to discover the places of great poet and author Leopardi, the Sanctuary of Loreto and the Caves of Frasassi, the facility is an example of rural architecture of the early twentieth century, including four farm buildings near a small lake surrounded by tall poplars and blackberry bushes. The restaurant offers dishes prepared with meat and vegetables produced on the farm. Of particular value are the vineyards of Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Lacrima, Merlot, Maceratino that extend over 9 hectares for the production of labels such as Colli Maceratesi and Ribona, Rosso Piceno, Marche Rosato of the highest quality. And then over three thousand olive trees of different varieties. Products can be purchased directly on a farm or discovered through guided tastings.
Wellness, ecological design and high-class cuisine in Loro Piceno
We end our journey towards the south-west in the small town of Loro Piceno, in the province of Macerata, nestled in the hills between the Adriatic coast and the Sibillini Mountains. Our destination is the Farmhouse Casa Azzurra,
Restaurant Seta Cruda at Farmhouse Casa Azzurra
a facility re-designed according to the most advanced concepts of ecological design, which aims at the holistic wellbeing of its guests in a charming atmosphere and eliminating the environmental impact through the use of photovoltaic panels and sustainable energy. The Restaurant Seta Cruda, whose name is a tribute to the cultivation of silkworms that was once widespread throughout this land, offers fresh local products, horticultural products provided by biodynamic cultivations and by the fishermen from Civitanova, cooked with creativity by Chef Rodrigo Staffolani, who thanks to his international experience, in full respect of the tradition, cooks these organic products with a touch of fantasy. At the farm there is also a small spa with water treatments, a school of yoga and meditation, and a heated pool to relax after a stroll in the woods.
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