Lush green rolling hills, soothing red fields of poppies, pretty yellow fields of rapeseed as far as your eye can see, and quaint little-known hilltop villages. Sounds like Tuscany, but it’s not. I’m about to enjoy an authentic Italian experience in Le Marche, a region in east central Italy, between Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, and Umbria.
My destination for the next three days is Palazzo Donati, an undiscovered treasure in the small, medieval village of Mercatello sul Metauro.
Located in the main piazza of the village, Palazzo Donati is the family home of Luisa Donati. Dating back to the 1600s, this fairy-tale-like palazzo exudes the authenticity and culture of the Renaissance despite its restoration with modern amenities.
The entrance to this stone building is on the piazza and opens into a long hall which leads to a huge walled yard decorated with flowers in summer bloom. When I turn around I discover a palace covered in ivy. Yes, a fairy-tale.
Palazzo Donati is a sprawling private home, with so many rooms that two separate staircases lead to different wings of the palazzo. I couldn’t help but think how this would be a child’s dream to play hide and seek. Eight to ten bedrooms in total provide privacy for a number of guests who visit in small groups for experiential creative holidays such as writing, yoga, photography, cooking, and wellness.
My room was huge, by any standards. It must have been a master bedroom, complete with an equally large bathroom with separate shower and tub.
I even found a secret door that led to another smaller room. The amazing view from my window was of the expansive private back yard, where a welcome dinner would be served.
Authentic artisan experiences prevail in Le Marche and making tagliatelle with the pasta queen herself was first on the agenda.
Lina made everything appear easy and she demonstrated the proper way to make pasta from scratch and completely by hand. No pasta machines here. I think it’s safe to say that Lina has done this a few thousand times. The entire process took thirty minutes and that included allowing some personal hands-on interactive experiences.
Afterward a stroll through the town where the local men definitely know the meaning of il dolce far niente, or the sweetness of doing nothing.
They were only too happy to pose for photos. Soon we meet Maurizio, a young local guide, who takes us on a casual walking tour, showing us the main sights of Mercatello.
Back at the palazzo, Luisa is waiting outside in the garden, with a beautifully prepared welcome dinner. The weather is perfect and the evening begins by Piero, Luisa’s partner, mixing a Spritz. An array of delicious and healthy food covers the table, and of course it is more than what one person could eat. I think I really am living in a fairy-tale.
The following morning, I have breakfast at the bar, like many Italians, where an espresso or cappuccino complements a cornetto pastry. Francino at Caffe` Rinaldi is only too happy to oblige. On a day trip to experience authentic artisans in Le Marche, Piero and Luisa transport our group to visit Emanuele Francioni at Antica Stamperia di Carpegna.
This young skilled artisan is the sixth generation following his family’s tradition of printing with handmade stencils and paint through a special technique, which he learned from his grandfather. I am nothing less than amazed.
Next stop is nearby Urbania where I meet two ceramics artisans, Gilberto Galavotti and Giuliano Smacchia.
They learned the technique of majolica through their studies and have produced beautiful original ceramics in their shop, Ceramica d’Arte L’Antica Casteldurante, for over twenty years.
Their keystone achievement is a huge hand-crafted reproduction of the original painting in the Vatican museum by the Italian Renaissance artist Raphael.
We return to Mercatello for lunch at the intimate Uto’s restaurant, part of the B&B, Locanda dei Sacchi, in the sixteenth-century Mincelli Palace. The owner, Umberto Sacchi waits on us personally and adds freshly-shaved black truffles to the homemade pasta dish. Umberto loves to hunt from truffles, especially the prized white truffle. On a separate excursion Umberto takes us truffle hunting with his dog, Lina. Another authentic experience in le Marche.
Back at Palazzo Donati wellness coach Jenny Sugar is preparing a cooking class in the rustic kitchen and it’s a true interactive experience. I learn how to use a spiral slicer to make zucchini pasta and an immersion blender to make a spread from cashews. A healthy and delicious dinner follows.
One of the highlights of my visit to Le Marche is an authentic italian experience with the charcoal burners of Borgo Pace in the Metauro valley. These men are the last of a generation to make charcoal by hand, the only community of coalmen left in Europe. I didn’t even know anyone did this.
Photographer Tonino Moscino features them in his latest book, La Favola dei Carbonai. And Tonino explains the process, translating for Paolo Muscinelli, one of the experts, as I watch this lost art unfold in front of my eyes. Incredible.
The afternoon would not be complete without another fabulous lunch outside at Osteria del Boscaiolo. Francesco, the owner opened the restaurant today especially for our group. Grazie Francesco.The food and wine never ends as one dish is replaced with another, all local regional dishes of Le Marche. Just a few of the dishes include, smoked goose, goletta, pasta di grano, pianino, and tortelli filled with spinach, ginger, and ricotta Everything is delicious.
The final treat on the last night of this luxurious stay at Palazzo Donati is an exceptional dinner prepared and served by a special group of men from Mercatello sul Metauro.
Known as Academia del Padlòt this group of Italian men entertained and serenaded us during an outdoor aperitivo and an inside dining event that lasts all evening!
An experience I’ll cherish forever.
Thank you Luisa Donati and Piero Asso for a memory that will last a lifetime.
Disclosure: I was a guest of Palazzo Donati and the words written here are my own honest opinions, as always.
If you’d like to experience authentic Italy in Le Marche, please contact Luisa at Palazzo Donati in Mercatello Sul Metauro at info@palazzodonati.com.
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Italy Vacations – Make This Your Next Authentic Italian Vacation
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stellalucentellc
Another gem of a place in Italy… The food looks fantastic. And who would have thought they even keep the art of making coal alive! I hope for many other generations.
margieinitaly
Thanks Kathy…I know…so many interesting traditions I never even knew existed. Thanks for commenting!
victoriabenchley
Beautiful post. Thanks so much for sharing, Margie! I found myself getting emotional reading.
margieinitaly
Thank you Victoria. Anytime a writer can move someone emotionally it’s a plus. Thank you for sharing your feelings
Tony
Absolutely beautiful! What an amazing experience. I definitely need to visit, it reminds me of Umbria! 🙂
margieinitaly
Grazie, Tony. It’s close to Umbria so not a surprise. And also a similarity to be non-touristy and undiscovered for now. I hope you get to explore this region soon
karenincalabria
Nice experience! I remember the first time I saw the word “carbonaio” in a book that was describing it as a job. I couldn’t believe what people went through, chopping down trees, arranging the trunks in a cone-shaped structure in a certain way to burn it all and get charcoal. They still do it in Calabria, too, principally in the town of Serra San Bruno, where there is also the Certosa or Charterhouse of San Bruno.
margieinitaly
Thank you Karen for your insight. I did not know that this was still practiced in Calabria but that is exactly what I saw and I will be writing much more about it in future posts
Annmarie
Evvai! Welcome to my world, Margie! Fabulous post, so glad you have visited this stunning region. Next time, let me know in advance, we can get together for un bel pranzo marchigiano.
margieinitaly
Would love that !!
Andrew Petcher
Just love the three old guys (probably younger than me, actually). I am making a note of all of all these places to visit!
margieinitaly
Wonderful, Andrew. I will look forward to reading your posts and seeing your fabulous photos afterward. This truly is an amazing place
margieinitaly
Thanks Andrew…lol. It’s all about perspective!
margieinitaly
Thanks Andrew
hometoitaly
experiences beyond the major sites listed in tour books, have the best memories
margieinitaly
Thanks so much Marilyn. Don’t you know it? I love exploring and discovering little-known towns and artisans
margieinitaly
You are so right! Thanks!
amindfultravellerblog
What an amazing experience Margie. I have never been to Le Marche, but heard so many wonderful things about it. If we ever decide to go there I will definitely get in touch with Luisa at Palazzo Donati😉 Grazie
margieinitaly
Awesome! I’m sure you’d enjoy it
amindfultravellerblog
👍🏼
AnnRise
I would love to go!!! What a wonderful experience!!! I thoroughly enjoyed your pictures and comments…your photos really captured the true beauty of the people, landscape, and food. Thank you for sharing!
margieinitaly
Thank you so much Ann. I appreciate your kind words. It would be awesome if you get the chance. I know your upcoming Assisi trip will be amazing
Debra Kolkka
What a fabulous place?
margieinitaly
Thanks so much, Debra. I know you’d love it and I hope you get to go soon