experience a personal side
of Le Marche with me
I invite you to experience a more personal side of Le Marche, Italy — a lesser-known region of rolling hills, medieval villages, Renaissance towns and Adriatic views.
Limited to just six guests, I’ll open doors to the people and places that make this region so special, introducing you to local families, artisans and food producers whose traditions remain part of everyday life.
For our week together, we’ll stay in an extraordinary historic castle overlooking the Cesano Valley and surrounding countryside. With medieval origins, elegant salons, frescoed interiors, gardens and centuries of stories, it will become our beautiful home in Le Marche.
Each day begins with breakfast in the castle or on its panoramic terrace. There will be time to swim, wander through the gardens and private forest, relax in the salons and enjoy regional dishes at the castle’s restaurant.
From this remarkable setting, I’ll personally introduce you to Le Marche through its people, landscapes, food, craftsmanship and extraordinary cultural heritage.
le marche in late spring
23 – 30 May 2027
5 Places Remains | Limited to 6 Guests
If you feel drawn to this immersive, more intimate of way of travelling, I would be delighted to answer any questions personally. – Maria Gentile
come with me ...
I am Maria Gentile, Founder & Curator of Italy in My Pocket.
My connection to Italy began with family and heritage, but over the years it has grown through the friendships and relationships I’ve formed with the people who live here.
I personally curate each journey and I’m there with you throughout our week together. Along the way, I’ll introduce you to the artisans, families and locals who have opened their doors to me — and now, to you.
Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple or with a friend, with only six guests there is time to get to know one another, share a table, laugh, linger and experience this part of Italy in a much more personal way.
Late spring,
LE MARCHE IS A TAPESTRY OF MEDIEVAL VILLAGES, renaissance art, FAMILY FARMS AND THE ever-blue ADRIATIC COAST.
OUR CASTLE TO CALL HOME
For seven nights, our little group will settle into an extraordinary historic castle, surrounded by the rolling countryside of Le Marche.
Lovingly restored, the castle still carries the history of the region within its walls, while feeling warm, comfortable and connected to the landscape beyond. The rooms are all a little different, each with its own character and charm, part of what makes staying in a centuries-old property feel so special.
During our week, there will be personal time to enjoy the property in your own way, perhaps with a book in one of the salons, a wander through the gardens and private forest, or some quiet time beside the pool.
Each morning begins with breakfast at the castle. In the evenings, after a day spent discovering Le Marche, we return to unwind before dinner at its guest-only restaurant.
Each room has its own character. The photograph offers a glimpse of the castle’s accommodation, rather than a specific room allocation. Room allocation within the historic castle varies according to occupancy and availability.
the journey we
share together
8 days | 7 nights
Day 1 - welcome to your castle home
Our journey begins in the early afternoon as my driver and I welcome you in Pesaro. Awaiting us is our extraordinary historic castle, shaped by centuries of history and surrounded by the rolling countryside of Le Marche. With beautifully preserved historic details throughout, elegant salons, gardens and panoramic views across the Cesano Valley towards the Adriatic, the castle will be our home for the week. After settling in and taking a moment to refresh, we set out together to explore one of my favourite Renaissance cities in Italy.
Accompanied by our private local guide, we wander through elegant streets that have changed little over the centuries. Within the magnificent Ducal Palace, we step into the world of Duke Federico da Montefeltro and Duchess Battista Sforza, whose court transformed Urbino into one of the Renaissance’s great cultural centres. It was this same city that nurtured the early life of Raphael, one of the Renaissance’s greatest masters. Before leaving, there is time to enjoy Urbino at your own pace, browsing artisan stores or lingering over an aperitivo in the piazza.
Later in the afternoon, I’d love to introduce you to one of Marche’s oldest artistic traditions, where an artisan shares stories, natural pigments and handcrafted techniques passed quietly through generations, offering a beautiful introduction to the artistic heritage that continues with this region today.
As evening approaches, we return to our castle home. There may be time for a gentle stroll through the gardens before we gather for our first dinner together in the castle’s restaurant, reserved exclusively for guests.
Highlights: Private guided tour. Renaissance city. Private artisan experience.
Day 2 - Artisanal Paper & Balcony of the Artists
Waking to your first morning in Le Marche, we make our way through the castle’s historic corridors to breakfast in the beautifully frescoed dining room, a room once used for gatherings within the castle’s noble household. We may take our breakfast onto the the panoramic terrace, with the rolling hills of Le Marche extending towards the Adriatic.
This morning, we journey to the historic town of Fabriano, where the art of handmade paper has been celebrated for centuries. Welcomed by one of the region’s most respected master papermakers, you’ll discover the traditional techniques that made Fabriano renowned throughout Europe. Guided by his expertise, you’ll create your own handmade sheets of paper, each uniquely embedded with your own watermark using methods that have remained largely unchanged since the 15th century. Like many of the experiences throughout our journey, today’s workshop is only the beginning.
In the afternoon, we follow in the footsteps of Renaissance master Piero della Francesca, returning once again to the world of Duke Federico da Montefeltro and Duchess Battista Sforza. Accompanied by a passionate local guide, whose research and insights bring this extraordinary period to life, we’ll pause at a series of breathtaking viewpoints where Piero once stood while painting their celebrated double portrait. The rolling hills of Le Marche reveal themselves as the very backdrop to one of the Renaissance’s most admired masterpieces, painted more than five centuries ago.
We return to our castle home as evening falls. Perhaps there will be time to settle into one of the private salons with a glass of wine and reflect on the day before gathering for dinner in the castle’s restaurant, reserved exclusively for guests.
Highlights: Handmade paper workshop. Renaissance landscapes. Dining experience.
Day 3 - Renaissance & Hand printing
Today takes us beyond the courts of the Renaissance and into everyday life. Set within the peaceful countryside, we visit a distinctive historic estate where centuries-old traditions are carefully preserved. Here, the landscape, historic buildings and ancient mill offer a glimpse into a world shaped by farming, craftsmanship and monastic life, revealing how communities lived, worked and sustained themselves throughout the Renaissance.
Following a traditional lunch celebrating the dishes of Le Marche, we continue to the workshop of an extraordinary artisan printer, whose passion for her craft made me want to share her work with you. Here, the handmade papers you created in Fabriano become the canvas for the next chapter of your journey. Guided by her expertise, you’ll decorate each sheet using traditional printing techniques inspired by the history, landscapes and artistic heritage of Le Marche, bringing another layer of meaning to the keepsake gradually taking shape throughout our week.
Returning to our castle home in the late afternoon, there is time to unwind at your own pace. Perhaps you’ll take a quiet walk beneath the ancient trees of the castle’s private forest, or simply enjoy the peaceful surroundings before dinner. Later, we gather in the castle’s restaurant, reserved exclusively for guests, where we’ll share the day’s stories over another dinner celebrating the flavours of Le Marche.
Highlights: Historic Renaissance estate. Artisan printing workshop. Traditional Marche lunch.
Day 4 - Formaggio, Olive Oil & Bookbinding
This morning, we return to the castle’s beautifully frescoed dining room for a traditional Italian breakfast before gathering with our artisan bookbinder for one of the most rewarding moments of the week. Together, our small group continues the story of the printed handmade papers you’ve created throughout your journey, binding them into a one-of-a-kind keepsake that brings together the hands, stories and traditions of the artisans you’ve met across Le Marche.
It’s a beautiful reminder that every Le Marche experience has become part of something you can hold in your hands for years to come.
From here, we continue into the rolling countryside, where we’re welcomed by a generational farming family whose lives have long been shaped by the surrounding land. Here, we’ll discover one of Le Marche’s most treasured cheesemaking traditions, witnessing a fascinating ageing method rarely seen beyond this region of Italy. Gathered around the family table, we enjoy a tasting of their artisan cheeses and estate-produced olive oil while learning how generations of the same family have preserved these timeless traditions.
As evening approaches, we make our way to one of my favourite hidden corners of Le Marche. In a tiny medieval village, home to just a handful of residents, three generations of the same family — mother, father and son — welcome us for dinner. Our table is set upon the ancient stone walls overlooking the rolling hills, where we raise a glass together as the sun slowly sets across the landscape.
Highlights: Traditional bookbinding. Cheese and olive oil tasting. Dinner in a Medieval town.
Day 5 - Preserved Traditions & the Adriatic
This morning, after breakfast in the castle’s frescoed dining room, we set out for one of those days I always look forward to sharing. Over the years, I’ve been fortunate to meet some remarkable people whose pride in their hometowns has opened doors I could never have discovered on my own. It’s these friendships and quiet introductions that allow us to experience a side of Le Marche most visitors never see.
We’ll begin with a leisurely lunch before being welcomed by one of the region’s well-known local restaurateurs. Proud of his hometown, he takes us beyond the places most people simply walk past, leading us into hidden family cantinas beneath centuries-old homes and through a discreet entrance to an intimate historic theatre. Along the way, we’ll meet the women who continue the centuries-old tradition of bobbin lace, a rare craft carefully passed from mother to daughter and lovingly preserved by the community to this day.
Later, we spend time in one of Italy’s most elegant Renaissance piazzas, where we pause for an aperitivo and sample the region’s celebrated Olive all’Ascolana, soaking up the atmosphere that has drawn people together here for centuries.
As evening approaches, I’d love to finish the day by sharing one of my favourite places along the Adriatic coast. At a family-run restaurant that has welcomed generations of guests, we gather overlooking the sea to enjoy the freshest local catch. Prepared simply and with enormous respect for local tradition, dinner is a celebration of the fishing families whose lives have been intertwined with these waters for generations.
Later, we return to our castle home, amongst the quiet corridors and frescoed rooms.
Highlights: Hidden family cantinas & historic theatre . Olive all’Ascolana aperitivo. Adriatic seafood dinner
Day 6 - Terrecotta workshop & a neoclassical sanctuary
After breakfast, it’s our turn to become artisans. I’ll introduce you to a family of terracotta artisans in a small hilltop village in Le Marche, where generations have worked with the clay found beneath the surrounding hills. This distinctive tradition gave rise to terracotta cookware once essential in the kitchens of local families.
Together, we’ll work with clay, learning traditional techniques while creating our own piece inspired by this enduring craft.
Before saying goodbye, we’ll sit down together for a traditional lunch celebrating the flavours of the region. The same clay-rich soil has also nurtured a treasured local variety of broad bean, known for its delicate sweetness and its place in traditional Marche cooking. It’s a lovely connection between the land, the craft and the food that has sustained local families for generations.
On our journey home, I’d love to share one final place in Le Marche that has stayed with me since my first visit. Its neoclassical architecture and unexpected setting invite us to pause and admire the imagination of those who created it almost two centuries ago.
Back at our castle home, there is time for a refreshing swim or to relax in the gardens as the sun begins to soften, before we gather for dinner at the castle’s restaurant.
Highlights: Marches terrecotta cooking traditions & a Neoclassical sanctuary.
Day 7 - Cloth printing and Cooking Class
Our day begins in the mountains of northern Le Marche, where we’ll step inside the workshop of an eighth-generation artisan proudly following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and the generations before him, preserving one of the region’s oldest decorative traditions. Guided by the same hands and techniques passed down through his family for centuries, you’ll create your own hand-printed linen using beautifully carved antique wooden blocks.
As our freshly printed cloths are left to dry, we’ll make our way to a neighbouring farmhouse, where another of Le Marche’s greatest treasures lives on.
The doors open and we’re welcomed like family as we gather around a stone kitchen table with the custodians of Le Marche’s culinary traditions. As I’ve spent time with families across Le Marche, I’ve come to realise that their recipes are far more than food. They were shaped by the land and the lives of those who prepared them, from humble farming families to the noble households of the region.
Then comes my favourite part. We’ll sit together beneath the trees, sharing the meal we’ve created with local wine, plenty of laughter and the people who have so generously welcomed us into their world.
Before making our way back to our castle home, I’d love to share one final tradition. We’ll stop at one of my favourite hilltop wineries to enjoy a glass of local wine as the sun begins to set across the rolling hills of Le Marche. Later, we return to the castle, where dinner awaits in the restaurant reserved exclusively for guests, or perhaps there will be time to linger beneath the frescoed ceilings and let the day’s stories settle around us.
Highlights: Antique Cloth Printing and Cooking class.
Day 8 - arrivederci, le marche
Our final morning begins with breakfast in the castle’s beautifully frescoed dining room, or outside on the terrace if the morning is kind, as we savour one last view across the rolling hills of Le Marche.
As we say our goodbyes, I’ll accompany you to Pesaro station, and it will be my greatest joy to know you’re returning home with far more than beautiful memories. You’ll take with you your handcrafted terracotta piece, hand-printed linen, handmade journal, treasured recipes to recreate around your own table, new friendships and, I hope, a genuine connection to the families, artisans and traditions that make Le Marche such a special corner of Italy.
Long after your journey ends, each piece will serve as a reminder of the people, stories and moments we were privileged to share together — along with the memory of the castle we called home for the week.
Arrivederci, until we meet again.
– Maria Gentile
journey details
23 – 30 May 2027 | 8 days 7 nights
Limited to 6 guests
AUD $9,295 per person | Double or twin room
AUD $9,895 | Private single occupancy room
A 30% deposit secures your place
Seven nights in an individually themed room within the castle (suite upgrade available at an additional cost, subject to availability).
What's included
- 7 nights’ accommodation in our historic castle residence
- Hosted personally by me throughout the journey
- Private transfer from Pesaro to our accommodation
- All breakfasts, lunches, and dinners including local wine
- Private luxury minivan with a professional local driver
- Private tours and visits with local artisans and producers
- Hands-on workshops including ceramics & other traditional crafts
- Entrance and tour fees to museums, estates, workshops and cooking class
- Gratuities for local guides
Exclusions
- Airfares
- Visa and Passport related fees
- Personal travel Insurance (required)
- Additional food and drinks outside the scheduled inclusions
- Spa treatments and personal purchases
- Souvenirs, laundry, and incidental expenses
- Transfer from Rome (please enquire)
Discover what’s in store for your 8-day journey through Le Marche with me
Let's Begin the Conversation
If this journey to Le Marche speaks to you, let’s begin a conversation. Whether you’re travelling solo, as a couple, with friends or considering a private journey for your own group, I’d love to hear about your plans. After exploring the itinerary and journey details above, tell me how I can help you take the next step.
— Maria Gentile
