4 days, 3 nights · Best for Hands-on cooking in a Marche country estate
Flavors of Marche Tour 2025, 2026
Discover the Marche countryside as hands-on cooking, local wines and charming villages create an authentic Italian culinary escape.
Your Adventure Starts Here
This is a starting point. Change the nights, choose the style of hotel, add the experiences you want. Your planner takes it from there.
Stop 1Marche Countryside
Marche Countryside
Three-night cooking retreat in a countess's borgo
We settle you in a historic country estate in the hills above Ascoli Piceno, where Countess Beatrice del Balzo hosts a three-night culinary retreat devoted to the cooking of Marche. Over two full-day classes you work with seasonal garden vegetables, Adriatic fish and local meats to prepare vincisgrassi (the region's many-layered lasagna), olive all'ascolana (Ascoli's stuffed fried olives) and pollo 'n cip e ciappe, a braise of chicken with tomatoes, peppers and olives. You taste wines from the family cellar, take meals at the estate, and choose an afternoon in Offida (a walled medieval village with lacemakers still at work) or on the palm-lined beaches of San Benedetto del Tronto on the Riviera delle Palme.
Arranged for you: We arrange three nights at the estate with welcome drink and dinner, two full-day cooking classes, wine tastings from the family cellar, meals featuring your preparations, and choice of afternoon visits to Offida or San Benedetto del Tronto.
Your hotel
Styles, not names. We name the property once we know your dates and your party.
Interests in Marche Countryside
-
Private truffle hunt with forager and dog Day Trips · Half day
Walk oak and hazel woods with a tartufaio and his Lagotto, then return to the estate for a truffle-focused lunch prepared by your class chef.
-
Private market tour and hands-on lunch Day Trips · Half day
Meet your chef at Ascoli Piceno's morning market to select ingredients, then cook and eat a market-driven lunch in the estate kitchen.
-
Rosso Piceno and Pecorino tasting day Day Trips · Full day
Visit two family wineries in the Offida DOCG zone, taste their Montepulciano-based reds and the region's signature white grape, then lunch at a vineyard table.
-
Ascoli Piceno walking tour with food stops Day Trips · Half day
Explore the Renaissance squares and travertine arcades of Ascoli with a local guide, stopping at historic caffès, olive fryers and pastry shops along the way.
Day by day in Marche Countryside
Arrive on your own at Borgo Storico Seghetti Panichi, a charming historic country estate nestled in the rolling hills of the Marche region, just a short distance from the beautiful town of Ascoli Piceno. Enjoy a welcome drink and meet Countess Beatrice del Balzo, who will introduce you to the Borgo, its history, and the upcoming cooking activities. Visit the nearby family wine cellar for a first taste of locally produced wines, then return to the estate for a welcome dinner showcasing traditional dishes from le Marche. Overnight at the Borgo, surrounded by peaceful countryside and Italian hospitality.
After breakfast, dive into your first hands‑on cooking class dedicated to the authentic gastronomy of the Marche region. Using fresh seasonal vegetables (many from the villa’s own garden), local meats, and fish from the nearby Adriatic Sea, you’ll prepare traditional recipes such as vincisgrassi (the famous Marches-style lasagna), olive all’ascolana (Ascoli’s signature stuffed fried olives), and pollo ‘n cip e ciappe (chicken cooked with tomatoes, peppers, and olives). The friendly, informal atmosphere makes the class both educational and fun. Enjoy a coffee break with biscuits and cakes prepared by the chef, then sit down to savor the dishes you’ve created, paired with carefully selected local wines. In the afternoon, we suggest a leisurely visit to Ascoli Piceno, renowned for its elegant historic center and one of Italy’s most beautiful main squares. Return to the villa in the evening; dinner is on your own and you’ll spend the night at the estate.
Enjoy breakfast, then continue your culinary journey with a second cooking class dedicated to the rich flavors of Marche cuisine. Under the guidance of your chef, you’ll prepare another selection of traditional dishes and then enjoy a gourmet lunch featuring your creations, accompanied by local wines. In the afternoon, you may choose to visit Offida, a very ancient village with a captivating historic center and a truly authentic atmosphere, or head to San Benedetto del Tronto on the “Riviera delle Palme,” where you can relax on the sandy beaches or browse the elegant shops in town. Return to your accommodation in the evening; dinner is on your own, followed by an overnight stay in the peaceful Marche countryside.
Day 4
Marche Countryside
After breakfast, check out from your accommodation as your culinary holiday in the Marche countryside comes to an end. Depart with new cooking skills, cherished recipes, and lasting memories of Borgo Storico Seghetti Panichi, Ascoli Piceno, and the authentic flavors of le Marche.
Why plan with Trips 2 Italy?
Designed around you by Italian-born planners
Guides, drivers and boats for your party alone
Hand-selected hotels in every destination
Local English-speaking guides who know their city
Met at the airport, private transfers throughout
Testimonials
Hear from travelers who have planned Italy with us
They took the time to understand our preferences and designed an itinerary that was comfortable, personalized, and enjoyable. They offered thoughtful recommendations while never being pushy.
We missed our connecting flight in Munich. I had just got through customs and was looking up the number to call when Trips 2 Italy called me. They told me exactly what to do and they already knew what flight we had been rebooked on.
Ready to make it yours?
Send us this adventure with your changes. An Italian-born planner builds the first full draft and calls you to walk through it.
Or call 1-866-464-8259
Questions travelers ask
What destinations does this package visit?
Over 4 days this journey brings you to Ascoli Piceno. Each stop is woven into the itinerary with time for the landmarks, the views, and the local flavor that make it special.
How is transportation handled on this trip?
Transportation is arranged as part of the itinerary, with comfortable train segments between the cities and vehicle transfers where they serve you best. Every connection is planned for you, so you can focus on the scenery instead of the logistics.
Who will enjoy this itinerary most?
It suits travelers who want Italy arranged by experts, with guided experiences balanced by free time to explore on your own.
Can we tailor this trip to our wishes?
Yes. This sample itinerary is a starting point, and every Trips 2 Italy package is fully customizable. Your travel consultant will adjust the destinations, hotel category, pace, and experiences to fit your plans. A minimum of 2 travelers applies.
When is the best time to take this trip?
The package is available all year around on request. Spring and fall offer mild walking weather and lighter crowds at the major sights, summer brings long lively evenings, and winter rewards travelers with quieter museums and festive streets.