Go truffle hunting in Italy! No pigs here at Agriturismo Ramusè but sweet dogs sniffing out the golden mushrooms, Cocker Spaniel mixes of the tan colored Electra and fuzzy Briciola. These pricey pups either come pre-trained at $3,000 to $7,000 Euro per dog or you can hire a Northern Italy truffle dog trainer for about $1,000 Euro a month. Paolo Ciccioli, owner of Agriturismo Ramusè and former truffle exporter to London, led us on a mountainside adventure in the drizzling rain where the black mushrooms were almost popping out of the ground because of the downpour.
I thoroughly enjoyed watching Briciola slide through the mud on its belly like a seal pup, totally enjoying a spa day. Afterwards, his aunt Anna made us pasta from scratch and we enjoyed a traditional local lunch complete with lots of tasty wine and plenty of black truffle shavings. Truffle prices fluctuate significantly by season, with white truffles being the most expensive so you can see why the pups are so important and pricey! The property is a rustic, restored farmhouse and working lodging located near Force in the Marche region of Italy.
You can also stay overnight for full cultural immersion in a scenic location 30 minutes away from both the Adriatic Sea and the National Sibillini Park. Ramusè has four bedrooms available each with private bathroom, one suite with a dining hall, two bedrooms and private bathroom and a swimming pool. Take a walk through the wilderness, enjoy the morning birds’ concert and don’t forget the donkey honking nearby! Huge props to Italy Charme for this experience and having my back, more on that later. You too can design your dream Italian travels with Italy Charme, a boutique travel company offering unique and hard to find elsewhere experiences all over Italy. Discover private tours, curated experiences and exclusive villas across the country – from vineyard escapes to cultural experiences, they offer all the amazing experiences below and then some!
The countryside at Agriturismo Ramusè.It was quite misty with the rain fall at Agriturismo Ramusè.The house and lodging entrance to Agriturismo Ramusè.First stop is always the ladies room at Agriturismo Ramusè. We enjoyed this table spread in the meantime.A cozy fireplace to keep our bones warm was roaring at Agriturismo Ramusè.A view of what was to come at Agriturismo Ramusè.You rarely get to see truffles in its first form at Agriturismo Ramusè.A plate of meat, olive oil and wines waits for us at Agriturismo Ramusè as we truffle hunt.The first thing I noticed was the sheer amount of snails or escargot climbing everywhere at Agriturismo Ramusè. The Italians don’t eat them like the French do.Our fearless truffle leader explains how it all works with his furry coworkers at Agriturismo Ramusè.We pass by another puppy who was patiently waiting its turn at Agriturismo Ramusè.Immediately the dogs get to work at Agriturismo Ramusè and find a truffle!He tells them to get busy and that they do for a reward afterwards at Agriturismo Ramusè.This handful of black truffles is worth about $200 at Agriturismo Ramusè. DO NOT wear the plastic shoe covers seen here!Thanks to the group for encouraging these photos at Agriturismo Ramusè.And a rare group photos of all of us at Agriturismo Ramusè minus one Brit!This sweet Siamese came to say hello to me and I took all the pets I could get at Agriturismo Ramusè. Later, another appeared out back.Inside, the nonna gets to work on the homemade pasta at Agriturismo Ramusè. Literally only these ingredients!She makes a swimming pool for the eggs out of flour at Agriturismo Ramusè.And starts blending it all into a pile at Agriturismo Ramusè.Soon it’s a ball and she starts kneading it out at Agriturismo Ramusè.When rolled out enough, she cuts it into strips at Agriturismo Ramusè.Meanwhile we were enjoying this delicious prosecco at Agriturismo Ramusè. I may have had two glasses it was so good!But first course always arrives in the beginning at Agriturismo Ramusè with lots of fresh truffle shavings.Meanwhile, the nonna is cutting her pasta into tubes at Agriturismo Ramusè.And slicing them to perfection at Agriturismo Ramusè.Then adding them to a flour pan to get ready to cook at Agriturismo Ramusè.You know the next course is coming by the red wine at Agriturismo Ramusè.The pasta that nonna made in front of our eyes at Agriturismo Ramusè with mushrooms.Because you can never have enough truffles, our host shaves some more on top of the pasta at Agriturismo Ramusè.For dessert, a lovely and light panna cotta style bowl at Agriturismo Ramusè.Followed by a taste of this licorice liquor, not my favorite flavor in the world at Agriturismo Ramusè. Next up…
Farm Foraging in Italian Mountains
Go foraging for food in the forest in picturesque Valnerina Valley, Italy! Located in Umbria, between Terni and Norcia, just a stone’s throw from Spoleto, is Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni nestled in between the mountains. A very small farm with a big heart, the food production and outdoor activities in this region are very diverse. Enjoy farm fresh apples, saffron, seasonal vegetables and medicinal herbs while learning about their processing at the educational environmental farm. With a bike shop featuring E-bikes and mountain bikes available on the grounds, Zafferano e Dintorni is ripe for outdoor sports enthusiasts, including extreme sports as well as hiking those glorious mountains.
Explore with a guide or solo, as Luca and Claudio can guide you through this forest, rich in history and nature. You can also fully immerse yourself by staying overnight! Spaces include a large studio apartment, two bedrooms (one double and one twin), a campervan space, a tent site and a tasting room, as well as many outdoor spaces. Become one with nature in the Umbria countryside and mountains, the Nera River, the herb gardens, and all the property’s outdoor spaces available to guests are ideal for relaxing and catching a natural high.
Our first walkabout was the saffron experience, a guided walk through the countryside withZafferano e Dintorni, discovering the tradition and cultivation of saffron, from flower to spice. Huge thanks to Italy Charme for connecting us with this unique experience exploring the Italian countryside.
So you know where you are at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.First looks at the church down the road from Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.The house and lodging at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.The bike shop is packed to the gills with equipment as a biker stops for an adjustment at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.Here’s a full view of the bike shop at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.Pepe is always there to greet you at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.Into the rolling green hills we go at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni. This is looking back at their property.The sheer magnitude of these mountains is unreal at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.The mist coming off the mountains cleared the sky for this adventure at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.Leaving us with a beautiful walk at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.Spring has sprung at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.Marta explains how the bulbs grow while our guide Felipe translates at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.Martha is very passionate about her plants at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.This is where saffron begins at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.Rows of it are planted behind us at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni. We were digging in the earthy spot.This is where artichokes grow at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.An artichoke heart growing steady at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.Martha explains how the artichoke hearts are removed at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.Spring flowers in bloom at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.Off in another direction at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.A tiny snail enjoys the sunshine at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.She then explains the benefits of these what we call them weeds in America at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.For instance, this is edible did you know? At Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni they teach you this.Back toward the property of Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni, I noticed a sign for another castle.A stream runs right next to the property at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.And a medley of flowers which you will soon see at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.Outside the house I spot a black lizard, unlike our lighter ones in Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni these need more sun.I spied a pizza oven at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.You are free to explore the grounds at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni but now it was time for crafts and lunch.This is what saffron comes from, these pretty purple flowers at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.The stems smell like incense at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.We were given little saffron sachets to take home at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni. This is poisonous for cats so beware.Soon we were settled in to create and eat at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.This is what girl lunch usually looks like at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni. Farm fresh and small bites with fresh honey to drizzle!This was like a hummus except healthier at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.Martha lay this edible white flower near me at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.If you feel like drinking the local beer at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni. I was curious but literally had not seen one Italian drink beer!Some of the hearty beans at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.No this is not marijuana but a cousin like hops at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.We enjoyed the most refreshing, light pasta shaped in hearts at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.Using some of the greens we foraged, an earthy salad was born at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.A tasty sweet pound cake at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.With edible flowers seen here on top at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.No meal is complete without espresso afterwards at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.We had to explore the church of course at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.Of course we had to take a peak in the church before we left at the church at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.There was no one else in it at this time at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.The acoustics are wild at the church at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.I thought of singing but didn’t at the church at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.An angel on the wall at the church at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.One last look at the misty mountains before we left Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.For your booking pleasure, a whole bunch of information at Agriturismo Zafferano e Dintorni.
Village of Force in Italy
Did you know if you order hot chocolate in Italy it is pudding? Neither did I until we enjoyed appetizers at historical coffee gem Caffè Meletti in the main square of Piazza del Popolo. It even came hot with a tiny spoon which honestly was hitting the comfort spot on a cold, rainy day. The charming, walkable town of Force is a small city located within the province of Ascoli Piceno in the Marche region of central Italy. Close to where we went truffle hunting with Agriturismo Ramusè above, it was yet more rain but that didn’t deter us from hitting up some key highlights.
Some of them included the historic, elegant Renaissance square in the center, with travertine paving and the 13th-century Palazzo dei Capitani del Popolo, a palace built over Roman ruins. One place I would have loved was The Civic Picture Gallery, decorated with Murano glass chandeliers, displaying paintings by Titian and Carlo Crivelli. We did go nearby to the Cathedral of St. Emidio, with a creepy crypt in the basement featuring elaborate mosaics. It’s a perfect stop for those seeking history, craftsmanship, genuine village life… and shopping! I’ve never seen so many stores that caught my eye while hiding under my umbrella.
The Cathedral of St. Emidio (Cattedrale di Sant’Emidio) is the primary Roman Catholic church in Ascoli Piceno, Marche, Italy, dedicated to the city’s patron saint who is historically revered as a protector against earthquakes. Located in Piazza Arringo, this stunning 16th-century cathedral is renowned for its Romanesque-Gothic architecture, the crypt containing the saint’s relics and the 15th-century Carlo Crivelli polyptych. We’ll explore more of that below!
A moment of sunshine in the town square of Force, Italy in Piazza del Popolo.We popped inside Caffè Meletti for an afternoon treat in Force, Italy.A dreamy cafe ready to indulge in Force, Italy.Fresh flowers at the end of the bar in Force, Italy.The dreamy glow on a dreary day in Force, Italy.The dining room at the cafe in Force, Italy.A very cool and original spiral staircase in Force, Italy.My chocolate soup in Force, Italy.A better view of my hot chocolate soup in Force, Italy.A view of the many treats served in Force, Italy.Others enjoyed cocktails and espresso in Force, Italy.Heading outside into the Piazza del Popolo town center.A pretty archway at Piazza del Popolo leading to the pharmacia.Walking around in our umbrellas, I saw a doppleganger of one of our gals in Piazza del Popolo. The colors are still popping! Hey Gary, ha!Inside the church we went in Force, Italy.It was hard to get in all the architecture in Force, Italy.Let’s not forget the majestic ceiling in Force, Italy.Jesus at the end of this hallway awaits in Force, Italy.Downstairs a crypt of the many priests who died here in Force, Italy.Some names to remember them by in Force, Italy.Ornate statues on display in Force, Italy.Look at the marble details in Force, Italy.Through many wonderful archways we went in Force, Italy.Perhaps a confession before you leave Force, Italy?
