Tourists who head for the more famous regions of Italy, like Tuscany or Emilia-Romagna, are missing out on one of the most authentic, fascinating regions of all, Le Marche. Located on the east coast, with a long shoreline on the Adriatic, this little-known region is home to small market villages where ancient traditions are still upheld and artisans strive to preserve the history and techniques handed down from generation to generation. Here they hunt truffles with specially trained dogs, make charcoal in slow-burning pyres, craft exquisite hand-printed linens, and produce stunning ceramics that hearken back to the Renaissance. Even better, since very few tourists find Le Marche, those that do are welcomed by locals with open arms and hearts. I spent an idyllic few days discovering what Le Marche had to offer, courtesy of the owners of Palazzo Donati, located in the village of Mercatello sul Metauro. To read more about my world travels visit my blog,
