Discover the Perfect Italian Getaway Destination that You've Never Heard About Until Now

Looking for a less-discovered city of the Italian countryside? You’re in the right place! This week Ashley Bartner joins us to share all the details about her beautiful inn & cooking school, La Tavola Marche, nestled in the heart of Le Marche, Italy.

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I am so excited to share this information with you! Ashley and her husband, Jason, own and run the most picturesque inn and farm, La Tavola Marche, in the Italian countryside. You’re going to want to book your stay after reading here! I know I’m already looking for an opening in my calendar so I can book time to visit here.

Where is it located?

The inn is located in Le Marche, Italy.
About 2 hours east of Florence and 4-5 hours south from Venice.

How do I get there?

Bologna or Venice are the closest (large-ish) airports. It’s about 2.5-4 hours away.
However, Ashley recommends flying into a larger international airport in a nearby county, and then getting a connecting flight to a smaller Italian airport such as Ancona or Perugia. These airports are both about 1.5 hours away.
You will need to rent a car to get here as there isn’t public transportation. It’s not the most convenient, but there are NO crowds and it’s very peaceful.

What should I expect when I stay at the inn?

Ashley and Jason live at the inn, which makes it really feel like home.
On your first night, there will be a welcome dinner with fresh, home cooked food. Jason has a farm where he grows fresh fruits and vegetables for the food.
Ashley and Jason will take you on local tours to get to know the area. You can explore local markets and get a great behind-the-scenes look into life there.
They will also take you to the best nearby restaurants, where you not only have an amazing meal, but also get tours of the kitchens.
They also put on cooking classes! Learn to cook amazing food with the freshest ingredients.
Most guests that visit don’t really want to leave throughout the day. Ashley is happy to help set up activities for you, but a lot of your time will be spent relaxing around the property.

How many guests can I bring?

You can come by yourself or just you and your partner! Or come with friends!
If you want to attend one of the workshops that Ashley and Jason host, they limit numbers to about 8 people total at the farmhouse.
If you want to travel here with a group of friends or do a smaller family reunion, the apartments can accommodate up to 14 people.

Where can I visit nearby?

Urbino - UNESCO World Heritage Site

This city is the “crown jewel” of the area.
It’s about 45 minutes from the inn.
Discover the beauty of Renaissance architecture and explore this amazing palace.

San Benedetto Del Tronto - Beach town

Ashley’s favorite nearby beach!

Ravenna

This is a great stopping point between the inn and Venice. Lots of guests like to stay one night here to break up their travel and see a new city.
Visit beautiful mosaics and take yourself on a self-guided tour of the city.

Orvieto

This is a good stop to make if you are traveling from Rome to the inn!
You can get here by taking the train from Rome, and then spending a night or two here.
This is also a good place to pick up a rental car if you don’t want to drive from Rome.

When is the best time of year to visit?

Ashley explains that they have really learned to “live with the seasons” at the inn. It really comes down to what you like to eat, as they are seasonal eaters.
In the spring, the food has a lot of artichokes, peas, and asparagus. Very nice and bright!
Summer foods include lots of tomatoes!
June is a wonderful time to come as it’s not their summer break yet, so there are less travelers.
Ashley loves the fall as she favors the hearty stews, pumpkin raviolis, and the warm fires outside. Every weekend in the fall there is a truffle festival.
Be aware that summers are very warm. The inn is at higher elevation, so evenings are super nice, but days are hot.
The inn closes for the holidays in December. The winter is not recommended as there can sometimes be snow.

What else do I need to know?

Ashley recommends beginning a paper map of the area. There are lots of small backroads with spotty service and you don’t want to get lost.
If you are visiting during the winter, make a trip to the Alps! Ashley loves the Bolzano, Bressanone, and Vipiteno areas. There are also Christmas markets in the North, which are super fun and magical!
Even if you visit during the summer, it’s worth the trek northward to experience the Alps! The hiking and exploring is amazing.

How do I book my stay at the inn?

Visit www.latavolamarche.com for all the information about how to book and what workshops are offered there.