Where the Flavors of Le Marche Are Born: Itinerary of Taste Among the Culinary Gems of Pesaro e Urbino

Every road through the province of Pesaro e Urbino seems to hold a different flavor. Leave the coast behind and follow the rolling hills, and the landscape transforms along with its aromas: olive groves give way to vineyards, a hilltop village reveals an age-old recipe, and a small local producer shares a tradition passed down through generations.

The itinerary of taste we've chosen to follow through the heart of Le Marche is perhaps the most authentic way to discover the soul of this remarkable region.

From PDO cheeses and olive oil to cured meats, DOC wines, organic farming, and honey, get ready for 6 unforgettable stops through a mosaic of culinary treasures deeply rooted in the places where they are made. It's a journey that invites us to slow down, follow our curiosity, and discover how flavor can become the thread that ties an unforgettable experience together.

Even before reaching the table, you can recognize taste in the landscape. This is even more true when it comes to the flavors of the wonderful territory of Le Marche, in the province of Pesaro and Urbino.

Our journey leaves the Adriatic coast behind and begins in Cartoceto, among olive-covered hills that convey the authentic rhythm of the countryside and introduce the first chapter of a route that changes with every stop.

From here, the route ventures deeper into the countryside, following products that express different identities: organic farming, wine, honey, cured meats, and finally Casciotta d’Urbino, which brings the story to a close by taking us back to the deepest roots of Le Marche’s culinary tradition.

After Cartoceto, we'll continue to Isola del Piano, Pergola, Belforte all’Isauro, Carpegna, and finally Urbino: the six stops on this unforgettable itinerary of taste take us through a true mosaic of flavors, among charming, unassuming villages waiting to be discovered.

An adventure to be lived and savored at a leisurely pace, traveling by car without rushing, following the rhythm of the landscape, stopping for an unexpected view, or taking a detour to discover a small local producer along roads that bring to life the simple and delicious flavors of Le Marche.

Cartoceto kicks off our itinerary of taste, a village nestled among the hills of Le Marche, where we begin discovering the first great star among the region’s local specialties: olive oil. The village sits on a hill surrounded by olive groves, with a historic center tucked among narrow streets, squares, and historic buildings, while the landscape opens onto views of the Metauro Valley.

Cartoceto is home to the only DOP olive oil in Le Marche, along with a food and wine tradition that includes Bianchello del Metauro DOC and Sangiovese wines, as well as goat and cave-aged cheeses. This rich array of flavors can be found throughout the countryside and among local producers.

The town’s connection to olive oil is also reflected in its history and traditions, from the Teatro del Trionfo, housed since the 18th century in a former olive mill and olive storage facility, to events such as Cartoceto DOP, il Festival, held every November with tastings, workshops, and visits to local olive mills and farms.

How to get to Cartoceto?

Cartoceto lies inland in the province of Pesaro and Urbino, a few miles from the Adriatic coast. By car, take the Fano exit from the A14 and follow SS73bis toward Calcinelli. Turn onto SP26, pass Saltara, and continue to Cartoceto. The drive takes about 20 minutes from Fano and 40 minutes from Pesaro.

Flavors of our first stop:

- Cartoceto DOP Olive Oil;

- Bianchello del Metauro DOC and Sangiovese;

- Goat cheese and cave-aged cheese;

- Cartoceto DOP, il Festival.

Among the hills and woodlands surrounding Isola del Piano, a village nestled between the Foglia and Metauro valleys at the foot of the Cesane Mountains, a story has taken root around the land and its protection. At the heart of it is Gino Girolomoni, considered one of the pioneers of organic farming in Italy.

In 1977, he helped establish one of the first cooperatives focused on organic farming in Le Marche, anticipating a shift that would shape European agriculture in the years that followed. The Monastero di Montebello, restored by Girolomoni, still embodies that vision today and is home to the Girolomoni Foundation and the Museum of Rural Life.

That same philosophy can also be found in the heart of the village, where the bronze sculpture Graziella Ra, a sheaf of wheat transformed into a symbol, evokes the fertility of the land and biodiversity.

How to get from Cartoceto to Isola del Piano?

Isola del Piano is about 11 miles from Cartoceto. By car, the drive takes around 25 minutes. Follow the provincial roads toward Fossombrone, then turn right near the village of Ponte degli Alberi.

Flavors of our second stop:

- Organic farm products.

Among the charming, quiet hills of the Pesaro e Urbino countryside, there is a wine that bears the name of the place where it is made. It’s Pergola Rosso DOC, produced in the village of Pergola from Aleatico, a distinctive grape variety.

The history of this wine is closely tied to Aleatico, which arrived in Pergola from Tuscany and the island of Elba in the 13th century. Over time, the grape adapted perfectly to the local landscape, eventually becoming the symbol of the area’s winemaking tradition.

Pergola Rosso is known for its intense, aromatic character, qualities also found in Visciolato, another local specialty rooted in the area’s winemaking tradition. It’s made by combining red wine with visciole, a variety of sour cherries. To round out our food experience, we can also try truffles, another highlight of the cuisine in this part of the countryside.

Then we can explore Pergola’s historic center, alternating a wine tasting with a stroll among palaces, churches, and traces of the town’s past. The Museo dei Bronzi Dorati houses the city’s most famous archaeological find: the Roman gilded-bronze sculpture group discovered near Pergola in 1946.

How to get from Isola del Piano to Pergola?

Pergola is about 30 miles from Isola del Piano, a 40–45-minute drive. The route passes through Fossombrone before continuing toward the Cesano Valley, crossing the hills of the countryside on the way to the village.

Flavors of our third stop:

- Pergola Rosso DOC;

- Visciolato;

- Truffles.

For the fourth stop of our itinerary of taste through Le Marche, let’s take a break… in the company of bees. We are in Belforte all’Isauro, where honey tells the story of a landscape shaped by woodlands, blossoms, and biodiversity. This rich and varied environment gives us Montefeltro millefiori honey, one of the products that best captures the character of these mountains.

To learn more, we can visit the Bioparco Apistico Isauro, dedicated to bees and their role in maintaining the balance of the environment. The same theme comes to life at the Festa del Miele, an annual event that brings producers and visitors together for tastings, workshops, and activities dedicated to beekeeping.

After “tasting” this beautiful territory, we can also spend some time exploring the village, dominated by Baron de Beaufort Castle, and enjoying relaxing walks through the surrounding woods. The connection between nature and community is one of the most distinctive features of this part of Montefeltro.

How to get from Pergola to Belforte all’Isauro?

Pergola is about 40 miles from Belforte all’Isauro. It is the longest leg of our journey: by car, it takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes, passing through Cagli and Urbania and crossing the rolling countryside toward the upper Metauro Valley.

Flavors of our fourth stop:

- Montefeltro millefiori honey;

- Specialties from the Festa del Miele.

There’s a good reason Prosciutto di Carpegna DOP is made right here, in the town of Carpegna. At around 750 meters above sea level, at the foot of the mountain that shares its name, woodland air meets currents from the Adriatic, creating ideal conditions for aging. A tradition dating back to the 16th century that still requires at least 16 months before the prosciutto reaches the table.

The result is a prosciutto with a tender texture and distinctive pink-to-red color, made according to regulations that preserve traditional artisan techniques. The lard coating, applied by hand, also helps define its appearance and flavor. The pork comes from pigs raised in the Marche, Emilia-Romagna, and Lombardy regions, while Carpegna’s unique microclimate supports the aging process.

Alongside the prosciutto, we find crostolo, a local specialty similar to piadina, while the woods and pastures of Monte Carpegna offer mushrooms, truffles, meats, and honey, adding even more local flavors to the area’s culinary heritage.

How to get from Belforte all’Isauro to Carpegna?

Belforte all’Isauro is about 6 miles from Carpegna along SP112, a drive of around 15 minutes.

Flavors of our fifth stop:

- Prosciutto di Carpegna DOP;

- Crostolo, mushrooms, and truffles.

We’ve reached the final stop of our food itinerary, and it could only be Urbino. After following local specialties through the hills, woods, and small villages of Le Marche, we end our journey in the city that more than any other represents the cultural character of this region.

At the table, Urbino retains a strong identity, centered above all around two specialties rooted in its history: Crescia sfogliata and Casciotta d’Urbino DOP.

Crescia sfogliata dates back to the Renaissance and is made with flour, eggs, and lard, prepared and cooked by hand. We can enjoy it on its own or with cured meats and cheeses, making it a perfect break between walks through the historic center.

Casciotta d’Urbino DOP, on the other hand, brings the surrounding countryside to the table. It is a delicate cheese made from cow’s and sheep’s milk, reflecting a cheesemaking tradition deeply connected to the area.

In Urbino, our food itinerary reaches its destination after taking us through some of the most authentic places and flavors of the province. A journey to remember for the variety of its stops, and above all for the way each specialty has brought us closer to the history and character of the most authentic side of Le Marche.

How to get from Carpegna to Urbino?

For the final leg, from Carpegna to Urbino, we can expect just under an hour by car for a little over 25 miles. The route follows the roads through the Marche countryside, crossing the hills of Montefeltro, passing by Lake Mercatale and the villages of Casinina and Schieti.

Flavors of our final stop:

- Casciotta d’Urbino DOP;

- Crescia sfogliata.