This time we went to Cartoceto in the Province of Pesaro e Urbino in the Italian region Marche, located about 50 km northwest of Ancona and about 14 km from Fiano at the Adriatic Coast. This is a true jewel of Italian romantic. A beautiful little village surrounded by hills with wine yards and olive trees.
You are facing here the Italy from 50 years ago with all the advantages of our times.

We stayed at the Villa Cartoceto, www.villa-cartoceto.com where our hosts Axel & Judith looked perfectly after us. This German and Dutch couple built a beautiful place where we wanted to stay forever.
Besides the charming little hotel with eight rooms they also run the little restaurant Osteria del Cardinale which features traditional Italian cuisine with a touch of modern presentation.
We got placed at the outside seating and started with a Carpaccio which was presented beautifully and tasted like a Carpaccio should taste. All flavors were perfectly combined and the presentation was a pleasure for the eyes. The next course was a Vitello Tonnato perfectly arranged on the plate. We hesitated to taste it because it looked so good. Nevertheless we were hungry and tasted the very harmonic arrangement. We felt like in Italian heaven! An awesome taste we were allowed to enjoy.
Nothing was left on the plate and we agreed that this was the best Vitello Tonnato we ever were allowed to have ever eaten in our life. As first main course followed fillet of pig with shrimps on an aceto balsamic vinegar glace. I tell you this was the next amazing surprise for us. A perfect balance of taste and presentation followed by the second main course a veal fillet filled with figs and potatoes. Also a wonderful experience, which undoubtedly, was one of these unforgettable moments in life we had. As dessert they offered us a caramelized lime soufflé with orange and wild cherries. Again something we would not liked have to miss.
With some very well wines from the region, a grappa from Cartoceto and an Espresso to follow this was the perfect Italian dream.  La dolce vita!

We certainly will visit again and thank Axel and Judith for their great hospitality and love for details and great food.
We went to bed in this charming hotel and were looking forward to enjoy wonderful breakfast on their very romantic terrace overseeing the valley and village.

You can find some photos here