Romantic Weekend Break in an Agriturismo

The perfect weekend break for a foody couple. Stay in the stone farmhouse of a working farm in the Apennine Mountains and explore the local hills on horseback, take a cooking lesson and enjoy a candle-lit dinner.

This region of Italy, Le Marche, is in central Italy next to Umbria and Tuscany. Not overrun by tourists, Le Marche is said to give a glimpse of the "real" Italy - nothing pretentious here, just regular people going about their lives. Le Marche is perfect for a mix of sight seeing and doing - medieval art and architecture, hiking, horseback riding and sun worshipping at the beach are just a few things you can do. Food of course is very important to the "Marchelinos" and you can tailor your visit to revolve totally around food and drink - visits to vineyards, dairy farms, truffle hunts and hikes looking for wild fruit and veg.

The farmhouse has a mineral water pool to relax by which can rejuvenate and soothe. Besides food, Le Marche is famous for its natural mineral water springs. Even the World Health Organization has recognised the water's power, which has been used since ancient times as an anti-inflammatory and to improve skin.

When you've had enough of relaxing (if that's possible) take a horseback riding excursion in the hills or you and your partner can learn how to make raviolis, pizza and other delicious treats. The surroundings of mountains and sea, beautiful flowers, farms, hills and fields will help you and your partner unwind and focus on each other rather than work, bills and all the other stresses of daily life.

If you want a romantic weekend break (or longer) with your partner, then you'll be right at home here. There is no expertise required for the cooking lesson and it is a very relaxed affair.