December may be all twinkly lights and festive chaos, but in Italy the flavours of autumn refuse to be rushed. While the rest of Europe is busy debating the correct date to start playing Christmas music (a topic that could divide a nation), Italy is still basking in the glow of fall: the first peppery splash of new olive oil, the earthy perfume of truffles, the hum of mountain kitchens, and gardens giving their final—and rather dignified—farewell before winter.
This year, Cesarine –one of Italy’s largest network of local home cooks– opened a window into these autumn traditions. From olive picking in Marche to truffle hunting in Umbria and slow-travel days in the Apennines, these experiences are made for planning next year’s Italian escape—or, if you’re currently wrapped burrito-style in a blanket, for a spot of winter daydreaming.
Marche & Umbria: Where Fall Tastes Like Olive Oil and Truffles
In Marche, autumn’s heartbeat is found in the olive groves. In Pesaro, Silvana takes guests into the fields for a hands-on harvest, followed by a tasting of the season’s freshly pressed oil—a grassy, bold flavour that makes supermarket olive oil back home suddenly seem… well, shy. Her olive harvest with tasting of the new oil is available on Cesarine’s website and offers the kind of wholesome satisfaction usually reserved for people who grow their own tomatoes.
Nearby, at Cesarina Chiara’s historic farmhouse, travelers are welcomed with orchard views and recipes passed down through generations. Her Casolare Albani: history, orchard & tasting experience blends rural charm with that effortless Italian ability to make you wonder why you don’t already live in a stone house surrounded by fruit trees.
Across the mountains in Umbria, autumn has only one word on its mind: truffles. In Assisi, Eleonora leads a truffle hunt with tasting—a chance to follow expert foragers (both the human and four-legged kind) in search of one of Italy’s most fabled ingredients.
And for those who believe no good story starts without a glass of wine, Cantina I Vini di Filippo pairs a vineyard visit with a gentle carriage ride and a tasting of local wines and delicacies. It’s a peaceful reminder of why Umbria is often called Italy’s “green heart”—and why some travellers consider moving there immediately after the third glass.
The Apennines & Sicily: Slow Travel and Garden-to-Table Living
If you’re someone who prefers holidays with fewer crowds and more soul, the Apennines are Italy’s answer. In Zocca, new hosts Barbara and Andrea invite guests to discover the traditions and flavours of their mountain communities—places where autumn rolls out slowly, without the slightest concern for anyone’s Google Calendar.
In Sant’Arcangelo di Romagna, Giacomo offers experiences that blend food with heritage: a stroll through Ribano Castle with a classic Romagnolo aperitif, or an afternoon learning about piadina and local stories alongside a tour of a beautifully preserved 1633 mangle (yes, 1633—older than many countries’ constitutions).
Further south, Sicily stretches autumn as if it were an art form. In Palermo, Marcello welcomes guests into his home for a from the garden to the table cooking class. Visitors pick their ingredients straight from his lush garden before preparing dishes that celebrate the island’s bold, sun-kissed character. Think of it as therapy, but tastier.
Planning Your Fall Escape
Whether you’re sketching out next year’s Italian adventure or simply seeking a cosy moment of escapism this December, these experiences reveal a side of Italy best explored slowly—preferably with a fork in hand and nowhere particular to be.
With Cesarine’s network of passionate home cooks—spanning mountain villages, rolling orchards, vineyard hills, and Sicilian gardens—each encounter offers a story woven from tradition, flavour, and genuine human connection.
For more information, visit cesarine.com, watch the video, and follow @cesarine__ on Instagram.
Life Lovers Magazine® 