JOIN US IN ITALY
For Your Authentic Italian Countryside Escape
Come live like a local to feast with Italian families, visit hidden farms, and celebrate traditions in the countryside towns most travellers never find.
September 4-7 2026
Discover the heart of Italy through food, tradition, and connection.
Join Anna and me in our hometown in Campania for a weekend of authentic Italian life — and if you’d like to explore more, extend your stay to uncover the hidden gems of the region with our local travel partners.
Welcome to Castel Morrone
A Timeless Retreat in the Heart of Italy
Nestled in the rolling hills of Campania, Castel Morrone is our ancestral town — a place where family, community, and traditions thrive. Here, life moves at a gentle pace, and every street, farm, and festival tells the story of authentic Italian living.
Join us to cook with locals, celebrate with townspeople, visit family farms, and immerse yourself in the rhythms of everyday life. From our town, you can also explore the wider Campania region with us or our trusted travel partners — discovering hidden villages, vineyards, and experiences off the beaten path.
Discover Castel Morrone. Discover Italy at its Most Authentic.
Join Me in the Town of My Ancestry in the Italian Countryside
Step away from the tourist crowds and join us in our ancestral town of Castel Morrone to experience the true Italian way of life. Connect with locals, explore age-old traditions, and immerse yourself in the rhythms of a town that has preserved its culture for generations. Whether you’re looking to relax, learn, or reconnect with your roots, this retreat offers an authentic taste of Italy — far from the ordinary.
CULTURE & CUISINE
Cook alongside locals, taste regional cheeses and wines, and visit family-run farms that keep Italian traditions alive.
CONNECTION & COMMUNITY
Share meals, celebrate with townspeople, and experience the warmth of small-town life that welcomes you like family.
AUTHENTIC EXPERIENCE
Live among the locals, savor each moment, and embrace the beauty of Italy’s simple, soulful lifestyle.
What You’ll Experience
A weekend of food, festivals, and connection in the heart of Italy.
Celebrate Life at Our Local Festival
Join the locals of Castel Morrone for their Fico d’India Festival during the first weekend of September — music in the piazza, tables overflowing with homemade dishes, and dancing beneath the open sky. This centuries-old celebration unites neighbors, friends, and travelers to honor food, friendship, and the joy of southern life. Experience the town at its most alive — a vibrant expression of heritage, belonging, and community in the heart of Italy.
Join Us at the Family Table
Step into the warmth of an Italian kitchen, where time slows and every dish begins with a story.
Cook alongside locals who welcome you like family, guiding you through recipes passed down for generations — from rolling out pasta to stirring rich tomato sauce on the stove. Then gather around the table to share the meal you’ve created together, surrounded by wine, laughter, and connection. In Italy, cooking is more than food — it’s memory, meaning, and love.
A Day Making Mozzarella with Locals
Visit a family-run farm in the rolling hills of Campania, where the art of mozzarella making is still practiced by hand each morning. Watch skilled cheesemakers transform fresh local milk into silky, delicate cheese using time-honored traditions that have shaped the region’s soul for generations. Learn each step and discover the rhythm of rural life, where patience, pride, and craftsmanship are passed down like family heirlooms. Then, savor the result — a taste so pure it tells the story of this land and its people.
3 Days / 3 Nights
What’s Included
Our itinerary, taking place September 4–7, 2026, is designed for a small group of 4 to 6 people for a personal and deeply connected experience. It includes everything you need for a weekend of belonging, connection, and discovery in the heart of Campania.
Day 1
Upon arrival to Naples, you’ll be greeted by us for a short drive to our countryside town of Castel Morrone. Once you’ve settled into your charming hotel, your off the beaten path Italian weekend begins with a visit to a local art studio and then a visit to the highest point in town to toast to sweeping views of the countryside at sunset. The evening continues with a welcome dinner at the historic Il Frantoio Ducale—the perfect start to connect with fellow travelers and savor the region’s flavors.
Day 2
We’ll begin the day with a cafè and cornetto at a local café before visiting a nearby mozzarella factory to see the traditional process up close. We’ll enjoy a wine and cheese tasting together. Afterward, we’ll return to town for a restful siesta before setting out on a leisurely hike to the town’s ancient Monte Castello. As evening falls, we’ll gather at the local festival—an authentic celebration of community, food, and tradition—for an unforgettable night of dining and dancing.
Day 3
We’ll start the day with breakfast at a local café before heading to a nearby home to spend the day with a local family. Together, we’ll prepare a traditional, generations-old dish from Castel Morrone and gather around the table to share a true Italian Sunday meal. The afternoon is yours to relax and unwind before we reunite in the evening to join the second night of the town’s traditional festival—another lively celebration of local culture, music, and community.
What Awaits For You in Campania
✓ Local host & guide who knows every corner of her hometown
✓ All meals - three breakfasts, two lunches, and three dinners are included
✓ Round trip transport from Naples and all local transfers during the retreat
✓ Three nights in a private room in a charming local hotel, blending comfort with small-town authenticity
Limited to just 6 guests for an intimate, once-a-year retreat in Campania. Reserve your spot now!
Want something different?Bespoke Weekends in Campania
Can’t join us on the retreat weekend? Or want to create something uniquely yours? Design your own Italian experience — available weekends only — blending local traditions, ancestral roots, and the art of slow living.
Available weekends only throughout the year.
FOLLOW YOUR ROOTS
Walk the paths of your ancestors
We’ll help you trace your family’s hometown, meet locals who share your surname, and explore the streets, churches, and landmarks that connect you to your heritage. A journey that turns travel into homecoming.
TASTE AND TRADITION
Experience Italy through its flavors.
With your input and feedback, I will design a personalized itinerary. Visit a local winery or olive grove, learn about regional food craftsmanship, and enjoy private tastings guided by the local people.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR ESCAPE
Create a weekend that’s all your own.
From private cooking classes to countryside hikes or coastal day trips, we’ll tailor every detail to your pace and passions — giving you the freedom to design your perfect Italian getaway. Consult the travel page.
Your Hosts
We hope you’ll join us
I’ll be co-hosting these itineraries with my cousin Anna, a lifelong resident of Castel Morrone and an expert on its history, people, and traditions.
In 2023, after being laid off, I traveled to the town where my grandfather was born — the place my last name comes from — to reconnect with my Italian roots through food and family. When Anna welcomed me into her home and kitchen, I experienced a way of life so genuine and grounded in love, tradition, and community that it changed everything for me.
Now, together, we’re opening that same door to you. Whether you join both of us or meet me in another corner of Campania, each experience carries the same spirit of belonging — one that invites you to live like a local, share meals around the table, and feel like family from the moment you arrive.
FAQs
How many people are in each retreat?
Our retreats are intentionally small, with just 4–6 guests per weekend. This ensures a personal, immersive experience where you can truly connect with the local community, the hosts, and fellow travelers.
Can I join on a different weekend if I can’t make the festival weekend?
Absolutely! We offer bespoke weekends throughout the year. While the experiences may vary slightly — with different local festivals (sagre), cooking days, or excursions — each weekend captures the heart of Campania and its traditions.
Do I need to know Italian to participate?
Not at all! All experiences are designed for English-speaking guests, and our hosts will guide you every step of the way. You’ll enjoy authentic connections and experiences without any language barriers.
Will we visit my ancestral town if I have Italian roots?
Yes! If your family roots are nearby, we can help arrange a visit to your ancestral village, giving you a deeply personal connection to the land, the people, and your heritage.
How active is the retreat?
The level of activity is completely up to you! Some days may include gentle walks through villages, hikes in the countryside, or excursions along the coast, while others are more relaxed with cooking, tastings, and market strolls. You choose how much you want to move — the retreat adapts to your pace.
What if I want to keep traveling outside of your retreat offering?
Absolutely! Our Campania retreats are designed to be flexible. If you want to extend your journey or explore other parts of Italy, we can guide you to additional experiences and local adventures. Be sure to check out our other travel itineraries for curated trips, hidden gems, and personalized weekend escapes across Italy. You can easily combine your retreat with more exploration, creating a truly unforgettable Italian experience.
