2008/09 Gourmet Olive Break Guest Comments
Perfect taster of le Marche
As a total Italophile this was my first visit to Le Marche area for the excellent Olive Oil Weekend based at Casa dei Fichi. Bob and Ian were the perfect hosts and their property is fabulous with stunning views. Each apartment is really well appointed and ideal for guests who enjoy cooking as the kitchens are so well equipped, down to the de Longhi coffee machine. Joy! An hour from Ancona airport the property is tucked away in the middle of the countryside, so a car is essential to explore the local area, which is rich in hill towns and with lots to see. The drive to the coast is also less than an hour and makes good beaches reasonably accessible. I will definitely return for more of la dolce vita!
Alison. (Tripadvisor comment 2009)
Fantastic weekend, great company, excellent organisation and wonderful facilities
The place, accommodation and hosts were first rate! We went on an "Olive weekend" but had much more. Wine tastings several gourmet meals and visits to local towns & villages. I couldn't reccommend it more, it was just perfect - except for my waistline!!
Andy & Pam (Tripadvisor comment 2009)
Make this your country house weekend party
November in Italy - time to pick olives - that was the pretence of the weekend, but really it was a weekend of good food, good wine and good company - enabled by the ever efficient but somewhat disturbing Ryanair flight from london to ancona.
Bob and Ian have a great place - overlooking a view that you can just sit and watch for hours. their apartments are spacious, well designed and each has its own outdoor siting space, although on our visit the roof terrace that was attached to our room was of limited attraction due to the inclement weather.
The olive weekend was great - and it included a cookery lesson which means the end of bought- gnochi , some olive picking and olive pressing - the olive oil gift was delicious- but we look forward to returning for a week in the summer next year once we have lost those extra pounds put on over the weekend.
Do visit but leave room for us to return.
Jill & Ian (Tripadvisor comment 2009)
A wonderful break
Yet another wondeful break. The olive weekend was an absolute delight, organised and yet casual. I particularly enjoyed Sunday - the demo, the cooking, the eating and he picking ofthe olives.
this is our 5th visit, 2nd this year and we love coming here. Thanks again for a great time and I am sure we have made some new friends in your other guests.
Susan and Colin (Guestbook 2009)
Very enjoyable gourmet weekend
This is my fourth visit to Casal dei Fichi and this Olive/gourmet weekend certainly did not disappoint. From the point of being collected at Ancona airport everything was excellently arranged by Bob and Ian who are charming and talented hosts. The weekend started very promisingly with a stop for wine tasting and lunch just a short drive away from Ancona airport at a high quality winery (Umani Ronchi). This set the tone for an extremely enjoyable indulgent weekend of eating and drinking. The venues we visited were carefully chosen, varied and interesting and there was not even any need to decide what to eat and drink as Bob and Ian had arranged in advance well chosen fixed menus and accompanying wines. Whilst the whole weekend was a joy particular highlights were the excellent fish lunch at a panoramic seaside restaurant in Numana and the cookery class/demonstration and resultant five course lunch on the Sunday. Every time I return to Casal dei Fichi I see improvements which suggest that Bob and Ian will never "rest on their laurels". This really is a delightful (albeit slightly off the beaten track) place to stay for a relaxing break and I will definitely be returning.
Geoff (Tripadvisor comment 2009)
Perfect for relaxing and eating and drinking
All the reviews are correct, nothing else you could want apart from an enforced diet when you get back to the UK.
We went on the gourmet olive break which was fabulous - great food, wine and company. A resounding success due to the lovely location and of course the hosts.
Gemma & Kevin (Tripadvisor comment 2009)
Fabulous setting, fabulous food, fabulous hospitality
I leave Casal dei Fichi relaxed, replenished and with a few extra pounds it will take a while to work off. Ian and Bob, you've created something very special here.
Bob Maddams. (Guestbook 2008)
Olive discovery Weekend
Actually a bit of a misnomer, as this was a gourmet weekend covering all ap sects of Italian food and wine (including cooking your own at the quirky Arts Club) in an unspoilt corner of Italy. Picking olives on the estate and taking them to local press was definitely the highlight of the weekend though.
Hosts Bob & Ian were great fun and it felt like being on a farm with all the dogs and cats (chickens and other livestock also coming soon!!) A great break for singles as the supplement is very reasonable and you are guaranteed like-minded fellow guests with whom to share the experience.
Will definitely go back in the summer to enjoy the pool, the veg garden and the outdoor wood burning oven.
Lynne Lowrey (TripAdvisor comment) (2008)
A weekend filled with many pleasant memories
My wife and I have just returned from Bob and Ian of Casal dei Fichi's "Olive Discovery Weekend." However, It was more than just about olives. We discovered the fantastic wines and food of this little known region. We helped to make one of the meals under the expertise of a local chef. We even picked some olives from the property and saw them crushed in the local mill.
How satisfying to have the oil from the olives that you picked yourself. Our hosts made it all so interesting and special. To also stay at their luxury apartments and to wake every day to the fantastic view of the hills and mountains of the region.
We are back home but still have the memories and olive oil to remind us of a special weekend.
Douglass Lee (TripAdvisor comment) (2008)
A lovely weekend
Thank you so much for a lovely weekend. You deserve all the compliments anyone can offer. We wish you lots more sucess.
Marian and Conrad Gold (Guestbook 2008)
A fantastic packed weekend
Thank you guys so much for a wonderful belated birthday celebration. It has been a fantastic packed weekend incorporating so much of the local area - a real flavour of Le Marche followed by rest and relaxation, all in amazing warth, clear skies, beautiful scenery and such a comfortable and well planned apartment.
Your Olive weekend is a definite must, your hospitality and helpfulness at all times fantastic. you have made our break very special. We will be back.
George and Jane Westwell (Guestbook 2008)
Gourmet
Great fun, fabulous food (and lots of it), very comfortable and good company. All of this set in beautiful Italy - what more could one need.
Charles Harbord-Hammond (Guestbook 2008)
Olive weekend
I spent a wonderful holiday at Casal dei Fichi during the second Olive Weekend organized in November 2008. Everything was perfectly arranged to make our holiday as good as possible. This time of the year still offers mild temperatures and magic colours in the landscape.
The Casale is set in the middle of a beautiful and peaceful valley, covered with olive trees and, in summer, with bright sunflowers. the Casale consists of six luxurious apartments, fully equipped with all the comforts. The rooms are big and bright, with a full view on the marvelous hilly landscape, typical of this part of Le Marche. The atmosphere is cosy and familiar thanks to the kindness of the two owners, Bob and Ian, who are always ready and happy to help you to feel comfortable. Although I could not use it in the middle of November, there is a beautiful pool where to refresh during hot summer days.
I would recommend this Casale to anyone visiting this part of the region, both for a short holiday and for a longer staying, to take a perfect break and enjoy the beauties of this region at its best!
Lucia Cattaneo (TripAdvisor comment) (2008)
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