In the fall of 2006, my husband and I were looking for a place to stay prior to driving back to Venice for our return trip to the US. We found Villa Cartoceto on the internet and spent two nights there. It was so authentic and Judith and Axel were such gracious hosts, the countryside was so beautirul and the food was so terrific -- that then and there I decided to celebrate a "big" birthday the following November with "the girls" in Cartoceto. So in the fall of 2007, I returned to Cartoceto with four friends. We took the train from Venice and spent our afternoons cooking with Axel at Osteria del Cardinale. It was great! We ate the delicious foods we cooked, drank good wine, learned about local foods and traditions, laughed, practiced our Italian, made new friends --it was a perfect experience! Cartoceto is "real". Axel and Judith were extremely helpful in planning our three days in Cartoceto. I am very interested in food and travel and have experienced a lot of both -- and spending a few days with Judith and Axel at Villa Cartoceto is very special indeed!

We stayed at Villa Cartoceto for two nights and, like the other reviewers, found Axel and Judith to be amazing hosts who run a great little place to stay. While not fancy, Villa Cartoceto is very homey and comfortable, and breakfast on the sunlit terrace was perfect. Also, like other reviewers, we found their restaurant (just across the street) to be fabulous. Axel's preparation of the fresh, mostly organic/local ingredients was superb, and Judith's easy, friendly service was first rate. Despite dining in some remarkable restaurants earlier in our trip, we consider our dinner with them our favorite.

The best part of staying with them is that they're very sensitive to their guests--they find the right balance between being helpful, engaging hosts and allowing guests as much privacy as they desire. One other comment--after having traveled through central Italy for two weeks staying with Italian-run places, we really appreciated having hosts who knew the area well but were not native, as they seemed to have a knack for seeing the area through the eyes of a newcomer.

Our eventual return to Italy will certainly include a longer stay with Judith and Axel, in part because it's certain to be enjoyable, and in part because northern Marche seems to deserve much more exploration.

Judith and Axel own and operate every aspect of Villa Cartoceto, a quaint B&B in the beautiful countryside of Marche, Italy. Before our stay, we had traveled to Florence and Rome with our 13 month old daughter – we were feeling a bit tired by the time we reached Villa Cartoceto. Judith and Axel were accommodating, cheerful and fun! It was the perfect ending to our vacation. The scene surrounding the B&B is breathtaking and the food is phenomenal, very Italian. This is a must stay for anyone looking to partake in an Italian adventure without the touristy feel. Villa Cartoceto is the real deal. And Judith and Axel speak multiple languages (Italian, English, French, Dutch, German, and more…), so even if your Italian needs work, you’ll feel welcome. They also own the fabulous Osteria del Cardinale across the road from the B&B. Axel prides himself in serving the best products available, most local, some organic and his love for quality is expressed on each plate.

It has been the first time, that we've been visiting Le Marches, and we have to admit that, travelling allover (except Le marches) Italy, we missed the most beautiful region in Italy.
We've been there in March 2007 and it was an experience to live together with our hosts Judith (dutch) and Axel (german) who introduced us to the locals and the their traditions.
The Villa Cartoceto is an app. 400 ys. old building, located in the historic centre of the little village Cartoceto. Not stylish but with style, not rustique but with charme, not expensive but precious.
The breakfast on the beautiful roof terrace offers, beside the wonderful view over the olive gardens, is the right starter for great days, in which we discovered the beauty, the richness and the charme of the region.
The rooms are cosy and confortable, with antique and modern furnishment.
One of the highlights of the day, was the dinner at the co-owned Osteria del Cardinale, only 20mts away from Villa Cartoceto. Food and wine in perfect quality, served with charme, professionalism and style in a wonderful ambience in a 700 yrs. old palazzo.
Conclusion: Villa Cartoceto offers all you need for a relaxing holiday, Italy at its best! We'll be back soon.