Love, Truffles & Family: Embracing a Timeless Italian Lifestyle

In the charming village of Pettino, nestled amidst the breathtaking Apennine Mountains of Umbria, a love story unfolded that spanned continents and generations.

More than three decades ago, Mac Ryde, originally from New Zealand, set out on a journey of self-discovery, exploring the world with just a backpack and an open heart. Eventually, his path led him to a small village in Umbria called Pettino, where he met the love of his life, Francesca Chiacchiarini.

This encounter marked the beginning of a lifelong romance with Francesca and with the region. After marrying Francesca and becoming an integral part of her family farm, Mac embraced the essence of the Italian countryside and found himself transitioning from a foreigner to a local.

The Family Farm

Pettino is a small, ancient village located over 1,100 metres above sea level, surrounded by Umbria’s stunning Apennine Mountains. Francesca’s family has called Pettino home since 1486 and still maintains a traditional way of living. The family farm spans 1,000 hectares of land, boasting lush olive groves, fertile pastures, and abundant truffles. Here, traditions and community are paramount, with the villagers forming one big family. Sheep farming, wool production, and truffle hunting are integral to their way of life.

For many years, the family in Pettino has shared truffle hunting experiences with visitors from all over the world. Their Black Truffle Lodge and Pettino Country Experience introduce travellers to a countryside way of life, where visitors find themselves immersed in rustic authenticity. The experience offers a genuine connection with the local people and their centuries old customs. Guests can participate in truffle hunts, shepherding, and cheese making, and they can also savour the delight of freshly made pasta and homemade wine.

A Poetic Immersion in Authentic Umbria

Mac says life in Pettino is “very archaic, poetic”, and there is nothing pretentious in what the family offers their guests.

“We take people around and do the things we do on a daily basis. The experience we offer is really very natural and very authentic. It’s not just truffle hunting and lunch, it’s a full immersion into the Umbrian country way of living”, he said in an interview with Antognolla Magazine.

“There's a lot of talk about truffles around the world. They’re thought of as very rare and crazy expensive. But here in Umbria they’re just part of everyday life, and that’s what we want to show people”, he explained.

Pettino’s allure lies in its timeless beauty and its people’s warm embrace of the simple pleasures in life. Mac’s advice to visitors echoes the sentiment shared by the locals: to immerse oneself fully in the experience, to take time, and to let go of the need to rush.

“Just take your time to enjoy it. You don’t need any special technique to enjoy a place like this. You’re not rushing around – ‘I need to see that museum’ or ‘I want to see that church’. Forget about all of that”, he added. “Just let things happen the way they do. It’s just such an amazing place to be absorbed into.”

“Umbria gives a real sense of timelessness. It has its own rhythm, which is not a fast, full-speed ahead rhythm. You are surrounded by sociable, pleasant people in a beautiful setting, and you find yourself in a place where people still appreciate a natural way of living, family, food, and wine.”

— Mac Ryde, Pettino Resident

The village of Pettino is approximately 1h15 from Antognolla by car. 

Pair your stay at Antognolla resort and residences with a day tour in Pettino, for a genuine Umbrian experience.