Updated 2018.
What to See in Molise
Santuario della Madonna Addolorata
Via Santuario
Castelpetroso
www.santuarioaddolorata.it
(39) 0865 936110
Open daily 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (until 6:15 p.m. in winter).
Marinelli Bell Foundry
Via Felice D’Onofrio, 14
Agnone
(39) 0865 78235
www.campanemarinelli.com
Open daily 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (noon to 4 p.m. in winter). Closed Sunday afternoons.
Admission: 5 euros
Caseificio Di Nucci
Via Roma, 12
Agnone
(39) 0865 77116
www.caseificiodinucci.it
This cheesemaker has three cheese shops in Molise: two in Agnone and one in Isernia. The factory in Agnone can host up to 100 people for cheese tasting.
Principe Pignatelli di Monteroduni (Olive Oil)
Località S.Eusanio
Monteroduni
(39) 0865 491222
www.oliopignatelli.com
Dolce Amaro (Chocolates)
Strada St 85 Venafra
Monteroduni
(39) 0865 493005
www.dolceamaro.com
Angelo D’Uva (Vineyard)
Contrada Ricupo, 13
Larino (Campobasso)
(39) 0874 822320
www.cantineduva.com
Where to Stay
Fonte Benessere Resort
Via Santuario
Castelpetroso
(39) 0865 936258
www.lafontedellastore.it
Rates: Rooms start at 50 euros per night, with breakfast.
Along with neighboring Hotel La Fonte dell’Astore, the Fonte Benessere Resort offers guests a relaxing spa experience complete with a pool, sauna, mineral baths and spa treatments using organic products. The two partner hotels are clean, modern, and airy and promise a luxurious stay. This five-star hotel has a fantastic view of the Molise Valley and the Santuario della Madonna Addolorata.
Antica Dimora 191
Corso Marcelli, 191
Isernia
(39) 0865 410547
www.anticadimora191.com
Rates: Rooms range from 50 euros per night for a single to 140 euros per night for a large family suite with kitchen. Breakfast is 5 euros per person.
This classic hotel in the heart of Isernia features rooms and suites decorated with antique furniture and frescoed ceilings. Modern amenities include air conditioning and Wi-Fi.
Where to Eat
Nabucco
Via Marcelli, 160
Isernia
(39) 347 663304
Open from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. (Saturday until 11 p.m.). Closed Sunday for dinner.
This restaurant specializes in seafood dishes like crayfish and octopus as well as grilled meat.
L’Affresco
Corso Marcelli, 233
Isernia
(39) 0865 413836
Open noon to 3 p.m. and 7 to 11 p.m.
Closed Tuesday.
L’Affresco serves traditional local cuisine, including fresh fish from Wednesday through Friday, truffle ravioli and pasta with eggplant and arugula.
La Grande Quercia
Contrada Fontecurelli nr. 30
Carovilli (Isernia)
(39) 338 9505642
Open daily at noon
This agriturismo specializes in meat dishes and appetizers such as shaved carrot and zucchini salad with mint, bruschetta, and local cheese. The owners Mario and Cinzia often entertain diners with traditional Italian songs. Located in the pastoral Carovilli Valley, La Grande Quercia is a great place to relax and soak in the beauty of the rural countryside, with double rooms starting at 50 euros per night.
L’Antica Fabbrica di Ghiaccio (NOTE 2019: This restaurant has closed.)
Via Mazzini, 34
Isernia
This restaurant, located in an old ice factory, serves small plates with a focus on fusion. Homemade pasta includes gnocchi, fettucine with zucchini blossoms and ravioli.
Pizzeria Bas & Co.
V.G. Marconi, 10
Pesche
(39) 0865 460448
Open from 7:30 p.m. to midnight. Closed Tuesday.
This family-run pizzeria and craft beer house serves authentic Neapolitan pizza. Their pizza dough rests for eight days before baking instead of the four hours that many restaurants allow the dough; this time difference sets the pizza’s quality and taste above the rest.
Accommodations and visits to all of these sights can be arranged by Molise Discovery/Kolidur Travel Club.
— Elaine Murphy