Le Marche Explorer Holiday Rental Properties, Villas and Apartments with Swimming Pool

Nestled deep amid ancient oak and walnut trees at the end of a country road, lies the magic that is Villa Rocca. The restored centuries old house is positioned on the edge of the Sibillini National Park, in a storybook hamlet called Marnacchia.

Villa Rocca is furnished in understated luxury where one can enjoy comfort and privacy. It is ideal for a romantic honeymoon, anniversary or a special gathering of friends for up to a maximum of three couples. There is a cosy guest cottage, La Capanna, should an extra suite for a fourth couple be required.

Accommodation

sleeps: 6+2

Villa Rocca comfortably sleeps 3 couples.

Villa Rocca has three bedrooms and two bathrooms. There is a king size bed in the master bedroom and an en suite bathroom. There are two other guest bedrooms, one is very large and the other one is small but cosy. Both guestrooms have antique double matrimonial size beds.

There is a luxury kitchen with Aga cooker and dishwasher. The rental is self-catering and we can highly recommend the local restaurants that are very good and not expensive. There are open air food markets and good supermarkets for shopping. There is ample space at Villa Rocca for dining and entertaining whether by the pool, al fresco under the main house's pergola, in the dining room or in the kitchen of Villa Rocca.

Italian cooking lessons and or an Italian cook can be prearranged. Availability can be found out prior to arrival and prices would be agreed in addition to the weekly rental price. All would have to be paid prior to arrival.

Film Library and satellite television all available in English language. BBC, CNN, Fox and Sky News and Cinema package available.

The guest cottage, which is autonomous from the main house, is known as La Capanna, La Capanna has one very large bedroom with large bed and en-suite bathroom on the top floor. The bathroom is unusual in that there is a copper bathtub which was created from a centuries old cauldron used to make vino cotto! La Capanna is normally reserved for the owner’s use but the top floor with its own entrance can be made available by prior arrangement should a fourth bedroom be needed.

Distances

Ancona Airport - 1,5hr
Amandola - 15min
Pedaso (coast) - 50min
Ascoli Piceno - 50min

Surrounding

Le Marche is one of Italy’s best kept secrets. Prior to the unification of Italy, Le Marche was one of the Papal States governed directly by the Pope, “the Marches” meaning a border province of the Holy Roman Empire. The inland area is almost tourist-free and the local people tend to be kind and helpful to strangers.

On Italy's East coast, between the Adriatic and Apennines, the Marches are relatively undiscovered, yet surprisingly accessible. A mosaic of ancient cities, rolling hills, dramatic mountains, hidden valleys and long, sandy beaches, Le Marche is an outstanding holiday destination.

The landscape of Le Marche ranges from undulating agricultural fields and vine clad slopes to snow-capped mountains and dramatic gorges. Villa Rocca is situated in an area of natural beauty, close to the majestic Sibillini mountain range and the Sibillini National Park which provides the most breathtaking scenery in central Italy. The mountains are calcareous in origin, producing the magnificent Frassasi limestone caves. There are 20 peaks over 2000m and several ski resorts in the area. The whole area is a walker's paradise with many mountain paths, guided walks if you require, and a stunning array of wild flowers to be seen. Le Marche is rich in historical-artistic and cultural heritage which has been preserved and unlike its neighbours Umbria and Tuscany, is relatively undiscovered and still unspoiled by tourism. Little English is spoken but the local Italians are very friendly and helpful, especially if you try to speak a few words of Italian.

Every small hilltop village in this region has a beautiful church and a welcoming bar, but more than that, throughout summer and autumn each village has its local festa or sagra. This is a time to celebrate the year’s hard work and is usually based on produce from mushrooms, sausages, fruit, wine or chestnuts depending on the season. It is a time for eating and drinking, processions, music and dancing.