Casa Marnacchia

Price: From £2,200

Located near Amandola, Marche, Italy

Stunning country house , sleeping 8 guests, with infinity pool (11x5m)

Found in total privacy and with stunning views of the valley below is Casa Marnacchia.

Surrounded by ancient oaks and walnuts, understated luxury greets you at this hidden Marche gem.

From the hand-crafted copper bath in the cottage annex to the unique kitchen aga in the main villa, from the comfy armchairs, original paintings and large double beds to the infinity pool, all is at its magical best at this Marche villa.

Casa Marnacchia is the perfect holiday home to relax at or celebrate a special event in.

Nature lovers are also spoilt, with the Monti Sibillini National Park, a little trodden wildnerness of intoxicating beauty, close at hand. The wildlife includes wolves, bear, chamoix, red and roe deer, an occasional eagle owl, and various pairs of golden eagles.

Hikers and mountain bikers enjoy the park in the spring and summer, and it is popular with skiers in the winter with the pistes of Sassotetto, Frontignano and Bolognola di Pintura just 35 minutes away.

The local villages are unspoilt and charming, chief among them Amandola, just a ten minute drive away. All have a good range of shops, bars and excellent restaurants serving delicious local delicacies such as wild boar, the local lasagna vincisgrassi and wonderful pizzas.

A popular theatre festival takes place in Amandola in August and in December people flock to the town to enjoy the truffle fairs held there.

And if you feel like a day at the beach then the Adriatic coast is only 45 minutes drive away.

The property itself has modern comforts in a thoroughly traditional and rustic setting. The kitchen is furnished with a mix of traditional local crockery, pots and pans and wicker baskets. The large turquoise aga is simple to use and has four gas hobs and two ovens.

Directly from the kitchen is the covered pergola, ideal for al fresco dining and relaxing in the shade. Beyond is the garden and pool, complete with teak sun loungers, shower and outdoor pizza oven.

Three bedrooms are in the main villa, one master bedroom with king bed and en suite bathroom and shower and two further double rooms, one large the other cosier in size with queen size beds and a shared bathroom with bath and shower.

The cottage is reached by external stairs and has a lovely master bedroom with king bed and bathroom boasting a wonderful copper bath.

All the beds have custom-made mattresses of the highest quality for a wonderful night's sleep. Electric blankets are provided.

Outside, the beautiful terraced garden is planted with oleander, lavendars and rosemary. Wysteria and canadian vines adorn the villa.

Next to the infinity pool is a mini outdoor kitchen complete with two hobs, a fridge, ample work surfaces and a fully working pizza oven, all ideal for preparing a meal down by the pool surrounded by one of the prettiest landscapes anywhere in Marche.

And for those opting to let others do the cooking why not take advantage of your very own Italian chef, available on request to come and cook delightful local dishes for you.

Alternatively just twenty minutes walk from the property is an agriturismo serving dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, many direct from the owner's small holding. Beware it's an easy walk to the restaurant but a steep walk back! Book the day before.