Casa Castelletto

As featured as a personal recommendation in Frances Mayes’ (Under the Tuscan Sun) new Italian travel guide. With idyllic views, stunning interiors and amazing optional services, Casa Castelletto offers you a high-end yet authentic experience in the beautiful Le Marche region, just a ten-minute drive to the glorious coast. Set in seven acres of a grand estate with views of the surrounding landscapes and sea, Casa Castelletto is a beautiful four-bedroom home featuring exquisite gardens, a large swimming pool, a gym and its own tennis court. Being the owner’s personal residence when they stay in Italy, they have designed it beautifully with open-plan living and dining at its best and south-facing views over the olive groves and towards the sea. An inviting TV lounge allows you to watch Netflix, DVDs or Sky whilst there’s a Bose speaker system both inside and out. A beautifully designed kitchen with high-end appliances is the perfect spot for breakfast or on warm summer mornings sip your espresso from the pretty terrace with wonderful views. Each of the four bedrooms features luxurious beds, smart TVs, restful décor and elegant bathrooms. High-end sustainable toiletries are provided on arrival and individually controlled air-conditioning and heating features in each of the bedrooms making this a welcoming abode at any time of year. The vast gardens bring such joy – wander through the estate, following the meandering paths down to the grand swimming pool where you can relax on the decadent sun-loungers or seek shade in the impressive pool house with its floor to ceiling windows, gym, bar, kitchen and studio space for meditation. A brand new air-conditioned yoga studio is also now available for guests to enjoy with views over the olive groves and hills. Wander into the olive grove for a game of tennis on the flood-lit court or discover a peaceful corner and maybe a hammock for restful time in the Italian sun. Gather together in the evening and feast al-fresco on the glorious covered pagoda, next to the huge pizza oven and outdoor kitchen, looking out to the enchanting vistas around you. A fantastic concierge service makes it easy to arrange optional extras from babysitting to restaurant reservations, from a yoga instructor to in-villa massage treatments, from cookery lessons to a private chef; you can even book your very own casalinga, a local Italian home-cook, to prepare a typical meal from Le Marche. In addition, an extra bespoke service can be booked for the duration of your stay which includes prosecco on arrival, a beautifully prepared continental breakfast each morning, daily housekeeping, fresh flowers, magazines and other discreet touches. Tailor-made itineraries and chauffeur driven tours can also be arranged or you may prefer to venture out by yourselves – Le Marche is a glorious region to explore! Start off in the hilltop village nearby and be sure to pick up some of the best ever gelato from one of the little local bars, then drive (or cycle) down to the seaside town for sandy beaches, lovely lidos, fantastic shopping and a great range of authentic restaurants to suit all tastes. Explore the outstanding natural beauty and secluded coves of the Riviera del Conero, head south to the brilliant beaches along the Riviera delle Palme and discover hidden hilltop villages or historic towns across this mesmerising part of Italy. Hike through rolling fields of spring flowers, ride horses along the beach, discover a wealth of summer watersports or hunt for truffles in the autumn woodland. Whatever time of year you choose to visit, Le Marche offers culture, history and incredible scenery that will appeal to every generation. Features: Casa Interiors (340m2, two floors) - Open-plan living and dining area with doors leading to garden - TV lounge with 60-inch Sky satellite and smart TV with surround sound system - Fully-equipped kitchen including dishwasher, double fridge-freezer, wine cooler, water machines, ice-maker, Nespresso machine and breakfast table. Doors lead to breakfast terrace - Bedroom with double bed and en suite bathroom - x2 Bedrooms with double/twin bed and en suite bathroom Annexe - Bedroom double bed, walk-in wardrobe and en suite bathroom. Doors lead to terrace and garden Outside Grounds (7 acres) - Swimming pool (21m x 6m) with hot tub feature, open approximately May to November - Sun loungers (x 12) - Large pool house with bar, kitchenette and two showers - Gym with running and rowing machine, punch bag, free weights and Multigym Technogym - Space for yoga (mats provided) - Covered al-fresco dining area with wooden table and benches (for 12-20 guests) - Outdoor kitchen - Barbecue - Large pizza oven - Hammocks - Table football - Table tennis  - Flood-lit tennis court - Gardens (on various levels) - Olive grove (400 trees) - Yoga studio (also used by Villa Castelletto) - Parking Facilities - Wi-Fi (in house and by pool) - Heating - Air-conditioning - Sky satellite and smart TV (with Netflix and Amazon Prime) - DVD player - TVs with Netflix (in bedrooms) - Bose sound system - Gym equipment - Tennis court (inc. rackets and balls) - Yoga studio (also used by Villa Castelletto) - Honesty bar Location: In the glorious Le Marche region of central Italy, around a 40-minute drive south of Ancona, Casa Castelletto enjoys a beautiful location set amongst rolling hills and olive trees with views down towards the sea. Around 1km away there’s a small hilltop village with a grocery store, a handful of places to eat and drink and an amazing bar that sells the best home-made ice-cream that you can take away in tubs. It’s a delightful borgo with historic lanes for wandering and a wonderful art gallery to visit. There is also a great pizzeria within walking distance with views of the local village – best to book a table in advance. Also close by is the local seaside town, around 5km by car (or you could hire bikes and cycle down via a bike trail which is just a five minute walk from the villa). It’s a wonderful fishing town with long stretches of beach, summer lidos and beachside restaurants as well as a great range of other places to eat and shop. Take lovely walks or cycle rides along the sea promenade, wander around the fishing port and soak up the authentic ambience around you.  Look out for the flea market on the fourth Sunday of the month. The town’s beaches are perfect for lazy days relaxing by the Adriatic – you’ll find both public areas as well as superb summer beach clubs with deck chairs and sun-umbrellas to rent for the day. There are of course many other beaches along this part of Le Marche coastline – this part of mainland Italy offers the highest number of Blue Flag beaches. Heading north towards Ancona you will find the stunning Riviera del Conero where some beaches can only be accessed by boat and you are surrounded by outstanding natural beauty (also the home to Conero Golf Club). Alternatively, forty minutes south is the Riviera delle Palme with brilliant beaches around Cupra Marittima, Grottammare and Pedaso. Le Marche is also renowned for its charming hilltop villages and historic towns which are waiting to be explored – tailor-made itineraries can be arranged for you as part of the casa’s extra services. Nearby Macerata (26km) is home to one of the country’s oldest universities and hosts the Sferisterio opera festival every August. Loreto (20km) and Fermo (32km) are also nearby or drive a little further to Sarnano (60km) and the famous town of Ascoli Piceno (85km); there are so many gems amongst the rolling hills, vineyards and olive groves. The region is also filled with incredible natural scenery, perfect for hiking, mountain biking and exploring by car. The Sibillini mountains are especially spectacular and ideal to explore on horse-back. Also look out for white-water rafting in Le Marche as well as a great range of watersports along the Adriatic from kite-surfing to canoeing as well as deep-sea diving. The owners can arrange a variety of personalised excursions whether you are looking for unique culinary experiences, historic tours, wine-tasting, truffle hunting and more. Terms & Conditions: ? €1500 paid via bank transfer to the owner one month before arrival and refunded two weeks after departure, subject to full inspection. 4.00 p.m. 10.00 a.m. Yes. Yes and linen changed weekly for stays of two weeks or more. Towels changed twice per week. Not allowed. Weddings and celebrations are permitted on request. Please note stag/hen parties are not allowed. Please note home security devices may be installed at the villa, please enquire for further information. Saturday in mid and high seasons, flexible during all other periods. Extra €500, paid via bank transfer to the owner one month before arrival. However, guests are required to leave the accommodation clean, tidy and in the same condition as on their arrival. Any extra cleaning, laundry, maintenance and/or rubbish disposal required will be charged against the security deposit. Outside only. 7 nights in mid and high seasons, 4 nights during all other periods. Yes. Italian Visitors Tax payable locally (typically costs €32 per adult - please enquire if exact amount is required). Wi-Fi internet access included. Yes. The pool is open approximately May to November. Please note that pool opening dates are subject to local weather conditions and pool maintenance requirements and that cooler months may not be suitable for swimming. Licence number: IT043013C2YYW6CSFJ