Casa Caterina
Near Amandola, Marche, Italy
Panoramic country villa sleeping up to twelve guests in two properties, with fenced swimming pool (10x5m)
This beautifully restored country retreat and converted hay barn boast stunning 360 degree views of the Sibillini Mountains and the rolling fields and foothills that make up the confines of Marche's Ascoli Piceno and Macerata provinces.
Set in 45 acres of its own unspoilt farmland, Casa Caterina is the perfect relaxing rural idyll for anyone wanting to live the Italian dream for a while.
For nature lovers this location is also the perfect base for exploring the local surroundings, notably the Monti Sibillini National Park, renowned for its rare flora and fauna, including wolves, bears, chamoix, red and roe deer, eagle owls and many types of other raptor.
The park is a must visit destination for walkers or hikers in the spring and summer, and is popular with skiers and snow boarders in the winter. The villa's nearest ski resorts of Sassotetto, Frontignano and Bolognola di Pintura all provide ideal slopes for beginners as well as some more challenging runs for the more experienced.
Nearby Amandola, Monte San Martino and the spa town of Sarnano are charming medieval hilltop towns and provide all amenities and shops, as well as excellent restaurants serving delicious local delicacies such as wild boar, porcini mushrooms and white and black truffles.
The National Antiques Fair is held annually in the historic centre of Sarnano and sees the winding medieval streets of the town transformed into an antiques market, whilst in August the Medieval Festival - Palio del Serafino - is an unmissable event for tourists and locals alike. The International Theatre Festival, which takes place in Amandola in September, attracts visitors and artists from all over the world.
Numerous other towns and villages are a treasure trove of history and art waiting to be discovered. In the small church of San Martino in the lovely village of Monte San Martino you can see one of the few remaining intact poliptych painted by the brothers Carlo and Vittore Crivelli.
And if you feel like a dip in the sea or visiting some fine fish restaurants, then the Adriatic coast with its numerous seaside resorts is only 40 minutes drive away.
The property itself is blessed with modern comforts in a thoroughly traditional and rustic setting. The large open plan kitchen in the main villa is the natural focal point of the property and as well as a modern fully equipped kitchen has a waist high open fire designed for cooking alla braccia.
Also on the ground floor is an en suite double bedroom and a charming snug with fireplace, next to which is a second downstairs bathroom.
Patio doors at the back of the kitchen lead to the garden, swimming pool and shaded dining area.
On the first floor a further three bedrooms (one double, one twin and one with bunk bed) share a bathroom with tub and shower. Also on this floor is a second living room with open fireplace and handy kitchen corner as well as access to an outdoor covered loggia with working pizza oven and external stairs leading down into the garden.
The second floor has a further two bedrooms sleeping four guests, one bathroom with shower and a large living room area where a further two guests can sleep in single beds if required.
The recently converted barn has a fully equipped kitchen and open plan living room with fireplace, leading off which are double and twin bedrooms each with a bathroom and shower. The double bedroom also has a split level upper floor reached by a wooden stair ladder which has a comfy double futon ideal for children.
In the first floor tower is an extra bedroom/living room with a large double sofa bed.
ACCOMMODATION DETAILS
- TV
- Fully equipped kitchens with dishwashers, fridge freezers, ovens and gas hobs
- Mature garden with olives, fruit trees (apples, cherries and plums) and lawns
- Private fenced swimming pool
- Outdoor Barbecue
- Working pizza oven under 1st floor covered loggia
- Two kitchens in main property plus third in converted barn
- Cots available
- Outdoor tables and chairs for sixteen
- Ping pong
- Mountain bikes
- washroom with washing machine
*We also include a wine tasting and tour at the Umani Ronchi distillery. Click here for more details
|
