Benvenuto! Welcome! Ciao!
A
few years ago, I discovered Le Marche and fell in love. To the west are
majestic peaks. On the nearby coast, pristine, sandy beaches meet
sparkling acquamarine seas. Inland, medieval hilltop towns sparkle in
the sunshine. Around each bend, the landscape amazes:
an endless sea of bobbing sunflowers, dramatic rolling hills,
snow-capped mountains and stunning beaches. A word of warning: first
impressions of Le Marche are powerful. They usually are followed by the
question: Why haven't I visited here before?!?
As the New York Times recently reported, and Travel & Leisure confirmed shortly aftwards, Le Marche is truly a feast for the senses. The Marchigiani have been living off the land and sea for centuries, giving birth to a unique cuisine (princely fish meals from the waters of the Adriatic to a hearty fare of game further inland) and a wide variety of wines (from the world famous Verdicchio to Marchigiani up-and-comers, the Pecorino and Lacrima di Morro). The Times got Italy buzzing when it asked if Le Marche could possibly be the next Tuscany? Sorry to disappoint. Le Marche is a completely different experience. Imagine a Tuscany before the onslaught of tourists in their unsightly tour buses and minus the grumpy locals. The Marchigiani are inquisitive people who dote on newcomers with extra helpings of food and extra wide smiles. There is a motive: they want you to come back.
Set amidst all this wonder is a little hilltop hamlet called Sant'Ippolito in the Commune of Amandola. Casa Chiocciola is an old stone cottage situated off a strada bianca, or white road, nestled between grazing pastures and farms.
The property has commanding, 360-degree views of some of the tallest peaks in the Apennines and a panorama of distant hilltop villages.
We
rent out Casa Chiocciola from time to time. It has all the amenities:
satellite TV, stereo, etc. But you probably will find little use for
that here. The natural beauty has been known to reinvigorate the senses
and inspire the soul. Click here for more details.