Casa Benessere, a restored Italian farmhouse, is set in the magical, untouched Le Marche region which neighbours Umbria and Tuscany. The property, the landscape and the peaceful, inspiring spirit of this area are why we chose the name Benessere, which means well being. Casa Benessere is made up of three buildings. There’s the main farm house with five bedrooms, the old barn with two bedrooms and an impressive studio for yoga & pilates and, on the hill-top overlooking the property, the casa privata. All eight bedrooms are en suite doubles, there is a large swimming pool and a host of contemporary comforts including a large extensively equipped kitchen with a big granite worktop as its focal point. The renovation has been carried out by Italian specialists in historic rural dwellings so we could keep the property’s true, timeless nature. We have also, where possible, selected original and reclaimed materials along with traditional pieces crafted by local artisans. General information: Our Italian caretaker, Antonio, is wonderful and will show you around the house on arrival and deal with any problems during your stay. There is a full complementary welcome pack provided with information on the house, local area and places of interest. The property enjoys completely private landscaped gardens and uninterrupted views over the surrounding countryside. There are plenty of areas around the grounds to take the sun or enjoy the shade. It is maintained weekly during the summer months and has automated irrigation.The swimming pool also enjoys beautiful views and is equipped with 16 sun loungers and plenty of sun umbrellas. It opens in May and closes at the start of October. We also have additional services available to our guests: Meet and greet on your arrival / emergency assistance in English available at an additional cost. We can also organise a local cook and mid-week as required. There is a hospital 15 minutes away in San Severino Eating and drinking: Le Marche is a pioneering region in organic farming. And you can see, feel and taste the difference in the local shops and restaurants. Around the coast, you’ll find excellent seafood and brodetto (fish soup), with each area offering its own delicious variant on the ingredients. Inland there are other delights. This is truffle country, and they have been part of the culture for the past 300 years. Every type is found in the area, so local restaurants serve seasonal truffle dishes all year long. Le Marche is home to the famous white wine Verdicchio. There are currently 11 DOC areas in Le Marche (this denotes a regulated wine of a high standard, so watch out for the label). We like the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, an elegant dry white, and Rosso Conero Riserva Grosso Adontano 2002, a ruby red with hints of black cherry and plum that goes well with red meat and hard cheeses. Outdoor activities: After all that indulgence, you’ll want some exercise. Hike on the Grande Anello dei Sibillini, or — more gently — through the Gothic Gola dell’Infernaccio, or Hell’s Throat, a twisting limestone gorge. The water park at Cingoli is great for a family day out. There is also skiing in the Sibillini's in the winter months. There are some great walks in the local area and winding your way through the country lanes near Casa Benessere is a joy. We also have four moutain bikes with helmets at the property for your use. The rolling hills and the lake at Cingoli also make for excellent triathlon training.