Olive Hilltop

A restored farmhouse set in eight hectares of Le Marche countryside, this villa earns its keep through a combination of scale and setting. The centrepiece is a large private pool framed by rolling hills, with a dedicated glass pavilion housing a heated hydromassage pool alongside it – the kind of setup that makes afternoons disappear. Alfresco dining comes easy under a pergola, and a professional kitchen with a table for fourteen means the group can eat in just as well. Cingoli, known as the balcony of Le Marche, is 7km away, and the Adriatic coast is within an hour's drive.

Home truths:
* The accommodation here is set across the main house and a separate one-bedroom annexe with its own living area and kitchen.
* For those with reduced mobility, there's a ground floor bedroom and bathroom here.
* Air conditioning is available in the bedrooms only – the kitchen, living areas, and billiard room are not air-conditioned, which is worth bearing in mind during the warmer summer months.
* You'll need a car to make the most of your stay here. The nearest shops and restaurants in Cingoli are 7km away, and the coastal towns and Frasassi Caves are further afield – so plan to drive for most outings.