Pilgrim Walk On

For an authentic Italian stay, look no further than this vast villa located in the Le Marche countryside, close to the city of Macerata. Its fascinating history dates back to the beginning of the 18th century, with plenty of period features to pique your interest as you explore the home.

Inside, gorgeous marble and hardwood floors are enhanced by elegant furniture, opulent chandeliers and plenty of eye-catching artwork. Thanks to those gleaming marble floors and plenty of large windows, the villa's interior positively glows throughout the day, while the occasional double-height ceiling only adds to the drama.

Outside, you'll find yourself surrounded by three hectares of pristinely cared-for fenced gardens planted with plenty of olive trees to produce your hosts' own organic extra virgin olive oil.

An inviting pool and surrounding terrace make for a picturesque place to relax, especially when you consider the garden terraces that fall away to offer outstanding views of the azure waters of the Adriatic in one direction and the Sibillini Mountains in the other.

Finally, the icing on the cake has got to be the 15th-century chapel that stands overlooking the villa. How many other homes have you come across with a consecrated church on the grounds?

Home truths:
*A car is a necessity when staying here – there's ample on-site parking
*Access to the home is via a 300m-long unpaved track
*The pool is open from May until the end of September – please enquire if you're travelling outside these dates and would like to use the pool
*The dining table doubles as a laptop-friendly workspace
*One well-behaved dog is welcome to join you free of charge
*The communal spaces are split between the ground and first floors, so the home may not be suitable for those with limited mobility