We've just returned from an amazing break at Villa San Raffaello in the stunning Le Marche region of Italy. Skiing locally at the newly upgraded ski resort just above Sarnano (new lifts, bars and swish ristorante) and then returning to a beautifully restored apartment and toasting our toes in front of the fire.
This place has it all, a superb villa set in acres of farmland with jaw-dropping views and a great medieval town within walking distance (vibrant, many restaurants and named one of the most beautiful in Italy), the National Park on your doorstep and it's eco friendly too. The owners have a tree planting scheme to offset carbon from your flights and provide free organic veg during the summer months.
We have travelled to this area in the summer as well and the place is alive with festas, places to visit and things to do. Sarnano is a focal point for this part of Le Marche and this villa is ideally positioned to take advantage of the best of the region. The pool seems very big too (covered during our visit) and has those same views of medieval towns and the Mountains beyond.
I found the place on Trip advisor where they have many glowing reviews

www.villasanraffaello.com
0039 0733 657945
0039 3402610288
Via Case Rosse 278, Sarnano, MC 62028, Le Marche
Try "villa San Raffaello" on google maps

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We walked through the Sibillini foothills from Sarnano to San Liberato Monastery near to the hang gliding school and Gabella Nuova, the views up to the mountains and down across the rolling hills to the sea were stunning. San Liberato was a follower and friend of Saint Francis of Assisi and this was one of a number of monasteries built throughout Le Marche by their followers the Frati Fioretti di Jesi.

The monks are renovating all of the monasteries (don't know where they found the capital!) and trying to make them self-sufficient, opening ristorante, bars, hotels, and hosting wedding and functions. The monastery is open daily for visitors and adjacent to this there's a bar, which is stocked with a great selection of wines and a menu of quality Belgian beers no less, the ristorante menu is really seasonal and quite different from anything else available locally. At the moment in November and December there's a robust menu based around game, chesnuts, truffles and wild mushrooms - you can go a-la-carte or take a tour de force plate of everything (€35 inc wine, coffee and grappa). It's open most lunchtimes and Saturday and Sunday evenings phone in advance on 0733 694103 or 071 977128. There's also a website with more information on the monasteries and potential itinararies. www.terradeifioretti.it

There are many comfortable hotels locally or you can rent stylish apartments just outside Sarnano at www.villasanraffaello.com
Flights to the area - Ancona and Pescara 1.5 hrs, Perugia & Rimini 2hrs, Rome & Bologna 2h45mins

San Liberato Monastery, Gabella Nuova, San Ginesio, Macerata, Le Marche

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