Beautiful farmhouse with lovely pool and stunning views over Le Marche

Casa Menta is a beautifully restored 300 year old farmhouse with great charm and character, which sleeps up to 6 people. There are two double bedrooms and one other bedroom which can be used either as a double or twin. The 10 x 4m private, enclosed pool is nestled within the Marche countryside with stunning views reaching to the Sibillini mountains. There are two shaded terraces where you can dine or relax. There is also a further sun terrace for you to enjoy the Italian sun. The house is in a very peaceful location, with little to disturb you but birdsong. Yet the house is a short walk to the nearby town where you can find all necessary goods and services, including two excellent restaurants. The house is around half an hour from the coast and an hour from Ancona airport. HOUSE LAYOUT The house has an unusual, yet charming layout as it was once two houses that date back to the early 1700s. It is on three floors with three sets of staircases. Ground floor: From the front door, which is accessed from the long loggia, there is a dining area straight ahead with table and seating for 6 people. To the right is the kitchen which is fully equipped, with gas oven and hob, fridge freezer, dishwasher, microwave, kettle, toaster, Nespresso coffee machine, and all other necessities. It is possible to access the smaller loggia through the kitchen. Left of the front door leads you to the ground floor toilet where you will also find the washing machine. Beyond this is the main lounge with two comfortable sofas, side tables, HD television and DVD player with external Goodmans speaker for outstanding sound quality. You will also have the benefit of a hard drive attached to the TV with hundreds of films and television programmes for you to enjoy. This room also leads out onto the loggia. First floor: The half-railed staircase takes you up to a landing. To the right is a study area with a large fireplace, desk, maps and tourist guides for you to use. Beyond the study area is a light, airy double aspect bedroom with a king size bed. It has a wardrobe, chest of drawers and a television. The double doors open onto a Juliet balcony with views of the countryside and the Sibillini mountains beyond. From the top of the stairs to the left is a double aspect lounge with leather sofa and two armchairs for you to relax or read in. There are two bookcases with a variety of books. There is also a wood-burning stove for chillier spring or autumn evenings. The door in the far corner leads to a staircase taking you to the bedroom and bathroom on the second floor. Second floors: From the study area, you can reach one of the second floors via a wooden staircase. At the top is a bathroom with a bath and overhead shower, toilet and hand basin. Beyond the bathroom is a double aspect bedroom with either two twin beds or a king sized bed and chest of drawers. As with the bedroom below, the double doors open on to a Juliet balcony with amazing views. From the lounge, a granite staircase takes you up to another bathroom with bath, overhead shower, WC and hand basin. Past the bathroom is a double aspect, high ceilinged master bedroom. This room has a king sized bed, en suite shower room, wardrobe, chest of drawers, television, DVD player and attached hard drive with a variety of films. The double doors lead to a Juliet balcony with expansive views of the Marche countryside and Sibillini mountains. All the rooms have shutters across the windows, French doors and the original beams which adds to the character of the property. There are also fans and mosquito nets in all rooms, and fly screens across the windows. Wifi is provided free of charge. All towels and pool towels are provided, along with all other linen. OUTSIDE AREA The house and courtyard are enclosed with a wooden gate which leads out to the drive and large parking area. The secluded courtyard is gravelled and bordered by bay and oleander hedges, and olive and fig trees. There are two shaded, south-facing loggias, with a dining table seating 6, comfortable cushioned garden furniture and external lighting. The loggias are enhanced by a number of mature scented climbing plants and shrubs, such as jasmine, rosemary and bay. There is also a wooden sun terrace with chairs in front of the house, if you prefer not to sit in the shade. A lockable gate and bannistered steps lead down to a lower terrace planted with olive trees, lavender, bay and rosemary. Broad steps flanked by cypress trees and rosemary bushes lead down to the pool and pool terrace. There are also fruit and olive trees in the field below. POOL 10 x 4m pool has steps leading into the 1.3m shallow end. It increases in depth to 2.5m at the other end. The pool has uninterrupted views of the rolling Marche hills and the mountains beyond. It is surrounded by a spacious, paved terrace with a grassed area below. There are 6 rattan sunbeds with cushions with 4 large umbrellas to provide some shade, and 4 small tables to rest drinks and belongings on. Pool towels are provided. Services such as babysitting, restaurant reservation or hiring a chef to cook for you are available on request. Our English speaking house manager Patrizia can greet you upon arrival and help with anything you may need during your stay. LOCAL AREA The nearest town is Sant'Angelo in Pontano which is only 1500m walk from the house. It is a charming and sleepy medieval walled hilltop town with cobbled streets, churches, a monastery, towers, amazing views and two excellent restaurants. In town you will also be able to find a supermarket, bank and ATM, bakery, butcher, chemist, post office, GP surgery, cafes, a gelateria/pizzeria and a bus service which serves the surrounding areas. There are a number of attractive nearby medieval hilltop towns to explore. Further afield, Ascoli Piceno is of architectural interest, with a piazza thought to be one of the most beautiful in Italy. The university town of Fermo (30 min.) is noted for its stunning duomo, traditional restaurants and plentiful shopping. Macerata (around 45 minutes’ drive) is particularly famed for its open air opera season in July and August. The coast and the white beaches of the Adriatic are around 40 minutes away. The closest beaches are at Civitanova or Porto San Giorgio and are not usually crowded. They are very well organised and beautifully maintained, with sun loungers, umbrellas, shower facilities and lifeguards on duty. There are good quality restaurants along the palm tree lined sea front, serving fresh seafood. The stunning coast line and beaches around Porto Nuovo and the Conero coast are 50 minutes away with a golf course, wine tasting tours, excellent seafood restaurants and designer outlet shopping. Skiing is available January to March in the Sibillini Mountains, approximately 40 minutes' drive away.