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CASA PALOMBA

Set in the spectacular countryside of the Apennine foothills, Casa Palomba is a self-catering holiday apartment for up to four adults in a restored traditional stone farmhouse

THE APARTMENT

Casa Palomba is located in a local nature reserve, perched on a hillside and surrounded by a typical mix of fields, woods and farmland

THE PERFECT HOLIDAY

This has to be one of the most beautiful places we have ever stayed. We experienced peace, tranquillity and true relaxation. Kirsty and John had thought of everything to make our stay perfect. We cannot fault the place in any way and are looking forward to returning as soon as possible.

Steve L.

TripAdvisor, 2016

The Accommodation

Rustic and uncluttered, the interior has traditional terracotta floor and ceiling tiles and exposed beams. White walls give a light and airy feel. The furnishings are simple and comfortable, mixing modern and antique.

The apartment, on two floors, is at one end of the farmhouse and with its own separate entrance is completely private and self-contained. The ground floor comprises a kitchen/dining area, a living-room with comfy sofas and a wood-burning stove, and a bedroom with twin beds. An open ‘loggia’ has beautiful views across the valley, and is a perfect place for breakfast or your evening aperitivo. Upstairs is a wood-floored double bedroom under the eaves and the bathroom (with shower). There’s a huge collection of books to choose from.

Cooking is a pleasure here with wonderful fresh local ingredients, and the kitchen contains all the equipment you’ll need to get creative. You can eat outside on the shady veranda with its pots of herbs and trailing vines. Fresh seasonal vegetables come from our garden.

Outside there is a private lawned garden with table, chairs and sun loungers, barbecue and  table tennis.

This is our home and we arehappy to give advice or help when necessary but are careful not to be invasive, making this the perfect place for a family holiday or a romantic escape.

The Essentials

Sleeps four.

2 bedrooms (1 double, 1 twin)

Towels and bed-linen are provided (note: please bring your own beach towels)

Washing-machine

Fast Internet access

Garden

A car is essential, as the house is difficult to access by public transport

Ten minutes to town, 20 minutes to the hills, 45 minutes to the coast

THE SURROUNDINGS

Our land is unfenced and from the garden you can wander along paths through fields and shady woods, soaking up the peace of the countryside and enjoying the stunning views

Flora and Fauna

The profusion of wild flowers includes many varieties of orchid and attracts a diverse population of butterflies and other insects, including a spectacular display of fireflies in June. Woodpeckers are not uncommon; hoopoes with their pink crests are our exotic summer visitors; in the twilight you may hear or see little owls (Athene noctua); and nightingales may sing you to sleep. Local birds of prey include buzzards, kestrels and peregrine falcons, while up in the mountains there are eagles. Badgers, wild boar, porcupines, hares, foxes, deer and pine martens are all seen in the woods and fields.

Star Gazing

Another great and, to some, unexpected, beauty is the night sky. With little light pollution, the stars are fantastic. Shooting stars are common in August, with a whole night being officially devoted to watching them fall (la notte di San Lorenzo). Star-watching through a telescope is offered by a local astronomy group on certain nights and we have a pair of 10 x 70 binoculars through which you can see the Andromeda galaxy and the moons of Jupiter, amongst other marvels.

PURE NATURE AND TOTAL RELAXATION

An absolute idyll! We enjoyed our stay very much: read a lot, sat on the “rose terrace” and looked into the wide landscape. The apartment is simple but very cozy, everything there, what you need – you feel very comfortable right away. And our little highlight: sleeping on the terrace outside and being awakened by the chirping of birds in the morning.

Uta S.

HomeAway, 2016

NEARBY

Our nearest little hilltop town, Camerino, is 15 minutes away. We are also close to the towns of Tolentino, San Severino and Matelica

A HIDDEN AND PEACEFUL PLACE

A great place, even after having seen so many places in Italy, the experience of a pure Marche – simple, unspoiled and true with very kind locals and great hosts is unforgetable.

Roger W., Munich

HomeAway, 2015

Local Towns

Sadly Camerino’s medieval centre was damaged in the earthquake of October 2016 and some parts remain off limits while reconstruction takes place. Parts of the old town, including the Rocca (with small park and spectacular views) and the fascinating botanical gardens, are still open.

The town shops have reopened in a temporary centre on the outskirts and you will find all amenities operating as normal, including a good baker, the local butcher, greengrocers, delicatessens, bars, fresh pasta shop, fresh ice cream shops, and a weekly market.

Camerino has an impressive swimming-pool complex with a 25m indoor pool and an outdoor pool complete with bar and sun-loungers where those with children can happily while away an entire day.

Tolentino (20 minutes), Matelica and San Severino (both 30 minutes) are slightly larger towns with attractive centres, restaurants, bars, and all the trappings of small-town Italy. At Tolentino the basilica of San Nicola has stunning frescoes to rival Assisi. Matelica has a weekly evening antiques/artisan market. San Severino has an unusual and beautiful oval-shaped piazza lined with medieval arcades.

Eating Out

There are three agriturismi (farm restaurants) near the house (5–10 minutes’ drive), which offer superb food made from local, seasonal ingredients at amazing value for money. There are also a couple of nearby restaurants offering more ambitious and innovative menus, again at incredible value. In the surrounding area there are lots of excellent restaurants, listed in the apartment guide book.

Wine

The region’s wines are excellent, with traditional grape varieties being revived and many producers concentrating on quality output, often using organic farming methods. The local wine is Verdicchio, a crisp white, and we can recommend several award-winning organic producers who will sell you 5 litres for around 10! Other interesting whites include Pecorino, Falerio and Passerina. Reds include Rosso Conero, Rosso Piceno and the unusual Lacrima di Morro d’Alba. A local sparkling red is also produced (Vernaccia di Serrapetrona).

Festivals and Music

Camerino’s major festival, ‘La Corsa alla Spada e Palio’, takes place in May, incorporating various ‘medieval’ processions and ending in a foot-race around the town. Early June sees a splendid local-wine-tasting festival in the grounds of a medieval tower. Music concerts take place throughout the year, including an international chamber music season and a jazz festival in the summer. The San Severino Blues festival puts on jazz and blues concerts at open-air locations around the area.

PLACES TO GO

Mountains, lakes and beaches, hilltop villages, medieval churches, museums, art and music, a treasure round every corner

Towns and Villages

There are many small, pretty towns  in Le Marche, such as Sarnano and Amandola in the foothills of the Apennines, that are worth exploring, and larger centres such as Ascoli Piceno, a big, busy medieval/Renaissance city built of travertine; Urbino, the famous ‘Renaissance gem’ of Le Marche, birthplace of Raphael; and Macerata, a bustling medieval hill town with a renowned open-air opera festival in summer. Many towns have quirky little museums or art galleries (fossils at Pioraco, paper at Fabriano), often containing something amazing and unexpected. Local open-air festivals, markets, concerts and events take place all over the region throughout the summer months.

With a brand-new road through the mountains, getting to Umbria is now very fast. Easy daytrip destinations include Assisi, Spello, Perugia, Gubbio, Todi, Spoleto and Orvieto. Castelluccio and the Piano Grande with its spectacular summer fiorituraare a must-see.

The Coast

The coast is less than an hour’s drive away. The beaches are clean, sandy and family-friendly (Civitanova Marche, Porto Recanati, Porto Sant’Elpidio). Many are private (you hire a lounger and umbrella) but there are always free stretches. The coast just south of Ancona is more striking and less developed, with beaches flanked by dramatic rocky cliffs (Portonovo, Sirolo, Numana). You will find fantastic seafood restaurants in all the beach towns.

There are lots of interesting towns near the coast, including Loreto, Fano, Recanati and Jesi.

Hills and Mountains

For walkers, the Sibillini mountains offer opportunities from relaxed strolls to challenging hikes, including guided excursions. Horse-riding, mountain-biking and white-water rafting are also available. Lake Fiastra is a spectacular mountain lake just 20 minutes’ drive away, our favourite place for a picnic and a swim.

GETTING HERE

Palomba Apartment

By Car

Driving from the UK is feasible in two days with a single night’s stop somewhere north of the Italian border (eg Geneva); however, it is more comfortable to do the drive in three days with two nights en route.

By Air

Ancona and Perugia airports are the nearest, each about one hour’s drive from the house (Ryanair from Stansted).

The easiest way to get to Camerino from an Italian airport is to hire a car. Hertz offer special rates for Ryanair customers.

GPS

43.102970, 13.098724 or

43°06’10.7″N, 13°05’55.4″E or

search for Casa Palomba Camarino on Google Maps

On booking we will also send you detailed directions for getting to the house.

CONTACT US

You can email at info@casapalomba.com

Alternatively you may phone Jim Looijen / Lillian Hesseling: 0031-6-28081550