Italy - Le Marche Escape to the Continent

This imposing building behind me can house nearly 2,000 people,

stock over 40 million bags of sugar

and hold hundreds of thousands of litres of water.

So find out why it was built

and which country I'm in in just a moment.

Today's potential migrant is an entrepreneur itching to create

a healthier new life to complement her thriving business.

-Quick! Can we go and look?

-Yeah, keen, keen!

So, with some support from a close friend, she's banking on finding

her dream home and a Continental branch to her enterprise.

-It's exceeded expectations, put it that way.

-So pleased!

All my expectations. It really has, honestly.

Welcome to Escape To The Continent.

Today, I'm in Le Marche region in central Italy

and this is Lazzaretto,

a stunning building that overlooks the sea and port

of the capital, Ancona. Commissioned by the Pope,

it was built nearly 300 years ago as a totally self-sufficient island.

Its purpose was to provide a quarantined area to protect

the city from goods and travellers

that may have been carrying infectious diseases.

Today, it houses many cultural exhibitions

hosted by this stunning region.

Le Marche, or the Marches, lies in the calf of Italy's elegant boot

with its head in the Apennines and its toes in the Adriatic Sea.

This lesser-known region of central Italy is made up of coastal

and mountainous terrain as well as enchanting ancient towns

and villages that seem to crown every sunny hilltop.

With pristine beaches, wild national parks and farm vineyards,

the rich variety and vivid natural colours of Le Marche

present themselves like a wonderful landscape painting.

So how is all this reflected in the property prices?

let's find out where today's buyer wants to escape to.

With a prosperous career that has taken her throughout Europe,

businesswoman Janice is temporarily based at her parents'

Tyne and Wear home whilst caring for her elderly mother.

But, with the help of her friend, neighbour and one-time

English teacher Dorothy, plans are afoot to move back to the Continent.

Janice was one of my pupils in grammar school.

After she left school at 18 to go to university,

we lost touch for a while.

And I was in the supermarket one day, I bumped into Dorothy

and it was great to see her and, of course,

living close by we've forged our friendship since then.

I think maybe she's become a little bogged down in her

responsibilities to parents and I think now is the time for her

to have life and to have what she wants in life.

And what Janice wants is an unspoilt slice of Italy's organic countryside

that offers a comfortable property with commercial appeal.

Janice runs a company that offers consumers

natural alternatives to medicine and healing.

She'd like to grow her very own raw ingredients

and has chosen Le Marche region

because of its high concentration of organic farms.

It's an internet-based company at the moment but I certainly

plan on expansion when I move to Italy.

Obviously I would need good internet connection

and I'd also need quite a bit of land,

and also I might need some outbuildings, you know,

in terms of preparing the products.

Janice is also hoping her back-to-nature venture will be

the perfect tonic for her 90-year-old mother.

So I'd be taking my mum with me to Italy

and she's got some health issues, some cognitive decline.

But I do know that fresh air, oxygen is necessary for this condition

and I would hope because of the nicer weather I can get her outside more.

Her wholesome entrepreneurial skills are clearly paying off already

as Janice has an equally healthy budget for this upcoming move.

My absolute limit really is about £700,000

but ideally I would like it to be less than that.

We'll be taking Janice and her dear friend Dorothy to see a variety of

delightful Le Marche homes in the southern portion of the region

between the Sibillini Mountains National Park and the sea.

We're starting off inland just outside the town of Caldarola

to discuss the finer details

of Janice's prospective continental move.

So ladies, here we are in Le Marche, a beautiful part of central Italy.

Welcome to you both, Janice and Dorothy.

So Janice, why have you picked this part?

Well, I think Le Marche has everything that's lovely about Italy.

Beautiful countryside, it has medieval castles and churches.

It's just beautiful.

So Dorothy, are you going to be keeping us all in check?

Looking after her welfare?

Well, yes, I've known Janice since she was a child

and I looked after her then and my role here is to be her mentor here.

So Janice, tell us about this property.

What are you looking for you and your mum?

I'm looking for a main house which would be on fairly level ground.

Obviously a lovely house and a lovely garden,

flat land around the house, hopefully,

and perhaps a swimming pool.

How many bedrooms are we after?

I think we need three to four in the main house

but I would hope there might be some outbuildings that I could convert.

-So we're looking at possibilities?

-Yes, yes.

-We can expand.

-CHURCH BELLS RING

-Well, there are the bells,

that's calling us to start our search.

-I've got the first house lined up so shall we start, ladies?

-Great.

Thank you.

For a maximum budget of £700,000,

Janice is hoping to find a traditional property with at least

three bedrooms, a large kitchen

and outbuildings with business potential for her holistic company.

She's after a substantial plot of level land,

ideally with orchards and vines as well as a swimming pool.

And we've got four first-rate Italian houses up for offer

with land aplenty, but I won't be revealing their price tags

until the end of each tour.

Then we'll be unveiling a spectacularly rural setting

with a less than traditional home

in the form of the mystery house.

We're starting our property-seeking journey

in the fortified hilltop town of San Ginesio.

Some 700m high in the hills, the sweeping views from San Ginesio

out across lush valleys and mountains are sublime.

This delightful small town has a strong medieval heritage

protected by heavy-duty 14th-century walls, with buildings that

date even further back in time.

And, just ten minutes' drive,

our first property is tucked away in rolling patchwork fields,

approached by a sweeping gravel driveway,

featuring a large garage block.

So, our first property.

It's fantastic!

-Has it taken your breath away a little bit?

-Yeah, I like it.

-Yes?

-Yes. Quick, can we go and look?

-Yeah, keen, keen.

Come on then, girls.

Converted in the 1930s, this grand three-storey former farmhouse

is built of honey-coloured stone,

with contrasting deep-green shutter doors and windows

that perfectly complement its natural surroundings.

The hallway welcomes us inside and

leads straight into the heart of the house.

So you've got a dining area here,

informal seating, with a wood burner there.

-Leading onto the terrace.

-Yes, a bit of al fresco dining outside.

I spend most of my time in the kitchen, really

Yeah, and the views, they're great.

-Well, would you like me to show you a bit more?

-Please.

-OK.

Because here is our sitting room.

-This is lovely.

-Oh, it's beautiful.

-It's great, it's really great.

I love the windows, the doors, the fireplace.

Look at the ceiling.

So unusual. As you can see, it's vaulted.

Because guess who used to live in here?

Believe it or not, the animals.

The animals would be very happy with it.

I'll tell you what, Dorothy, this animal would be very happy in here,

because it is a tremendous property.

I can imagine my table here, unless there's another room?

-A dining room?

-Well, it would be a shame not to show you...

-Yes, it would.

-..what else there is, wouldn't it? Let's have a look.

-My goodness!

-How's this for a dining room?

-Oh, wow.

-This is unbelievable.

It's a little bit of a treasure, I think, at the end of the property.

Hope she buys it.

And it's only our first property.

Let's head upstairs, look at the bedrooms

-and hopefully that love affair will continue.

-OK.

So we have to start off upstairs with the master bedroom

-Beautiful en-suite.

-The bathroom looks quite big.

Yeah, the bathroom is really spacious with a sunken bath.

On this floor, you have four bedrooms in total.

-Oh, right.

-Good, good.

So you have another three bedrooms with two family bathrooms attached.

-Great.

-If that wasn't enough, up the stairs, two more bedrooms.

-No, no!

-With a huge study area as well.

-Really?

And being mindful of your mother, plenty of bedrooms with

her own bathroom.

-Are you pleasantly surprised?

-Yes, very pleasantly surprised.

-It's exceeded expectations, put it that way.

-So pleased.

All my expectations. It really has, honestly.

I think I would've been disappointed if you'd said anything different.

Well, it's an amazing house.

So let's head outside, let's talk about the land,

because I know that's equally as important as the property,

and get your thoughts on that.

The grounds that come with the property are really rather special

and cover just over seven acres of woodland

and gently undulating fields.

Closer to the house, the landscaped garden features fruit trees,

a sunny terrace and 100 square metres of garage space that could be

developed for Janice's business needs.

And directly to the rear of the property,

a pretty vine-covered portico

where the terracotta tiled pathway leads straight up to a pool.

-Gosh.

-Isn't it beautiful?

-Yes, crikey.

-I love it.

-Do you?

-Yes.

How much do you think the property

is on the market for?

-650.

-I think it would be a little over 700,000.

The asking price is £675,000.

-Oh, that's right. Right, OK.

-I'm very surprised.

-Very surprised, I thought it would be more expensive.

-So...

-Yeah.

-..why don't you have a little time on your own,

-and then I'll come and find you in a little while.

-OK.

-Off you go.

-All right, thank you.

-Thank you.

Just under the top budget of £700,000,

our first property is a beautiful...

Outside, a separate garage could be suitable for Janice's business,

and it all stands within a plot of some seven acres.

-How we doing, ladies? Have you seen enough?

-Yes.

-Yes, I think we've seen everything.

-Yeah? Are you sad to leave?

-I think that's always a good test with a property.

-Yes, very sad.

-Yeah, what about you, Dorothy?

-Oh, very sad to leave, yes, very.

-Good, I'm taking that as a good sign. Right, let's go.

-OK.

Our next destination is in the hillside town of Sarnano,

which lies at the foot of the Sibillini Mountains

and so has extensive verdant views across the elevated terrain.

And within walking distance of the town,

we come to the gates of our next house,

a country villa with 150-year-old pedigree that offers

a serious amount of bricks and mortar.

-Now you're probably wondering...

-Yes.

-..which one is it?

-Yes.

-This is the property.

-Yes.

-But these two buildings either side come with the property.

-Really?

-Oh, great.

-So what do you think of the actual house itself?

-It looks fantastic.

-You like the idea of...

-I like the idea of having the three.

-Yes.

Yes, I think you could have that house and I'll have that one.

Dorothy, I'm loving your work already.

You might not need me, she's already sold it!

Located at the edge of the national park,

this second option is an extensive property with

a wide range of options and we're starting the tour in the main house.

So the first room when you come into the property is a

very Italian dining room.

-It's lovely.

-Yeah?

-Yes, beautiful, beautiful ceilings.

-All the beams.

-Really nice.

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-Do you like it, Dorothy?

-Yes, it's not intimidating in its size. It's cosy, isn't it?

-Yes.

-You're keen to see some more?

-Yes, please.

-Now how's this for a kitchen?

-This is lovely, Nicki.

-Yes.

-It's a great shape, a great size.

-Yeah.

-Very homely.

I like the granite work surfaces and the tiles

and the log burning stove would be great in the winter, nice and cosy.

You've also got a utility room next door with additional storage,

which I think is always handy.

But let's keep going, I've got more to show you through here.

The main reception room on this floor

has been divided into two sitting areas.

One part is more of a cosy snug,

and the other side a sunroom with views out across the pool

that I hope will be to Janice's exacting taste.

It has a bit more of a modern feel, actually.

Even though I know it's an old house.

But it's important, because your mother's going to be

part of this big move. Would she be happy?

I think it would be great from the point of view that she's got

a lot to see outside. She can look at the trees.

We don't do that at the moment, so that's a real plus.

-I want to see the rest.

-Yeah?

Also on this floor is a room that used to be used to make wine,

which now has a hot tub.

But we're heading to the three bathrooms upstairs.

A fully tiled family bedroom serves two large double rooms

and we're going to take a peek at the largest bedroom.

-So the end of the hallway is your master bedroom.

-Very nice.

-With a good sized en-suite as well.

-Oh, OK, great.

This is a very feminine room without being too ornate.

-I just love the beams everywhere.

-Yeah.

-They're beautiful.

That wraps up the principal accommodation in the main house,

which stands in just under ten acres of land,

that includes formal lawned gardens, terraced seating areas,

the swimming pool we saw earlier

and sheltered sloped acreage with suitable soil for vine growing.

Then there's even more potential for guests,

and business, in the two remaining buildings.

Got a coach house to our left,

built around the same time as the main house,

That's been converted into an artist's studio.

It's huge, the downstairs is very much open-plan,

You've got a little kitchenette.

There's also a pull-down bed in there.

Potential to rent that out.

If that wasn't enough, the other side of the property

there's two huge garages, but, above that, a self-contained flat.

Oh, great.

-Dorothy, are you with me on this one?

-Very good.

-We like that, don't we?

-Yeah, that's great.

-Friends, family, but again you could rent that out.

-Oh, it sounds good.

So with all of this going for it,

right on the edge of the national park,

we are unfortunately going to have to put a price on it.

I think it's going to be at the top end.

I think 700 or above even, yeah.

Right. Dorothy?

690.

Asking price is £658,000.

-Really?

-Oh, yes.

-Oh, right, OK.

-Yeah, that's good.

-Gives you some flexibility.

I like it, it's a very... it's neat.

So why don't you take this opportunity to go off on your own

-and I'll come and find you?

-Thanks.

-Thank you.

Very comfortably under budget,

the second property is a handsome three-bedroom country villa...

And the whole lot lies in nearly ten acres of

Le Marche's prime countryside.

-Have you seen enough?

-Yes, it's great.

There's a lot to see with this property, isn't there?

-Yes, there is.

-Yeah?

-Yeah, there's a lot of potential here.

-Good!

-Because I wasn't sure, you're quite reserved.

-Yeah. No, I'm thinking.

-Are you holding back from me?

-When I'm reserved I'm thinking.

That's good. Keep thinking, because it's positive.

-Right, let's hit the road.

-OK.

Janice's long-distance move is about a complete change of lifestyle

as much as a new house

so I'm taking her and Dorothy to this old stone farmhouse

just outside Amandola

that's currently being converted into a home by two British expats

who swapped rural Northumberland for rural Italian two years ago.

David and Jane both feel passionately about organic

and self-sufficient living

so their first-hand expertise of the local soil

and soul of Le Marche should be invaluable to Janice

and her vision for a healthier life out here.

I think you three are kindred spirits.

You've got a lot in common and perhaps this

is your opportunity to find out a little bit more about the area.

-Absolutely.

-Dorothy, do you fancy a cup of tea?

-I do, we should leave them.

-Come on, then. Lovely, thank you.

-OK, bye.

Back in the UK, David worked for a non-profit organisation

giving advice to farmers and rural communities.

He and Jane spent eight months touring Italy

before deciding on their farmhouse in Le Marche,

complete with 13 acres of land where they've planted

an organic vegetable garden with pumpkins ready to be picked.

This one's probably good enough for some soup.

Everything we grow we want to grow organically

because I'm a great believer in your food is your medicine.

-Absolutely...

-It's your health.

-..yes, that's how I think, too.

So what we'll do now, Janice, we'll go up to the house

and we'll have a go at cooking some pumpkin soup with this pumpkin.

In Italian, this is a "zucca"

-and so we're going to cook "zuppa di zucca".

-OK.

-OK?

-OK, great.

Leaving Dorothy and I to get lost in the scenic surroundings, the green-fingered trio

are peeling and chopping the freshly picked pumpkin.

The chopped pumpkin is sauteed with onion, ginger, garlic,

carrot and celery and cooked in an organic stock

for about 45 minutes before it's ready to be served.

Oh, looking forward to this!

"Zuppa di zucca."

How cold does it get in the winter here?

We had snow last year in the first week of December

to the end of March.

Here, you're 600 metres, so nearly 2,000 feet.

It's very high here, and that's one of the things, I think,

when you think about buying a property,

because of the growing, and at this height, you don't see

-so many vines and so many olives.

-OK.

At the moment, for example, you're doing your house up.

Do you have to make an adjustment? You know, the way that people

do things in different countries, certainly in Italy.

Paperwork perhaps takes a little longer, having said that,

-our permission only took two weeks...

-Oh!

-..from submission

to approval, which I think would probably be difficult to be beaten.

We then selected the builders, that took a bit of time.

I think you just have to realise that

you're in this for the long term.

Janice might have mentioned she wants to run a business out here

which is successful in the UK but transferring it to Italy

-is another thing, isn't it?

-Yes, it is.

-And also you're going to need staff.

-Yes, I'll eventually need some staff.

Oh, right. Well, I think anything that gives somebody a local job that

isn't really agricultural-based would be most welcome.

Right, oh, good.

Well, listen, thank you so much for the time, for the meal

and for all the great advice.

All the best with the house.

'As well as Jane and David's crucial advice,

'hopefully Janice has also found some organic suppliers for her

'business but she just has to find the right Le Marche house.'

And before committing to any property purchase,

there are a few things to remember.

It's important to bear in mind that in Italy you need to put about

8% of the property price to one side for solicitors' costs,

stamp duty and agents' fees.

When it comes to business,

be aware that the country's complicated bureaucracy

means there's likely to be piles of official documents to comprehend

and even taxes to pay before starting up.

With this house hunt here in Italy,

we've certainly heard plenty of plaudits for our properties from

Janice and Dorothy but my question is, are they just being polite?

So let's see how we get on with our mystery house today,

because hopefully this could be Janice's perfect Italian retreat.

Our mystery house is in the village of Ripatransone,

which is our closest location to the coast.

Boasting almost unreal views of the surrounding landscape

with colours that contrast ploughed farmland against lush vineyards,

the village of Ripatransone clings to the hillside.

A short walk down a hill from the village,

our final property is a former farmhouse which has been remodelled

into something a little less conventional that is certainly not

the traditional property Janice asked for.

Just take a look at the property itself

and then just move your eyes to the right. What can you see?

-The views, fantastic.

-A spectacular view!

-Fantastic.

-It's the best view we've seen so far.

-Absolutely.

-It's incredible.

So are you wondering why we brought you here for our mystery house?

-Are you intrigued?

-Mm-hm.

-Absolutely, yes.

Well, it's not on one level, although it looks like it could be,

-and I would say the inside, the layout is quite eccentric.

-OK.

How do you both fancy dining outside?

You've got a wonderful pizza oven, sit outside, enjoy the views.

Very good, yeah.

-So for the last time, shall we get started?

-Yes.

So...

this entrance we enter straight into the living area.

-Oh, this is completely different.

-Isn't it?

-Completely, yeah.

-It's quite modern, isn't it?

-Yes.

-And so clean-cut.

Janice, you haven't said an awful lot.

I'm reserving my judgment so far.

-It's just so different from what we've seen.

-Yeah.

So it's a bit of a shock.

And just through here is our kitchen.

I think the kitchen's got quite a rural feel to it. Country?

Think the wood is great, but the tiles,

-I really don't like those tiles.

-I think it's got its own appeal

-but I think it could also be ready for a

-makeover. Absolutely.

-Yeah.

-Yes.

-Big enough space to work with?

-I think so, yes. Space-wise it's OK.

-Is it beginning to win you over or are you still nonplussed?

-Still...

-in two minds, really.

-OK, all right.

Despite the proportions,

sadly Janice is clearly struggling with her enthusiasm for this house.

Upstairs there's a large fully tiled bathroom and three bedrooms,

one a single room, there's also a twin,

leaving the last one just for Janice.

This would be the master, it has a balcony, sensational views.

The views are fantastic but I don't feel it's the house for me.

There's a third floor underneath.

The very basement is an additional bedroom with another single.

You've also got an open-plan work space and another bathroom.

Ah, OK, so there's a lot of space here.

Loads of space, lots of bedrooms.

-Still hasn't done it for you, has it?

-No.

-I'm trying, Janice!

I'm so trying.

Let's go outside, because if anything is going to win you over

with our mystery house, it is that view.

Outside, the grounds are on sloped land across various levels

that cover just under five acres of mature woodland and olive groves.

See, I thought I'd bring you out here to tease you with the Jacuzzi

but also, in more seriousness, that you can actually take in

-that spectacular view.

-Absolutely fantastic.

-Yes, it has something that is quite unique.

-Yeah.

The location is fantastic,

I just need to find a house which suits me inside.

Yeah. Well, let's see if our price makes any difference.

I think about 65?

-650,000?

-Yes.

-OK.

OK, I think maybe higher. Probably 700.

The asking price is £552,000.

I'm hopeless. OK.

Way under anything else that we've shown you, so

go and take another look around,

and, well, you'll find me enjoying this view, that's for sure.

Our lowest-priced house of the lot, the contemporary mystery house

is significantly under Janice's budget of £700,000.

It's laid out over three floors

with open-plan reception rooms and kitchen, five bedrooms,

a large gazebo for al fresco dining,

a jacuzzi, and just under five acres of land.

Mmm, sunshine on your face, it just lifts your spirits.

Right, ladies, how you feeling?

-Because that's all our properties done.

-Yeah, good, good.

-Lots of information to take in.

-Lots of information, yes. Dorothy?

-Yeah, I think we're quite stunned.

-Stunned in a good way?

Oh, yes, because you have provided food for thought.

Well, do you fancy going somewhere quiet where you can have

a proper chat about everything that you've seen

and then I'll catch up with you, how about that?

Yes, OK.

Now the tour is complete, I'm joining Janice and Dorothy

for a drink to find out

if any of our houses will make the Le Marche dream a reality.

So let's talk a little bit about the properties that we saw,

the three of us.

Is there one property that we've got close to you wanting to live in?

I keep on thinking about property number one

because it had the flat land with the doors opening onto

the flat terraces around the house.

But property two was a little bit more polished inside

so something between the two would be perfect, really.

Is there anything you've both taken from this experience?

Well, I think probably Janice has learned what she doesn't want

as well as what she does want.

-Yes. Well, thank you both very much. We wish you all the best.

-Thank you.

At least we know where we're going to come on holiday next time,

-don't we?

-Exactly, yes.

So that's the end of our journey here in Le Marche

and, although we didn't manage to secure a house sale for Janice,

what we have discovered over the last few days is you can buy

a magnificent home here on her budget.

So, from a very sunny and glorious Italy, ciao.

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