0:00:02 > 0:00:04Welcome to Escape To The Continent. Today, I'm in a place
0:00:04 > 0:00:06that has been dubbed the greenest region in Europe.
0:00:06 > 0:00:09But where might that be? Find out in just a moment.
0:00:28 > 0:00:32After letting work schedules dominate their day-to-day lives,
0:00:32 > 0:00:35today's buyers are seeking to slow things down.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Some properties don't quite fit that plan...
0:00:38 > 0:00:40- The size is...- Huge!
0:00:40 > 0:00:44I'm thinking of cleaning now and thinking huge cleaning!
0:00:44 > 0:00:46..but others really seem to hit the mark.
0:00:46 > 0:00:48- Can you imagine living here? - Oh, yes.
0:00:48 > 0:00:51- Really?- Yeah, just the whole thing, it's just lovely.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59I'm in Abruzzo in the heart of Italy.
0:00:59 > 0:01:01And even though we're only two-and-a-half hours' drive
0:01:01 > 0:01:04from Rome here, this remote region is said to house
0:01:04 > 0:01:0875% of all of the species of flora and fauna in Europe.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11Creatures like the Marsican brown bear, wolves and eagles,
0:01:11 > 0:01:13which used to be widespread in Italy,
0:01:13 > 0:01:17have found refuge from extinction in the three massive national parks
0:01:17 > 0:01:20which cover a third of this region.
0:01:20 > 0:01:23But nature conservation is not the only thing that Abruzzo
0:01:23 > 0:01:25is famous for.
0:01:25 > 0:01:28A two-and-a-half hour flight from the UK,
0:01:28 > 0:01:30the Abruzzo region of Italy is best known
0:01:30 > 0:01:32for its dramatic mountain scenery.
0:01:34 > 0:01:36Situated in the mid-eastern segment of the country,
0:01:36 > 0:01:39Abruzzo may be just 50 miles from Rome,
0:01:39 > 0:01:43but it is separated by the Apennine mountain range.
0:01:43 > 0:01:45The region itself is split into four subdivisions -
0:01:45 > 0:01:50Teramo, Pescara, Chieti and L'Aquila.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54The Apennine Mountains, which run down the central spine of Italy,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56are at their most dramatic in the Abruzzo region.
0:01:56 > 0:02:02The range's highest peak, at 2,900 metres, is Gran Sasso,
0:02:02 > 0:02:05whose summit is often lost in the clouds above.
0:02:05 > 0:02:09The rocky slopes are home to historic mediaeval towns,
0:02:09 > 0:02:11where tightly packed limestone houses
0:02:11 > 0:02:14cling to the sides of mountains.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16It's a region of romantic ruins
0:02:16 > 0:02:20and one of the most breathtaking castles is at Roccascalegna.
0:02:20 > 0:02:22Dating back to the 11th century,
0:02:22 > 0:02:26the magical fortress rises dramatically from the rock below.
0:02:26 > 0:02:29As well as mountains, Abruzzo also has an enviable coastline,
0:02:29 > 0:02:32with sands that stretch along the Adriatic Sea.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35Its relatively uncharted territory for many tourists,
0:02:35 > 0:02:40who bypass it for more well-known Italian destinations.
0:02:40 > 0:02:41But as a place to live,
0:02:41 > 0:02:45Abruzzo offers a pretty unbeatable way of life.
0:02:45 > 0:02:47The remote and rural quality of the landscape here
0:02:47 > 0:02:50reflects on the house prices.
0:02:50 > 0:02:54The average price for a detached property here is £125,000,
0:02:54 > 0:02:57which is half the figure back at home.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00But be warned if you want to go to the popular coastal resorts,
0:03:00 > 0:03:02particularly in the north, you might pay double that.
0:03:02 > 0:03:06The general rule of thumb is that the further off the beaten track
0:03:06 > 0:03:08you're prepared to venture, the more property prices tumbled.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11And is this a factor that has persuaded our couple
0:03:11 > 0:03:13to come and buy here in Abruzzo?
0:03:13 > 0:03:16Well, let's meet them and find out.
0:03:16 > 0:03:21Looking to relocate to la bella Italia are husband and wife duo
0:03:21 > 0:03:23Anita and Mark from Yorkshire.
0:03:23 > 0:03:26They met in their early 20s, when Mark, in particular,
0:03:26 > 0:03:28looked somewhat different.
0:03:28 > 0:03:30I worked for The Variety Club in Keighley,
0:03:30 > 0:03:33and one night this handsome guy walked in with a mohican
0:03:33 > 0:03:35and nine earrings. Yours truly.
0:03:35 > 0:03:38And...it was... To be honest, it was a bit of a dare
0:03:38 > 0:03:41because someone said, "Who's going to kiss that punk rocker?"
0:03:41 > 0:03:42And I said, "I will."
0:03:42 > 0:03:44And we've been together ever since, 35 years.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Surprising love because I didn't think anything
0:03:47 > 0:03:49like that'd happen to me, but it actually did.
0:03:49 > 0:03:50We have a daughter, Rachel.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53We have three wonderful grandchildren,
0:03:53 > 0:03:54and yet to have another one,
0:03:54 > 0:03:56and we're really excited about it.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59Mark works as a manager in the meat industry
0:03:59 > 0:04:01and Anita runs a busy beauty salon.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05Both have non-stop professional lives that have long skewed
0:04:05 > 0:04:07the work-life balance.
0:04:07 > 0:04:09I get up in the morning, usually about half past five.
0:04:09 > 0:04:11Mark's already left for work at four.
0:04:11 > 0:04:14Sometimes I get home maybe seven, eight o'clock at night.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17By that time, Mark's fallen asleep in the chair,
0:04:17 > 0:04:21and next day it's the same again.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24And we now think that the best thing to do would be to sell up,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27go and live in a different country, with a better climate,
0:04:27 > 0:04:32and do the things we want to do in the time that we want to do them in.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35This new leisurely lifestyle is set to be in Italy,
0:04:35 > 0:04:37a place they've been to many times,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40but the region they hope to settle in is actually new to them.
0:04:40 > 0:04:43Never been to Abruzzo. It was highly recommended.
0:04:43 > 0:04:46We've researched it, we've looked through books
0:04:46 > 0:04:47and it's just got so much to offer -
0:04:47 > 0:04:50it's got the sea, it's got the mountains,
0:04:50 > 0:04:52it's got this amazing food and the culture.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55I just want to engross all that.
0:04:55 > 0:04:56Within this wonderful setting,
0:04:56 > 0:04:59they would in many ways like a home from home.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03We would like something that's probably like our farmhouse,
0:05:03 > 0:05:05a little bit rustic, a bit of character.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08I'd love to take my wonderful kitchen, which is where we
0:05:08 > 0:05:10can sit at least 6-8 people round for dinner...
0:05:10 > 0:05:15Where we can feel as home in Italy as we felt here in Yorkshire.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17The move doesn't just involve the two of them,
0:05:17 > 0:05:21there's also their three-year-old French mastiff Ariel,
0:05:21 > 0:05:24as well as some feathered friends to consider.
0:05:24 > 0:05:27Currently we have six hens, two cockerels.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29Fresh eggs are brilliant...
0:05:29 > 0:05:32People don't believe you, but they are so completely different to the
0:05:32 > 0:05:35eggs you buy from the supermarket - they taste much better.
0:05:35 > 0:05:39Once we move to Abruzzo, we're looking at getting some more hens,
0:05:39 > 0:05:43maybe a couple of pigs and some sheep, just having a field.
0:05:43 > 0:05:45And this rock-solid couple want to make the most of this
0:05:45 > 0:05:47next stage of their lives.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50The strength in our relationship is the one thing that will
0:05:50 > 0:05:52carry us through, whatever happens out there.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54We'll help each other all the way through things.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56I'm not worried about moving there at all -
0:05:56 > 0:05:58you've got to take that risk in life.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01I want to get there, I want to enjoy life and take...
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Every day is a new day and take it as it comes.
0:06:06 > 0:06:10Having never been here before, Anita and Mark are taking a bit of a punt
0:06:10 > 0:06:13on Abruzzo but I think they've been well advised.
0:06:13 > 0:06:16We're concentrating our search on the central area
0:06:16 > 0:06:17between the mountains and the sea
0:06:17 > 0:06:20that could offer the lifestyle they're looking for.
0:06:20 > 0:06:23It's just half an hour from Pescara Airport.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27I'm meeting our couple to find out more about their Italian plans.
0:06:29 > 0:06:32- Benvenuti.- Grazie. - Welcome to Italia.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34- Thank you.- Do you speak Italian?
0:06:34 > 0:06:37- A little bit.- Piccolo.- Piccolo.
0:06:37 > 0:06:40That's great. What about you, Mark?
0:06:40 > 0:06:41Just a few words at the moment.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44Because you've been here a lot, you've been on lots of holidays here.
0:06:44 > 0:06:47- We have, yes.- We've had a lot of fun as well with the phrasebook,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50especially in the south and if there aren't many people who
0:06:50 > 0:06:53speak English, the book comes out. If we can't get the pronunciation
0:06:53 > 0:06:55right, we get the book out and let them have a look.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59- That's such a good way of meeting people, isn't it? That's such a nice way of...- Absolutely.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03- You've been all over because you've been in Sardinia, you've been down south, Tuscany.- Yeah, love it.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07- But not in Abruzzo?- No, this is our first time.- No, our first time.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Yeah, so how are you feeling about that? Because, obviously, you're
0:07:10 > 0:07:13- leaving your family, your grandchildren.- Well, I suppose it does have a bit of pull,
0:07:13 > 0:07:16but the other thing is, we're only two and a half hours away and,
0:07:16 > 0:07:18so when the kids are on holiday
0:07:18 > 0:07:21they can always spend most of the time over here, if they want to.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25- So have a proper catch up.- Quality time. We don't get the quality time
0:07:25 > 0:07:27at home like we would get if we moved away.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- That's what we want.- Yeah, it is.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32- People say that, that you really get to see people.- Yeah, definitely.
0:07:32 > 0:07:36Do you have any anxieties? Because you've not lived abroad before.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39- No, no.- No, not really.
0:07:39 > 0:07:42I suppose integrating, really, making sure that we're
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- mixing with everybody, that would be nice.- So what are you looking for
0:07:45 > 0:07:47in terms of the house? Talk me through the details.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51A nice farm kitchen would be good, so that everybody could
0:07:51 > 0:07:54sit round the table, similar to what we have at home now.
0:07:54 > 0:07:58Then, probably, four or five bedrooms, if we can get that, so then everybody can come over,
0:07:58 > 0:08:00grandchildren, Rachel and her husband and Matt as well.
0:08:00 > 0:08:03I just want enough land but not to kill ourselves at it,
0:08:03 > 0:08:04you know, to enjoy it.
0:08:04 > 0:08:08What are you going to be doing here? Because, you know, you both work extremely hard.
0:08:08 > 0:08:10Enjoy time together, really.
0:08:10 > 0:08:14Have the good life and grow some vegetables, have a little bit
0:08:14 > 0:08:17of livestock, potter about in the morning,
0:08:17 > 0:08:20do you work until lunchtime, have a lazy lunch and then have
0:08:20 > 0:08:25a lazy afternoon, if you want to, or do a little bit more and go out and see friends, when we make them.
0:08:25 > 0:08:27You're selling it to me, that sounds fantastic.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30So will there be any differences between the two of you?
0:08:30 > 0:08:33- The size of the land. - Ah, yeah, tell me about that.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36Not too much. I mean, we want to keep cattle and sheep
0:08:36 > 0:08:38- and for growing our vegetables. - Cattle?
0:08:38 > 0:08:41Does that mean you want more and you want less?
0:08:41 > 0:08:43Yes, that's probably how it'll end up, yes.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46- And remind me again of your budget. - It's up to 300,000.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49- £300,000 sterling?- Yes.- OK.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51I've never been to Abruzzo before, so thank you for bringing me here
0:08:51 > 0:08:54and there are actually some beautiful properties that I'm hoping
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- you'll like, or indeed, fall in love with one of them.- Oh, yeah.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59- Let's go.- Exciting.- Follow me.
0:08:59 > 0:09:02For a maximum budget of £300,000, they want
0:09:02 > 0:09:04a pretty big rural setup...
0:09:29 > 0:09:33We've lined up four varied properties that should give Anita
0:09:33 > 0:09:35and Mark everything they're dreaming of.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37But I'll be keeping them on their toes, as they'll have
0:09:37 > 0:09:41absolutely no idea how much each house costs
0:09:41 > 0:09:43until the very end of the tour.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45What's more, we're here off-season,
0:09:45 > 0:09:49giving them a chance to experience everyday Abruzzo life.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52Finally, we've lined up a timber-inspired Mystery Property,
0:09:52 > 0:09:55offering the ultimate Italian good life.
0:10:00 > 0:10:04Our first house sits at the midpoint between the Gran Sasso Mountains
0:10:04 > 0:10:08and the Adriatic Coast in the town of Bisenti.
0:10:08 > 0:10:11The parish church of Santa Maria degli Angeli
0:10:11 > 0:10:14is in the centre of the town, overlooking the main piazza.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18Legend suggests that Bisenti is the birthplace of Pontius Pilate
0:10:18 > 0:10:21and, although other villages contest the lineage,
0:10:21 > 0:10:25the town radiates an ancient charm befitting Roman legend.
0:10:25 > 0:10:28For today's population there are a few shops,
0:10:28 > 0:10:30a couple of bars and a regular market.
0:10:30 > 0:10:35Walking distance from the centre is our first Abruzzo offering.
0:10:35 > 0:10:40- Here we have the first house. - Wow, quite impressive.
0:10:40 > 0:10:43It dates back to the 1900s. It was entirely agricultural,
0:10:43 > 0:10:46so the bottom half of the property was all for animals.
0:10:46 > 0:10:48- It's essentially two properties. - Two parts to it, right.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51It would require a bit of work on your behalf
0:10:51 > 0:10:52- to join the two together.- Right, OK.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55I don't know whether I like it or I don't like it, to be honest.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Whether I do or don't.
0:10:57 > 0:11:02- I suppose it's better getting inside and having a look.- Let's go in.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05A lukewarm response for the outside of this property,
0:11:05 > 0:11:07but hopefully we're just warming up.
0:11:07 > 0:11:10The house sits on a sizeable two-and-a-half acre plot,
0:11:10 > 0:11:12good for raising livestock.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15It even includes an olive grove that can produce up
0:11:15 > 0:11:18to 50 litres of olive oil every year.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21The house itself is currently split into two,
0:11:21 > 0:11:24so it might take a bit of vision to see the bigger picture.
0:11:24 > 0:11:27- Come on in.- Thank you.
0:11:27 > 0:11:32- So this whole bottom part is rented out as separate holiday...- As a let.
0:11:32 > 0:11:36I like the fact it's wide. It's got a nice feel to it when you walk in.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38- It's cool, yes.- I like to have an entrance hall,
0:11:38 > 0:11:41- rather than walking straight into your front room.- Yeah.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44This bottom floor has been finished to a good spec,
0:11:44 > 0:11:48with two very spacious bedrooms that both share a family bathroom.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50But we're heading into the living/dining room,
0:11:50 > 0:11:54which has several noteworthy architectural features.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57- Yeah, wow. Look at the ceilings. - The fire as well.
0:11:57 > 0:11:59Yeah, very typical to this area, you see it a lot,
0:11:59 > 0:12:02these wonderful vaulted brick ceilings.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06It would have been the original place where the animals lived,
0:12:06 > 0:12:08- so all of this brickwork is original.- Super.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11- They're all right, aren't they? - Yeah, space-wise.
0:12:11 > 0:12:14- Similar size to back home, actually. - It is, isn't it?
0:12:14 > 0:12:17I think the orange stone doesn't do it justice with this beautiful
0:12:17 > 0:12:20- stone, this brickwork.- Do you mean the brickwork of the fire?
0:12:20 > 0:12:22- It just seems to be...- Too new.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25It takes that lovely old feeling away from it,
0:12:25 > 0:12:28but I love all of this, it's amazing.
0:12:28 > 0:12:30- Let's look in the kitchen.- Super.
0:12:32 > 0:12:36- I know this is an important room. - Oh, yes.
0:12:36 > 0:12:40- So.- Wow, hmm, yeah.
0:12:40 > 0:12:42It's a bit bright.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46It's just suddenly gone from old, lovely and rustic
0:12:46 > 0:12:51to this bright modern kitchen. It's just a bit modern.
0:12:51 > 0:12:54In one sense as well, I think it's a little bit on the small side
0:12:54 > 0:12:56because it's nice to sit down
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- and eat your meals in the kitchen... - Mhm.- Mhm.
0:12:59 > 0:13:03..which is what we have at home and, so...
0:13:03 > 0:13:06I'm not overkeen on the colour scheme, to be honest.
0:13:06 > 0:13:08I think the size of the kitchen's a problem for me
0:13:08 > 0:13:12because I like space. I have pots and pans everywhere when I'm cooking.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15Are you looking to just move into a house and do nothing to it?
0:13:15 > 0:13:18- Oh, no, no, no.- Because changing the kitchen is not such a big job.
0:13:18 > 0:13:19Not really, no.
0:13:19 > 0:13:23- There are things you can do, aren't there?- Shall we look upstairs?
0:13:23 > 0:13:26- That would be lovely.- Brace yourself because this is more of a project.
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Right.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30How do we get upstairs?
0:13:30 > 0:13:33Ah, you might not like the answer to that, Anita.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37With no internal staircase to go up, first we need to go out.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40This is another unique feature of this property
0:13:40 > 0:13:43- is that there's this external staircase.- Uh-huh.- Right.
0:13:43 > 0:13:47It's quite common in Italy, but not everybody's cup of tea.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53So up the outside steps and this is the upstairs apartment,
0:13:53 > 0:13:55which, as you can see, it needs a bit of an uplift.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59- Yes.- Very much so, yeah, yeah.
0:14:00 > 0:14:02I'm trying to work out...
0:14:02 > 0:14:06- I'm trying to work out, Alistair... - Boggling your brain.- Yeah.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09- How it would work. How we would get it to work.- Yes.
0:14:09 > 0:14:12- It is a bit of a puzzle...- It is.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14..because it's designed as two apartments
0:14:14 > 0:14:17- and you probably wouldn't want it as two apartments.- No.
0:14:17 > 0:14:20I can't even work out in my head how I'd want to plan it. I'd have to...
0:14:20 > 0:14:24Because the kitchen's here and the kitchen downstairs, I can't...
0:14:24 > 0:14:27I wouldn't want another kitchen upstairs at all.
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Yeah, it's a bit of a mishmash.
0:14:29 > 0:14:32- It's not fitting for me at all.- Mark?
0:14:32 > 0:14:35- You need a bit of time to, probably, think and try and work things out. - Yeah.
0:14:35 > 0:14:38- Let's look at the balcony because that's a real...- Thank you.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41This house might be testing their powers of imagination,
0:14:41 > 0:14:43but it could give them two options -
0:14:43 > 0:14:45uniting and reconfiguring the building
0:14:45 > 0:14:47or keeping the property in two -
0:14:47 > 0:14:51as much of the space needed is just for visiting guests.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54This level has the three further bedrooms they're after,
0:14:54 > 0:14:56so there's plenty of room across the property.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00- I think this is the clincher of the property...- Wow.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- ..as far as I'm concerned. - Yeah, it's really good. - This is a west-facing terrace
0:15:03 > 0:15:06and you've got this incredible view of the Gran Sasso Mountain,
0:15:06 > 0:15:08which is the highest mountain in the Apennines.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11The whole valley is, sort of, laid out.
0:15:11 > 0:15:14You can imagine in the summer, it's just a mass of leaves
0:15:14 > 0:15:16and blossom and green.
0:15:16 > 0:15:19- The land is about a hector, which is about two and a half acres.- Mhm.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23- And then you've got the olive grove behind as well.- Right.- Fabulous.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27It'd be quite nice, sitting out in the evening, having a meal out here and having a look around.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30It's nice and peaceful and quiet as well.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34Are the views enough to make you take on the property?
0:15:34 > 0:15:36I'm not sure, to be perfectly honest.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39I think there might be too much to move around.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42So how much do you think it's on the market for in pounds?
0:15:42 > 0:15:44I would think it's somewhere near the top of our budget,
0:15:44 > 0:15:46295, somewhere around there.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49Hmm. I'd probably go in at
0:15:49 > 0:15:54- 265-to-270 on something like this.- OK.
0:15:54 > 0:15:59OK, so this is actually on the market for £214,000.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01- Right.- Right. Hmm.
0:16:01 > 0:16:06- That's interesting.- So you would have a lot of money to play with.
0:16:06 > 0:16:08- Surplus, yes.- Yes, yes.
0:16:08 > 0:16:12It's a question of whether that's something you'd be interested in or...
0:16:12 > 0:16:15You don't have to decide right now, I'll let you off that one.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Thank God for that!
0:16:17 > 0:16:20So why don't you have a look inside and I'll see you out the front?
0:16:20 > 0:16:22- Right, thanks.- Thank you.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24I think it all comes down to this because this...
0:16:24 > 0:16:28I mean, in the summer this would be so beautiful and, you know,
0:16:28 > 0:16:30all properties are a bit of a puzzle,
0:16:30 > 0:16:33it's whether it's a financially viable one.
0:16:33 > 0:16:38With its unique layout and coming in £85,000 under budget,
0:16:38 > 0:16:40this first property is hard to ignore.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43It's currently...
0:16:55 > 0:16:58- Beautiful.- I want to see you picking olives.- Me picking olives?
0:16:58 > 0:17:00- Thank you.- Well, why not?
0:17:00 > 0:17:02If you picked get 50 litres, you could probably sell half of it
0:17:02 > 0:17:06- and keep the other half for yourself.- You're thinking about making money again.- Why not?
0:17:06 > 0:17:09No, we're relaxing.
0:17:09 > 0:17:11The land and everything is absolutely super.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13An olive grove already done and established and the land
0:17:13 > 0:17:16at the back, which you could put hens on and a bit of livestock.
0:17:16 > 0:17:18You can't wish for anything more, really.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21The views, the views are to die for, they're super.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23Because it is two separate properties, I can't get my head together.
0:17:23 > 0:17:27I wanted to, sort of, put the stairs inside the house rather than outside
0:17:27 > 0:17:30the house and I can't figure a way in my head how to do it.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33I think this might be a tale of two apartments,
0:17:33 > 0:17:36a bit too much for them to mend them together.
0:17:36 > 0:17:38- Hello.- Hello, again.- Did you have a good old look around?
0:17:38 > 0:17:41- We did, thank you, yes. - Super.- Yes, super.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43Well, I know it's a bit of a challenge this one.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46But it's not the only one, we've got more lined up.
0:17:46 > 0:17:48- Yay!- Very good.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50- So come with me.- Super, thank you.
0:17:56 > 0:17:59Our next offering takes us into the Pescara region,
0:17:59 > 0:18:03as we travel up to the remote town of Penne.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08It lies 20 miles from Pescara City Centre and is home to 15,000 people.
0:18:08 > 0:18:11It's an ancient town.
0:18:11 > 0:18:15In 300BC, it was the seat of government for the Vestini people
0:18:15 > 0:18:20and is now a maze of steep alleys surrounded by 15th century walls.
0:18:20 > 0:18:22Built across the tops of four hills,
0:18:22 > 0:18:27Penne is also a point of access to the Gran Sasso National Park
0:18:27 > 0:18:29and ten minutes from the centre of the town,
0:18:29 > 0:18:31we've got a suitably breathtaking property lined up.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35It's a beautifully restored farmhouse set in a verdant valley,
0:18:35 > 0:18:38surrounded by unspoilt countryside.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41LAUGHTER
0:18:41 > 0:18:43- Amazing.- It's lovely.- Fabulous.
0:18:43 > 0:18:46This is an interesting property because this is actually not as old...
0:18:46 > 0:18:50It dates from the 1940s and then it was sold to an English couple,
0:18:50 > 0:18:54and they've completely remodelled it at great expense.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57- Wow.- It's good, it's...
0:18:57 > 0:19:01- It's the wow factor for me.- Can you imagine living here?- Oh, yes.
0:19:01 > 0:19:03- Really?- I've not seen inside but,
0:19:03 > 0:19:06yeah, the whole thing, it's just lovely.
0:19:06 > 0:19:08- Super.- Mark, what do you think?
0:19:08 > 0:19:12- I didn't think we'd get anything like this, it's lovely.- It's lovely.
0:19:12 > 0:19:16And it's nice, it's in a nice surrounding area as well.
0:19:16 > 0:19:19- But not overlooked. - No.- We're not, no.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21- Wow.- Shall we look inside?
0:19:21 > 0:19:24- Oh, absolutely.- Please, yeah.
0:19:24 > 0:19:25That's more like it.
0:19:25 > 0:19:29This picturesque rural estate is really striking a chord
0:19:29 > 0:19:32and Anita can't hide her emotions.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Let's just hope the inside matches up
0:19:34 > 0:19:37to some very heightened expectations.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40Look at that fire!
0:19:40 > 0:19:42Look at that view!
0:19:42 > 0:19:47- Love it, love the stonework.- What do you think to the space?- Amazing.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51- It's nice, it's a good space.- Super and a good use of space as well.
0:19:51 > 0:19:53It's just gorgeous.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56- I'm looking and trying to take it all in.- Yeah.
0:19:56 > 0:19:58- Just amazing.- Most of the...
0:19:58 > 0:20:00- You're going to be out there. - Outside.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04Wow, looking at that view day in, day out would just be amazing.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08- So this is getting the thumbs up? - Yeah.- Very much so.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- Well, let's go and look at the kitchen.- Oh, yes.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14The good vibes are continuing for now.
0:20:14 > 0:20:16But, with Anita's desire for a big kitchen,
0:20:16 > 0:20:19I'm not sure what she'll make of this one.
0:20:19 > 0:20:20It's not a huge kitchen.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24- As I say, they don't really do huge kitchens in most parts of Italy.- No.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26It's big enough.
0:20:26 > 0:20:28The cooker's just made it, the cooker's amazing.
0:20:28 > 0:20:30It's nice. It's because you like the house.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34- It's actually much smaller than the other one we saw.- It works.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37It works, everything works. They've even got, you know...
0:20:37 > 0:20:40The thing is though, if you come to this end,
0:20:40 > 0:20:43this is what you've got to think about because most of your eating,
0:20:43 > 0:20:46- and indeed your cooking, is going to be outside.- Yeah.
0:20:46 > 0:20:48Amazing, lovely.
0:20:48 > 0:20:51This is drenched in quite hot sunlight because it's south-facing.
0:20:51 > 0:20:55Well, you can take your English head off and put the Italian one on,
0:20:55 > 0:20:57and eat outside more than inside,
0:20:57 > 0:20:59so the kitchen's perfect for that scenario.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03I feel like I've died and gone to heaven. It's so beautiful.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06You ain't seen nothing yet. Follow me.
0:21:07 > 0:21:10'Also on the ground floor are two spacious double bedrooms,
0:21:10 > 0:21:13'one with an en suite.
0:21:13 > 0:21:16'As we head up to the first floor, there's a kind of
0:21:16 > 0:21:20'kitchenette/living room, two guest bedrooms for visiting family
0:21:20 > 0:21:22'and a bathroom.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24'Then there's one final suite.'
0:21:24 > 0:21:28OK, so we have four, well, five bedrooms in total in the house.
0:21:28 > 0:21:32This one could be the master, could be just a guest.
0:21:32 > 0:21:35Then all the grandkids could have a bedroom of their own, can't they?
0:21:35 > 0:21:37- Sure.- Which is good.
0:21:37 > 0:21:39A big en suite with a shower through there.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43And every room, particularly upstairs, has these incredible
0:21:43 > 0:21:47views because the windows just frame these squares of green mountain.
0:21:47 > 0:21:49- It looks like a painting on a wall. - Yeah.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52You haven't stopped smiling for the last half hour.
0:21:52 > 0:21:54No, I haven't. I can't stop smiling.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57In fact, I haven't said as much as I want to because I'm speechless.
0:21:57 > 0:22:00I've just got this great feeling about this house,
0:22:00 > 0:22:01just everything about it.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05So there's one more feature which I think you'll really like.
0:22:05 > 0:22:10We're heading back downstairs, where there are a few surprises. Ah!
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Wow.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- We've got a pool.- Wow, unbelievable.
0:22:15 > 0:22:18It's just wow, it's just absolute wow.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23- The other factor of this property is that you wanted a bit of land.- Yeah.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25And this comes with...
0:22:25 > 0:22:27How much do you think it comes with?
0:22:28 > 0:22:30- Three acres.- 20.- Eh?!
0:22:30 > 0:22:34- 20!- 20 acres.- Hallelujah.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Basically, this whole hill, this great big, kind of,
0:22:37 > 0:22:39spur of land,
0:22:39 > 0:22:41right the way down to the gorge at the bottom.
0:22:41 > 0:22:44So there's a steep olive grove.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50I could just see myself and the grandchildren in that pool.
0:22:50 > 0:22:52It's just everything coming into one.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56It's just amazing, totally amazing.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59- It's a lovely property.- Yeah. - Can you afford it though?
0:22:59 > 0:23:03- Ah, well, that's the question. - What do you think it's on at?
0:23:03 > 0:23:06I would say, probably, 325.
0:23:07 > 0:23:13I'm going to have a stab and I'm going to go 295.
0:23:13 > 0:23:19- Actually it is a little bit over budget. It's on at £312,000.- Right.
0:23:19 > 0:23:21But the owners, I mean, they've dropped it quite a lot,
0:23:21 > 0:23:25but they would be willing to go down to about your price
0:23:25 > 0:23:27but no lower.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29- Mhm.- Right.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31- Well, that's worth knowing.- Yep.
0:23:31 > 0:23:34Amazing.
0:23:34 > 0:23:36Speechless is the word I'd use, looking at this.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38It's absolutely super.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41So that's it. I've brought you here, I've given you the price.
0:23:41 > 0:23:47Now, you have to wander round and see whether it's worth the money.
0:23:47 > 0:23:48Wow.
0:23:48 > 0:23:52- Maybe you could get our voice back, that would be great.- Yeah!
0:23:52 > 0:23:55If you step back inside and I'll meet you at the front.
0:23:55 > 0:23:57"Wow, amazing, wow."
0:23:57 > 0:24:01This house has distilled Anita's vocabulary down to just a few gasps
0:24:01 > 0:24:04and a couple of adjectives, which seems to be a good sign.
0:24:04 > 0:24:08This restored farmhouse gives them...
0:24:21 > 0:24:23The price is the only sticking point,
0:24:23 > 0:24:27but it is within a negotiable distance of their £300,000 budget.
0:24:28 > 0:24:33Wow, how amazing. I'm sorry if I'm using that word too often, "Wow,"
0:24:33 > 0:24:36because that's what it gives you the feeling of a wow factor.
0:24:36 > 0:24:37You look around, you've got the Apennines,
0:24:37 > 0:24:40you've got the beautiful greenery around you.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42It's just amazing.
0:24:42 > 0:24:44- Oh, wow, look at that view for a view.- Master bedroom.
0:24:44 > 0:24:46Imagine waking up to that every morning.
0:24:46 > 0:24:50- It'd be quite good, sat in bed with a drink of tea.- Yes.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54Downsides? I'm trying to think of one, to be honest and to be fair,
0:24:54 > 0:24:56but I can't.
0:24:56 > 0:24:58I can't give you a downside on this property, I'm afraid.
0:24:58 > 0:25:00Grandkids and the rest of the family that can come over,
0:25:00 > 0:25:05there's plenty of room for them to stop. They can have their own bedrooms. There's two downstairs,
0:25:05 > 0:25:07two upstairs and two rooms that you could turn into bedrooms,
0:25:07 > 0:25:10so you could actually have six.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16- Great doors.- Yeah, lovely.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20- They could be yours. Look at you, like in a zone.- I'm feeling like...
0:25:20 > 0:25:21Bring me round, beam me up.
0:25:21 > 0:25:26Let's close up behind you and then we're going to take a little break.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29- OK, thank you.- So you can get your feet back on the ground.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31That's where they need to be.
0:25:37 > 0:25:40Mark and Anita are heading to a nearby restaurant,
0:25:40 > 0:25:43where they can reflect on their Italian plans.
0:25:43 > 0:25:44Buonasera.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46- Prego. Ecco il menu.- Grazie mille.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48Intanto, volete ordinare qualcosa da bere?
0:25:48 > 0:25:51Eh... un vino rosso - mezzo, please. Grazie.
0:25:51 > 0:25:53Si. Un mezzo di vino rosso.
0:25:53 > 0:25:57- Si, grazie.- OK, apposto. - Grazie mille.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00Well done.
0:26:00 > 0:26:03I'm trying but I wish I had my phrasebook though.
0:26:03 > 0:26:05It's back in the UK, I'm afraid.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07I know, I'm just trying to remember things.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11I've been thinking quite deeply about this, Mark, thinking about all
0:26:11 > 0:26:15the things that I'm looking forward to about coming here, spending more time with you...
0:26:15 > 0:26:17- Right.- ..which we don't do, cooking our own produce.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20To get into the garden together
0:26:20 > 0:26:22and get everything how we want it.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Having the grandchildren over. Oh, fantastic.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28Spend a bit of time, a bit of quality time with them
0:26:28 > 0:26:29and enjoy their company as well.
0:26:29 > 0:26:33We'll get them working as well, they're not stopping for free.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35It'll be nice, it'll be good.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37- It'll be great.- Chin-chin.
0:26:37 > 0:26:39Chin-chin and here's to many more.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55It's the beginning of our second day house-hunting in the stunning
0:26:55 > 0:26:57Abruzzo region of Italy.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01Our Yorkshire couple have a budget of £300,000 to give themselves
0:27:01 > 0:27:06a rustic property with land for their animals and vegetable needs.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09This morning, Anita and Mark are off to check out a local market
0:27:09 > 0:27:13and it doesn't take long before Anita spots something useful.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16There are some socks there. Do you want me to get you some for work?
0:27:16 > 0:27:20- You can do.- They're the right size. - That's it.- What size are they?
0:27:20 > 0:27:23- 42...- Eight.- So they'll be all right.- So they're perfect.
0:27:23 > 0:27:26- Scusi.- Size?- 42.
0:27:26 > 0:27:29How do you say in Italian, "42?"
0:27:29 > 0:27:33- Quarantadue.- Quarantadue.- Bravo.
0:27:33 > 0:27:35LAUGHTER
0:27:35 > 0:27:38Having learnt a few more Italian words, there's no better way to
0:27:38 > 0:27:40suck up the local atmosphere than in
0:27:40 > 0:27:43the central piazza with a cappuccino.
0:27:44 > 0:27:48- What's sugar? Is it zucchero? - Zucchero, yeah.
0:27:48 > 0:27:52- I think I'll have some zucchero in my cappuccino, darling.- You go ahead.
0:27:52 > 0:27:55There's a long day of house-hunting ahead of us,
0:27:55 > 0:27:57so it's time to whisk them away.
0:27:59 > 0:28:02This couldn't be a more Italian place to meet them.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06- Ciao, Belli. Come stai?- Come stai?
0:28:06 > 0:28:08THEY KISS
0:28:08 > 0:28:10- Hello.- Hello.- Hello.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13How was your morning? What did you get up to?
0:28:13 > 0:28:16It's been really interesting. Walking around the square's been nice.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18- Have you practised Italian? - I have, indeed.
0:28:18 > 0:28:19I've been practising very well.
0:28:19 > 0:28:22I've been speaking to some Italian stallholders.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25So, how've you found the Abruzzi, the people of Abruzzo?
0:28:25 > 0:28:27Really nice. Whenever you're walking round, there's a nice
0:28:27 > 0:28:30- smile from everybody, which is reassuring as well.- So good morning?
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Oh, fabulous, can't beat it.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36So I'm going to see if I can top it by showing you another lovely house.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39- This is close to the sea.- Yay! - That's different.
0:28:39 > 0:28:41Not shown you anything on the coast, so let's see what you
0:28:41 > 0:28:45get for your money by the coast. And we're going to follow me.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47Heading towards the eastern coast
0:28:47 > 0:28:49takes us to the village of Mutignano,
0:28:49 > 0:28:52which is just three miles from the beaches of the Adriatic Sea,
0:28:52 > 0:28:54whilst remaining up in the hills.
0:28:54 > 0:28:56With no real amenities of its own,
0:28:56 > 0:29:01it is served by the bigger town of Atri, five miles up the road.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04Atri has the customary Abruzzo mix of mediaeval charm
0:29:04 > 0:29:08and Mediterranean colour, with narrow streets and classic
0:29:08 > 0:29:10Italian architecture, leading to the
0:29:10 > 0:29:1313th-century cathedral of Santa Maria.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17There are also plenty of shops and restaurants here,
0:29:17 > 0:29:21where Mark and Anita can enjoy the authentic Italian lifestyle.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24The village of Mutignano is where our next, rather impressive
0:29:24 > 0:29:26property can be found.
0:29:26 > 0:29:30- Gosh, big.- The size.- It's huge.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35I'm thinking of cleaning now and I'm thinking, "Huge cleaning."
0:29:35 > 0:29:38Well, actually, we wanted to show you something by the sea.
0:29:38 > 0:29:43- The sea is just there. - Fabulous. I love the beach...I do,
0:29:43 > 0:29:46so that would be great. We could go for walks with the dog in the morning, fantastic.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50The thing about this property is that it's as far away from a,
0:29:50 > 0:29:54- kind of, country cottage in Yorkshire that you could probably get.- OK.
0:29:54 > 0:29:58- You've got to think big Italian families.- Think out the box.- Yes.
0:29:58 > 0:30:03- OK.- Are you thinking that? - Starting to.- OK, let's look inside.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06The closer we get, the more we appear dwarfed by this
0:30:06 > 0:30:10considerable home, which covers 400 square metres.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12It's a new build, spread over three floors
0:30:12 > 0:30:15and we're starting with a bit of an unusual space.
0:30:15 > 0:30:17Brace yourself.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19Oh.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21Oh!
0:30:21 > 0:30:22LAUGHTER
0:30:22 > 0:30:26Now, before you completely freak out, this is the basement.
0:30:26 > 0:30:29- So remember we're coming from the bottom up.- That's it, bottoms up.
0:30:29 > 0:30:33This is an Italian family party room.
0:30:33 > 0:30:34Right.
0:30:34 > 0:30:39You have a pizza oven, you've even got a ham carving machine.
0:30:39 > 0:30:41Yeah, enormous parties.
0:30:41 > 0:30:43LAUGHTER
0:30:43 > 0:30:45I'm a bit stuck for words. Yeah, yeah.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49- It's a big play area for children as well.- Yeah.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52It's really designed to be filled with people.
0:30:52 > 0:30:56- Well, we shouldn't have a problem doing that, should we?- No.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00- The next floor that we go to is not finished...- Right.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03- ..so you'll need to put your decorating hats on.- Right.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07The basement also has a wine cellar and a bathroom.
0:31:07 > 0:31:09On the next floor up, there are several large
0:31:09 > 0:31:12rooms in need of some final touches.
0:31:12 > 0:31:16- So it's a bit uneven here, so mind the stairs.- Indeed.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20So how are you at, sort of, dealing with this unfinished interior?
0:31:20 > 0:31:24Unfinished interior doesn't faze me, we've done it before in our cottages.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27However, I don't know if I've got the
0:31:27 > 0:31:30feeling that I'd want to in this property.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33In all honesty, I think it might be a bit too big for us.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35However, we can't rule it out until we've seen the rest of it.
0:31:35 > 0:31:39- That's true.- So, you know, open-minded still.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41Let's just step out and admire the view.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43It's quite a view, isn't it?
0:31:43 > 0:31:48- It is, stunning view. - I'm not winning you over, am I?!- No!
0:31:48 > 0:31:51- I'm trying my hardest here.- You are, there's just something missing.
0:31:51 > 0:31:55- It's just...- Is it the period thing, because it's modern?
0:31:55 > 0:31:58Possibly because, for the last 20-some years, we've lived in a
0:31:58 > 0:32:01property of 1826.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03It's a new start, new life, it could be a new building,
0:32:03 > 0:32:07instead of an old building.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09It's a good attempt, Mark,
0:32:09 > 0:32:14- but I don't think it's going to win her over.- No.
0:32:14 > 0:32:15Good try.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18But we haven't seen the actual living quarters yet,
0:32:18 > 0:32:22- so let's go... These are finished to a very beautiful standard.- Fabulous.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26'The top floor of this property is where the current owners live
0:32:26 > 0:32:28'and, thankfully, it is completely finished.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31'There are three bedrooms, a bathroom...'
0:32:31 > 0:32:34This is really their living area.
0:32:34 > 0:32:37You've got the big log burner in the corner,
0:32:37 > 0:32:41kitchen and dining area looking out onto the balcony, which faces west.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43I think it's beautiful in some aspects.
0:32:43 > 0:32:45I don't know what I'd do with this space because you've got
0:32:45 > 0:32:47a lounge downstairs...
0:32:47 > 0:32:49You couldn't turn it into a bedroom because the staircase
0:32:49 > 0:32:51comes straight up into here.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54It would have to be small lounge or an escape area.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Yeah, for you.
0:32:58 > 0:33:01This floor has another terrace, which looks out over the generous
0:33:01 > 0:33:057.5-acre plot, that already includes some cultivation.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08How much do you think it's on the market for?
0:33:08 > 0:33:11I'd go about 285.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13I would say on budget, 300.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15You're absolutely spot-on.
0:33:15 > 0:33:19- It's actually on at £286,000. - Oh, eh!
0:33:19 > 0:33:22- Oh, eh!- That's not a bad guess. - It's probably because...
0:33:22 > 0:33:25So, yeah. It's a lot of house for that money, when you think about it.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29It is and I think it would suit someone who's prepared
0:33:29 > 0:33:31to put a bit of work in.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34Once you've done all the work and the work that's needed,
0:33:34 > 0:33:36it would take you over budget.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38Why don't you lot go inside and have a look around
0:33:38 > 0:33:40and I'll meet you at the front?
0:33:40 > 0:33:42Super, thank you.
0:33:42 > 0:33:44This modern offering is, in a word, huge
0:33:44 > 0:33:48and, once complete, will be an impressive home.
0:33:48 > 0:33:50It offers...
0:34:00 > 0:34:05This property is too concrety for me, personally, a little bit bricky,
0:34:05 > 0:34:09I know it sounds a bit bizarre, but too much brickwork for me
0:34:09 > 0:34:11and too much going on.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14The house is nice, nice for the right person,
0:34:14 > 0:34:16not particularly for us.
0:34:16 > 0:34:19I do think it would take us quite a bit over budget once
0:34:19 > 0:34:21we decided to start doing the middle floor
0:34:21 > 0:34:24because you'd have to change upstairs round as well.
0:34:24 > 0:34:26It's just not our cup of tea, I'm afraid.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30Ah, there you are.
0:34:30 > 0:34:33- Well, that's our houses done for the day.- Thank you.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36- It's been a nice sunny day for you. - Beautiful.
0:34:36 > 0:34:40Time to do some reflection and get ready for our last house tomorrow.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42Super. Can't wait.
0:34:49 > 0:34:52As Anita and Mark have never visited Abruzzo,
0:34:52 > 0:34:55their local knowledge is patchy at best.
0:34:55 > 0:34:57Thankfully, we have a plan.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59So we're heading to Farindola to meet two British expats.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03With seven years experience living here, they should be able to shed
0:35:03 > 0:35:05some light on the realities of Italian life,
0:35:05 > 0:35:08with one culinary delight high on the agenda.
0:35:08 > 0:35:11We found out that one of the famous things about this
0:35:11 > 0:35:15- village is the cheese.- That's right, yes, pecorino di Farindola.
0:35:15 > 0:35:18I thought to increase maximum coverage, it would be quite
0:35:18 > 0:35:19good if we split up.
0:35:19 > 0:35:22- So, Helen, if you could show Anita the cheese.- Of course.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25- And, Paul, if we could visit your house.- OK.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29- That would be lovely.- OK.- Thank you.
0:35:29 > 0:35:32'As we head off to their home, which is in the very heart
0:35:32 > 0:35:35'of Farindola's old town...' It's a big house, isn't it?
0:35:35 > 0:35:39'..the ladies are off to a cheese shop, where a very special resident
0:35:39 > 0:35:41'has opened up for us today.'
0:35:41 > 0:35:43Ilario...is the mayor.
0:35:43 > 0:35:47- Wow, Ilario!- Nice to meet you. - Nice to meet you, whoo!
0:35:47 > 0:35:49Welcome in Farindola.
0:35:49 > 0:35:52Well, if he's here everyday for cheese, I'll be here too.
0:35:52 > 0:35:56Mayor Ilario Lacchetta is keen to show off one of the region's
0:35:56 > 0:36:00most celebrated exports - pecorino di Farindola -
0:36:00 > 0:36:04a cheese made with raw milk from the sheep in the nearby mountains.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08Depending on how dry or how young you want your cheese,
0:36:08 > 0:36:13you select on age, 12 months, maybe 36 months, maybe 48 months.
0:36:13 > 0:36:15I thought cheese was cheese.
0:36:15 > 0:36:16That's fantastic.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20Could I ask how much it would be for...? To buy a cheese like that?
0:36:20 > 0:36:2350 or 60 Euros.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26For a mid-range one. If you go for the older one, it would be more.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30It's a specialist product. It's not made anywhere else in the world.
0:36:30 > 0:36:33I think I could be certainly looking to buy a piece today at that...
0:36:33 > 0:36:37- Yeah, I think I really could. - No, no, no, no.
0:36:37 > 0:36:40I'd like to give you this as present.
0:36:40 > 0:36:42Oh, grazie mille, that's very kind.
0:36:42 > 0:36:45Thank you very much indeed, that's lovely.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49Back at the house, we're getting a tour of their five-storey property,
0:36:49 > 0:36:52a striking Italian residence, which traditionally would have
0:36:52 > 0:36:55housed several generations of the same family.
0:36:55 > 0:37:00Oh, my goodness. This is the most incredible view.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02Pescara is behind that hill.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05It feels a bit like we're in a UFO, hovering above the city
0:37:05 > 0:37:07because there's nothing below us.
0:37:07 > 0:37:09- Apart from the fantastic texture of all the roof tiles.- Yeah.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12So you moved here seven years ago. Is this all your creation, up here?
0:37:12 > 0:37:15It's our alteration to open it up.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19The town hall said we couldn't expand the windows more than 50%,
0:37:19 > 0:37:22so we put in a glass wall.
0:37:22 > 0:37:24Is there lots of planning and regulation, red tape?
0:37:24 > 0:37:27Yes, everything has to be done with paperwork and everything.
0:37:27 > 0:37:32And just to increase this by 20cm, to give us a bigger terrace,
0:37:32 > 0:37:34it was a delay of a couple of months.
0:37:34 > 0:37:36So dare I ask how much you paid for it seven years ago?
0:37:36 > 0:37:38Guess.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40It's 467 square meters.
0:37:40 > 0:37:43I'd say about 250.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46- Eh, no, 90.- 290.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48No, 90,000 euros.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52- That's about £69,000.- Wow!
0:37:52 > 0:37:53Don't give him ideas!
0:37:53 > 0:37:56You're not getting anything near that.
0:37:56 > 0:37:59As we take in the views, and recover from that round of guess the
0:37:59 > 0:38:03price, Mark takes the opportunity to ask some practical questions.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07One question, or a couple, I've got is how to register with a dentist,
0:38:07 > 0:38:11doctors or what happens if you're not registered and have an accident?
0:38:11 > 0:38:14- The health service has been superb here.- Private health care or...?
0:38:14 > 0:38:16- National, I think.- National.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19You have so pay so much for the first five years, but once you've
0:38:19 > 0:38:23got your residency, after the five years, you're just fitting in.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26How is the fitting in? Have you fitted in with the community here?
0:38:26 > 0:38:30It's a small community and it's so impossible to escape.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33You're rude if you don't say, "Buongiorno."
0:38:33 > 0:38:35You become part of the community by that.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37But, at the same time, you've got to be a bit careful
0:38:37 > 0:38:40because everybody, somehow, is related.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43You can't complain about an electrician or something
0:38:43 > 0:38:46because it happens to be the husband of the owner of the house.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48You say, "Oh, yeah, very good."
0:38:48 > 0:38:51- And how are the...? How have the workmen been?- Oh, super.
0:38:51 > 0:38:52- You're just saying that because... - No!
0:38:52 > 0:38:55- I'm not related to any of them. - Yeah, yeah.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58They seem to have cracked the code for happy integration into
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Italian life and, with cheese and wine at the ready,
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Anita is keen to get stuck in with her own questions
0:39:04 > 0:39:07for our expat couple.
0:39:07 > 0:39:10Does the tax depend on how old the house is to the amount of tax
0:39:10 > 0:39:14- you would pay?- The buying tax, as far as I know, there's no difference.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18I think if you build a new house, there's VAT to pay on it.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21- Ah.- Restoration is 10%. If you've got an old house and you're
0:39:21 > 0:39:25restoring it, then VAT is 10%. If it's a new one, then it's full VAT.
0:39:25 > 0:39:27What about the cost of living?
0:39:27 > 0:39:30Have you been pleasantly surprised or shocked about
0:39:30 > 0:39:32the cost of certain things?
0:39:32 > 0:39:34Not about the cost of wine.
0:39:34 > 0:39:35Wine is very reasonable, isn't it?
0:39:35 > 0:39:38- And going out... - Let's get it in perspective.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41And going out to eat is really reasonable as well.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45Things... Petrol, or diesel or fuel, that's very expensive here.
0:39:45 > 0:39:47And you need it because you're out in the country here.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50If you want to go anywhere, you need transport.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53If I want to have a grump about something...
0:39:53 > 0:39:56- A grump! The Post Office...- Right.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00..it's atrocious. It works, but...
0:40:00 > 0:40:03- It's not reliable. - It's not reliable.
0:40:03 > 0:40:04- It's not all bad, is it?- Oh, no, no.
0:40:04 > 0:40:07What are the good points of living here?
0:40:07 > 0:40:10Being in a place where everything is new.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13I feel like a child in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory because
0:40:13 > 0:40:15it's good just going shopping.
0:40:15 > 0:40:17I don't know what I'm going to get...
0:40:17 > 0:40:20The cheese and you come out with this type...
0:40:20 > 0:40:22You don't get that in England and it's yummy.
0:40:22 > 0:40:24LAUGHTER
0:40:24 > 0:40:28And yummy's the word, as we continue to sample the local fare.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31If, and when, Anita and Mark take the plunge and move to Abruzzo,
0:40:31 > 0:40:34there are a few more considerations they'll need to bear in mind.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37In terms of property, on average, buyers should
0:40:37 > 0:40:42factor in an extra 10% of the purchase price for buying costs.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45Registration tax is payable upon completion of the sale
0:40:45 > 0:40:47and is charged at 3%.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51However, the rate increases to 7% for those not becoming
0:40:51 > 0:40:55a full-time resident, so make sure your status is clear.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58On a practical level, if you do take on an older property,
0:40:58 > 0:41:02get the travel adaptors ready, as you may be faced with up to
0:41:02 > 0:41:05three different types of electrical sockets.
0:41:17 > 0:41:21It's our final day searching for a rustic Italian house in this
0:41:21 > 0:41:23glorious region of Abruzzo.
0:41:23 > 0:41:27Yorkshire couple Anita and Mark have a good £300,000 budget
0:41:27 > 0:41:30to make the dream a reality.
0:41:30 > 0:41:34It's the first time they've been to this beguiling area but,
0:41:34 > 0:41:37thankfully, it seems like it's been love at first sight.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41- Ah, just look at that. - I know. It's good, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:41:41 > 0:41:43- All the snow-capped mountains everywhere.- It's just amazing.
0:41:43 > 0:41:48- Nice views.- Do you know what? It can't come soon enough, can it?
0:41:48 > 0:41:51- Not now, no. Not now we've been here, no, definitely not.- No.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55I think you're going to find I'm going to be very tearful when we leave.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58In fact, I'm filling up now thinking about it.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02- It's the first time we've been, it's lovely, isn't it?- It's magical.
0:42:02 > 0:42:05- It's just... Everything about it is just magical.- Yeah, it's nice.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08You know, you just... Amazing.
0:42:08 > 0:42:09- Hmm.- Absolutely beautiful.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12We'll move into a house tomorrow then.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17Don't bother going back.
0:42:17 > 0:42:21It won't be long. We've got to hold on to that, it won't be long.
0:42:23 > 0:42:27We had some unseasonably heavy snowfall here in Abruzzo last week,
0:42:27 > 0:42:30but it does point out the fact that, up here in the mountains,
0:42:30 > 0:42:31we're about 500 metres above sea level,
0:42:31 > 0:42:34it can get very cold in the winter.
0:42:34 > 0:42:38Today is about five degrees, but in the summer, unusually, it's hotter
0:42:38 > 0:42:42up here than it is down on the coast, getting up to 42/45 degrees.
0:42:42 > 0:42:46So the Mystery House offers a very good ecological
0:42:46 > 0:42:49solution to those extremes of temperature.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54We've travelled back inland to the mouthful that is
0:42:54 > 0:42:56Castiglione Messer Raimondo,
0:42:56 > 0:43:02a hilltop town just eight miles shy of the Gran Sasso Mountains.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05The town is perched 306 metres above sea level
0:43:05 > 0:43:09and, whilst it's small, it does offer basic amenities.
0:43:09 > 0:43:12With origins back to medieval times,
0:43:12 > 0:43:15the sandstone houses cluster around the parish church of
0:43:15 > 0:43:17San Nicola di Bari.
0:43:17 > 0:43:22A few miles up the mountain road is our final and Mystery Property.
0:43:24 > 0:43:28- Take a look. This is a very unusual property in Abruzzo.- Wow.- Different.
0:43:28 > 0:43:31Different. Wow!
0:43:31 > 0:43:35It's a completely eco house, so it's incredibly well-insulated.
0:43:35 > 0:43:36Fabulous.
0:43:36 > 0:43:40- So actually it's just log burners that heat it inside.- Oh, lovely.
0:43:40 > 0:43:43I wasn't expecting this type of house, this far up.
0:43:43 > 0:43:45I was probably thinking more stone or rendered,
0:43:45 > 0:43:47- like the previous ones we've looked at.- Yeah.
0:43:47 > 0:43:50- An old shack/farmhouse. - Possibly, yeah.
0:43:50 > 0:43:52So this is a real turn-up for the books.
0:43:52 > 0:43:54Also, rather excitingly, the locals call this
0:43:54 > 0:43:56- "The House of the Wolves." - Oh, great.
0:43:56 > 0:43:58Because when they moved in,
0:43:58 > 0:44:01they saw a pack of wolves walk through the garden.
0:44:01 > 0:44:04- BOTH: Wow.- Shall we look inside? - Oh, yes, please.
0:44:04 > 0:44:07Built by an English couple in 2009,
0:44:07 > 0:44:11this eco house is a high standard, energy-saving dwelling.
0:44:11 > 0:44:14As Anita and Mark want to get back to some form of the good life,
0:44:14 > 0:44:16perhaps this will appeal.
0:44:16 > 0:44:20Inside, Anita's biggest bugbear is quickly dealt with.
0:44:20 > 0:44:23Oh, big kitchen!
0:44:23 > 0:44:26- Big kitchen, yeah. This is the biggest kitchen to date.- Fabulous.
0:44:26 > 0:44:28I like it, I like the lovely space.
0:44:28 > 0:44:31I love the layout here. I think it's a fabulous layout.
0:44:31 > 0:44:35- It's almost as big as the kitchen back home in Yorkshire, isn't it? - Yeah.
0:44:35 > 0:44:38- Lots of unit space, which I love. - It's as good, the kitchen, I think.
0:44:38 > 0:44:41- Yeah.- Even though it's modern, it's nice.
0:44:41 > 0:44:43- But a different way. - It's very different...
0:44:43 > 0:44:47- We've got these lovely, kind of, pine beams throughout.- Wonderful.
0:44:47 > 0:44:50- So you notice the temperature difference.- God, indeed.
0:44:50 > 0:44:54And it's very clever because the insulation keeps it very cool.
0:44:54 > 0:44:56- I love that smell of the wood. - It's nice, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:44:56 > 0:44:59That smell, it's gorgeous.
0:44:59 > 0:45:02If you come through here...
0:45:02 > 0:45:06- This sort of space... It's pretty open-plan.- Wow!
0:45:06 > 0:45:08This is, obviously, the dining area, I would say.
0:45:08 > 0:45:11Yeah, I can see how it works. I'm just like, yeah.
0:45:11 > 0:45:13You need to have a look at the dining room table.
0:45:13 > 0:45:15Have a look at the table and where it looks out on to.
0:45:15 > 0:45:18Amazing, isn't it? Yeah, I know. LAUGHTER
0:45:18 > 0:45:22- It's been positioned in a perfect place, hasn't it?- Ideal place, isn't it?- Yeah, perfect.
0:45:22 > 0:45:25You see the log burners... You've got three big log burners.
0:45:25 > 0:45:27This one has a back heater, so this does your hot water as well.
0:45:27 > 0:45:31Downstairs, there's a great big cellar space that has,
0:45:31 > 0:45:36what they call a, sort of, summer bedroom, because that's very cool
0:45:36 > 0:45:39and, you know, built down into the ground.
0:45:39 > 0:45:42And so in the summer that's the, kind of, coolest place in the house.
0:45:42 > 0:45:45- Right.- So you, kind of, move in accordance to the temperature.
0:45:45 > 0:45:49- To the temperature...- To the seasons, yes. That's interesting.
0:45:49 > 0:45:51Could you imagine living here?
0:45:51 > 0:45:5450... Maybe 70%.
0:45:54 > 0:45:58I'm just not quite there with the 100%, but 70% so far, yeah.
0:45:58 > 0:46:01On this ground floor, there is a separate sitting room
0:46:01 > 0:46:03with its own wood-burning stove.
0:46:03 > 0:46:06There's also a downstairs bathroom.
0:46:06 > 0:46:10The first floor is accessed by an internal wooden staircase,
0:46:10 > 0:46:13or an external one that makes the upper area self-contained,
0:46:13 > 0:46:15if necessary.
0:46:15 > 0:46:18There is a master bedroom on that side and this is, well,
0:46:18 > 0:46:21it's sort of a little suite as you've got an entrance here
0:46:21 > 0:46:24- and a door that comes up from the outside staircase.- Right.
0:46:24 > 0:46:27And then two very nice-sized bedrooms with amazing views
0:46:27 > 0:46:29and then a family bathroom.
0:46:29 > 0:46:31So we thought this would be ideal for when you have people to stay.
0:46:31 > 0:46:34Compact and, yeah, there is a clever use of space.
0:46:34 > 0:46:36I just don't know whether there's enough space.
0:46:36 > 0:46:38I know that sounds bizarre.
0:46:38 > 0:46:41I like to have family evenings, like the family round. It's just not...
0:46:41 > 0:46:43I don't know if I could get everybody in comfortably.
0:46:43 > 0:46:46Most of the time, I imagine, it would just be the two of you.
0:46:46 > 0:46:48It would be, yes, yeah. It would only be...
0:46:48 > 0:46:51Summer, if we're here in summer, and you've those sort of
0:46:51 > 0:46:53temperatures, everybody's going to be outside, aren't they?
0:46:53 > 0:46:55- That's very true.- That's true.
0:46:55 > 0:46:57Yeah, I'm just having a look at the view.
0:46:57 > 0:47:00You're in love with the views. They are magnificent.
0:47:00 > 0:47:03- The views are great, aren't they? - Absolutely magnificent.- Very good.
0:47:03 > 0:47:05There's lots of lovely outside space to explore.
0:47:05 > 0:47:08- So, even though it's cold, shall we go and do that?- Yes, please.
0:47:08 > 0:47:09Sounds good to me.
0:47:09 > 0:47:12It's a great sign that Anita is picturing her big family
0:47:12 > 0:47:14coming to visit.
0:47:14 > 0:47:15But in this imaginary holiday,
0:47:15 > 0:47:19space seems to be the issue, as there are just four bedrooms.
0:47:19 > 0:47:22But, being set over 12 spectacular acres,
0:47:22 > 0:47:27there's so much outside that works in this property's favour.
0:47:27 > 0:47:28Oh, it's such a great view.
0:47:28 > 0:47:32- Fabulous.- Pretty much 360, isn't it? - It's fabulous.
0:47:32 > 0:47:34And the land, it's quite a big plot of land.
0:47:34 > 0:47:38The whole of this hill is yours and this big field here and then,
0:47:38 > 0:47:42sort of, just down again and around the bottom of this spur of land.
0:47:42 > 0:47:46- Well, it's more than you expected, isn't it?- Much more.- So, yeah.
0:47:46 > 0:47:49I'm having a look round, thinking what type of livestock could you
0:47:49 > 0:47:52have on here. You'd have to have hill sheep...
0:47:52 > 0:47:54Yes, you definitely would.
0:47:54 > 0:47:57..with it being so steep everywhere.
0:47:57 > 0:48:01- But this is the real feature, this amazing natural pond.- Fabulous.
0:48:01 > 0:48:05So no chemicals, water is cleaned by the plants on the edges.
0:48:05 > 0:48:08But it's deep. It's two metres deep in the centre.
0:48:08 > 0:48:10You could swim in there as well, then, that's good.
0:48:10 > 0:48:11Oh, yeah, natural swimming pool.
0:48:11 > 0:48:13And a very lovely sauna there as well.
0:48:13 > 0:48:16Oh, just what I could do with right now.
0:48:17 > 0:48:20How much do you think it's on the market for?
0:48:20 > 0:48:24- That's a tricky one, isn't it?- Mmm. - Er...275.
0:48:26 > 0:48:29- 249.- You're very good, you're almost spot-on again,
0:48:29 > 0:48:34- it's actually on the market for £247,000.- OK, wow.
0:48:34 > 0:48:38Which I think is a lot of house and property for just shy of £250,000.
0:48:38 > 0:48:41- It is.- It is.- Yeah.
0:48:41 > 0:48:44So you'd still have a chunk of change to do whatever you
0:48:44 > 0:48:48- needed to or just to, kind of, live off.- Certainly would.
0:48:48 > 0:48:49It's food for thought. I...
0:48:49 > 0:48:52It's got all the things that we love about it, the eco-life
0:48:52 > 0:48:54- and everything, hasn't it?- Yeah.
0:48:54 > 0:48:57Why don't you have those conversations as you
0:48:57 > 0:48:59walk round and I'll see you later?
0:48:59 > 0:49:01- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:49:01 > 0:49:04Coming in at around £50,000 under budget,
0:49:04 > 0:49:08this hilltop haven boasts impressive eco-credentials,
0:49:08 > 0:49:11from the insulation to the solar panels and the plants that
0:49:11 > 0:49:14clean the pool.
0:49:14 > 0:49:16There are...
0:49:25 > 0:49:29- Look at that, a sauna.- That's good, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:49:29 > 0:49:30What does it say?
0:49:30 > 0:49:33'Please keep door shut to stop the lizards going in.'
0:49:33 > 0:49:34- Oh, right, OK.- Summertime.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37Lizards in the summertime, yeah, when it's warm.
0:49:37 > 0:49:39Wow! That is just amazing.
0:49:39 > 0:49:43- It's good, isn't it? It's big.- Cor blimey. It's fabulous.
0:49:43 > 0:49:46- How well done is this?!- It's good.
0:49:46 > 0:49:48About 90% of me liked the house.
0:49:48 > 0:49:50There's plenty of land outside
0:49:50 > 0:49:53and the idea of having your own bit of a forest to have a
0:49:53 > 0:49:56rummage around in and get your own wood is quite appealing.
0:49:56 > 0:50:01I don't know about if there's a lot of snow having to do that, though.
0:50:01 > 0:50:04The house itself is beautiful. Everything about it is fabulous.
0:50:04 > 0:50:06It's got a sauna, it's got the fantastic eco-pool.
0:50:06 > 0:50:08I've got the kitchen, I'd have fabulous views.
0:50:08 > 0:50:12Amazing design, apart from the family room,
0:50:12 > 0:50:14that's the only thing that lets it down.
0:50:14 > 0:50:17Ah, I was just admiring the view from up there -
0:50:17 > 0:50:19- it's a great view too.- Oh!
0:50:19 > 0:50:23Oh, don't blame me. You're the one who doesn't like it.
0:50:23 > 0:50:27- I know.- But we've seen all the houses.- We have.- I know, amazing.
0:50:27 > 0:50:30- It's come to an end.- Let's go and find somewhere to mull them over.
0:50:30 > 0:50:32- Yes, thank you.- Right.
0:50:37 > 0:50:41Hidden along Abruzzo's southern Adriatic shores is an area called
0:50:41 > 0:50:42the Trabocchi Coast -
0:50:42 > 0:50:45named after the angular wooden platforms
0:50:45 > 0:50:47that punctuate the seafront.
0:50:47 > 0:50:50And, in order to learn more about these irregular structures,
0:50:50 > 0:50:53I've come to meet Fabrizio Lucci,
0:50:53 > 0:50:56who specialises in getting foreign travellers face time with
0:50:56 > 0:51:00local people, so that they can soak up true Abruzzi culture.
0:51:00 > 0:51:03And, hopefully, a spot of lunch is on the cards too.
0:51:03 > 0:51:05- This is an amazing thing. - It's quite amazing.
0:51:05 > 0:51:09It's a slightly puzzling structure. I don't quite know what it is. What am I looking at?
0:51:09 > 0:51:13Trabocco is a fishing machine that
0:51:13 > 0:51:17was created by local farmers that
0:51:17 > 0:51:20were afraid to go to the sea.
0:51:20 > 0:51:26So they realised that using the rocks, they could build a platform to
0:51:26 > 0:51:28put some nets to get some fish.
0:51:28 > 0:51:31And is it specific just to this part of Abruzzo?
0:51:31 > 0:51:34Yes, only in this part of Abruzzo,
0:51:34 > 0:51:37there is a big concentration of trabocchi.
0:51:37 > 0:51:42Nowadays, there are around 27 trabocchi that are still working.
0:51:42 > 0:51:45- So you're not a traboccanti. - No, I'm not a traboccanti,
0:51:45 > 0:51:48but I'm happy to introduce you to a real traboccanti that
0:51:48 > 0:51:50grew up in the area.
0:51:50 > 0:51:52- Can I meet him?- Yes, of course.
0:51:52 > 0:51:57In their heyday, there were up to 100 trabocchi along these shores.
0:51:57 > 0:52:00Loosely translated as deep traps, they were originally cobbled
0:52:00 > 0:52:05together using driftwood and Aleppo pine from nearby forests.
0:52:05 > 0:52:08The makeshift structures would fall and be rebuilt over and over
0:52:08 > 0:52:10as storms swept them away.
0:52:10 > 0:52:14This particular trabocco took two years to build, though, thankfully,
0:52:14 > 0:52:16local traboccanti Ronaldo
0:52:16 > 0:52:19used much more robust materials than his forebears.
0:52:24 > 0:52:26How does it work? Can we fish?
0:52:42 > 0:52:45I'm a bit dazzled by the, sort of, spiderweb of all these wires.
0:52:45 > 0:52:49But these metal wires are just supporting the wooden arms
0:52:49 > 0:52:52- and it's these ropes that pull up the...- Exactly, yes.
0:52:52 > 0:52:56So there are six ropes that are supporting the net
0:52:56 > 0:53:01and they go all to this machine. This machine is called Argano.
0:53:01 > 0:53:05In more bountiful eras, a single trobocco could land
0:53:05 > 0:53:09nearly 100 kilos of fish per day. But nowadays, particularly in these
0:53:09 > 0:53:13chillier months, it's a more hopeful venture.
0:53:13 > 0:53:16Operating on manpower alone, a series of ropes
0:53:16 > 0:53:19and pulleys gently lower the net to the seabed.
0:53:19 > 0:53:21It's very stylish.
0:53:21 > 0:53:25English fishermen are usually covered in dirt and wellies...
0:53:25 > 0:53:27He's looking fantastically Italian.
0:53:27 > 0:53:30On a clear day, Ronaldo simply looks overboard to see
0:53:30 > 0:53:31whether he's caught anything.
0:53:31 > 0:53:33When that's not possible,
0:53:33 > 0:53:37it's just a case of waiting 10-to-15 minutes and hoping for the best.
0:53:37 > 0:53:39Oh!
0:53:39 > 0:53:41Missed my moment.
0:53:42 > 0:53:45It's a very civilised form of exercise.
0:53:49 > 0:53:53It's a little bit tougher, but still very pleasant
0:53:53 > 0:53:56compared to the life of trawlerman.
0:53:58 > 0:54:01Stop, stop!
0:54:01 > 0:54:02What did we get?
0:54:04 > 0:54:06- Nothing.- Nothing.
0:54:08 > 0:54:11I'm sorry, Ronaldo, but it was beautiful.
0:54:11 > 0:54:14The net is very beautiful. I can see how it would work.
0:54:17 > 0:54:23Fortunately, Ronaldo's wife Maria is ready to start on plan B, fish soup.
0:54:23 > 0:54:26She first takes a large terracotta dish and pours in some oil,
0:54:26 > 0:54:29adding garlic and chopped tomatoes.
0:54:29 > 0:54:33And into here goes a rich medley of local fish - red mullet,
0:54:33 > 0:54:39scorpion fish, muscles, skate, cuttlefish, sea bream and calamari -
0:54:39 > 0:54:42more tomatoes and peppers and then it's left to simmer.
0:54:42 > 0:54:4630 minutes later, it's time to tuck in.
0:54:46 > 0:54:50- Ah, bravissimo.- Thank you.
0:54:50 > 0:54:53Oh, Maria, that looks amazing!
0:54:53 > 0:54:56Normally we have six or seven different kind of fish
0:54:56 > 0:54:58in a good brodetto, but it depends on what you find.
0:54:58 > 0:55:02This kind of dish was born in the hilltop town
0:55:02 > 0:55:05on the Adriatic Coast of Vasto.
0:55:05 > 0:55:09The fishermen used to meet, on their way to come back home, the farmers,
0:55:09 > 0:55:13so they started to exchange fish with some vegetables.
0:55:13 > 0:55:17So their wives started to mix fish and vegetables
0:55:17 > 0:55:21and so was born the fish soup, brodetto alla vastese.
0:55:21 > 0:55:24It's famous all over Italy.
0:55:26 > 0:55:29Mmm. The sauce is so tasty, it's delicious.
0:55:29 > 0:55:32- Thank you.- Benissimo.
0:55:38 > 0:55:41Quite a long day up and down the mountains, here in Abruzzo,
0:55:41 > 0:55:42and now the crunch moment,
0:55:42 > 0:55:46where we find out what Mark and Anita thought about our properties.
0:55:46 > 0:55:49It was quite obvious often what Anita thought about them,
0:55:49 > 0:55:51but I'm interested about Mark's views,
0:55:51 > 0:55:54particularly about the Mystery House because I think he had
0:55:54 > 0:55:57quite a soft spot on that property. Let's go and find out.
0:56:02 > 0:56:04- Buonasera.- Buonasera.
0:56:04 > 0:56:08How are you doing at the end of our long week in Abruzzo?
0:56:08 > 0:56:13- Excellent, thank you.- What's come into focus for you?- So many things.
0:56:13 > 0:56:15- We now know we want to be here. - Really?
0:56:15 > 0:56:19Yeah, really, this is where we'll settle and retire.
0:56:19 > 0:56:22- Really?- Definitely. The sooner the better.
0:56:22 > 0:56:25It's great because you'd never been here, so what is it that's leapt out at you?
0:56:25 > 0:56:27What's been the deciding factor?
0:56:29 > 0:56:34A couple of things - the people we've met along the way have been amazing,
0:56:34 > 0:56:36the beautiful scenery we've seen here.
0:56:36 > 0:56:39In fact, I don't want to go home.
0:56:39 > 0:56:44- So, there you go. It's been wonderful.- Going to stay?- Yes.
0:56:44 > 0:56:46It's been a great week in terms of property as well.
0:56:46 > 0:56:49We've seen a whole spread of different properties.
0:56:49 > 0:56:54- Which one is the contender?- Property number two - it stole my heart.
0:56:54 > 0:56:56It's just an amazing property - the olive grove,
0:56:56 > 0:56:58the fantastic open fire.
0:56:58 > 0:57:00It didn't have quite the kitchen,
0:57:00 > 0:57:02but it had that wonderful cooker in it.
0:57:02 > 0:57:05Then I took myself out of the box and thought, "I've got all that lovely outside space."
0:57:05 > 0:57:07Are you on board with number two as well?
0:57:07 > 0:57:11Number two is good. I still like number four, the Mystery House.
0:57:11 > 0:57:13It's different and it's in a nice location.
0:57:13 > 0:57:16What happens next?
0:57:16 > 0:57:19- I think we need a second visit. - Yes, yes.- I think that's imperative.
0:57:19 > 0:57:21We'll go to the location again.
0:57:21 > 0:57:24The place we drove through was Penne and it was amazing.
0:57:24 > 0:57:26Well, we'd love to see you move here as soon as possible.
0:57:26 > 0:57:29And then you could come for coffee.
0:57:29 > 0:57:31- When we do, we'll send you an invite.- Yeah.
0:57:31 > 0:57:35- Grazie mille.- Prego.
0:57:37 > 0:57:39I'm always a bit suspicious
0:57:39 > 0:57:41when people come to buy a property in an area they've never
0:57:41 > 0:57:45actually visited before, but I think that Mark and Anita have
0:57:45 > 0:57:47really fallen in love with Abruzzo and I might add, so have I.
0:57:47 > 0:57:50I've not been here before, I mean, the show's been here,
0:57:50 > 0:57:53but it really is the most exceptional place for landscape,
0:57:53 > 0:57:56great food and also very reasonable property prices.
0:57:56 > 0:57:59Whether or not they make the move from Yorkshire, we'll have
0:57:59 > 0:58:02to wait and see, but I really hope that they do and I hope you join us
0:58:02 > 0:58:06for more Escape To The Continent.
0:58:06 > 0:58:09Anita and Mark have returned home to push ahead with
0:58:09 > 0:58:11getting their cottage and business sold.
0:58:11 > 0:58:13They have already planned another trip out to
0:58:13 > 0:58:16revisit their favourite house in Penne and hopefully,
0:58:16 > 0:58:18within the year, they'll be tending their land
0:58:18 > 0:58:22and cooking in the kitchen of their very own Aburzzo home.
0:58:22 > 0:58:24We wish them the very best of luck.