Sally and Marco are exceptional hosts which was reflected in every aspect of our stay. From the outset, even before we arrived at Villa Gelso, Sally and Marco did everything to make our trip a complete success. They advised on the best ways to travel, organised a food parcel for our first night and ensured the kitchen was stocked with condiments. Communication at all times was easy and immediate.

We will always treasure memories of Sally and Marco's generosity and thoughtfulness. They left a library of guidebooks and information leaflets, and gave freely of their time advising us on the best places to go.

The villa is in an area of outstanding unspoilt natural beauty. The villa itself is spacious and comfortable, with a striking brightness of natural light in all the rooms. The bathrooms were luxurious and the generosity of our hosts was reflected in the plentiful provision of towels, toiletries and sundries. The spacious and tastefully decorated bedrooms had extremely comfortable beds and plenty of storage. The kitchen was our dream kitchen, well-designed for cooking and entertaining - with all the equipment you'd want and more! The WiFi is excellent, and all in all, the villa is equipped to a very high standard with no expense spared.

A car is necessary, and the following is a list of places we would recommend: The medieval towns of Amandola, San Ginesio, Sarnarno and the medieval abbey of Abbadia Di Fiastra. The Thursday morning market in Sarnano is worth a visit, especially if you'd like to come home with a souvenir of a leather bag or pair of shoes:) Take time to read the walking guides in the Villa, as there are some wondrous walks in the mountains. We had fabulous mountain days exploring glacial lakes, hermits' caves and canyons. On sunny days we went to the beaches for a dip at the superb Riveria de Conero and the more touristy Porto San Georgia. From the time of our arrival we were overwhelmed with the beauty of the area and we never ceased to be in awe of the stunning scenery and the secret treasures nature revealed every so often. One night a porcupine family lumbered across the road lit up by the car headlights, and on another dark evening a large litter of baby wild boars and their parents ran all round the roadway in disarray! It was lovely to be in such a private space, and we felt like we were the only people on top of the world, sharing our space with unspoilt nature !

Highly recommend this property. Hosts, villa & area superb!