Casa rossa 4A

What a spectacle of nature when the sun rises over the Esina Valley and bathes the rolling hills with their undulating vineyards, tender cypresses and gnarled olive trees in its warm light. Just watching the passing clouds is an experience in itself and a great start to the day! The Casa rossa 4A bed & breakfast is located on a small hill in the Marche region in eastern Italy, which with its unspoilt nature is still considered an insider tip. The picturesque village of Castelbellino in which Casa rossa 4A is based has a view all the way to the bright blue Adriatic Sea. In 2007, the German-Italian hosts discovered the property and renovated the original 18th-century country house with much love and respect for the traditional architecture. The result is a modern residence with puristic-looking design elements that emphasise old structures such as natural stone walls and wooden beams and create a novel sense of space. The host family themselves live here all year round and enjoy sharing stories and ideas, for example over a glass of Verdicchio in the evening. Double rooms, studios and suites are stylishly and minimalistically furnished, all of them with their own terrace. Those who wish to can cater for themselves – though we’d suggest not missing out on the freshly prepared breakfast! Afterwards, you can swim a few laps in the saltwater pool behind the house or simply catch up on some rest in the relaxation lounge. There’s lots to discover in the vicinity: small, typical Italian villages, the Monte Conero national park, wonderful, long stretches of beaches and countless culinary delicacies. La dolce vita is here for the taking!

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• Starting the day with the extensive “km0” breakfast: brioche, homemade bread and jams, regional cheeses, fruits and vegetables and even a green smoothie from our own production – all served either on the terrace or in the breakfast room.
• Casa rossa 4A is a family place where it’s easy to strike up a conversation and meet friendly people; at the same time there are many opportunities to find private sanctuary to relax and recharge your batteries.
• The interesting contrast of old and new
• The choice of colours inside the building, which creates a new sense of space in the rooms.
• Watching the sun rise through the large window of the suite
• The small sitting areas for cosy get-togethers in all of the rooms; perfect for taking a snack in between
• The principles of environmental friendliness that have governed the entire renovation process: water comes from two rainwater cisterns and the casa’s own well, a crop-based sewage treatment plant is in play and solar energy is used, too.
• Putting your feet up in the relaxation lounge on incredibly comfortable lounge chairs – wonderful also to be able to view the sprawling Mediterranean landscape from the vantage point of the large window front.
• The garden with its fruit trees and lush flowerbeds with a wide view across the verdant nature
• Sitting on the terrace listening to the cicadas chirp

GOOD TO KNOW:

• Suite and studio are each equipped with a kitchen, so a family can easily cater for them.
• All rooms have a floor cooling system, which becomes underfloor heating in winter and provides a pleasant indoor climate.
• There’s a Finnish sauna that can be booked upon request.
• Thanks to the central location, the north, the south, the interior of the country as well as the coast are all within easy reach; it takes about 25 to 40 minutes by car to get to the various beaches.
• There are many vineyards in the area, all of which grow the Verdicchio grape; the hosts will be happy to organise a wine tasting with any of their favourite winemakers.
• One of the best ice cream parlours in the area is in the beach town of Senigallia.
• The beach that the locals use is about a 25 minutes’ drive away: in Palombina you’ll meet mainly Italians of the no-frills, down-to-earth sort.
• A trip to Jesi is recommended for those interested in art and culture: in addition to a medieval town centre, there are museums, galleries and several impressive churches to enjoy.
• The minimum stay is three nights.