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February 2004 Online: www.thisisthenortheast.co.uk
21
connections
PLACES WITHIN EASY REACH
OF THE NORTH-EAST
Mesmerising Marche
When Yorkshireman Felix
Stewart visited the Marche
region of Italy, he was
taken aback by its similarity
to his home county. He
tells CHRISTEN PEARS
about his love for the area
and his holiday homes
business
ASPECTACULAR coastline,
picturesque fishing villages,
bustling market towns and
beautiful national parks. You
could be forgiven for thinking
you’re in Yorkshire but this is Marche,
one of Italy’s hidden gems.
Sandwiched between the Apennine
mountains to the west and the Adriatic to
the east, the region receives little mention
in the travel guides but Yorkshireman
Felix Stewart believes it is Italy’s “own
Garden of Eden”.
Felix, a former journalist, grew up near
Helmsley and went to Ampleforth
College. Eight years ago, his life took an
unexpected turn when he travelled to
Italy to meet his Italian girlfriend’s family
in Marche. He fell in love with the region
and was impressed with its striking similarities
to the Yorkshire landscape.
“Coming from North Yorkshire, a part
of England not short on landscapes or
history itself, I was instantly mesmerised
by Marche’s enchanting mixture of wild
beauty, warm and friendly people and
relaxed way of life,” he says.
“After numerous trips and holidays, we
finally decided to move to the region in
2000 and we have never looked back.
“Today my love of Marche is stronger
than ever and I still wonder at its
stunning scenery – the beautiful medieval
towns, rolling hills, secret valleys and
miles upon miles of beautiful coastline –
and its strong traditions and superb
cuisine.”
The 32-year-old introduced his family to
the region but experienced difficulties
finding suitable places for them to stay,
and the idea for Marche Holiday Homes
was born.
He teamed up with a German friend to
set up the business, which provides holidaymakers
with accommodation in some
of the area’s beautifully restored
properties: houses, villas and apartments
tailored to their needs.
All of the accommodation is handpicked
and includes large, converted
farmhouses which sleep up to 14 people,
an elegant 18th century villa and
apartments in a former nunnery.
Halfway down Italy’s east coast, Marche
Smitten: Felix, above,
with his Italian partner,
fell in love with the
region and the people
of Marche
borders Tuscany and Umbria. It is now a
very popular destination with Germans –
Chancellor Shroeder has a holiday home
there – and is gradually becoming a
favourite with Brits. It recently featured
on the television programme A Place in
the Sun.
Felix says: “People are saying it’s the
new Umbria in the same way that Umbria
was the new Tuscany a few years ago, but
it’s still relatively undiscovered, which
means you don’t get the crowds, even in
the summer.
“The thing that struck me is just how
like Yorkshire it is – without the weather.
It has a spectacular coastline with
brilliant, golden sandy beaches, dramatic
cliffs and picturesque fishing villages.
Inland towards the Apennines, the
traditional hill farming communities and
market towns of the two beautiful
National Parks resonate with history,
recalling the landscape, romance and
mystery of the Yorkshire Dales and the
North York Moors.”
Marche boasts lush greenery, sunflower
fields and woodlands and stunning
mountain scenery, as well as two national
parks.
Nature lovers will enjoy visiting the
Monti Sibillini National Park, which is
playing a key role in building stable
populations of animals including grey
wolves, golden eagles, wild boar and
brown bears.
With a typical Mediterranean climate,
many visitors head for the coast, to enjoy
the secluded sandy beaches and clear blue
waters but further inland there are
medieval hilltop towns with stunning
architecture and rich histories and in
some of the smaller villages it is almost
as if time has stood still.
With more than 200 art galleries, the
area is particularly rich in Renaissance
art and is home to important works by
Piero della Francesa and Raphael.
Visitors can visit Raphael’s house in
Urbino, which is preserved as it was when
he was born in 1493.
Marche also has plenty to offer
shoppers, from bustling local markets to
stylish boutiques.
Felix says: “The region is so varied,
there really is something for everyone to
enjoy. It’s a wonderful place for a holiday
and I think I’m incredibly lucky to live
here.”
For more information, visit the website
at www.marcheholidayhomes.co.uk or
call 08450 569 440.
● Ryanair flies direct from London
Stansted to the local airports of Ancona,
Pescara and Bologna Forli' as well as
other airports including Rome, Pisa,
Milan and Venice.
● Easyjet also operates daily flights to
Bologna, Rome and Milan from Stansted.