We were lucky to be the first guests to visit this immaculate villa in April. We arrived to a warm welcome from Francesca, the ever smiling and helpful villa manager, and housekeeper Antonella, who is also an excellent cook. We were travelling with family in tow and the children felt instantly at home, each selecting a bedroom - without argument for once, as all are equally enticing - before exploring their new surroundings. The boys found the gym, the pool and the fridge while Bibi headed straight for the jacuzzi.

This is a very practical villa, having been renovated from top to toe, with every accoutrement of modern living taken into account. No worries about wifi signals here, you really don't have to compromise any modern day luxury at Villa Olivo, yet you are within easy reach of some of the most glorious, largely undiscovered delights of Italy.

The beds are first class, as is the bedlinen, and the shutters provide blackout for a good night's slumber. En-suite bathrooms in every room feature excellent showers, but none have a tub - perhaps the only oversight. If you want to watch films or tv, there are screens in each bedroom as well as the living areas. However, that wasn't for us. We wanted to explore.

Outside the terraces are just what you want. Sun loungers around the pool, shade where you need it and expansive seating areas for chillaxing. The al fresco dining area is complete with barbeque grill and pizza oven. All of this with rolling hill views towards the coast and the blue Adriatic beyond.

Exploring Le Marche

Ancona and its airport are less than half an hour away and the Cornero Riviera - also known as the nothern Adriatic's most spectacular and enjoyable stretch of coastline - is even closer, with its stunning white cliffs, sandy coves and bleached pebble beaches. The crystal blue water and azuro skies are exceptional.

We discovered there are two Civitanovas. Civitanova Mare is ten minutes away on the sea, which is worth visiting for three reasons: first, the colourful fisherman's cottages around the old port; second, the buzzing market; and third, for an excellent seafood resturant called Gallileo, which you'll find on the beach to the north of the town. We ate here twice, dining on outstanding octopus, shrimp linguine, langoustines and the freshest turbot, all washed down with some truly excellent crisp white Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi wines, which impressed with their quality and price. Ylice, from Poderi Mattioli, was a revelation for a bottle costing just €18. The rest of the wine list is also excellent and good value for some of Italy's finest wines and the staff extremely charming.

The second Civitanova is just inland. Civitanova Alta is a medieval hilltop village less than five minutes from the house. This is a village with an interesting history and a vibrant present. Coincidentally, a great friend of ours, Claudio, has lived here all his life and he took us Sunday exploring, stopping for a tasty lunch in the cellars of Ristorante Conte di Vico. The town reveals many stories about Le Marche and its past, as one of Italy's most influential but underated regions.  There was a vernissage that afternoon, with an exhibition of local painters, plus a Georges Braque and a Chagal, followed by a concert in the lovely theatre where the local celebrity pianist, a Russian, was playing a Schubert recital. Everyone was dressed in their Sunday best, visiting the bar in the square for cocktails before the show. Quite a Civitanova Sunday scene.

Our culinary high point, however, was on a rainy day when we headed for Signore te ne Ringrazi in nearby Montecorsaro. This hot tip from Claudio, did not disappoint. The restaurant is set in the vaulted brick cellars of the old town hall with tables spaced widely apart between columns and artistic installations. The open kitchen is manned by a young and enthusiatic team who serve up small dishes of delight. With vegetables picked to order from their own kitchen garden, this is fresh, light cuisine and while featuring fish and local organic meats, it is perfect for vegans, too. We started with 'Orto nel Piatto' or Garden in a Plate, a delicate and exquisitely presented fennel cream with spring flowers, herbs and leaves arranged to inspire all your senses. Scampi alla pizzaiola di fragole, Con le mani and Tagliatelle vongole ed aspargi followed and nothing diasappointed. The finest pizzas you'll ever eat are served in the evening. Michele Biagiola, the Michelin-starred chef, is a true star. The wines didn't disappoint either. We stuck with local Verdicchios and were, again, amazed. Casale di Serra Vecchie Vigne from Umnani Ronchi, Kypra from Ca' Listra and Dionna Cloe from Sparapani were all outstanding (our boys are now old enough to enjoy fine wines). Why don't we drink Verdicchio's more often? We finished with a glass of 2004 Heritage Masala, which was just the perfect end to a perfect lunch.

Back at Villa Olivo, Antonella is also quite a cook. Ever smiling, she uses the freshest local ingredients to serve up excellent banquets of antipasto, fresh pasta, fish and meat dishes and, of course, dolce, including her historic tiramisu. We can guarantee you'll never feel hungry at Villa Olivo, especially when you ask Antonella to cook.

I should also mention shopping. Claudio told us that Civitanova Alta is the home town of Diego Della Valle, founder of Tods, long one of my favourite luxury brands. As a result Tod's leather products are still made in Le Marche and the Tod's outlet store is just a fifteen minute drive away. This is a must for any luxury lover and the store itself is outstanding - with prices 30% or more lower than elsewhere. We returned with several orange bags. So will you.

Villa Olivo is the perfect base to explore the many delights of coastal Le Marche, or the perfect place to just relax in the comfort of knowing that just about everything is taken care of, which is what you need for a perfect holiday.

Villa details - Ground Floor

• Large kitchen and breakfast room
• Living room with views to the Adriatic
• Dining room
• Gym, fully equipped with Technogym equipment
• Spa, sauna, steam room and jacuzzi
• Laundry room
• Technical room
• 2 wash rooms

First Floor:

• 2 double en-suite bedrooms with walk-in showers and shared terrace
• 1 master en-suites bedroom with walk-in shower and large private terrace overlooking the medieval hilltop village of Civitanova Alta
• Living room with terrace overlooking the gardens and pool

Second Floor:

• 2 double en-suite bedrooms with balconies
• Master en-suite bedroom with private terrace

Attic Floor:

• Double en-suite bedroom with walk-in showeroom
• Kitchen
• 2 Large closets

Outdoors:

• Landscaped manicured gardens surrounded by olive trees
• 12x6 metre infinity swimming pool
• Outdoor shower
• Large sundeck with 12 sunbeds
• Outdoor seating areas
• Fire pit
• BBQ
• Alfresco dining area
• Parking for up to 9 cars

Entertainment:

• Bose surround system in the living areas, gym and spa.
• WiFi inside and around pool area
• Lewe televisions in sitting rooms and all 6 bedrooms have Smart TVs 

Points of Interest:

• The Cornero Riviera - also known as the nothern Adriatic's most spectacular and enjoyable stretch of coastline is fiteen to twenty minutes away. Ancona not much further
• Civitanova Alta is less than five minutes away with meandering streets, medeival squares and a buzzing bar in the main square
• Monti Sibillini National Park is a stunning nature reserve
• Truffle hunting in Acqualagna
• The Frasassi Caves is one of the largest subterranean cave systems in Europe
• Loreti's Basilica 
• Several excellent restaurants are within easy reach, including Gallileo, a seafood restaurant on the beach in Civitanova Mare and excellent Signore te ne Ringrazi in nearby Montecosaro
• For shoppers, Tod's outlet store is just 15 minutes away and not to be missed

Notes:

Welcome basket including prosecco, locally made pasta and sauce, biscuits, crackers and a selection of tea and coffee. Fresh towels and linen on arrival with one change per week, air conditioning and heating - individually and centrally controlled, laundry room with washer and dryer. 

White glove service is available which includes daily housekeeping and breakfast served and cleared away. 

We can also arrange local experiences from wine tastings to yoga, massages, sound healing, in home chef, bike hire and sailing. Truffle hunting and olive and cheese tastings can also be organised.